This has become a huge problem over the past few months... 3 or 4 times a day, DS1 suddenly has a mood change and gets very hyper, grouchy, sometimes aggressive, and it seems to be directly related to needing to go to the bathroom. Â (Occasionally it seems to be because he's hungry or tired, but not as often.) Â
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DH and I are trying to get him to check in with himself when we start to see warning signs, but DS1 is very resistant to any suggestion to go to the bathroom.  Sometimes we have been physically carrying him to the bathroom when his behavior isn't safe for people around him.  And 99% of the time we get him to use the bathroom, he feels much better and calms down right away!  I very much want him to learn to notice his own physical needs without all this fuss and fighting.  He's understandably upset that we're being so intrusive about his bathroom needs, when he used to have autonomy. Â
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A teacher suggested to use "green light" (body feels fine), "yellow light," (body needs something), "red light" (body needs something NOW!), and we started using those terms, but he pretty much always says he's "green," even when he's clearly "red." Â I am concerned that he now holds it as long as possible because of how we've been responding, as if going to the bathroom is giving away autonomy?
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Ack! Â Trying to think of how to help him move past this and gain independence in taking care of his own body. Â I'd appreciate some positive ideas! Â TIA!
