Please or to access all these features

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Can't deal with my son anymore

5 replies

Helen812 · 10/11/2021 09:20

My son is 4 and half and in Primary 1 at school. He is due to be assessed for Autism but I am 100 percent certain that he is autistic.
As he is getting older, I am finding him so difficult. I am a single parent and he is my only child.
I do have help from his dad who takes him 3 nights a week.
But I feel when I do have him, I just want away from him all the time. He is so awkward and difficult, he has numerous meltdowns during the day and they could be for anything from putting his coat on to telling him we have to go out. It's just constant crying and moaning and saying no to anything. He has now started to make these weird noises which he never did before.
He can talk but it is very limited, he can say what he wants to do and where he wants to go. But just everything is no, he is obsessed with numbers and letters and all he wants to do is watch numberblocks or alphablocks all day. He doesn't play with any of his toys anymore. I feel like he has no personality, all he does is recite the numberblock songs on repeat. He doesn't answer any questions like what did you do at school.
He's also up at half 5 most mornings and wanting to watch Numberblocks or Alphablocks.
I feel so awful saying this but he's just such an unlikeable child, he has definitely regressed in his talking and I feel like his autism is becoming more pronounced in him.
My mum and sister have pointed out that he definitely plays me up more than he does anyone else. I feel so guilty complaining about him when I only have one child but its just so hard. My parents are in their late 70s so they can't really help.
I feel like I need a week away from him and I am just so sad at how his personality is developing or not developing.

OP posts:
orinocosfavoritecake · 10/11/2021 09:47

That is tough.

If he loves Numberblocks (been there, done that) your best bet might be to join him and dive deep into early years maths with him.

Some ideas - hopefully something new here.

Get graph paper and draw blocks with/for him.

www.giggly.co.uk/collections/educational-products/products/numberblocks-maths-programme

Cusinaire rods and numicon.

nrich.maths.org/13371

Orchard have a lot of early years maths and spelling games too.

joobleydoo · 10/11/2021 20:43

The 5.30 starts are a killer, I know from experience.

Like the pp said, I would go to town on Numberblocks. Get yourself a visual timetable going and make it Number block themed eg picture of a number lock 9 with a picture of the park so when you're trying to get him to leave the house you make it all about "it's 9 o clock and the Numberblocks want to go to the park" etc

Use it for rewards somehow too (do they do Numberblocks stickers etc? Could be a useful reward when he puts his coat on etc).

Can you access any counselling support or parents group where you have the space to talk about how hard it is and start to process some of your feelings?

HotPenguin · 10/11/2021 21:37

Hi, it sounds tough, have you tried making a visual prompt to help with getting dressed and leaving the house? If he is autistic he will find pictures much easier than words, so you can draw all the stages of getting ready and help him work through them. We have a laminated chart where my son can tick off each stage as it's complete.

Also you can build on your child's special interest, so for example you could buy him the numberblocks magazine and see if he would like to colour the pictures, or get the plastic blocks for him to play with.

Clear routines and lots of warning of any changes may help. His obsession with numberblocks is making him feel safe in a world that's hard for him to comprehend.

orinocosfavoritecake · 10/11/2021 22:12

More numberblocks merchandise: learningblocksshop.com/collections/all-products/numberblocks

(Numberblocks has fabulous tunes - your kid has great taste)

Helen812 · 11/11/2021 15:44

Thanks everyone for the advice, really appreciate it

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page