We are currently going through the paper work to get a referral to the Autism pathway.
It has been 4 years since my wife and I noticed his quirks, adapted, learned, and compromised. The avoidance behaviour, the need for the control and the avoidance of food. The toe curling tip toe walking. Jumping of sofas, leaping off of window sills. The seek of touch but hating it in return. The transition of school runs in the morning and home is anxious, good days, bad days and all of sudden, shoes off, socks off, coat off, jumping in the mud, running down the path, can I come home now; and if it rains well, we sometimes end up late those days. Would I change him? No.
The meltdowns already, the anger inside; he's a small boy with big emotions but often misunderstood by passing eyes. We get ready for parties a week in advance then hours before we go, it's "shoes are not right, socks are not right, I don't want to go" and sometimes before he opens up; off the handle he go's, dodging toys and kicking legs, slamming doors. When all is calm, we all decide to stay; "it's okay mate there is always another day". We'll huddle tight under our den, watch a movie, and eat our safe snack.
The professionals side. The occupational therapy say sensory but nothing they can do. The dietitian says sensory, but nothing they can do. The physiotherapist says sensory, but nothing they can do. All often asking; ASD? The School, have a guess? Meetings but only so much they can do, they do not see it. Our new family health visitor finally listened and saw what we saw; the pebbles in the jam jar over flowed that day. School was too much, he said, too bright, too noisy, he liked his friends but couldn't understand, often saying it's all too much. Then a new person in the home, asking questions, and asking for a brighter light to write...well you know how it goes. But, to be finally heard was a breath of fresh air.
Every action has a need. Remember our good days. We have den building days, lights down low, collecting every stick and pebble, saving all the snails. 1-2 baths nearly every day. Finding walkers baked crisps, transformers, transformers and more transformers. Vinyl days and spinning round. Long park walks, and climbing trees, feeding the ducks and chasing leaves.
It's a journey already and many too come. More days of overflowing jam jars but I love my son, and we'll ride the waves with him.
What are other people's journeys. Any advice or experiences. Please share.
