Alex has been very agitated lately. I’m not sure what’s bothering him but we’ve
been getting a lot of headbanging, whining and he can’t seem to sit still. Often, he’s complaining about things which
aren’t immediate issues. On the way to
school today he was whining about “No Hot Potatoes”, meaning he didn’t want to
watch the Wiggle’s Hot Potatoes DVD. We
haven’t watched that DVD in over a month since he decided he didn’t like
it. It hasn’t even been mentioned in two
weeks. And it didn’t seem to matter what
I did. I agreed with him “No Hot
Potatoes” but the only change was even louder whining.
I reminded him that we were going to school and the DVD was
at home. Even louder. Finally I had to threaten to not let him see
the OC Transpo bus to get him to be quiet.
I don’t understand it. Clearly
something else was bothering him. Either
the DVD was a symbol of something else or he’s just latching onto it in his
agitation.
It’s been like that for several days now. He’s very easily upset and it’s hard to get
him calmed down. It started Friday,
after the appointment with the doctor.
It’s unusual for him to be that thrown by a break in routine
though. If that’s it, he should settle
soon as we’re back to the usual routine.
I realize even parents with neurotypical children sometimes
find themselves facing unexplained fugues or extended tantrums. But it’s not the same. Alex can’t tell me what’s bothering him and
the list of possibilities is so long as to be overwhelming. The problems are more extreme and your
toolbox is more limited when your child has autism.
I hope it gets resolved soon. It’s been hard to maintain a calm and
understanding reaction. Being screamed
at constantly is not pleasant (as any parents with colicky newborns can
attest). We can only try to bunker down
and hope to ride it out.
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