Some of you may know, others, maybe not... Our beautiful Brayden was diagnosed, a year ago last Fall, with NLD, a very mild autism. As his mother, I actually wept with joy because I finally had a name for what I had been dealing with for the past 10 years, a diagnosis, and a way to get school support. That being said, one of the things Brayden struggles with is change, new experiences and any situation he feels he is not in control. Anxiety attacks are common. Lynn and I have become expert anxiety attack diffusers.
Lynn took Brayden hunting this weekend. Brayden LOVES spending time outdoors with his dad. He is a hiking machine and loves mountain trails. He is not opposed to riding the horses in the mountains either, although it takes a little cajoling. He went into anxiety mode the second he realized he wouldn't be riding Henrietta on a trail, but would be trail blazing through the mountains. The anxiety heightened when Lynn told him Henrietta could do it without a lead rope hooked to Lynn and Hank. Meltdown in T- 3 seconds...
Lynn is a joker anyway so you never quite know what he's going to pull next. Brayden climbed up on our mellow old mare and attached to the saddle horn was his old Game Cube remote control. "Funny Dad, funny." The anxiety attack was averted and Brayden looked at steering Henrietta in a whole new way.
Lynn said by the end of the trip Brayden was playing obstacle course with the Old Gal by weaving her through trees and over logs. It's a good thing he never tried to make her run, then the trouble would have begun... she likes a nice easy stroll.
Lynn took Brayden hunting this weekend. Brayden LOVES spending time outdoors with his dad. He is a hiking machine and loves mountain trails. He is not opposed to riding the horses in the mountains either, although it takes a little cajoling. He went into anxiety mode the second he realized he wouldn't be riding Henrietta on a trail, but would be trail blazing through the mountains. The anxiety heightened when Lynn told him Henrietta could do it without a lead rope hooked to Lynn and Hank. Meltdown in T- 3 seconds...
Lynn is a joker anyway so you never quite know what he's going to pull next. Brayden climbed up on our mellow old mare and attached to the saddle horn was his old Game Cube remote control. "Funny Dad, funny." The anxiety attack was averted and Brayden looked at steering Henrietta in a whole new way.
Lynn said by the end of the trip Brayden was playing obstacle course with the Old Gal by weaving her through trees and over logs. It's a good thing he never tried to make her run, then the trouble would have begun... she likes a nice easy stroll.
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