I can't cope with the hyperactivity

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

I know it's caused by anxiety; the change in routine, excitement about Christmas (2 birthdays before then too) and uncertainty but how do you all cope with the non-stop running about/jumping on everything, shrieking, ignoring any request to quieten down, totally unable to calm. It's like that film Groundhog Day where no matter what I do nothing changes...they just get more and more hyped up until one of them gets hurt/something gets broken/I lose my cool and send them to their rooms where they collapse into meltdown after a huge fight with me about it. I'm 30 weeks pregnant as well and also have a toddler. And I'm unwell today. I'm starting to feel completely drowned by Autism...we've tried time and time again to get some support and get fobbed off, signed off or forgotten about each time. How do you help your kids calm down?!

Don't joke Polter - if I had the energy...

Zzzzz They are nearly 6 and just 4.

All sound wonderful ideas but I can't see any of those things calming them down, quite the opposite in fact. We've just got the trampoline out and they can't agree on whose turn it is, we have a peanut ball that they like rolling on but it's being used as a weapon and likely to break the TV. They are currently running in and out of the (supposed to be calming) tent screaming their heads off. So much repetitive speech and everything at top volume, emotional state through the roof...it's doing my head in and they don't pay attention to a single word I say. I'd have to physically carry them somewhere else to calm them down which obviously I can't do at the moment.

What makes it worse is DH is off today and he can't do a thing with them either. I feel a total failure at parenting today

I will try the sliding things down the stairs thing...only thing is because there's 2 of them they'll probably have one at the bottom to throw things up negating the need to keep going up and down (smart little whatnames they are) - also they are interested in (or able to focus on) activities for about 5 minutes before becoming distracted and then there's a ton of mess to clear up

I will try a story CD in a moment when they've finished raiding the fridge

I can only imagine I'm gonna have 4 age 6 and under and that's definitely it for me!

You're right, I'm looking at how to fix things...simply because it always, always ends in tears. But a lot is guided my conflicting sensory issues..I'm very sound sensitive and overwhelmed easily by mess or lots of movement. The being ignored triggers me because I spent much of my childhood being ignored, it makes me feel powerless. I'm an introvert so I need a certain amount of quiet; between the DC and the neighbours 18 hour karaoke parties I don't get any at all. Being pregnant and unwell has just made me feel all the more desperate.

I will definitely try out some of the ideas. I do think that a lot of their behaviour is typical for their age but it's the fact they cannot stop that concerns me. It is an external representation of the anxiety within and I feel that I should be able to help rather than let them crash or encourage them. It's all a learning curve I guess!

I feel you. My dh has left a ladder in the side of my four year olds room. I caught her climbing on it and on the top of a cupboard. I'm shattered. Mine are 6 and 4 and both have autism and ADHD. 7 year old is an nt diva. If your dh is home get him to take them for a run out.