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Giving daughter's chicken a new home

ParentingAutism

Long story short: We had 3 chickens, 1 for each child. 2 passed away and my daughters is still in good shape. Henrietta (the Chicken) is really lonely now. One of my clients has lots of rescue chickens and has offered to take Henrietta in so she is no longer lonely. I told my daughter yesterday that Henrietta will be moving home tomorrow (Wednesday). I thought she wouldn't be too bothered since she never sees her chicken. I was wrong. Today she spent all day crying, same with last night. 

She has a social story. She has made a bracelet for herself with Henriettas name on which she will not let go of. She is going to print off a picture. 

How can I and school help her tomorrow. I am taking the Chicken at 8am tomorrow after the school run. She will be on the bus on the way to school therefore is not the last to say goodbye, which she is upset about. She said goodbye this morning and hopefully will again tomorrow morning before getting the bus. I am curious to see how this all goes. 

Is there anything else anyone can recommend to do? 

Many thanks

Parents

  • I hope your daughter is beginning to get over the shock of such a sudden announcement regarding her chicken. Autistic people tend to hate having anything sprung on them suddenly like that. It can take a long time for us to adapt to the idea of a change and to come to terms with it.

    It's done now but it would have been much better if you'd raised the idea gently before a decision had been made and involved her in the decision. It was her chicken after all and she should have had a say in the matter. If you opened a conversation days or weeks in advance, about how lonely Henrietta was and how that could be resolved, it would have been a kinder approach.

    Lesson learned and never assume anything about how an autistic person may or may not react. Your daughter clearly cared deeply about her chicken, even if she did not show that outwardly.

    Hopefully the chicken is happy in the new home and perhaps your daughter could go to visit.

Reply

  • I hope your daughter is beginning to get over the shock of such a sudden announcement regarding her chicken. Autistic people tend to hate having anything sprung on them suddenly like that. It can take a long time for us to adapt to the idea of a change and to come to terms with it.

    It's done now but it would have been much better if you'd raised the idea gently before a decision had been made and involved her in the decision. It was her chicken after all and she should have had a say in the matter. If you opened a conversation days or weeks in advance, about how lonely Henrietta was and how that could be resolved, it would have been a kinder approach.

    Lesson learned and never assume anything about how an autistic person may or may not react. Your daughter clearly cared deeply about her chicken, even if she did not show that outwardly.

    Hopefully the chicken is happy in the new home and perhaps your daughter could go to visit.

Children
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