Sundown

I had such a fabulous day at work. Our first true, not for inter-rater reliability, autism evaluation was conducted on Friday. It came together like clockwork. The psychologist came around 12;30 and shortly after the Developmental Behavorial Pediatrician. The patient was young but separated from his mother easily. The test was easily administered in about 45 minutes and we probably took another 45 minutes to clean up and score the ADOS. Agreement on scores was perfect. I left that day with a feeling of elation. This is how it is supposed to be.

Trent arrived from Daycare the same time I got home. I needed to get Pugly's pills before the vet closed and get to Mom's at 5:00 to meet the plumber and sign the order to get the sewer line replaced on Monday. I could tell Trent was confused but didn't notice that it was any greater than usual. While we were talking to the plumber, Trent went outside and began pulling weeds in Mom's backyard flower bed. When I looked back around, Trent was pulling up Mom's big beautiful evening blooming plant. I asked him to stop and Mom looked over my shoulder and was telling Trent to quit pulling her plants that those were her favorites, etc. Trent lost it. He said lots of things that didn't make much sense and took off to the front yard noticeably upset. He started off down the street. I tried to call him back while he screamed at me. I told him I would have to call Garrett if he didn't come get in the car. He came but his face was red and he was screaming and pulling on his clothes and taking on and off his seatbelt as we went down the highway. We drove around for 45 minutes, 45 long minutes. Tonight, Trent had over filled the pond and I went out to turn it off and he lost it again. I probably spent about the same amount of time trying to get him inside and get him still enough to relax. I guess I had my teeth gritted because my jaws are killing me. I assume that we are looking at "sundowning". I hate it!