Hesitation and apprehension deter the initial excitement of any new adventure. Needing the security and comfortable safety of familiar surrounds, our son starts any planned adventure with resistance.
Unable to visualise or bring to memory past experiences, the thought of doing something new brings on deep anxieties of the unknown. Similar to how most of us fear the dark. Only because we cannot see what out there and latent natural instincts kick in. There is nothing to fear, but we need to take our son on a lengthy journey of preparation before we go anywhere.
We route out any photographs of previous similar adventures. We talk through what happened and what he experienced. Gradually if our explanations have been detailed and positive enough, our son will begin to recall key aspects from that time.
As military personnel will tell you, before every mission, they plan and prepare. Prepare again, review those plans, and prepare again so that when they arrive in the designated location it is as if they have done it all before and are well prepared for anything.
Now, I am not suggesting a day out with our son is anything like a military operation, but our own family planning and preparation does need that same military and disciplined approach. What if he has a meltdown? What if he has a seizure? What if he becomes travel sick? What if he reacts adversely to his medication while we are away?
We approach it by covering off as much as we can. We try and ease the fears about going out, through discussion and recollection and we do not deviate from those plans.
If all goes well, we will generate happy memories to keep safe and to reflect upon as we plan for the next adventure. If anything does happen, well, we handle it calmly and supportively so that it is not remembered as the overarching thing that may have ruined the adventure. It does not and it will not.
