One of the biggest issues I deal with on a daily is behavior. I know all parents do but discipline with a kid on the spectrum is a smidge more stressful. For all. Including the dog.
Many folks may think a screaming hissy fit is just a bratty kid having a tantrum. OK all the autism parents, let's all have a collective laugh because we sooo know it is not. Hahahahahahahahaha! For when my son has hit meltdown stage, fire in the hole!!!!! Nothing can be said or done to talk the the boy off the ledge. Not even his beloved fries.
You see a tantrum has a defined want. Whereas a meltdown is a weather front that just has to run its course. Now like any parent, I can see potential triggers. I have a defend and distract approach. Circle the wagons or get the heck out of Dodge. If this doesn't work, well no need to sound the alarm. My son's screams will be warning enough to the surrounding counties.
This is not to say I just let him go. The 80's band Tears for Fears had it right with that song of theirs "Shout" (come on sing it with me. Shout! Shout! Let it all out! These are the things I can do without! Come on now! I'm talking to you come on!) Oh I feel the need to tease my hair up big and spray it with Aqua Net. Pink can of course. Whoops! Slightly off tangent. Anyways, sometimes he just has to scream it out. Lately he is accepting going to his room to do so. This is big improvement from kicking holes in the walls. (*fist bump* to all the parents who keep spakle and wall patches on hand. HOLLA!)
Like knowing his triggers, I just know sometimes I just have to let him get all his anger out. This is also combined sometimes with being so emotionally spent at that moment where I just throw my hands up and wish someone would send me to my room. Please Mom! Come over and ground me!
Then he finally asks for a tissue. Wipes his face and I starting thinking maybe the storm has finally passed. Plus hope like hell he's not just recharging for round two. By then I'm wondering how much hearing I have since lost since becoming a mom or if one can have a seizure based on listening to so much screaming from their own child. How many grey hairs have I gotten? How is it I cannot bring the comfort my child needs to him?
And lastly, when is Daddy coming home?