Thursday, July 28, 2011

Abandonment; Through the Eyes of Autism

Evyn went to a friends and stayed the night.  When it was time for Nicky to go to bed and his sister wasn't home he was upset, asking "Sister tomorrow?".  It wasnt' noon the next day before Nicky was incredibly agitated and on the brink of a meltdown.  He relentlessly asked me (and said to himself) “Sister coming home?”  He missed her; but it was more than that,  it was as if he didn't know if she would be back.   I was sad to see him so uncertain and needing constant assurance, but I understood given the world from his perspective. 

Nicky remembers every therapist he’s bonded with since he was two and they’re his friends.  He’s seen most of his “friends” leave one day, never to be seen again.  His father who always used to come and go, one day never came back.  He probably really doesn’t know for sure, who stays who goes or even when.   No wonder he’s so nervous.

The blessing in the 24 hours of sad Nicky is I now know how much I have to help Nicky prepare for when Evyn leaves for school next month. I’ve been working on getting myself emotionally prepared  and now I'm going to make a plan to help Nicky get prepared. BEFORE she leaves.    

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