Me: “Hey, B?”
Billie: “Yes?”
Me: “I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
Billie: “Ok.”
Me: “You know how sometimes you get overwhelmed and you freak out a little?”
Billie: “Sure. But I don’t freak out a little. I freak out a lot.”
Me: “Ok, well I was wondering if you could help me understand what you go through? You see, I am not powerful in that way like you are. You have powers to feel intense things that I don’t have. Is there any way you can tell me about what you feel? I’d like to be able to help next time it happens, if I can.”
Billie: “Sure. I feel, um, overstimulated.”
Me: “And how does that feel inside your body?”
Billie: “Like, overwhelming? Like every part of me is shaking so I can’t see or breathe.”
Me: “Whoa. That’s a lot to handle. You are so strong. What helps make you feel better?”
Billie: “Get me to a safe place.”
Me: “Ok. And what makes a place safe?”
Billie: (motions around her room) “Like this. This is a safe place. There are no scary things on the wall. It is quiet. I need quiet to stop the shaking.”
Me: “That makes sense. What if we are not near your room, though? What if we are in public? Like when we were at the restaurant and you got overwhelmed there.”
Billie: “Um, a house works. Or outside. Away from buildings or noise though.”
Me: “Perfect. I will do that. Is there anything else you want me to know? Any other way I can help?”
Billie: “Nah, I’m good.”
Me: “Ok. Thank you for helping me understand that. I really appreciate you.”
Billie: “No prob. Hey, mom?”
Me: “Yea?”
Billie: “Is it really a power that I have?”
Me: “I think so.”
Billie: (nods) “Cool. Yeah. I think so, too.”