David called today. wanting to know what he could do to complete his treatment.
So I began explaining it to him.
He needs to work his treatment plan. He needs to be safe. He needs to eat what he is fed and not refuse meals.
The thing to remember with David, is that he remembers things that he wants to remember. If you told him two months ago that he was going to get a balloon on Thanksgiving, he would call you on Thanksgiving and ask where that balloon is. Likewise, if you tell him a small detail like “it needs to be safe for you to return to public school” he will remember that forever and ask about it.
David truthfully explained that he has not had any violent outbursts for a couple of months.
And he hasn’t. This is a good thing.
That doesn’t mean it is safe for him to come home.
So I reminded him of what happened after his first major placement. When he worked his program and then was discharged and the school refused to allow him into the building. He wasn’t ready for them, and they weren’t ready for him. Within 6 months he was being transported to a school an hour away and within 10 months he was in his second major placement. Having him home at the end of those 6 months was, quite frankly, hell. He was combative and violent. Highly aggressive to his siblings, always stealing things.
Don’t get me wrong, I miss David. We all love him dearly.
But it needs to be safe for everyone, including David.
Somehow, I don’t think that he understands that.
