Mitchell's Journey: A Special Needs Update (Guest Post)

Greetings, esteemed colleagues and associates. It's time for another briefing on our pal Mitchell. For those not in the know, I'm a registered nurse who's been closely monitoring Mitchell's progress. We were once neighbors in Reseda, and I've been keeping a keen eye on his development. Let's delve into how our oversized toddler is faring these days.

The Mitchell Dossier

To provide some context, Mitchell's journey has been quite the rollercoaster since 2017. He spent a stint in a psychiatric facility, which significantly heightened his stress levels. Consequently, he began experiencing some, shall we say, "nocturnal incidents." To manage this, he started using children's pull-ups, often paired with his beloved Superman shirt. Talk about a superhero in training!

Following a rehab stint in Pasadena, Mitchell was diagnosed with special needs during treatment in Bel-Air. They also discovered he had an adverse reaction to Adderall. For a time, things seemed to improve – he enjoyed about six dry months. However, upon relocating to Reseda, anxiety once again took its toll.

Current Status Report

Here's where Mitchell demonstrated real initiative. Acknowledging his challenges, he made the executive decision to upgrade to pampers. He's also found solace in using a pacifier to manage stress. It's not your typical coping mechanism, but in this high-pressure world, whatever works, right?

Mitchell also took a significant step by enrolling in college. He was part of the disability program, which was commendable. However, it was an uphill battle. He managed to pass classes, albeit limited to one or two at a time. And let's just say that math placement test was... not his finest hour. Now, Mitchell is focused on a self-care regimen, yoga, bike riding, and taking classes (not college courses) to reestablish core functioning.

Therapy Progress

In our recent sessions, we've been concentrating on three pivotal areas:

Behavioral Adjustments: We're working on adapting Mitchell's coping strategies to be more age-appropriate and socially acceptable.

Trauma Processing: Addressing the events of 2017 and their ongoing impact.

Anxiety Management: Developing techniques to handle stress, particularly in academic settings.

Personal Observations

Observing Mitchell navigate this journey has been both challenging and inspiring. He possesses a unique blend of childlike wonder and adult determination. Sure, he might be sporting pampers and a pacifier, but he's also tackling college courses. That's some serious multitasking!

His resilience is exceptional. Despite setbacks, Mitchell continues to forge ahead. He might not be acing those math tests, but he's certainly earning an A+ in perseverance.

Looking Ahead

To all you college guys out there, Mitchell's story is a reminder that everyone's path is unique. Some breeze through calculus, while others grapple with basic algebra. But it's not about how fast you go or how many classes you take – it's about persistence.

Mitchell's journey is far from over, and I'm eager to see where he ventures next. Who knows, perhaps we'll witness him trading that pacifier for a graduation cap someday. Until then, we'll keep honing those life skills, one Superman shirt at a time.

Stay tuned for more updates on our favorite special needs superstar. And remember, whether you're acing exams or just striving to make it through the day without a meltdown, you're all rockstars in my book.