"Here comes the rain again..."

The weather in Alabama has been crazy since December.  We have gone from 70 degree temps to 30 degree temps with tornado's in between.  As with many children who have special needs, weather has a huge impact on Emily's behavior and sensory needs.  It is as if she has a built in radar that detects significant changes in weather.  I rarely watch television so I typically do not stay abreast of weather forecasts, except for checking the upcoming weeks temperatures on my phone to pick out school clothes. 

Over the weekend, I noticed some changes with Emily.  After returning from an outing without her on Saturday, I found her in her room wearing a bathing suit.  She had gotten a few other items of clothing from her closet and had thrown them on the floor.  Thinking how odd it was that it was 30 degrees outside and she was in her bathing suit, it didn't completely shock me as it was raining outside.  I thought perhaps she associated the rain with water and swimming.  I again ran errands without her on Sunday and came home to find her wearing a sundress with fleece pajama pants.  There was not one article of clothing left hanging in her closet.  She had obviously tried some things on and then just put them back in her closet on the floor.  Curious as to why the sudden desire to try on and change clothes multiple times in a day, I had a fleeting thought that maybe she was having a fashion show just like any other typical little girl her age would do. 

Monday morning she cried because she didn't want to go to school.  Tuesday morning she complained of a neck ache, her throat hurting and foot ache.  She asked for her sensory bag, which we keep at school during the week, on the way home yesterday.  She wanted her sensory chewies.  She wanted me to warm her weighted neck pad up last night.  It took me 10 minutes to get her sock on just right this morning with more complaints of everything "hurt" her. 

It is raining today and temps are supposed to be up into the 70's for the next several days.  This has wreaked havoc on Emily's sensory processing disorder.  I am sure that there will be negative behaviors associated with this change in weather as well.  To all of my friends with special needs kids...

"Is it raining with you?"
(Annie Lennox)

Emily(far left) tasting the rain

Thanks for reading,
Jessica