As I write this I'm sitting outside my son's room, listening to him scream. I normally would be doing last-minute house tidying and preparing dinner, but this has been a difficult day. It's the third day like this and I think I'm about to lose it. I am so incredibly thankful for a husband who is easygoing about dinner being ready.
It seems like a wise idea to document this for when we see the specialist. The last two days have convinced me that he needs something to change, although I'm at a loss for what that could be. Here's what's going on:
His manic stage: Ethan and I refer to this when we see behavior that looks as if he's just eaten a barrel of sugar. What does it look like? Racing through the house. Pulling books out of bookcases. Dumping toy containers. Pulling dishes from the cupboard and throwing them. Opening the puppy's kennel to let him out. Laughing hysterically. Flushing things down the toilet that don't belong there. Turning on water faucets and leaving the room. Throwing random things (even large furniture) down the stairs. Going through folded laundry and scattering it.
Screaming: Self-explanatory. :) I guess I should say that screaming sessions can last for an hour.
Less sleep: This is interesting because autistic children usually have sleeping problems anyway. But up to this point I've been able to at least lay him down in his bed and he will stay fairly quiet while the other children are sleeping or resting. During nap I try to get some time away to just be alone for a bit. Wednesday, yesterday, and today he was so loud in his room he woke his baby sister. He was pounding the walls and slamming his door.
Ok, so as I was writing this it occured to me that people who don't know our other kids may assume that we just allow this behavior, or maybe with Bubba we allow it because he's autistic. SO not true. He does have consequences for his behavior, however, he doesn't react the way other children do. It's hard to describe unless you've seen it first-hand. I've been bitten, slapped, and hit by flying objects numerous times while disciplining him. When he's in the manic mode he will laugh hysterically no matter what you do. It's just a constant, constant struggle.
Aaaahhh, that's good to at least write about this. Please pray for us as we try to find a solution for these behaviors.
6 comments:
So sorry to hear about your struggles. I also know how hard it is when people assume that you don't know how to discipline your autistic child. Just know that I understand your frustration :) Hope things get more manageable soon.
hugs. we were thinking about you guys today. my girl wants to get together with yours.
What a difficult thing to go through! Hopefully you'll get some answers or some help at the next appointment. I think writing about it is good therapy. Hope tomorrow is a better day!
Thanks to all of you! It does help writing it out, and the nice comments mean a lot too.
Hey Kimberly, I've been off line this week so I just read your post, but I wanted you to know that I'm so thankful for your friendship, and that I am praying for your peace of heart, and wisdom in the decisions that will be yet to come. You and Ethan are terrific parents, but more importantly, you serve a terrifically perfect God who is walking with you guys and desiring to carry your struggles. Love you!
And as absolutely frustrating as all that is, you manage to relate it with your chin up and optimism still in your voice. :)
Post a Comment