I was so extremely frustrated for 2 major reasons. One is that I just attended the CT Autism conference ALL day Saturday. I felt good. I had some new ideas and new plans. I learned some answers. And the
very next day it all goes out the window. I was trying to be patient and understand where Jaylen was coming from.
Which leads to the second reason. Jaylen pooped in his pants, as usual, which is a whole other area of frustration. I feel like he will NEVER be potty trained. I know that is ridiculous and I am overreacting, but I am just frustrated. By the way, did I mention I am feeling
frustrated lately???
So I tell him to go into the bathroom just so I don't get poop on the carpet while changing him. He flips out. Massive tantrum. Not a neuro-typical kid tantrum, a full blown Autism tantrum. I had to restrain him so he would not get hurt. I was just trying to get his pants on but for some reason he didn't want them on. I tried calmly asking him why and redirecting, and all those other good things. But he just continued to thrash, kick, and flail while screaming bloody murder. It went on for about 30 minutes.
During which, and I hate this, poor little Xavier gets upset and screams or even starts crying because he is confused. His brother is so upset and his mommy is so upset and it affects him. An empathic quality that Jaylen never had. I hate the affect Autism is having on Xavier.
I still don't know exactly what set Jaylen off or what I could have done differently. I am tired of jotting it all down and trying this and trying that when in the end, there are still so many problems. Don't you just get so worn out?
I guess that is why the puzzle is the perfect icon for Autism. There are no set answers. This is a massive complex puzzle that no one will ever truly understand. But I am not giving up. This is just an off couple days and a bump in the road. I will be back to planning, researching, and trying things again soon. Thanks for all the support. And it's good to know I am not alone.
Oh, and PS, I am not even going to do a Slimdown Sundays this week because I didn't lose any stinkin weight again! Wonder if my stress level has anything to do with that??? But I promise, I am going to pull myself together and get back on track.
Recommend
Comments (4)
I feel your pain!! Sometimes, to help me get through, I think of this: Don't worry about the world coming to an end today, it's already tomorrow in Australia! :)
@spectrumspectacle - That's great! I really do try to put things into perspective most of the time. We are truly, truly blessed. But sometimes out emotions don't think clearly do they? Thanks!
Sorry sweetie, but depending on the level your child is/ will progress to, you may have to deal with potty accidents for a long time. My little bro has low functioning autism and if there's not a bathroom nearby or his aides at school dont understand him when he tells them bathroom, he still goes #1 and #2 in his pants. Probably one of the best things you can do is teach your child to verbalize when he has to go to the bathroom. Did he throw a tantrum when he realised you were upset/frustrated that he went in his pants? I dont know what your reaction was, but realise that if he realises that mommy is upset when he does this then the whole potty issue is a negative thing rather than positive (ie "I get praised when I go to the bathroom when Im supposed to"). Still getting my little bro to learn to wipe his own butt correctly... he tries, but gets #2 EVERYWHERE... on the floor, the walls, the toilet paper roll, etc (you get the idea). Just keep calm and try to give positive emotional responses like (in a calm, almost happy voice): "I wish you had gone to the bathroom sooner, but good job telling me that you needed to be cleaned up!"