Must be the Full Moon...

We've all heard references to the moon affecting many things.  When I worked in a hospital, staff always talked about more emergency room visits around the full moon.  Teachers talk about kids being more excitable and distracted during the full-moon phase.  There is controversy about whether these theories can be proven, but when one witnesses enough anecdotal data, it's hard to deny.

Did I consider the moon as a possible explanation for the behavior of the past several days? NO! In fact, it just now occurred to me to do some research on whether families and caregivers of children on the spectrum notice any correlation between the moon phase and meltdowns. Guess what I found out? There are abundant  references to an increase in meltdown or tantrum behavior coinciding with the lunar cycle.

Now the bigger question: what can be done about it?  Plenty, if we are aware of a trend. The majority of agitation and tantrums could have been eliminated the past few days if we had just put two and two together.  There has been a particularly large homework load due to having to catch up from a week of weather-related school closure.  Dearest and I were thinking only in terms of everyone having to do all that work, and just trying to get Girlie through it as best we could.  If we had given any thought to the extra work coinciding with a full moon, and therefore the increased likelihood of meltdowns, we would have been a lot more likely to adjust the amount of homework and the time we expected her to spend on it.  (Because Girlie is so high functioning, we try to avoid making too many adjustments to her homework and only do it when we feel it's really necessary; she has a tendency to take advantage if she thinks she can get away with it.)

Next month, we'll be paying attention.  I'll avoid making any schedule changes or planning activities that might cause too much excitement or anxiety at an otherwise vulnerable time.  We'll be careful to note the homework requirements and make adjustments more readily.

February 6, 2012 - waxing gibbous, approx. 98%

I took this photo with the aid of Dearest's telescope.  I have always loved the moon, and the first time I saw this view with my own eyes I was nearly overcome.  Conversely, Girlie has never wanted to look through the telescope, and is unable to articulate why.  That may remain a mystery, but in the meantime, I'll be sure to watch Girlie more closely when it's time for the next full moon.