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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAn autistic boy had a meltdown at a theme park, and an employee's simple, soothing act of solidarity
An autistic boy had a meltdown at a theme park, and an employees simple, soothing act of solidarity went viral
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/06/07/theme-park-employee-lay-down-ground-next-an-autistic-boy-having-meltdown-her-act-solidarity-went-viral/?utm_term=.6e2c74fdd783
Lenore Koppelman had a professional conference to attend in Florida last week and decided it would be a perfect opportunity to visit Universal Orlando Resort with her husband and 9-year-old son, Ralph.
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He was SO patient for SO long. As patient as he possibly could be, Koppelman wrote. He would say, Okay and sigh, and then enjoy the next ride. But all the while, the excitement was building up to the pinnacle of his day: The Spider-Man ride.
As the family approached the Spider-Man ride in the late afternoon and was about to get on, an employee announced that the ride was malfunctioning and would be closed. Koppelman, 44, and her husband Steve, 49 who had gotten the family free tickets because he works as a computer technician for NBC in New York knew Ralph was going to become overwhelmed and lose control of his emotions.
My husband and I know the signs. We could see it coming, like an oncoming train. And yet we couldnt dodge out of the way. There was nowhere else to go, she wrote. The autistic meltdown was GOING to HAPPEN. And happen it DID.
Ralph collapsed to the floor while people were trying to leave the Spider-Man ride, sobbing, screaming, rocking, hyperventilating, and truly struggling to breathe, Koppelman wrote.
But as Koppelman was trying to get Ralph up from the ground to protect him, something unexpected happened.
A ride attendant who had been working the Spider-Man ride rushed up and told Koppelman it was all right for Ralph to stay where he was.
She got down on the floor WITH HIM, Koppelman wrote. She rested next to him while he cried his heart out, and she helped him breathe again. She spoke to him so calmly, and while he screamed and sobbed, she gently kept encouraging him to let it all out.
The ride attendant, Jennifer Whelchel known by her colleagues as Mama Jen told people who were stopping during his meltdown to please move along, and she also asked strangers not to take pictures.
tblue37
(64,980 posts)PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,746 posts)I have no idea if that employee had any clue that Ralph was in any way autistic, but the caring is incredible.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)I can usually quickly determine when someone is on the spectrum
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,746 posts)Too bad, because it's a valid and useful diagnosis.
Mild autism is bad enough. I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to have a brother who is severely autistic.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)I saw him last month and noticed his hand was red...the next day it was red, shiny and swollen....I asked if something bit him, no response...I asked if it hurt, no response.....took him to doctor, it was cellulitis and yes it hurts....he won't tell us if something is wrong
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)Self Injurious Behaviors, like biting, from a day or so ago.
We live with that as a quiet meltdown.
Skittles
(152,964 posts)he had been clenching his hand.....we are trying to keep them trimmed better
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,483 posts)Good job, Ms. Whelchel.
She has a family member with a similar condition......
It was exactly what Ralph needed, and in fact, lying down with him is what teachers and other professionals are trained to do when autistic children are having these types of meltdowns, Koppelman said. But it was so unusual that someone without professional training knew what to do, she added.
So why did it work? Koppelman said Whelchels approach was effective because it is supportive and nonconfrontational. Some people think an autistic meltdown is a child acting entitled, Koppelman said, but it actually happens when a child is overwhelmed by emotions, and the outbursts are quite scary for that child, she said. Also, eye contact can be stressful for autistic children.
Perhaps some specialty medical response training should be part of all employee first aid training, especially for large public venues.
......
MFGsunny
(2,356 posts)magicarpet
(13,941 posts)Often the general public no matter how caring they are or intend to be - just do not understand the dynamics of these events.
Taking the time to explain what is happening, why, how, who,..... is very helpful for people who don't quite or full understand what is in motion during these events.
People open to educating themselves, and who are inclined to being somewhat to very much more compassionate, and open to expanding their levels of understanding will find these more detailed explanations very helpful.
In meltdown situations of this nature the more people who understand the dynamics of what is going on - the best possible outcome derived for all parties concerned as people struggle to find a conclusion.
Again thank you for explaining this and walking us through it. You have enhanced and brought upon a higher level of understanding and compassion.
That is what makes DU.... DU.... miles upon miles,.. light years and galaxies ahead of the Breitbarts and Free Rebublics of this world.
Sharing knowledge, helping one another to learn, walking away with a high level of understanding - that is how we make our society better than it was yesterday.
Don't stop - Carry on.