I have always joked that I am OCD not in a clean freak way and not in a turn the handle 20 times before I leave kind of way. But I do get severe anxiety about changes in routine. When I had my c-section with Alden members of my family got a 5 page outline of what would happen every hour the day before, during and after. I'm a list maker and calendar keeper. I have 4 calendars that I'm constantly updating. I think we all have our little quirks. These quirks are what we attributed some of Aldens actions early on to. "Oh he's just quirky, bound to happen between all of mine and Brandon's quirks"
In the early days, even before his autism diagnosis, Alden had outbursts usually from being over overstimulated. He would flop on the floor screaming and crying and sometimes he would even get aggressive throwing things or hitting the people or object closest to him. As we have worked on his sensory needs we have seen these outbursts more now when he is frustrated. Imagine how often and infuriating it would be to not have your needs met because you can't communicate what you want. I can't say I blame him for being so frequently upset!
Since starting ABA and gaining a form of communication, all be it still limited; these outbursts have slowed and he has a much better 'recovery time' meaning when he does get upset it's doesn't mean the rest of the day is a wash. He is able to regain his composure fairly quickly. That is until a couple weeks ago. Alden has always had anxiety with transitions and changes in routine. Closely related to this is the unexpected mess. As much as he loves water play, spilling the tiniest drop of water on his shirt would send him spiraling out of control as he rips off his clothes. This has escalated to any spill, no matter how tiny, even if its no where near him; would result in sheer panic as he runs screaming to the mess grabbing anything in reach to wipe it up. Not just liquids! A cereal box tipped over with a couple pieces falling out of the box-panic attack. Baby throwing food out of the high chair-panic attack. In case this wasn't stressful enough, it has once again escalated. Now certain items being in the 'wrong' place or a yoga mat being rolled the 'wrong way' turns into screaming, crying, flopping, hitting, scratching....
It is exhausting mentally and physically to see your child so upset over something so seemingly small. There is no reasoning with him. He doesn't understand that this wont actually cause the world to come to a crashing halt! On top of the hurt from seeing your child in mental/emotional stress, he is hurting himself and others in these fits. He is FREAKISHLY strong and he's just gonna keep getting bigger! We are working with the director at the Autism Center to come up with a plan of action to address these outbursts. As much as I know they understand and dont look down on him or myself, I still found myself crying the whole way home one day after I saw the scratches all over one of the therapists neck. I bear plenty of my own battle scars but something about seeing them on someone else really upset me.
So now what? There is the option for medication. This opens a whole other can of worms I'm just really not prepared to deal with. We are hoping we can avoid this as long as possible. He has had so many other stressful phases: spitting drinks out on to the floor, swishing drinks in his mouth for a long time before swallowing, reflecting, pinching, lining things up, stacking things up......we are just really hoping this is one more phase we can add to the list. We are once again reminded how blessed we are to have such an amazing resources in the entire staff at the Promedica Center for Autism. As well as the amazing love and support of all of you on Team Alden. We love you all and thank you again for following along on this journey with us.
In the early days, even before his autism diagnosis, Alden had outbursts usually from being over overstimulated. He would flop on the floor screaming and crying and sometimes he would even get aggressive throwing things or hitting the people or object closest to him. As we have worked on his sensory needs we have seen these outbursts more now when he is frustrated. Imagine how often and infuriating it would be to not have your needs met because you can't communicate what you want. I can't say I blame him for being so frequently upset!
Since starting ABA and gaining a form of communication, all be it still limited; these outbursts have slowed and he has a much better 'recovery time' meaning when he does get upset it's doesn't mean the rest of the day is a wash. He is able to regain his composure fairly quickly. That is until a couple weeks ago. Alden has always had anxiety with transitions and changes in routine. Closely related to this is the unexpected mess. As much as he loves water play, spilling the tiniest drop of water on his shirt would send him spiraling out of control as he rips off his clothes. This has escalated to any spill, no matter how tiny, even if its no where near him; would result in sheer panic as he runs screaming to the mess grabbing anything in reach to wipe it up. Not just liquids! A cereal box tipped over with a couple pieces falling out of the box-panic attack. Baby throwing food out of the high chair-panic attack. In case this wasn't stressful enough, it has once again escalated. Now certain items being in the 'wrong' place or a yoga mat being rolled the 'wrong way' turns into screaming, crying, flopping, hitting, scratching....
It is exhausting mentally and physically to see your child so upset over something so seemingly small. There is no reasoning with him. He doesn't understand that this wont actually cause the world to come to a crashing halt! On top of the hurt from seeing your child in mental/emotional stress, he is hurting himself and others in these fits. He is FREAKISHLY strong and he's just gonna keep getting bigger! We are working with the director at the Autism Center to come up with a plan of action to address these outbursts. As much as I know they understand and dont look down on him or myself, I still found myself crying the whole way home one day after I saw the scratches all over one of the therapists neck. I bear plenty of my own battle scars but something about seeing them on someone else really upset me.
So now what? There is the option for medication. This opens a whole other can of worms I'm just really not prepared to deal with. We are hoping we can avoid this as long as possible. He has had so many other stressful phases: spitting drinks out on to the floor, swishing drinks in his mouth for a long time before swallowing, reflecting, pinching, lining things up, stacking things up......we are just really hoping this is one more phase we can add to the list. We are once again reminded how blessed we are to have such an amazing resources in the entire staff at the Promedica Center for Autism. As well as the amazing love and support of all of you on Team Alden. We love you all and thank you again for following along on this journey with us.
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