Snow ball in an instant

Sometimes having a non verbal child can be a blessing.  They don't tell you no or I hate you, they don't whine or say "i'm gonna tell grandma on you", you can have adult conversations and not worry about your language being repeated.  But mainly, its not so good.  There are days when I would give anything to hear Walker call me mama or tell me he loves me.  Mostly, though its difficult when he is distressed and I can't figure out what is wrong or how to sooth him.

His transition to pre-school has been pretty good.  The summer session went by without any major incidents, but the last few days have been a little rough.

On Friday, Ramiah got a call from the school nurse stating that Walker was very fussy and upset and they felt that he would be more comfortable at home.  So he went in and picked him up.  By the time he got to the school Mr. Mr. was asleep, and by the time he got him home he was in a great mood and ate like a champ.  Over the weekend, we watched him closely.  Sure he had a runny nose, and he is cutting teeth, but was there something more brewing?  When Monday came around and nothing seemed wrong, we sent him off to school. He had a great day and came home singing.  Yesterday though, we hit a bump in the road again.  The nurse called Ramiah early (my cell phone is still not working) and he gave permission to give him some tyelonol.  If his teeth were the culprit that would certainly do the trick.  However, when I called by 11:30, he was still very upset.  So upset, that I could hear him wailing in the back ground.

I was very torn.  I could clearly hear my child in distress, I could clearly hear the tone in the nurses voice that she felt I should be there to pick him up, but I also wondered if it was just a normal "off" day for Walker.  If so, then it would be important for the aides to learn his cues and how to deal with him.  He couldn't possible stay home every day he had a runny nose or sore teeth.  So I compromised.  I told the nurse to give him another dose and that I would come into the class and work with the staff on some tricks that I know. 

I think she thought I was alluding that they didn't know what they were doing, since I was given ample assurances that they were all mothers and have dealt with children for a long time.  My point wasn't that they didn't have a clue, its just that they don't really know Walker yet.  So i headed into school, very curious to see what I would find. 

What I found was a passed out and exhausted Walker.  Not surprisijngly since he had been screaming and crying for almost three hours.

The aides in the classroom were genuinely  concerned.  I could see their anguish written on their faces.  Maybe I am just used to these types of days with Walker.  What I do know is that he can snow ball very quickly from a little upset into full blown tantrum and nothing seems to calm him.  Its these times that I wish he could just tell me whats wrong!  I can try different things and take my best guess but sometimes that doesn't even work, so then I try something else, and then I am not sure if he is over stimulated and I am just pissing him off more!  It can be exhausting for both of us!

My hope is that the aides will become more equipped to head him off before he gets into the snow ball again, and most importantly I really hope that one day he will be able to communicate somehow what he needs!