Winter

Thank you so much Clover.  It means so much to have such an encouragement like that.

My lad has settled down a bit in school this week but we can still see he's struggling as he's often disruptive at home and hurting his brothers.  I feel so bad for him as we can really see how much he doesn't want to do some of the things he does and then he gets upset with himself and doesn't know how to express it. 

Thanks again, GG

" I was wondering if the disruption of Christmas/New Year is catching up on him especially now that everything has just suddenly dropped back into routine?"  Yes, I think a lot of 6 year olds find the new winter term very tiring  to adjust to but I remember from my son's experience that it was especially tiring for him as a  child with an ASC. He reminded me of how I feel after a day struggling in  French  to communicate/not quite understanding/being confused etc   ....I'm no linguist and I end up with a severe headache and a strong wish to escape! Luckily that only happens to me on holiday...not every day and its my choice !. Even now I notice my son very much being "on duty" ,making extra efforts to be ok in busy social situations...actually, non busy ones ,aswell and he really has to try hard with change of any kind.

It was very good to read about the strategies you are using with the timetable etc...with such a little boy ...excellent to hear that more is understood than in my day and useful strategies are in place so quickly.  But I  also know what a huge family investment and effort is required to make these timetables an  effective support ....to keep them up to date, to negotiate change ... but they helped to keep my son calm and trusting...not so many reptitive questions ..... it paid off. Schools struggle to keep an individual's time table current...short of time  to flag up or notice how important minor( to  them) changes can be . You seem to be doing really well negotiating all this . Many congrats!

Thanks for your post Clover.  I do think school makes a difference for my lad and these past few weeks with the weather being so damp there have been a lot of days when the children don't get out at break/lunchtime which is a disaster for my son.  The lack of routine towards the end of term always upsets my son as he thrives on routine and follows a visual timetable in school.  I was wondering if the disruption of Christmas/New Year is catching up on him especially now that everything has just suddenly dropped back into routine?

At home he copes well with changes to routine but only in termtime when he has the structure of school.  In the holidays we operate a written timetable and plan a week in advance ... he thrives on that especially being able to check several times a day what's going to happen ahead.

Thanks again, I appreciate your reply. 

GG

The"change of routine " at school might be worth a thought. The Spring term is more structured than the end of the Autumn term..all those nativity plays etc ...children get to "chose" more often etc and maybe he has less access to the special things he likes to do in class and which make his time there more bearable ....for my own boy it was certain boks and  for another young Asperger child I knew it was the big lego .... His teacher used lego time as a bribe and a retreat for him when things got difficult. .

In January there is a lot of indoor play sessions because of poor weather...a big loss to the more outdoor child ! Spring term is the "working term"......lots to do before the summer when its reports etc 

Hope things settle down soon

Thanks KaloJaro, that was really helpful.  My boy goes to gymnastics and swimming which he really loves but, unfortunately, both are held on the same day.  Sadly, this past week he missed both as that was the day he was unwell.  At the weekends we try to spend some time outdoors running about but it's not so easy during the week.

I was interested in your dislike of the sun ... reading what you wrote sounded just like my Dad who is always less cheery in summer!  I think he's affected the seasons as well.

Thanks again for your comments, I did appreciate it.  Off out now for a lovely long walk with my boy ... one-to-one time is something he & I both love :-)

GG

Hiya,

I reckon that he could be affected by the seasons, I mean, especially if hes an outdoors person. I'm in my late teens, been dubbed 'The Nightwalker' (first 'cool' nickname since 'Magpie' xD) and I've been loving the winter so far. Longer periods of darkness have made me stay up more, I've been actually staying awake during the day longer due to how dark its gotten and overall become more active.

But in the summer....I will locate the darkest corner of the room and sit in it glaring at any sunlight that dares come near me. I hate sunlight. I don't mind an overcast day, or generally a day with at least 5 large clouds, I hate the searing bright vicious burning sunlight thats been attacking the UK during summer. Naturally, during the summer, I am a grouchy, annoyed, vicious and often moody little so and so. Honestly, its like being stuck on permanent PMT for the season. XD

Just a suggestion, is there any indoor sports centres near you? Or better yet laser quest places (my personal fav as its a dark yet active environment) where he can run around, be active and not care about the outside environment. Because his aggression could just be a result of all his pent up energy (personally I pace but I'm one of the least sporty people on the planet :)).

Hope he feels better soon. If anything the impendig snow should get him out and about in a snowball fight. ;)