Some of these behaviors can be repetitious where a child may spin for abnormal amounts of time without getting dizzy or hop in one place then run and continue to do this in the same place over and over. Michael clears the couch, pillows and throws are tossed aside, and then he walks around the ottoman repeatedly making the same vocal sound, this can last anywhere between 10 min’s to an hour. Even at a Doctor’s Office he is apt to resort to spinning when made to wait more than an hour simply because of boredom.
Going through these kinds of motions is part of their lives; children with autism can’t adapt to change as would a child without autism. It is all about predictability and routine. If I were to put a button up shirt over a t-shirt opened, Michael would become upset if I didn’t button up the outside shirt and can’t understand that it is the style due to routine. Also every morning when Michael wakes he has to sit on the couch with chocolate milk wrapped up in a blanket as he watches a cartoon before he gets ready to go to school. If we were to wake up late and didn’t have time for his morning routine, it may cause him to be off the rest of the day.
Behaviors can be routine as well such as when Michael gets on his computer he continuously rocks the chair and makes a thumping noise, no matter how many times he is told not to thump it is still today a struggle to get him to understand.
To make it short , life becomes much easier when things are done the same every day, otherwise you may be dealing with an upset child.
I don't know why this is coming up as Tony but it is actually Kelly.
ReplyDeleteIt is the same in this house. Raymond has his routines that must be followed or he is put out of whack. Waiting in the doctors office is a really bad one for him which almost always results in pacing or rocking back and forth in his chair. Or if I am dishing out supper, if I don't serve him first, he will refuse to eat. At church he must sit in the side pew where he can see everything, or we never make the hour service, or during home schooling or homework he must do the silent reading first.
Then in come the so called professionals who change everything up and almost provoke behaviors to supposedly teach the child to adapt, comply and conform to the norm. Yes I would like Raymond to be more like the other children, but Ray is who he is and his routines, quirks, and behaviors are what makes him him.
Raymond is my son. Raymond has Autism. Do I love him any less because of this? HELL NO! If anything he has opened my eyes to the importance of acceptance of individuality. If he was green with orange polka dots and had 6 arms he would still be my boy, a piece of the puzzle that is my heart. He helps complete me, and God gave him to me for a reason.
Green with orange polka dots and 6 arms, lol, just too funny. I hear what you are saying Kelly, the truth is Schools need more training in dealing with autism. I have been lucky to not have any problems but only because Michael was diagnosed and we began to see his needs early in the game. That is what is so sad about Raymonds case, he was never understood by others especially in the school system and even now that he is diagnosed which took way too long, he is still misunderstood. It is common sense in our eyes to know not to provoke him by changing routine but have the teachers had enough training in order to know something as important as this. No I would think not. Who do we cry to when there are no answers??? I think you would be a perfect voice for all those out there struggling the same struggle you are , ever think of finding a higer source to talk to? Call me, I have a name to give you, maybe you can express your concerns, this is exactly how solutions get fixed, simply by a person with a complaint through experience. It may take time but if it doesn't end up effecting Ray it may help someone else in the future, someone has to start it!
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