Well today I took my DS (aged 7 who has Dyspraxia) to the party of a child who I do not know well but who plays with my son at school which is a rarity! Because he has been very good lately I left forgetting to give my usual speech to him about not standing too close to people, hugging them tightly around their necks, putting his face right into theirs, touching their face or doing any of the numerous other things that he does that irritate people. An hour after dropping him off I get a phone call asking if I can go and pick him up as he has had a complete melt down screaming and crying like a toddler, punching the birthday boy!! biting the dad and kicking the grandad I skulked in to get him and found the parents/ grandparents waiting for me and now completely won over by his angelic behaviour! since having a sit down and some food he is now behaving like the perfect child whilst all the others run amok! I was so grateful that they were being so nice I found myself explaining his behaviour by telling them about his Dyspraxia DX (until now we have told no-one, not even him)In the end I stayed and kept an eye on him, and he was able to stay until the end of the party. At the end DS did go round and apologise individually to each of the people he hurt (at my suggestion) but I am just left wondering if it wouldn't just be better if we avoided these kinds of situations? lots of children running round and lots of boisterous play seems to be a serious risk factor to DS being overwhelmed and reacting with really bad behaviour! Incidentally I never found out what had precipitaded his outburst. When ever I ask him about these things, he always says 'I cant remember'?
I also just want to say that he is normally very kind and gentle doesn't kick,bite or punch and does get punished for bad behaviour