Comments on: Autism: The Roller Coaster

By: Em

Em — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 01:10:34 +0000

Andrea!
I am writing a paper for my spec ed class and was talking about IBI in it, which made my mind wander and wonder how you were. You are doing so awesome with this challenge and you are being such a great support to Tristan. He is such a fortunate kid to have such caring parents who are committed to getting him the right therapies for him. Hang in there! Tristan is a talented, brilliant, capable kid and that partnered with the commitment from Odum and yourself, his future WILL be independent, find a passion and do what he loves, have meaningful relationships and be a valued member of society.
Let me know if there is anything I can pitch in with!
Keep fighting the good fight!
xo
e

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:37:30 +0000

Thanks for the article, it was great and made a lot of sense. Tristan’s behaviour has definitely improved in the past few weeks and so has his sharing, turn taking and he’s been flying through his IBI programs. So I really do think he was going a bit of dysregulation and he’s made a few leaps. I actually got a book about RDI programs a few weeks ago at our library and once we’re settled I think we going to start implementing some changes during our daily lives. From the small amount of research I’ve done on RDI I think it will be a really nice complement to Tristan’s IBI programs.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:25:03 +0000

Sometimes tantrums and meltdowns are dysregulation that happens because the brain is on the verge of making a new discovery and leap in development. Here is a good article on that phenomenon: http://www.horizonsdrc.com/resources/article-one-step-back-three-steps-forward-dysregulation-and-development

BTW, RDI ranks right up there with the gf/cf diet and homeschooling for my 20yo daughter in the autism spectrum! It helps you stay off the emotional rollercoaster by keeping in mind that parenting a child with ASD is a marathon, not a sprint. We are in this for the long haul, but it can be a race well run.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:27:59 +0000

Oh my goodness you had your hands full! Poor little guys. Its good to know it gets easier. Thanks!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 21:58:46 +0000

Yup, seemed like a good idea at the time, then I found myself sat one day with a fretful 10 week old baby who had to sit upright for 1/2 hr after every feed, a screaming 11 month old in the play pen and a whining 4 year old and I thought…Ooops lol….but it all works out, you’ll see…you’ll look back and shake your head and smile.

*hugs*

By: Andrea

Andrea — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:09:03 +0000

Caroline – Thanks! Hearing that makes me feel so much better. Its so hard when I don’t have anything to compare Tristan to, you know? Thanks for the offer to come and visit too. Right now its just a little crazy here, things are half packed and Tristan has therapy everyday. But once we move and get settled we definetly need to get together. Its been too long since I’ve seen you and Lilly.

Southern and GFCF – Hope your elbow is better! Can’t wait for your info.

Kelly – Its so true every little thing Tristan does I stress over. I really have to start trying to relax a bit and realize he’s a 3 year old first. And I didn’t think about it like that, that he’s reasoning. Is paddy a scottish term for tantrum, I love it! And I can’t believe you had 3 under 4!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:38:32 +0000

I think you need to take heart that Tristen is most likely showing you typical 3 year old behaviour. This should be a good thing right?
I think when you have a child on the spectrum you can get hung up on every tiny shift in your childs behaviour and obvioulsy you can’t help but annaylise it to the bones!!
But think about it…He throws tantrums because he dosn’t want to share! I know some SCHOOL age children who still do that! In his head is is able to think “that toy is mine! I want to play with it! If I throw a paddy maybe I’ll get it!” He is reasoning!
No one knows him better than you but as a mother who at one time had 3 children under 4 I can sympathise with the feelings of burn out.
It will get better, and GOOD LUCK ODUM!!
(ps..spell check not working so please forgive my TERRIBLE spelling!!)

By: Southern and GFCF

Southern and GFCF — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:50:48 +0000

I have info for you when I can type better. I hurt my elbow really bad last night. Bear with me, OK. I won’t forget. Hang in there.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:59:03 +0000

I think that your little Tristan is having very 3 yr old moments right now. My nephew is only a few months younger than Tristan and he will throw a tantrum to end all tantrums because of little things. He went so far as to tell his mommy he didn’t love her! I can make a special trip to Kitchener if that would be fun, but if it would add more stress then we can wait…let me know.