Hi,
Hoping some people might have a few ideas for me!
Long story short, moved into the property about a year ago now, had a bit of a rocky relationship with one of the next-door neighbours. Consistently complaining about my 4-year-old non-verbal autistic son. Almost universally pops around mid-meltdown, compounding the situation. Banging on the walls, complaints the landlord, estate agent, etc. Getting slightly long in the tooth.
It's gotten to the point where our noise subduing tactics, to avoid complaints from the neighbour, are encouraging poor behavior. A good example is, is when we say it's bedtime and he's on his tablet. This can on occasion, on taking the tablet away, trigger a meltdown (not all the time but 50/50). So in order to avoid this, if removing the tablet, we test the waters. And if it's likely to trigger a meltdown, we let off as each attempt will promptly trigger large amounts of screaming as he cannot comprehend why it's being taken off him. Much to the neighbour's furor. Subsequently, he's up to the early hours, and is exhausted the next day, which then gives us that wonderful merry-go-round of tiredness causing more meltdowns as he can't communicate his needs, which the neighbour has no idea he's compounding the situation (or frankly probably cares).
It's quite obvious why there is a problem, as the wife of the neighbour, is up at 12 am for work. So we can understand where they are coming from, where we used to live, there was an autistic child below us who would repeatedly belt the door, slam, and open it at 2 am. Know how it feels, but, having an Autistic child, I would never complain because I know how tough it is.
The main problem is, with the neighbour going 'this can't continue, this has to stop' a somewhat domineering tone of voice. We've been around and apologised, but frankly, we are out of ideas of what can offset a meltdown and just his general wailing, and noises he likes to make.
So this leaves us with a few options. Which is find a property in the middle of nowhere, or at least, detached, where he can run about and make as much noise as he likes. Although as it stands not much on the market we live, or spend some cash with a solicitor and let them deal with it.
General jist you can feel from their words is a push to force us to move out and go elsewhere, but, at the same time, he's a child with a disability and cannot help how he is. So feel somewhat annoyed at the position we find ourselves in.
Has anyone in the community had any experience with this and what remedies are available (if any)?
Thanks.
