Q & A with a Super Hero:
Worry
I was prompted to do this interview because Jake seems to be constantly worrying about negative things. Memorable (not for good reasons) incidents from the past seem to fill his brain and the questions are constant. If I ignored every negative topic he brought up, we would never talk and that's not an exaggeration.
It's actually quite funny now because I just glare at him when he starts talking about jail, prison, viscious dogs and leaving this earth and he promptly starts talking about his new school and all the great things he's earned for good behavior.
Perseveration is very powerful and rarely does he start a conversation on a positive note. I wish I could get him to constantly think about happy things.
Jake, what do you worry about?
“Getting in trouble.”
Why?
“It makes you (me) upset.”
Anything else?
“Getting in the principal’s office makes me very upset.”
What bothers you every day?
“Some things like; what we’re going to do every day.”
How?
“Because you (I) NEED to know ahead of time.”
What does it feel like if you don’t know the schedule?
“It makes me happy if there is a schedule.”
Is it okay for me to tell you a schedule, or do you need to see it written down?
“Both.”
What else worries you?
“Friends. Friends at my old school and make me upset.”
How? You don’t go there anymore?
“I’m afraid to see them around town. I’m scared.”
Why are you scared of those old friends?
“Because it would surprise me to see them and if I see them it makes me want to leave out of the building.”
Does running away make you feel better?
“Yes. It takes you (me) home.”
Oh, you would run back home? Is that where you feel safe?
“Yes.”
Does it bother you when friends come into your safe place?
“Yes. I like friends, just ones that talk, at my safe house. Ones that don't talk scare me.”
Do you have any other ‘safe’ places?
“Telling the police. At a carnival, I would run to the police.”
[Here I re-directed him off a slippery slope of negativity, and changed the subject. I was curious for this response because he worries incessantly about changes.]
How does change make you feel?
“Upset.”
Why?
“It makes me mad… Because I have all new things. Like the new bus coming for summer classes.”
Does it make you scared when I answer your question with “I don’t know”?
“Yes. Really upset and can make me cry. Because I NEED to know.”
Is there anything you DO NOT worry about?
“Elevators. Trains. Metro. Mr. C (school)…. Sometimes I worry about mom and dad. Because sometimes you can get really crabby. I’m scared because I miss some teachers and worry about them. I don’t want them to miss me.”
Do you ever think about happy things?
Sometimes.
I need to go inside. It’s time for Sesame Street.
My observations: I think it's interesting how he couldn't name more than one person he does NOT worry about. In one breath he changed the topic right back to worry and fear.
I also like the stuff about change and how he knows he needs a verbal and visual schedule. Very helpful.
Worry
I was prompted to do this interview because Jake seems to be constantly worrying about negative things. Memorable (not for good reasons) incidents from the past seem to fill his brain and the questions are constant. If I ignored every negative topic he brought up, we would never talk and that's not an exaggeration.
It's actually quite funny now because I just glare at him when he starts talking about jail, prison, viscious dogs and leaving this earth and he promptly starts talking about his new school and all the great things he's earned for good behavior.
Perseveration is very powerful and rarely does he start a conversation on a positive note. I wish I could get him to constantly think about happy things.
Jake, what do you worry about?
“Getting in trouble.”
Why?
“It makes you (me) upset.”
Anything else?
“Getting in the principal’s office makes me very upset.”
What bothers you every day?
“Some things like; what we’re going to do every day.”
How?
“Because you (I) NEED to know ahead of time.”
What does it feel like if you don’t know the schedule?
“It makes me happy if there is a schedule.”
Is it okay for me to tell you a schedule, or do you need to see it written down?
“Both.”
What else worries you?
“Friends. Friends at my old school and make me upset.”
How? You don’t go there anymore?
“I’m afraid to see them around town. I’m scared.”
Why are you scared of those old friends?
“Because it would surprise me to see them and if I see them it makes me want to leave out of the building.”
Does running away make you feel better?
“Yes. It takes you (me) home.”
Oh, you would run back home? Is that where you feel safe?
“Yes.”
Does it bother you when friends come into your safe place?
“Yes. I like friends, just ones that talk, at my safe house. Ones that don't talk scare me.”
Do you have any other ‘safe’ places?
“Telling the police. At a carnival, I would run to the police.”
[Here I re-directed him off a slippery slope of negativity, and changed the subject. I was curious for this response because he worries incessantly about changes.]
How does change make you feel?
“Upset.”
Why?
“It makes me mad… Because I have all new things. Like the new bus coming for summer classes.”
Does it make you scared when I answer your question with “I don’t know”?
“Yes. Really upset and can make me cry. Because I NEED to know.”
Is there anything you DO NOT worry about?
“Elevators. Trains. Metro. Mr. C (school)…. Sometimes I worry about mom and dad. Because sometimes you can get really crabby. I’m scared because I miss some teachers and worry about them. I don’t want them to miss me.”
Do you ever think about happy things?
Sometimes.
I need to go inside. It’s time for Sesame Street.
My observations: I think it's interesting how he couldn't name more than one person he does NOT worry about. In one breath he changed the topic right back to worry and fear.
I also like the stuff about change and how he knows he needs a verbal and visual schedule. Very helpful.
