Hiya everyone, just looking for a little bit of friendly advice. I’m a 32 year old mum of 3 my eldest son 7 years old has autism spectrum disorder and ocd. Just lately he has become very obsessed with collectors toys(some of which are almost impossible to get) he is anxious irritated and very over emotional he has been sent home from school with stomach pains and feeling sick due to anxiety, he has also had a full blown melt down/ episodes and has sobbed asking me to make it stop and take it out of his head ( the thought of the toys ) there has been no changes at home and everything is as it always has been but over the last 5-6 months he is very up and down over emotional and can be very aggressive towards me I’m just worried as he gets older is this going to become worse how do I control his ocd and temper/ aggressive behaviour? I’ve never ever considered medication but am now thinking is this something I should be discussing with my gp? I just want what is best for him and don’t want to ignore the fact I’ve noticed a fairly big change in behaviour as he is getting older. Any advice appreciated. Thanks x
Thank you for your post. This is really interesting to know very helpful information and has made think in a different way towards the situation.You have definitely been a help.
There are 2 key neuro-differences which are at play: 1. Monotropism and 2. Sense-Perception.
The autistic and ADHD brain both have this potential with the theory of Monotropism. A potential for hyper-focus and flow-state, a drive to resolution, all due to hyper-active Gamma waves which are usually moderated by GABA 'resistors' (I like to call them).There's new research that for many of us, our GABA levels are low. Which means we're prone to biological anxiety from out of control Gamma waves. An excited child can physically become anxious if not appropriately settled within a reasonable amount of time before bed. Non-Autistic children might not have a problem task-switching, but also might have the biology to just shut down the excitement so it doesn't overwhelm them. According to this new breakthrough, we don't, and so it spirals into anxiety.
This happens to me with music - a melody will spin on repeat in my head and I will have the whole production playing in detail in my imagination. If it's looping out of control at night, the only way I've found to turn it off is with a micro-amount of Xanax. And I've spent years trying all kinds of solutions, I'm in my late 40s. However, with this new research it all makes sense. This type of drug, which is apparently addictive, is literally made to boost GABA levels. I've never needed it all the time, but at key moments and I was given it due to getting older and being told the level of stress I experienced can cause a stroke. But I did go through a period where I would take a micro-dose during therapy in order to think clearly and learn new mental habits to reshape my perspectives and understandings, which in turn forms emotions. Big emotions create an intense physical impact, even big emotions based on immature understandings, incorrect perspectives or inappropriate expectations of another.
Our sense-perception is another fundamental autistic difference. We cannot dull our senses the same and our senses include emotions which can violently impact us, which in turn, cause external responses which appear incredibly intense and frightening. Autistics sense things "too real". For many of us, we visualise in incredible detail, internal experiences are intimate and deeply impactful. My solutions include learning to be cautious what I allow myself to be exposed to. Reading is better than movies, but sometimes mindless video games or app games are incredibly helpful to unwind with. Distraction only lasts so long, one will require resolve or a habit to counter something we cannot access a solution for.
For most children, modern society is difficult enough. But for the autistic design, we can be a mismatch and better suited for more remote lifestyles. Collecting rocks excites a young geologist or designer and will aid learning. Finding patterns in leaves or collecting bugs. There is a natural drive in us to explore the whole of a thing and disseminate all its parts. So a collexion is incomplete without the whole - I cannot explain how overwhelming this is for us. It is a natural inclination towards resolution and problem solving hijacked or dislodged by consumerism - a useful process disrupted, essentially.
My son is much older, but, I would suggest using a video game to try and shift his thought into something digital, where collectables are attainable through problem solving like Zelda. Limit his access of exposure to these toys and get him building or constructing (even Legos or home-made forts). In a pinch, little app games might simply help. He needs to put his energy into things he can accomplish and become competent with. Find all the things he seems interested in and help him pursue those. Hopefully he can grow out of his interest in these toys.
