What a difference a day makes !

[Babieseverywhere]

Is it usual to have cycles of milder behaviour, with other cycles of more stronger asd behaviour ?

As the past few days things have been a lot better simce school has broken up. Yes, we still have quirks, meltdowns and others still think 5 yo DS is being rude but we are coping fine.

I felt sick this afternoon, whilst I posted a request for an assessment for DS today, thinking why I am doing this (well, doing it for the assessment, hopefully with an Ed Psych) Thinking he is NT and mild traits, what am I doing.

Then we had a massive meltdown trying to get him put of the house to go to doctors, as it wasn't on visual timetable. I forgot that we had an appointment. I had to dress him and put his shoes on, whilst he refused to do anything. He only came out of the house as I was leaving with the sisters and he is scared of being on his own.

Running around and trying to leave waiting room when we got there, I had to carry him back to the waiting room twice. Boy from DS class was there and he tried to interact but the other boy would not take him on :( DS kept talking at him, till I called him away.

Frozen in doctors room whilst sister had jabs. He hates injections.

Back to waiting room to wait for 15 mins to check sister has no reaction before we can leave. DS was very vocal about wanting to leave, kicking, refusing to sit down. Crawling under chairs, pulling at chairs. Other parents were tutting. Receptionist called to us at the 5 min mark and said we didn't have to stay any longer. i can see why.

I just never know what to expect from one day to another. One day a trip to the park, results in a weeping child, kicking and hitting out at the gate. Another day, the same park is a relative success.

I just find the inconsistance of it all, very confusing.

[magso]

I can certainly identify with the unpredictability of living with a child on the spectrum! I can only say it does slowly get better! Drs waiting rooms are particularly challenging I fear. My son is much older but even now unanticipated changes (especially involving waiting rooms or injections!) can be tricky for him to handle, although he manages so much better. Life in part got a little more predictable once ds had his diagnosis(es) so I could myself understand what( and why) he was likely to struggle with.

[Babieseverywhere]

Glad things gets less random as time gets on :)

[MeirEyaNewAlibi]

Top tips from local ASD specialist teacher:

1. Always leave gaps in the visual timetable so you can insert changes.
   
2. Try & shove at least one change in every day so they're used to it
   
3. But mostly make the extra something they will tolerate well (corner shop for sweeties, extra video, making a mess with mud, whatever).

[Babieseverywhere]

We use cards in an jewellery organiser so I do gave spaces and can change things on it. It was my fault I forgot the doctors appointment, that until my phone alarm went off :)