Pumpkin Patch Nightmare | Autism PDD

Ok...this one may be historic. DH just called. Liam's school went to a pumpkin patch (at a local farm) with his school today. He bit the farmer's dog and attempted to bite two teachers. Ah...I am speechless.

We took him to a pumpkin patch over the weekend so he was familiar with the scene. He loved it.

I feel so bad for the teachers....my son....and the farmer's dog.

I think he was overwhelmed...but the farmer's dog?

DH said the teachers did not seem upset, and were simply FYIing him. We have been doing social stories regarding biting and he has been doing very well.

Jeez. The farmer's dog.

Oh, I am so sorry! Just be glad that the dog did not bite back. Sounds like
the teachers are handling it o.k.. I wonder what set him off? That's it lets blame it on the chickens, they can be really mean.

Hi Kathy. I would think it was sensory overload. It was the first time he went in a van with other children (last time DH drove him). There were lots of kids there other than his class. There were chickens.

DH says he was just being a Lima Bean. That is his way of saying Liam is in a pissy mood (hope that word is OK). DH said he woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

I would like to blame it on the chickens.

Sorry it went so rough. It was a great idea to take him in advance, even if it didn't work out. It could have been anything-the smell of the fumes from the bus, the temperature change etc that made today worse than the last time.

It is great that the dog didn't bite back! But don't let this discourage you too much, anyone can have a bad day. Hugs!

Ouch--rough day. I say blame it on the chickens too. You really went above and beyond to prepare him--just wasn't a good day for him.Bummer, ds age 5 went to the pumpkin patch field trip yesterday too. He didn't do as well as I would have liked - I was a chaperone so I got to witness first hand. He screamed and cried because they were only there for a short time and only got to do certain things. There were rides he wanted to go on that we couldn't because we didn't have tickets. Could it have been something like that?

Thanks all...I have to laugh. It's all we can do sometimes, huh?

Stickboy...your sensory posting is very timely for this situation.

In all seriousness, Liam has major sensory issues. I always try to prepare him for things that may cause issues. What it interesting is you can see the overload happeneing. He loses eye contact. Fidgets. Squeezes his face...manic look and then bam...he bites. Once the bite is done a moment passes, and he is fine. It is almost like an outlet for energy.

Sometimes I just want to keep him home with us forever so he never has to deal with this stuff. But then again...he has to overcome these things now...right?

Sorry he had a bad field trip day. Next time will probably go more smoothly.

Chickens can be scary. My neighbor growing up had them and the roosters would chase us. They run around all frantic and they don't smell very good either. Yes...lets blame the chickens...lol

Karrie

You can blame it on the chickens if you want. I hate chickens anyway.

It's always the chickens Yikes! The way you wrote it, though, sounds like you're at least having a bit of a laugh about it - I smiled when I read your OP. Tough situation, but good for finding humor in it. Quinn had a field trip at the end of June to a local resident's backyard garden...

I went with him and there was a chicken in a fancy cage. The whole time that we were in that particular area Quinn was anxious that the chicken would get out of the cage and chase him. He was clinging to me. I was soo happy when we left that area of the yard and the chicken was out of sight.

Sarah would freak at animals sounds too..we went to the zoo with her kindergarten class last year and she was whiny the whole time..good thing the animals were in cages;~P

She also hates mechanical animals that make noise..even the kitties:(

[QUOTE=YepperBepper]

I have to laugh. It's all we can do sometimes, huh?

Sometimes I just want to keep him home with us forever [/QUOTE]

Oh yes....I know the desire to keep them home forever....create our own world here where all is manageable.....

and yes...laugh is all you can do somedays....and this one will be filed away for laughter....I'm thinking the dog shouldn't be that close to a van full of kids anyways....LOL

Sorry bout the field trip going wrong. Never heard of the dog getting bitten though. Guess it will give the farmer something to talk about over dinner. So what happens in a Pumpkin Patch. Is this a Halloween thing. Sorry Im from Australia and Halloween isn't that big here, We get a couple of kidsknocking each year, mostly without costumes even. Is it like in Charle Brown and waiting for The Great Pumpkin or do you pick a pumpkin to carve??? LizField Trips are so tough! There really is no way to prepare for them--the
break in schedule, the ride to an unfamiliar place, all the excited kids, and
then add CHICKENS! My oh my.

Don't worry about the dog. even puppies have sharper teeth than kids.
Getting nipped is no big deal to doggies--I'm just happy he didn't nip
back! Kiss your kiddo for me.(big smackeroo here)

onelinedizzy, that makes me laugh about kids trying to get candy without
a costume

. Halloween here is quite fun. we decorate with ghosts
withches and goblins. Carve Jack-o-lanterns. The kiddos pick a costume
(anything!) and go from house to house. Grown-ups (with no kids

)
get into the act too with big costume parties, parades, and what not. I
like it because it's a totally frivolous and silly holiday here. About nothing
but candy and costumes. brings in the whole holiday season. The kids
love it. C never does good on feild trips. At least you have a great sense of humor about it yeeper! Hang in their...I know my ds has done some doozies

Listen, we once went to a Buffalo Farm...pettting zoo, trail ride, kiddie thing. As soon as we entered the petting area, a crazed white guinea chicken went after my 2 year old and bit a big ole chunk outta his butt! Right through the diaper! To this day, when we play chase, the boys take turns being the "butt biting chicken."

I can say for CERTAIN, it was the influence of chickens.

Shouldn't the dog need a tetanus shot?

(If it makes you feel any better my youngest ds decided to bite the cat this week right after he bit me, my brother, and then the cat right on the tail.)

Yep it's the chickens.

BTW if it helps, my NT 4.5 y/o tried to shut HIS OWN CAT whom he loves, in his toybox this morning. NO IDEA why! He was reminded that Uly may stop coming to him if he does these things ... and that if he harms him, he could die. He took it seriously but somehow I doubt it will be the last time ... I do not get the boy's HEAD sometimes!