Will have to wear hat for Easter to cover the bald patches from pulling my hair out....

[Triggles]

DS2 is being incredibly exhaustingly excruciatingly.... well, you get the idea. He's been clingy, into everything, cannot contain himself from touching everything he shouldn't or picking up things he shouldn't, or hitting his brother, or shouting over and over, or talking..... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!

I can't open the laptop without him practically in my lap as he is obsessed with them. So he is sitting right next to me (as close to my lap as he can get with the laptop on my lap) and refuses to move. He seems to want my 100% attention all day this week, and it's so incredibly wearing. And I can't even leave him alone in the living room when I go to use the toilet, as he gets into things!!! So not a moment's peace for me!! He is insisting on snacks and then refusing meals. And god the meltdowns are enough to make me want to go back to bed and just pull the covers over my head! It's like he's been mainlined red bull or something - just constant and frantic!!

Even a conversation where he is happily agreeing that he will stop shouting and hitting his brother becomes forgotten within 30 seconds... he went from "I'm sorry" and "yes mummy" straight to "shriek shriek" whack!! sigh.....And telling him not to touch things is like speaking to the wall - he just cannot seem to ignore the impulse. aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh

Don't mind me... I'm just ranting... is it his bedtime yet? LOL

Triggles, I think it would be important to sort of separate what of this behaviour is due to the ASD and what part is simply... well, being naughty. We had problems early on with ds1 and for a while I struggled, but then I decided that even if I had a son with ASD, he will be a well behaved autistic boy. Any screaming, hitting anyone etc. meant he had to go to his room for a set period of time (measured by an hourglass timer so he could see it, too). During this time all his room had was a mattress on the floor and cushions, so he couldn't hurt himself or destroy anything. It worked extremely well and it meant we could have guests over at the house, dd's friends to play etc. It was hard to clamp down on behaviour first but it has really paid off. Having ASD does not mean a child cannot be well-behaved.

Rant away, Triggles. Knowing why they are such a pain doesn't stop them being a pain! AllieZ has a good point, bad behaviour is still bad behaviour. It's finding what makes a difference. Have you seen all the ABA threads?

It's my birthday today and nothing is going to upset me. 20 mins til Doctor Who!

Happy Birthday EllenJane

Triggles - It is almost bedtime!

Oh, we are dealing with the behaviour - I don't just let it go. He gets his time out and such when needed. I'm just saying he's driving me nuts today! LOL

This is mainly due to incredibly unscheduled days over the last few days, plus not enough "relaxed family time" at home due to extensive visits from various friends/relatives, resulting in our general schedules being thrown out the window, which he has great difficulty with.

I fully understand that "having ASD does not mean a child cannot be well-behaved" as we believe the same thing. But it also means that they do have their days where they are a bit OTT and can be stressful. I am fully aware of pretty much what specific behaviours are simply "4yo boy being naughty" and "4yo child with ASD/ADHD" behaviours. That doesn't make it any less insane some days. Hence the rant.

The nature of DS2's difficulties (not to mention his age and level of comprehension which is actually younger than his age) means that he is very much like Dory on Finding Nemo... or perhaps much akin to an etch-a-sketch. He does something naughty, gets disciplined, "serves his time" in time-out, apologises, and 10 minutes later it's effectively "gone" from his working memory... it didn't happen... no recollection at all... and it happens again. Other behaviours are compulsive, much like OCD and he has extreme difficulties with them.

Hmm.... reminding myself not to rant anymore...

EllenJane - Happy Birthday! Oh, and DR WHO IS ON!!

Knickers, Doctor who has finished. But have found repeat on bbc3 on friday at 7pm, phew... On my planner now [bugrin]
PS Rant away ..it'll keep you sane.

I know you know, if you know what I mean? Doctor Who was ace! Elisabeth Sladen tribute on CBBC was a bit teary, though.

Oooooh Dr Who was brilliant - but finished far too quickly! LOL Yes, I watched that tribute on CBBC as well, and teared up watching it. Such a loss!

We have tonight's episode recorded and will probably watch it again.

Anyway, Easter Bonnets are traditional!

pipinjo yes, sensory seeking. It's much like having him wrapped around my ankle or my arm most of the time, although not literally... sort of. It's a bit of combination of heat and schedule being off and lots of visitors recently, so he's overstimulated and careening all over the place. Doing slightly better today, mainly because I think he's simply too exhausted to kick off much. LOL