My daughter, Chloe, is obsessed with Criminal Minds, specifically the characters rather than the show itself. She researches them, watches videos, makes PowerPoints, and now she has moved on to making Episode dialogue scripts like used in real life episodes.
It's great because she is using her imagination which she has always struggled with, so I leave her to it. But she spends all day in her room on the laptop making these scenarios. Now, I don't mind it and I'm glad she is happy, but since she was little her interests have really impacted her day-to-day life and she gets distressed if she is interrupted.
My main concern is that she is not eating or drinking enough because she is so focused on what she's doing. I've reminded her, brought food up to her, used schedules, but nothing is working. I've even just tried handing her smoothies and drinks with what she needs. She barely even drinks a bottle of water now either. But when she does have dinner, she eats it so quickly. It's as soon as she wakes up until she goes to sleep again, which can be whenever.
And when she walks round the house, it's like she isn't even here. Physically she is and she does talk to us but it's like she is completely on another planet, Criminal Minds Planet! It's like she's on autopilot.
And getting her to shower, brush her teeth, get dressed is just hard work too. They are already sensory issues, and now to top it off with being unable to transition from Criminal Minds to something else.
And with work, she still does an amazing job, but is focused on Criminal Minds and rushing or struggling to get started and needs quite a bit of motivation.
I'm glad she loves Criminal Minds, and that she is using her imagination, which is absolutely huge for us!!! She's happy, and I don't want to stop her, but we need to somehow support her to look after herself at the same time. Does anyone have any ideas, anything at all will be appreciated?
Many Thanks,
Lucy