Practical Post: "AAAAHHHH, I CAN'T FIND IT!!!"

"AHHHHH, I CAN'T FIND IT!!" I am sure if you live with someone with a mental disability, these words have been uttered in your household at some point. When I can't find something in 2 minutes, the world turns upside down and all common sense and short-term memory goes out the window. I start tearing my room (and sometimes other rooms) apart, screaming, cussing, and if I get mad enough and I keep not finding *insert item here*, I sit down in the middle of the room and just cry (keep in mind that I am a twenty-three year old woman and I still do this, a testament to the fact that this is a lifelong thing). Sound familiar? If it does, I am going to give you some advice that has worked for my family and I and has ALWAYS in some form or another found *insert item here*. For this exercise we shall use keys, because I lose my keys at LEAST 4 times a week.You hear the all-too-familiar scream of "I CAN'T FIND IT!" You roll your eyes and think "Here we go again." You run into the room and realize it looks like a tornado hit it. So the first thing to do is help your child retrace his/her steps. Make it a game! Have your child pretend they are Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew, then explain that they have to solve the case to find their item. This would also be a great time to introduce who Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew are! Reading is a great way to improve communication, and even if your child can't communicate hearing the sound of your voice makes them more inclined to try(at least in my own experience).Anyway, this should work. If it doesn't, you may need to step in. If you step in, and correct me if I am wrong, said item will be found in the next minute to minute point five. If it isn't then I honestly do not know what to say because my lost items have always been found even if it got to that step. If you still can't find the item, be creative in emphasizing to your child/adult that you will still hunt for it but that it is going to take awhile. If you can keep them calm, all will be well, and you know best how to keep your child calm, I can't tell you that :)May you find all your lost items, and may God bless your day!Lauren.