How Do I Score? Mental Energy, Parenting And Autism

Editor’s Note: As we come to the close of Autism Awareness Month, we recognize the ongoing need for better understanding of autism and its impact on families. We are delighted to share this new blog recently started by a mom of twins, one of whom has autism.

One of the challenges many parents of children with autism face is dealing with behavioral issues. In Ryan’s case, he loves doing something he knows he shouldn’t and reliving the story after it happens. And the dentist and orthodontist exam rooms have been the source of many a story.

For example — A few years ago, I took Ryan to the orthodontist for a consultation. After he was examined, I met with the orthodontist in his office. During this meeting, I was not aware Ryan was running through the exam room, videotaping himself touching the equipment with a dental hygienist running after him trying to get him to stop. When I realized what he was doing, we left very quickly. Several months later, I was going through the videos on my YouTube account when I saw one titled “Dentist’s office.” Ryan had uploaded the entire event and it had 500 views! We’ve had other incidents over the years. Like the time Ryan hit the X-Ray button over and over, wasting the office’s film, while I was trying to talk to the dentist about Jordan’s exam. Never a dull moment.

Ryan’s now a teenager and we’ve had a few incident free exams recently, so I am optimistic when I bring the boys in on their day off from school for a cleaning. I’m planning to spend 30 minutes in the waiting room taking an energy audit.

My firm recently rolled out a Be Well Work Well initiative to help us better manage our energy across four dimensions – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. You start by taking a quiz – or energy audit – to see where you’re currently operating and then receive tips and resources on how to increase your capacity in each dimension of energy. The intent being if your energy is up, you’ll feel better, and ultimately perform better at work.

We get settled in chairs and Jordan is called back first. Then the hygienist comes out and calls Ryan’s name. He gets up and I remain seated.

“Mommy,” he looks at me confused. “Aren’t you coming back with me?”

“Nope,” I answer. You’re older; you can go yourself. I’ll come back when you’re finished.” Then I add as a warning, “Be good.”

The waiting room is quiet and I turn to the survey.

I don’t regularly get at least 7-8 hours of sleep and/or I often wake up feeling tired. Definitely true. Sleep is an ongoing issue. But that’s for another post.

I often eat lunch at my desk, if I eat lunch at all. True. At least when I’m working from home. Power bars are the way to go. They only take 30 seconds to unwrap and a few minutes to eat. (This, of course, is not the answer they are looking for.)

I don’t do cardiovascular training at least 3 times a week.  False. On average, I’ve been getting my 3 days a week at the gym in. Score one for me!

I have difficulty focusing on one thing at a time and I am easily distracted during the day…

“Ryan’s mom?” I’m interrupted by the dental hygienist. It’s been all of 5 minutes.

“Yes.” I look up.

“Can you come back?”

“He’s finished?” I ask, confused.

“No.” she looks at me, unsmiling.

Oh s**t.

“This way.” She directs me to a chair in front of where Ryan is sitting.

“Hi Mommy,” he gives me a devilish smile. “Look what I’m doing!” He’s found the nozzle with water used to rinse and is holding it up.

“Yes,” says the hygienist. “We just talked about how spraying the water all over the place makes the floor wet and is not very safe.”

“What was I doing?” Ryan asks as he grins at me.  I shake my head. I’m not telling him any more bad behavior stories because it only fuels more stories.

“Ryan!” I admonish. “Come on, you know not to do this. Stop touching everything or I’ll take your phone away.”

He’s temporarily quiet and I turn back to the energy audit.

I have difficulty focusing on one thing at a time and I am easily distracted during the day…

Whoosh. I hear the sound of the other nozzle that sprays air.  Ryan is giggling and has somehow managed to grab this nozzle while the hygienist is cleaning his teeth and is videotaping the episode on his phone with his other hand. Impressive motor skills, I have to say.

“Ryan, I’m taking your phone,” I snap, grabbing it from him.  You can get it back later when you’ve stopped this behavior.”

“His giggle is very infectious,” says the hygienist, clearly much more relaxed now that I’ve taken over as disciplinarian.

“Mmm,” I mutter. I see the video is on snapchat.

“I’m not sure how to delete this thing,” I say out loud.  I don’t get snapchat at all.

“Just make sure it doesn’t turn up on Facebook,” the hygienist jokes.

Ryan is finally quiet and letting the hygienist clean his teeth.

I have difficulty focusing on one thing at a time and I am easily distracted during the day… Ok, obviously that’s a yes. Moving on.

I rarely have any time when my mind is quiet and free of thoughts.

“Mrs. Singer?” It’s the dentist who’s examining Jordan. “You need to come look at this. He’s missing a metal plate on the back of his tooth which is affecting his bite significantly. And two of his brackets are loose.”

Ugh…

“I’m taking him to the orthodontist to get his braces tightened in two weeks so I’ll have them them look at it then,” I tell her.

“This definitely can’t wait two weeks. His bite could be ruined. You should call right away. Get in tomorrow if you can.”

Of course I should. Sigh… I wonder what the chances are they’ll have the coveted 4:00 pm appointment open and if they do, could my dad take him? Or will I have to pull him from school and move around conference calls?

I rarely have any time when my mind is quiet and free of thoughts.

But seriously, can any parents actually say “No, this is false. I have plenty of time when my mind is quiet and free of thoughts. I often go into a totally zen mental state and come out refreshed and reinvigorated.”

And if so, who are they and what are their secrets?

In the end, I score a zero in the mental energy category. A zero.

But there’s a silver lining in the day – I don’t have to take Ryan back to the dentist for six whole months!

Jodi Singer, is a global marketing & sales director for a professional services firm. She lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband of almost 19 years and 14 year old twin boys, one of whom has autism. She’s been the captain of the Autism Speaks team, “Team Inspiration,” since 2010. In her ‘spare’ time, Jodi enjoys creative writing, musical theater, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.