27| Does Your Son Become Overwhelmed in New Places? 3 Things I Learned From One Surprising Appointment
Have you ever taken your son somewhere new and watched him completely shut down? Maybe he refuses to get out of the car. Maybe he won't interact with the person you're there to see. Maybe he curls up, turns away, says “NO,” or simply won't participate. And you're left wondering… How am I ever going to get him through this? I've been there. In this episode, I share a story about taking my son to a completely new environment after we moved to a new city. The first two visits were HARD. He sat curled up in a fetal position facing the back of the waiting room chair. He didn't want to interact at all. But instead of forcing him to participate, we slowed the process down. We built trust. And by the fifth visit, he was ready. What happened NEXT is a moment I remember so well! In this episode, I share: Why the gentle approach was important for a boy with sensory processing difficulties Why some boys need extra time to process new people, places and experiences How slowing down can create space for your son's body and brain to catch up Why your son's refusal may be communicating that something feels like too much What I learned about finding practitioners who are willing to meet your son where he is And the question I want you to start asking instead of, “How do I get my son to cooperate?” Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn't happen when we finally get our son to do what we want. What I found is that the breakthrough happens when he finally feels safe enough to do it himself. If you’re listening to this and thinking, “Okay, I understand my son a little better…but I still don’t know what to do next,” that’s exactly where I can help. In my 60-minute Meltdown Strategy Session, we’ll slow things down and look at what’s really happening with your son—what may be driving the outbursts, refusal, or overwhelm—and what you can do differently when it happens. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your son and a plan for what to try next. You don’t have to keep guessing, second-guessing yourself, or trying to piece it all together on your own. Work 1:1 with Cynthia Email: info@cynthiafehr.com P.S. I'm sharing our experience with KST because it was meaningful for my son and for me. It is not medical advice, and KST isn't necessarily the right approach for every child. Please talk with your child's healthcare providers when considering treatment options for your son. But I hope our experience encourages you to keep looking for the people who will slow down, listen and see the boy behind the behavior. Courageous together, Cynthia