Behaviour worse in winter

[L00k4m3x]

I wrote about this a couple of weeks a go but didn’t get that many responses. I am beside myself with why every January-April/May my sons autism seems to be way more apparent and why his behaviour worsens.

To elaborate a little he suddenly hates waking in the mornings, he hates going to school, needs physically picking up and taking in to his classroom, being told more and more he’s had bad days at school. His speech regresses and he almost forgets how to talk, will only talk on an out breath and very fast as though he’s just got no time for it. Suddenly stops playing with toys (he’s only 4), suddenly becomes totally and utterly obsessed with his tablet, before his tablet it was the tv. Hates leaving the house, usually a lover of parks and soft plays but suddenly screams if we even attempt to go anywhere.

Please is this common? Every year I feel like I lose my son, and I’m so happy when he gets back to himself again but I can’t help every time worrying like mad that he never will and that he’ll stay this way forever.

Does DS take a vitamin D supplement? Some find a SAD lamp helps.

Has DS had an OT assessment? Different times of the year present different sensory environments that some cope better/worse with.

Is DS less physically active in winter?

@SearchingForSolitude Thanks for the reply!

My post before this was saying I think I’ve finally perhaps made the link to seasonal affective disorder and so we did get him some vitamin d drops. He’s been taking them for about 8 days now. No SAD lamp yet, was a bit skeptical as I’m not sure how to keep him still by it tbh without it freaking him out.

He hasn’t had an OT assessment no, I’m still very new to this tbh so not sure how to go about things really. He’s just been awarded his EHCP and the plan is currently being drafted. He has also been accepted (after 18 months waiting and realising they never even sent his information off from the paediatrician) for an autism assessment but again, who knows how long it’ll take until the first appointment comes through.

He is definitely less active in winter, it’s hard to get him to do next to anything. Through spring-autumn he loves being in the garden, visiting family, soft plays, parks, days out. Last summer after coming out of a 5 month long phase of whatever this is last winter he was the best he’s ever been, you’d almost have considered him NT tbh. He started speaking more, we were able to stop using his highchair and stroller, it was monumental. Now I just feel like we’re going backwards again, it’s very hard to see.

Do you have space for an indoor mini trampoline or sensory equipment? Trying to increase DS’s activity levels &/or time spent outside during daylight is likely to help.

Did you request an OT assessment as part of the EHCNA? An EHCP can include OT provision but you will need evidence it is required.

Hello I replied to your post last time with solidarity so I don't have much else to add really. Just that I do think the ups and downs are something I see with my ds winter/summer, when he's unwell and various other triggers. I am trying to support him and understand but also make peace with myself that it's all part of his journey and us learning how to help him... don't get disheartened with the step back remember it's temporary and they've got so much still in terms of development and learning to go x

Really interesting to read this. My son is also 4, also probably ASD and probably ADHD. Definitely feel like things have gone backwards since the start of Jan - return of hitting and biting at nursery, worse attention, lots of sensory seeking, won't sit still at nursery. He looks exhausted all the time. It happened last year too - that was the period that prompted us to start the diagnostic process.

We've had some big changes last year and this year at this time - new baby, then me going back to work - so that may be part of it, too. But its very interesting to read that others find winter really hard.

Could it be sensory sensitivity to the cold? I am so sensitive to cold and I'm absolutely miserable when I'm cold, it totally drains all my energy.

Unfortunately a lot of the solutions are yet more sensory overload 😫because it basically comes down to layering. But you can look at thermal layers under clothing and more "breathable" fabrics.