E-mail I sent to Howie’s teachers this morning:
Just wanted to give you a heads up with Howie and the upcoming hurricane. Howie is very sensitive to big changes in barometric pressure. I am as well but while it manifests itself in the form of a headache for me for Howie it causes big behavior changes. His vestibular system gets rocked when the pressure drops. I know it sounds weird, but we’ve seen it several times, including the last hurricane and that summer when the tornadoes rolled through western MA. It’s usually about 24-48 hours before the actual weather event comes in.
With this upcoming hurricane, I just read that the pressure will drop incredibly low. Based on the track of the storm, Sunday is more likely to be Howie’s harder day, but he could start feeling it as soon as today and into Monday. If you see extra stimming, or he seems out of whack, it’s probably that.
Hopefully we won’t be hit too hard! At least it’s not snow!
These are the types of e-mails I write lately.
The news today is full of reports of a “Frankenstorm” as Hurricane Sandy heads towards the east coast. Forecasters are calling for an incredible drop in barometric pressure as it hits land sometime late Monday and into Tuesday.
And so I write e-mails about meteorology and storm tracking and sensory processing disorder.
I know that for some people this connection makes no sense. As in “really? The weather affects your kid’s behavior? Come on. Weather changes were something that made old people complain about their aches and pains, but it’s not really real. “
It’s just an excuse for his bad behavior.
I’ve been at this long enough with my kid to tell you. It’s real.
I get headaches and neck aches right before a storm comes through. When Hurricane Irene passed near us last summer, it felt like someone was standing on my head.
I can verbalize it. I can explain what is happening and why. And people understand it.
My son can’t explain it why all of a sudden he needs to run laps or crash into things or spin in circles and stim. His reactions to the same trigger look like behavior problems.
It sounds like hooey to someone who doesn’t live it. But I’ve tracked it. Storms, moon phase changes, illness…all these things affect my son’s sensory system.
They probably affect all of our sensory systems. But most people have learned to cope with how we’re feeling. A few extra Tylenol. Or a nap.
Howie is still learning what makes him more regulated. He knows what activities make him feel better but he has yet to figure out the trigger or how to do it most “appropriately” for the setting.
I’m not making excuses for how he’s acting. If he’s being unsafe or not able to be in the classroom then he needs to be removed, redirected and helped. Unacceptable behavior is still unacceptable behavior.
I will however be proactive in helping those around him understand what is a sensory response versus what is a behavior so he doesn’t get into trouble for something he can’t control.
So that maybe he gets an extra sensory break during the day. Or two visits to the OT room versus just one. Or just a well trained eye on him looking for signs of discomfort and dysregulation.
And hopefully we can teach him why he’s feeling the way he does so that next time, he has the tools he needs to cope and feel better.
So I send e-mails warning of Hurricane Howie as Hurricane Sandy approaches.
At home, we’re stocking up on Stonyfield yogurts, fruit leather and flameless candles and padding the house with pillows and bean bag chairs for safe crashing.
Getting ready to weather any storm that comes our way.
Got our umbrellas ready
“Squalls out on the gulf stream,
Big storms coming soon.
I passed out in my hammock,
God, I slept way past noon.
Stood up and tried to focus,
I hoped I wouldn’t have to look far.
I knew I could use a Bloody Mary,
So I stumbled next door to the bar.” – Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season by Jimmy Buffett
October 26, 2012 at 2:41 pm
These weather changes can really throw everyone for a loop. I’m sure the teacher is appreciative of your emails, as she may not have thought of the effect otherwise. My son’s daycare is so aware of these types of changes and how they affect kids. She’s the one telling me to watch out because of the change in pressure!
October 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm
I find that the head’s up email is always beneficial. Even if it only helps me feel slightly better. I hope you all weather the storm as well as possible. I know Tate would be literally bouncing off walls and hanging upside down to try to relieve pressure. Thinking of you!!
October 26, 2012 at 3:33 pm
I wish more people would get that young people’s brains and bodies respond so differently than fully developed adults. *sigh*
Toss in continued GI disturbances here and the full moon on Monday? Yep, strapping in for a bumpy weekend.
October 26, 2012 at 4:21 pm
oh yes, we’ll be right here with you… the approaching full moon is already in full swing with my daughter. bean bag chairs are at the ready – thank you for the idea about the pillows! I think I’ll also borrow your email to share with teachers… away we go
October 26, 2012 at 8:07 pm
I really think it helps Howie (and ALL our kiddos) that you have been tracking the storms and how they affect him, and that you are documenting it all and sharing what you learn with everyone. We need more of what you are doing – Telling teachers and others what they can expect, showing them the impact from past storms so they have a baseline, and getting your family prepared. And you are doing this all with your own barometric headache. You rock – hope everyone does OK this week. Thinking of you all.
October 26, 2012 at 10:27 pm
Oh…I hope that your sweet Howie weather this storm ok…..your email to his team makes total sense to me. I am with Kristin. You rock!!!!
October 28, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Will your school be out for the next few days? Are you in the hurricane’s path?
October 28, 2012 at 9:02 pm
We’re north of where it will hit (we’re in MA) so we’re expected to get wind and rain but not a direct hit. Thank goodness. I know many who are right in the path and I’m thinking of them.
October 30, 2012 at 8:39 pm
I am so glad to see you write this. We live in Ohio and feel the effects of the hurricane’s here, too. My son, Chasen (8) has autism. We started noticing an increase in behaviors with Hurricane Irene and thought it was just a fluke. Then right around the time when Hurricane Ike made landfall, Chasen’s behaviors got out of control for two days…and then went away again (for the most part). As we watched Hurricane Sandy roll in last night, I warned my husband that he would be a nightmare for the next couple days. Sure enough, Chasen’s day today included: destruction of property, self harm, physical aggression, elopement, hitting, kicking, screaming, and attempted stabbing w pencil…all before lunchtime. Those teachers have some amazing patience! When i picked him up I chuckled, there is Hurricane Chasen! This is what Hurricane Sandy did to my child. Hoping tomorrow is better. We haven’t had a day like this since…well, since Hurricane Ike made its way through!