son laughed while i cried!!

My son is 5 and recently diagnosed as having an ASD. We've had a lovely calm day out and as soon as we got home his mood instantly changed. He started shouting, throwing things at me, then slammed every door downstairs over and over again. I sat and cried in frustration and he stood and laughed, which really hurt me. I'm really struggling to know how to deal with his behaviour. HELP

  • I think you need to find out who laughs at him when he cries. In the playground paradigm, bullying another until they cry is considered peer-laudable, and crying as being weakness deserving of mockery and continuing abuse. Your son is showing you how he is treated, try not to make it all about you...

  • Hello,

    We have guidance around difficult behaviour on the website, just follow this link:

    www.autism.org.uk/.../challenging-behaviour-in-children-with-an-asd.aspx

    Take care.

  • that sounds really upsetting. Maybe it would help to just keep reminding yourself that he is only five, and lots of kids can do really mean things without really meaning them. Perhaps he simply couldn't fathom your emotional response. Maybe laughter was even his way of dealing with a behaviour he found disturbing (mummy crying) - perhaps he was 'laughing it off' or getting carried away because he was confused? Whatever, it is not your fault. However, it does sound like you could really use some help. Do you have any support?

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi,

    It sounds as though you need some real help in asserting yourself and managing his behaviour. Are you aware that there are training courses for parents in your position where you can learn the best ways of dealing with an ASD child?