Yesterday, my daughter Lily had a public outburst.
This isn’t a rare occurrence for us. When you’re navigating a world full of big emotions without the means to fully express them, these meltdowns can happen. Typically, if we can swiftly remove her from the triggering environment, she calms down almost immediately.
However, yesterday’s situation was a little more complicated. To get her out of the building with excellent acoustics, we had to descend two flights of stairs since the escalator was out of order and cross a sky bridge.
It was on that sky bridge that things took an unexpected turn. I thought some fresh air would help soothe her, especially since she enjoys the view from up there. Instead, she stopped and began sobbing uncontrollably. At this point, my partner, Alex, wrapped his arm around her waist and urged her to keep moving, even as she continued to wail.
Then, two security guards approached us.
“We heard a woman screaming on the sky bridge,” they said.
We quickly explained, “Our daughter has special needs, she’s just having a meltdown, and we’re trying to get her to the car. I promise she’s not being kidnapped.” The guards immediately softened, offering their apologies and assistance. Within two minutes, we were in our car, and Lily was beginning to calm down. A couple of minutes later, she was back to her cheerful self.
What struck me was that they referred to her as a woman. At 5 feet 3 inches tall, Lily is slightly taller than I am. But the fact that she was perceived as an adult was a significant moment for me.
We’ve officially entered a new phase of parenting. While society is growing more accepting of children with disabilities—especially those who are well-dressed and cheerful—it seems there is less understanding for adults with disabilities.
Lily is transitioning into a young adult with a disability. At first glance, she doesn’t appear to have any disabilities. The other night, as she walked back from the drink station at Five Guys, I realized she simply looked a bit awkward, not like someone who has special needs.
When I shared our experience on social media, friends suggested practical solutions: “Why not get her an ID or a bracelet?” While I could do that, it wouldn’t necessarily make her visibly different to those around her.
Sure, I could shout, “Hey everyone! Don’t mind us! She has cognitive disabilities and sometimes struggles with transitions!” but yelling isn’t exactly practical in the heat of the moment.
Maybe a Bat-Signal or a flare gun would be more effective to convey that this is not a typical situation but also not something to be frightened of.
Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer. The best strategy I can think of is to raise awareness so more people can understand if Lily is having a tough time in public. We can’t just become recluses; that isn’t a viable option.
In the end, the goal is to foster understanding in our communities. If you’re interested in more resources on navigating personal challenges, check out this insightful article on boosting fertility, available on our blog here. For additional information on at-home insemination techniques, you might find this kit useful, as they are an authority on the topic. Also, for those seeking guidance on pregnancy resources, the NHS offers an excellent overview of intrauterine insemination.
In summary, as our children grow and their needs evolve, so too must our strategies for understanding and navigating public spaces. Awareness and communication are key in ensuring our special needs adolescents are treated with compassion and understanding.
Keyphrase: Navigating Public Meltdowns with Special Needs Adolescents
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