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Fluctuating Symptoms

NAS82692

Hi there

I am just wondering if anyone could tell me whether the symptoms of autism can fluctuate dramatically? My son was exhibiting many symptoms last year which now seem to have disappeared. The same thing happened when he was a toddler. Has anyone else had experience of this?

  • I feel the same about my two sons aged 9 &10, they are due to have assessments in the next month and I don't know if it's because my husband and I are trying to be more understanding and aware of some challenges or because there is less stress for my older son but he definitely seems to be coping better than a few months ago when he was under quite a lot of stress with 11+ tests.  Now I seem to be struggling more with my younger son who has moved up a year where there is a lot more work & he is preparing for his 11+ tests.  Sometimes he will refuse to go to school or play in a football match with his team outside of school even though these are things he generally enjoys.  I think I find it difficult that I don't know what I'll be dealing with day to day, if they will be overwhelmed or cope really well with a big task or the smallest.  I feel like I'm treading on egg shells.  

    I am getting quite anxious about the assessments, talking to my sons about it and the outcome.  I think I will find it harder if the outcome is that they are neurotypical.  A couple of my friends have commented that I'm already assuming they are on the spectrum.  I think that's because if I don't, the situation at home becomes so difficult with arguments and meltdowns.  

    I find it really difficult when they are rude and obnoxious to each other or to me, which is several times a day.  I have been told not to take it personally, but it's not easy.  I feel like I'm failing most of the time and am a crap mum, today I was crying because it all got on top of me.  I get quite anxious in general, and I'm sure the boys must feed of this even though I try not to outwardly display it.  

  • in reply to NAS82692

    no problem!

    I can imagine how stressful that's being for you with his assessment coming up, but in my opinion you should write down/explain those behaviors and explain that them fluctuating had happened before, and just be happy that at the moment things seem to be easier for him. 

    maybe he'll stop liking wearing ties again or maybe he won't and that's okay! 

    I used to hate wearing bracelets when I was younger but now I love making my own kandi bracelets and usually have my arms full of them.

  • in reply to May24

    That's so helpful, thanks so much for sharing. I don't think my son has been faking it but sometimes I feel like I'm going mad because he seems absolutely fine now whereas last year he was really struggling. He is due for an assessment soon and I didn't know what I should say. If the assessment had been last year I would have been very confident in listing off all the symptoms/behaviours whereas now I am not sure what to say, for example, he couldn't bear wearing a tie but now it is not an issue at all.

  • YES! that has always happened to me.

    wich also made my diagnosis process harder because my parents thought I was faking it.

    but things like always loving a texture or food and then suddenly hating it so much it makes me want to crawl out of my skin.

    or being really social and talking a lot for months and then suddenly going non verbal.

    it's normal! (I think)