Hi all,
Long time poster prior to my sons diagnosis with PDA autism (well, still officially waiting but paediatrician was like... yeaahh.... and there's already support in place with him).
Its been a trying journey with him, and we've had some very difficult times. He's bright, but has no cognitive flexibility/ no sense of authority. His word goes, and unlikely our neurotypical child, does not respond to boundaries and limits on TV, food, basically not getting his way, and doesn't "learn that he doesn't get his own way" - trust me, we've been down that road and days became day long physical assaults by him on everyone. We're out the other end and working with him has actually decreased his anxiety and increased his flexibility, however - careful navigation of the days events and very sparing and calm rejection of his demands (play with me, I'm hungry) is needed to avoid drifting back into that violent dark place.
I'm just overwhelmed. He and his 18 month old sister are very demanding, basically want a different input every ten seconds, the sibling fighting is constant, the "mummy", "daddy", its every second. Its 7am now, and I've broken up 10 fights, engaged in about 10 different plays, made and finished breakfast, tried in vain to use the bathroom, had my clothes and skin pulled by two children clambering on me. I'm just feeling like every demand at this point is like a little needle stabbing my mind. I'm starting to wonder whether I'm also autistic, or whether this is a perfectly normal reaction to the constant demands I'm under. Do others make their children play alone or say "no" when asked to play? If so, I don't think that would work for the autistic son or the 18 month old, who I don't feel would do well with neglect.
Gahhh. Practical advice? OH is with me through all of this on the ground. It takes the two of us to keep their needs met, but obviously we need to shower and use the bathroom etc. I have recently been diagnosed with literally high blood pressure and I'm 29. Christ help