Hi. We have massive escalating problem with our 8 year old son. He got his diagnosis of autism at age 3, has been in a brilliant unit for autistic children since starting primary school. He has always had very controlling behaviours at home but lately his anxieties, controlling tendencies and urges to do certain things have been sprialling out of control. The main thing that has me and his dad at a loss is these 'links' or 'chains' in his mind that he is creating... basically, 'If I do this, I can't do that' - it can affect everything he tries to do during the day but it does all seem to be linked to being the 'leader' at school at moment (the child that leads in and out from lunch each day) - the school are aware and we're trying to create a photo social story. I've also asked for a re-referral to the CDC as I have done studies in autism, work with pre-school autistic children and am a mum to one and yet this compulsive kind of thinking feels like something else. He also can NOT control the urge to copy. This has been the way since he was 2 but again, lately has soared. This can be anything from copying me putting my feet on the coffee table to flushing the toilet. He likes to be the first to do things (like turning the light on) and if he can't he has to click his own disconnected clicker that makes the same noise. Same with birds singing outside - they drive him mad and despite wearing ear defenders and having all windows shut, he has to go and grab his toy bird that tweets and make his own 'tweet' sounds to compensate for him not being in control of the noises outside. I know these issues all overlap common autism traits (sensory/controlling environment etc) but I have a real sense that I am handling it all wrongly. I feel alone in this and so would truly love another parent out there to say, 'We have this at home too!' even if you don't know exactly what or why it is! Thanks for reading. x
