Do you ever feel like your child goes in waves? It seems as though my son will have periods of doing really well, progressing in all his areas that he is working on (language OT that sort of thing), he will at times show compassion. Then after a time he will become very autistic like again where it seems the "symptoms" of autism become very prevalent. He will start spinning and his emotions seem to just shut down. Right now he flat out refuses any therapy and formal help. He has become very angry and defiant for lack of a better word.
School let out and he really loved it because he was in a special needs class that was extremely structured and he was challenged. We tried to do a summer school program for kids with special needs but he won't go, he won't go to his language therapy, its a constant meltdown. I don't know if its his autism acting up or coming more to surface or if its the change in routine that has him so out of sync. I hate seeing him so miserable and it puts us all a little out of whack.
So I guess I'm asking is it common for autistic kids to go in waves like this?
We have waves around here too. Sometimes it seems like everything is fine, I can handle life... then comes a wave of bad behavior, screaming, hitting, etc. It is hard. I have no idea what triggers it... sometimes I think it's the weather (I'm only half kidding lol). I think changes in routine can really affect them. Or ppl visiting or travel or things like that too. But sometimes travel is fine, sometimes not. Some visitors are fine, others not.
I don't think I ever told you congrats on #3 either!! Yay!!
Thanks Julie I miss you too! I'm glad I'm not the only one with waves. There is just so much I am still learning and understanding through all of this.
I absolutely feel that way. Ds has been flapping and spinning and hand biting and all sorts of "autistic" stuff this week, it's driving me nuts. Some weeks are good, some are bad. I personally think because their external environment affects them so much because of their need for sameness and consistency, that any little change that they perceive can just kind of push them over the edge.
Yep. Lots of waves around here, too. Not as bad as it used to be when my 7-year old was younger. Back then, the waves stretched for longer periods. He'd do well, and then he'd regress for days (or weeks) at a time. There were so many triggers, and it took us a good long time to figure them all out. There are still waves, but not as frequent and not as long lasting. (And it helps that we can now predict when we need to prepare.)
And regarding the weather comment -- we went to see the pediatrician yesterday, and he specifically asked about my son's behavior when the weather changes. He said many of his patients who have autism do react strongly to weather changes or they regress in certain conditions (too hot, too cold, whatever).
Originally Posted by thoesly
And regarding the weather comment -- we went to see the pediatrician yesterday, and he specifically asked about my son's behavior when the weather changes. He said many of his patients who have autism do react strongly to weather changes or they regress in certain conditions (too hot, too cold, whatever).
Oh my goodness yes. We had a full moon on the weekend and a tropical storm this week. You can guess what my ds was like this week.
My daughter works in waves as well..we call it two steps forward-one step back. We always wonder if it's just normal for her to seem to regress a bit or is it something in her diet that causes the fluctuation. Well her "issues" as of yet is because she has two newborn brothers that have taken over the house.
: Things are getting better and although we have seen some negative behavior, she has started to say some words here and there.
It's weird that you say that b/c I had two kids (now three), but the first two seem to balance each other out behaviorally. Ds is 6 with ADHD and Dd is ASD. When he goes up, she goes down and vice versa. It's very strange. She'll being doing really well, verbalizing and all and he'll have a angry meltdown in school...or she'll regress into a lot of echolalia and his teacher will send him home with smilie faces and treats from the prize box...and its not like they even go to the same school!
You know I never thought about the weather part and we did have that tropical storm roll through here. Sade was so terrified a tornado was going to come and destroy everything, which I have no idea where that came from. I should probably be journaling all this to keep a better watch on when he seems to regress. I really does seem like 2 steps forward and 1 step back.
My parents clued me in to watch for that in ds because i was their "little radar" as a kid. Evidently my behavoir was more accurate at weather prediction than the weatherman. lol. (keep in mind, this was in the 70s, before the current technologies)
Originally Posted by Jennifer Z
the weather thing...
My parents clued me in to watch for that in ds because i was their "little radar" as a kid. Evidently my behavoir was more accurate at weather prediction than the weatherman. lol. (keep in mind, this was in the 70s, before the current technologies)
He does react to weather btw.
I'm the same way. Whenever the barometric pressure drops or we're getting a cold front, I can feel it at least 24 hours in advance because my knees ache like hell and I get migraines. I wonder if ds feels achey too, and that's why he's so crabby?
ITA with everything posted!!! We refer to it as "two steps forward one step back" like a pp did. School just got out yesterday and my ds's summer program doesn't start for 2 weeks and I can already tell it's gonna be a LONG 2 weeks! My ds also reacts to the weather (hot and humid for him).
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mothering Forum
16.5M posts
285.1K members
Since 1996
A forum community dedicated to all mothers and inclusive family living enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about nurturing, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more!