Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fantasy

Akila has had a vivid imagination for years. I can't tell you how many times I have gotten an email or call from a teacher at school thinking I'm pregnant, I have cancer, we just adopted a fifth child, my sister was shot (don't have a sister), we were in a serious car accident and Akila's cousin was killed, etc. She is always making up crazy stories and they are usually full of tragedy or something big. I have told her teachers, that I will be sure to let them know right away of any large drama going on at our home. We have talked about this tendency to tell fantasies, or to lie, at her IEP meetings. Thankfully.

I say thankfully, as yesterday she told a whopper of a story at school that has some kids upset, and rightfully so. I won't give the details here, but it was not good. I know that false allegations are a common issue with kids who have FASD. It is scary stuff. It makes you think.

I tried to have a conversation with Akila tonight about the story she told. It did not go well. Imagine having a very serious conversation about something very mature, with a 4 1/2 year old (the age her emotional maturity is at). I was very calm. I told her I wasn't mad and that she wasn't in trouble, but she got pretty mad and emotional. We talked about the words she used, the serious meaning behind the words, and why it scared some other kids. She didn't get it. There was a real disconnect. She just wanted the conversation to be over.

It is really scary to think of what possibly lies ahead of us. She is 9. When I imagine her at 12 or 13, or even older, I get really nervous. I pray that I am wrong.

6 comments:

dorothy said...

Found you! Lets get our FASD kids together to tell 'stories.' At least neither of us has to take it seriously because we know each other - and I am sure you are not dying/pregnant/arrested/locking them in a closet or any of the other things that come flying out of their mounths. Hope you are well - I'm trying to decide if I need to call poision control on my 3 yr old daughter with ARND who just ate a whole bottle of fiber tabs (and who knows what else!)

Mike and Katie said...

Hi! I just came over from Dorothy's. Thanks for sharing your stories.

Katie

Dawn said...

Hi,
I found your blog through Dorothy. I have a dd with FASD and RAD. She is 8. It sounds like we have some things in common. The story telling drives me crazy sometimes. Luckily, we have not had to much trouble with name calling this past year. I like to say that has passed but probably not. Thanks for sharing. I am glad you survived Spring break.
Blessings,
Dawn

the johnson crew said...

hey barb, how are you? how is your life? family? i had a hard week and i almost came over crying on tuesday LOL! - we are planning to go to bethlehem tomorrow for the 11:00 service, just wondering if you guys will be there. (as long as everyone is healthy.)

talk to you later.

Monica said...

My daughter is 14. Last week she told her teacher that her birth sister had died. She's in special ed and her teacher has called to verify her crazy "stories" at least many times this year. I'm glad he's understanding and am sorry she'll be leaving his class to move on to high school next year.

Amy said...

Oh, I have missed you!!!!!!