ASD and SAD

[asdx2]

Every year since he was born ds has a significant downturn come October both in mood and behaviour and a significant increase in all his autistic behaviours.
When he was younger I used to think I was imagining it but as the years go by even ds is aware of the change.
Is anyone else's child having similar difficulties? Have you tried the UV lightbox or any other therapies?
Slightly concerned this year as ds isn't at a good starting point to begin with so dreading it more than usual.

Dd1 is the same.

Every winter she head a downturn - took me a few years to realise and put 2 and 2 together - she's only 6 now.

I have often wondered about SAD and lightboxes etc, but not sure how to go about exploring it.

Dd1 just seems to be a lot more autistic in the winter - more stemming, more repetitive speech, more off in her own world/unfocused. Very hard to see, and every year makes me despair.

hadn't thought of this but dd (many asd traits no DX) is much worse at the moment,i thought it was nursery

Ds is 15 now but this has happened since before he was dx at 3. I used to think it was the leaves falling off the hedge at the front of the house that set him off but we moved and it still happened.
Ds does more stimming, less willing to interact more self harm and more volatile. It makes me and school worried especially this year when he isn't happy to start with.
Think I'm going to try the lightbox so will keep you posted.

Interesting..hope it goes well, might consider one! in the summer I was convinced DD was mostly NT with ASD traits, and now it's the opposite!

I wonder if vitamin D could be helpful?

I've just bought my DD(5) some vit D3 drops on advice of our DAN doctor. Have yet to start them so cannot talk about my own experience yet, but know there is now some talk about Vit D deficiency producing and exacerbating autistic symptoms. Dr Cannell is the person who has produced the theory on it and has a Vitamin D council website.

And I guess it would certainly tie in with the seasonal affectivity you are describing in your children. Where improvements are seen in the summer when their exposure to sunshine is at its highest and children are probably outside more as it's school holidays. Then a marked deterioration as autumn and school starts and sunshine is less.

As I said I have only skimmed info on it myself so far. I think I'm right in saying light boxes do not emit Vitamin D though. But we will be trialling the D3 drops (think D3 is safest form of vitamin D) soon when I have done a bit more reading.

ds1 gets worse in winter (only have 2 winters to go on though so far!), and has responded well to D3 drops (increase in eye contact and general awareness of surroundings). Would be interested to hear if anyone has had good results with a lightbox!

I’m so sorry I hate reviving old threads but have never really read something before that describes my son so perfectly.

Is anybody from this (very) old thread still about on mumsnet?

Silverfrog, What you wrote about being in despair is so incredibly spot on as to how I feel. I miss who my son is in spring/summer time! 😔