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ASD DS1 plus 3 week old DS2 = Argh!

3 replies

Yarnie · 03/01/2012 16:38

My high functioning autistic DS1 is nearly 3 and we have a happy addition to the family 3 weeks ago in the shape of DS2.

I'm just after a bit of reassurance, really. DS2 barely sleeps during the day (25 mins today baring micro naps) and screams blue murder if the thought of putting him down passes through my head. DS1 is obv. still adjusting to his baby brother and is yelling a lot in frustration at everything (he is somewhat verbal but loses it when stressed/angry/upset). As is typical, DS1 can't follow any instructions and does almost nothing for himself.

I am not spending any real quality time with DS1. Sometimes I put down DS2 to have a play with DS1, but DS2 just gets upset at the noise of his brother shouting. I think DS2 is overstimulated.

In theory getting out for a walk would give us all a break from each other and a breath of fresh air, but DS1 hates the double buggy and DS1 hates his sling. I am not at the point where I can let DS1 run around the playground (he needs a lot of spotting because he isn't cautious and runs off).

Really worried about how I'll cope when nursery starts again. Getting out the door seems like a fantasy(!)

Relevant happy stories, anyone? Suggestions welcome, too, though I'm guessing I just need to wait until DS2 is a little more robust and DS1 has got used to him. I'm just worried about the damage I might be doing to my relationship with DS1.

OP posts:
Triggles · 03/01/2012 20:25

Sorry, I meant to respond earlier, but got sidetracked here at home.

Okay. My DS2 & DS3 are almost exactly 3 yrs apart (5yo and 2yo). Our older 2 children (DS1 & DD) are adults and do not live at home. When DS3 was born, DS2 had just turned 3yo. He was already showing signs of difficulties, but we couldn't get any of the GPs at the practice to refer us anywhere. And it's not mild difficulties as when we finally did get to see the paed when he was 4yo, she said right off that he was a complicated little boy and he has since been dxd with ASD(HF), ADHD, DCD, hypermobility and sensory problems. So he can certainly keep us on our toes. (just to give you an idea of where we're at)

I had a horrible time with sleep as well, as DS2 was an incredibly poor sleeper who woke up by 5am every morning, and sometimes as early as 3 or 4am. DH worked nights, so not much help there. Take sleep whenever you can get it. Really. You didn't mention a partner, so wasn't sure, but if either your partner or mum or friend can watch the children even for a couple hours here and there, then take a nap. Everything is so much easier to cope with when you've had sleep. Sleep deprivation is the way to madness. There's a reason it's used for torture!!

DS2 doesn't follow instructions well either. We are slowly getting him into a routine with certain instructions, but it has to be the exact same phrase, with timed warnings, and ongoing encouragement, or it just doesn't work. Initially it may be a bit all over the place, but you'll start getting more comfortable and get a routine going eventually.

The big thing for me was to get over the "must jump when either of them fuss" thing. I know that sounds ridiculous, but sometimes DS3 would fuss while I was in the middle of doing something with DS2. As long as it wasn't going to be too long, and I knew that DS3 was okay (fed, safe, clean nappy, and such), then he can fuss for a few minutes and not come to any harm. If your DS2 is upset over the noise of the baby crying, perhaps you can get him some ear defenders so that it's not so loud to him. DS2 uses ear defenders a fair bit, although we didn't have them when DS3 was an infant (and they definitely would have come in handy).

As far as a walk is concerned, we have specific rules. It was a double pushchair initially, and while DS2 didn't like it, he got used to it. Initially he would kick off and I would just let him blow off steam while we were walking, and I would just keep chatting as we went along, as if he wasn't shouting. Eventually he just stopped kicking off over it. I cannot let DS2 run around a playground either, as he is impulsive and has no sense of danger/fear. He's 5yo now and I still can't do that. It does limit what we can do, I will admit. We try to keep the garden (fenced) fairly clear so he can run around there, but often it comes down to taking him to a local soft play to allow him somewhere to run a lot. (although he runs all over the playground at school as well now)

Going somewhere is arranged in military precision around here. Grin School starts back up tomorrow, and I've already got everything ready to go for tomorrow. DH works early mornings now, so I do the school run by myself, with DS2 and DS3, which can be quite stressful if I don't plan ahead. Obviously at 5yo and 2yo, our situation is different, but just an example of how you just need to organise to suit what works for you. We have a Maclaren Major for DS2. He has hypermobility, but will either run or refuse to walk (yup, nothing like a complete about face, eh?).

So after discussing with the OT, we are making every effort to encourage him to walk safely. But because of his impulsivity, he must be held on to at all times outside. So he walks next to the pushchair, with a wriststrap on. If he tries to run off, he has to hold on to the straps of my handbag that's hanging from the pushchair handles as well. DS3 rides in the pushchair, but also has reins on. If DS2 kicks off, attempts to run off a second time, or refuses to walk, then DS3 comes out of the pushchair and walks (with me holding his reins) and DS2 rides in the pushchair. I've also got the pushchair loaded with school bag and cloth shopping bag with DS2's water bottle and lunchbox and nappy change materials for DS3. Grin We leave early so we don't have to rush. And I spend almost the entire walk chatting with DS2, making up games with numbers and letters (which he is obsessed with) to keep him from obsessing over anything along the way that might cause him to run off or get upset (which could be anything, literally). Then I park the pushchair just outside his classroom, help him put away his coat, bookbag, lunchbox, and water bottle, and then wait just outside the classroom door (in case he tries to bolt from the classroom which he does fairly regularly) until his 1:1 gets there and takes over. Whew. That's it. Afternoon school run is everything in reverse. Grin

It all goes relatively well now that he's used to it, but OMG the first day, I just about lost it, ended up at school 10 minutes late and looking like I'd been dragged through a bush backwards, hair all over, mussed up, stressed. Hmm At one point, I was screaming at DS2 to come back into the house (he was pulling his way through the door strapped to my wrist by the wrist strap), holding DS3 by one trouser leg (yes, I was sprawled on the floor), and dragging the dog back (who was intent on escaping through the open door) by the only leg I could reach. God only knows what the neighbours thought (they've thankfully never mentioned it, though I know at least 2 saw it Blush). And I finally managed to get them all back inside, and regrouped. I learned from that - never ever attempt to load the pushchair OUTSIDE the door.. always inside the door with baby strapped in so you just have one child to control going out. Grin I can laugh now, but I was definitely not laughing at the time. Grin

Anyway, sorry so long, but don't worry. You'll carve out time for your DS1 as things iron out a bit. Just look for small bits of time (10 minutes here, 10 minutes there) to do something with him if you can. And I was always careful to take pains that the new baby didn't disrupt his schedule (as much as possible obviously), so he didn't feel pushed aside. DH still did his bedtime every night, so they had 1:1 time and I had time to feed the baby and such. You'll be fine, it's just a huge change, isn't it?

Triggles · 03/01/2012 20:26

okay. apologies. that was much longer than I thought. Shock

nibsy · 03/01/2012 20:54

Hi Yarnie,

I was in your position 10 months ago when DS2 was born just before DS1's (ASD)third birthday. I'm still smiling and it hasnt been nearly as bad as I feared. Honestly!

The key thing I did was keep DS1s schedule the same as far as possible (he has preschool 3 mornings a week; very precise bedtime routine with DH, eating times etc.) and I relied heavily on a visual timetable for him to try and keep him calm. This meant I never developed any routine for DS2 as everything was organised around the older one but I just had to go with that. Biting me a little now as DS2 still doesnt sleep through and still feeds alot but he's a very flexible guy for it and just fits in with whatever is going on. I've just got used to functioning on very little sleep.

DS1 ignored DS2 completely until he was about 6 months so there were benefits of his ASD; no issues over trying to hug the baby or play with it etc. The only interest was with his nappies where I gave DS1 the job of finding clean nappies, wipes and letting me know what 'baby had done' etc.

Preschool was a lifesaver in those early months so hopefully it will get better for you once term starts again.

On the buggy issue - have you tried a buggy board? Makes the older one feel special for having the fun seat but still keeps him under control. I bribed him to stay still with chocololate buttons...

Remember that a three year age gap is no picnic for any family - ASD or not - and you honestly will get through it. Happy to chat more if I can be of any help.

Nibsy

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