When I first started this blog, I wanted to be honest about the ins and outs of raising a child on the spectrum. While I have shared a few of those very difficult moments with you...I have chosen to actually keep quiet about some of the grosser ones (AKA- embarrassing!) because I really don't want people looking at Brycen and judging him off of this type of behavior. Today is one of those days where I am going to be honest because I am a little in "awe" of what just happened. "Awe" is not being used in a positive way either!
While attempting to pack up some of the kitchen during rest time (Aubree & Mike napping upstairs), I noticed that Brycen was standing by the couch instead of laying on it while watching his train video. This typically means he has a poopy diaper as he doesn't like to sit in them. So, I had him lie down noticing that he had messed with his diaper so much that he had smeared some down his leg and shorts. No big deal...right?! Clean him up, put on new pull-up, put shorts in laundry room...this has happened a million times with him.
About 30 minutes later, I was yelling at him to sit back down instead of flapping by the TV. When he wouldn't listen, I went over to him to find that poop was now on the floor and all over his feet. Seriously, Brycen?! Didn't we JUST finish changing you?! So, I once again, clean him up, put on new pull-up, and go back to packing the kitchen.
Within another 45 minutes...well, you guessed it! A THIRD time, but I didn't catch it fast enough before it was all over his legs, hands, floor, etc. I scrubbed him down again, meanwhile lecturing him about "telling" me he has a poopy diaper and needs to be changed...of course, I know he doesn't quite understand all of this. Obviously since he is almost 5 years old and has no interest in potty training (FYI: Boys with classic Autism typically are not potty trained until years after their typical peers.) It just makes me feel better to lecture him so I feel like maybe, just MAYBE he will understand one word of what I am saying.
Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?! It gets better though. This next thing is what we were hoping was a "phase"...but it has turned into about 5 months of behavior that is not getting better. Brycen has finally realized where his male anatomy is located and is completely infatuated with "it". While this is something a 1 1/2-2 yr old is typically "exploring", Brycen may be almost 5 yrs old but his developmental level is that of an 1 1/2-2 yr old. At first, we attempted to ignore it and would ask him if he needs to use the bathroom, which we know he doesn't since he doesn't comprehend potty training right now. It continued to get worse to the point where he was pulling his pants down in circle time at school, at the check-out in Fareway, and pretty much every other place we go as he has no comprehension that this is a private issue. He loves "it" so much that we dread giving him a bath and even changing his diaper because it becomes a big ordeal over keeping his hands above his waist. I can guarantee that "it" will make an appearance at least once during the Autism walk on Saturday!
Reality is that these are things that Brycen does not comprehend. Reality is that we don't know if this will get better or worse. Reality is...this is Autism. Autism is fabulous, isn't it?!
Bless you, girl! Autism isn't always pretty -that's why it's the "joys AND challenges", right? Xo
ReplyDeleteHoney, you're gonna hate me in just about a minute, but hear me out. This too shall pass. Seriously. I know right now it seems like he'll be whippin' out his weiner forever, but he won't. Our kids aren't stationary. This is one phase in his development, and he will progress in this area just like in everything else. It may be slow going, but it will happen eventually. In the meantime, congrats on his body awareness! (Just a reminder that throwing things at your computer will not hurt me--it will only hurt you!)
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