only in our house... | Autism PDD

Sometimes I think it's lucky that walls can't speak -- they'd have quite a tale to tell in every ASD house.

I didn't realize you had 3 special needs kids to look after... How's everything going with Donny?

I doubt the talk had any effect on my 18 year old foster son, as he has
severe FAS and severe MR. Trying to teach him anything - ay-yai-yai.
He's a sweet kid, but even after years of drilling things into him, every day
is a new day. Such is life with FAS.

Donny on the other hand, is a bright little fellow, despite all his
challenges. He does learn rules and benefit from short, clear, stern
lectures for those big no-nos. After my "talk" with the boys, I quizzed
Don on it, and he was able to tell me what I'd said, so I know he got it.
We've had one other problem like this, ages ago, where my foster son
would allow/encourage Donny to sit in his lap (it's all quite innocent in
that my foster son is so delayed, he doesn't understand that's not
appropriate, it just feels nice to him). A very stern lecture similar to the
one I gave today, couple by reminding Donny of the rules a couple of
times when the two of them would be wrestling or sitting near one
another fixed the problem. It's nice that I can count on Donny to learn
the rules and boundaries and to enforce them himself...

[QUOTE=NorwayMom]

I didn't realize you had 3 special needs kids to look after... How's
everything going with Donny?

[/QUOTE]

Yeah, my house is a zoo, lol. I work in a group home too, so my
perception of reality gets a little skewed to say the least

Don's doing pretty darned good actually. Still aggressive, but much less
intense in his aggression. Frankly, I can live with it where it's at. I'd
rather he didn't hit at all, of course, but if sissy hitting is how he is going
to communicate, well, at least he's communicating. Hopefully, one day,
we can get him to use more appropriate methods, like his words

He's
going through a minor med adjustment - we've decreased his Paxil. So
far, so good. Some negatives, but some positives too. The goal in
decreasing the Paxil is to eliminate his cycling, or at least reduce the
frequency - his psych thinks the Paxil is driving his mania (gee, I've only
been saying that since before he was even diagnosed bipolar!).

School starts for Don on the 10th. I'm super-nervous, and hoping this
year is better than last...

I also signed Don up for Special Olympics Swimming and Gymnastics.
Here's hoping that goes smoothly - it would be such a great esteem
builder and social opportunity for him!

Also working on developing a plan with input from a social worker, and
putting together a board in order to have a team that surrounds and
supports Donny. It's hard to give up some control and allow others to
share in decision making for my kiddo, as nobody knows him and loves
him like his Dad and I do. However, I know it's for the best - nobody
will
know him and love him the way we do unless we let them share in our
vision for him

Thanks for the update. You guys are such devoted parents.

I've got two little stories from the last few days, one cute, one cringe-
worthy, both soooo just another day in the life of ASD

First, the cute one:

On Sunday, while I was at work, hubby was lying on our bed reading,
when
Don went into the bathroom accross the hall from our room. When he
didn't
come out for a few minutes, hubby meandered over to the door to check
on
him. As he neared the bathroom door, he could hear Donny saying to
himself "yeah. that looks good. yup. it looks great." Curious, he snuck
open the door to see what Donny was up to. There was Donny, clad in a
pullup he'd pulled from the package on the counter (our foster son wears
pullups), posing, flexing his muscles, and admiring himself

Donny's
the only 10 year old I know who thinks he'd look cool in a diaper.

The not-so-cute moment was this morning. The three boys had all been
playing together (all have special needs). Hubby came up the stairs and
alerted me "um, we have a problem". Turns out, he'd walked up on
Donny rubbing the crotch of his older foster brother (who is 18 but a
developmental equivalent of 3-5) and giggling, as his foster brother also
giggled. So, we sat the boys down and had a very firm conversation
about how penises are private, and we don't touch other people's privates
or let other people touch ours

After, I just kind of shook my head and thought "only in my house!". I'm
sure some of y'all can relate!

The first story is too cute!! I saw Mason imitating something he could have only seen on TV, lol...but he was standing in the mirror flexing his arms and kissing his muscles...I have yet to discover where he learned that, lol.

P.S. I hope your little talk with the boys helps!