Easter was a lot of fun for the kids. I had my grown kids here at the house, and friends of two of my grown kids came and brought their young children. It was a full house. We pulled out the electric jeeps and my kids actually shared and let the other kids drive the jeeps. The kids got to play with Neurotypical children, and they did well.
My grown kids hid the Easter eggs, and we let the kids loose. They found all the eggs in record time and were so excited to open the plastic prizes. I had chocolate and tiny toys all over the place. It was amazing. The day was sunny and warm, so we had dinner outside, and everyone enjoyed themselves. I love my home and that I live near my grown children that we can get together like this.
Monday after Easter was a whole different story for my kids. I am going to assume that it was a holiday letdown, but it turned into Monday Meltdown. Jimmy started when he found out the Jeeps had been put back into the shop to charge, and he couldn’t play on them. The screaming started. Every bit of my trying to redirect his interest to something else failed and resulted in louder screaming. I am sure my new neighbors think that I am so horrible with my children that I allow them to scream for what seems like hours.
Nothing I did helped. His screaming got louder and harsher. He coughed because it was scratching his throat. I worked hard to keep my calm and talk to him in a calm voice and reassure him. I tried to hug him because sometimes he gets so out of sorts that if I can squeeze hug him, he calms down. I really wish he would take to his weighted blanket like his sister has. He hates it but loves squeeze hugs. Well, not this time, however. He just kept screaming. It was close to his bedtime, and I knew that he was tired. I am not sure what I said, but he stopped screaming, and we went in and got his jammies on. He calmed down, and with his water bottle in hand, he got his blankie and climbed in bed, and said goodnight. Just like that. From screaming to sleeping in minutes.
I got Jane in bed and sat down and thought, what just happened? Why was he screaming for so long? Then as if nothing was wrong, stopped and went to bed? Crazy. But so goes life with Autism.
The more books I read on Autism, the more questions I have. I think it is time to look into an Autism group in my area. I am sure that there is one. I just need to talk to his ABA therapist. Oh yeah, we finally got ABA started again. Finally!
Well, here’s to a better week to come