I got to Camp Eden Wood at 4:30 PM yesterday, Tom was there, and all of his stuff was ready. No incidents to discuss, so checkout went smoothly…. Until we got out the door and started walking to the car. Tom threw himself on the ground and started crying. First thought was that he was having too much fun and did not want to leave.

With help from some of the Camp staff (wonderful people, BTW) we got to the car and I started driving home. Tom was still crying, and he unbuckled his seat belt and was rolling around the back seat area, crying furiously. 140 pounds of severely autistic teenager, out of control. I braced myself in case he decided to reach up front and grab me while I am driving–this has happened before. By now the correct explanation for his behavior had occurred to me and I started watching the freeway exit signs; he was hungry and a McDonalds can give relief fast.

You may be wondering why I didn’t just pull over and wait him out. If I tried that I might still be sitting on the shoulder of Highway 62. His rages have endurance.

At this point I had both bad and good luck. Bad: No McDonalds (or similar establishment) in sight. One of those “never there when you need them” things. Good: Tom, while still crying, actually calmed down and was sitting still. Good thing traffic was light. He likes fast car rides. So we are able to make it home. However, it is clear that my automobile emergency equipment is not complete: I need to have a bag of potato chips available at all time. Kettle chips: Tom has taste.

Planning ahead pays off: Before I left I had put Tom’s dinner (leftover rice spaghetti with meat sauce) in the oven to warm up. So as soon as I stopped the car I dashed inside to get it to the table. Still crying, Tom was moving much more slowly. I turned back to urge him inside and guide him to the table. He looked at the spaghetti. He hesitated and I held my breath. Then he reached for one bite, then another, and another…. He had made the transition to eating. The crisis was over

Half an hour (and half a pound of spaghetti) later he was actually quite cheerful. I was able to bathe him, after which he settled into his usual routine of video games and VHS tapes. He did this for about an hour, then put himself to bed. He did not go to sleep immediately; he heard mia_mcdavid‘s voice as soon as she came home. He was very happy to see her and getting him back to bed took some effort. After that the two of us could relax and have some time together.