Autism

Everyday is like a roller coaster with Caleb. You never know if he is going to wake up happy or on the wrong side of the bed. One thing can set him off and pretty much ruin the rest of the day. From what I read that is common in Autistic children. With Caleb being a high functioning (Pervasive Development Disorder)child he is very smart, very determined and very stubborn (like his mom).

It's those things that I have a hard time dealing with some times. As a parent I don't want to give in to everything with him. Yet when I talk with the Autism Specialist I am reminded that I cannot change Caleb and that I have to be the one to change how I deal with him.

Everyday when I wake up I know that I have to do the best I possibly can. There are days when Caleb is dragging his feet to get out the door that I do get irritated with him. It puts me behind and him getting to school just before the bell. We're only four minutes away but still I would like for him to be on time and settled in.

Those days he is dragging his feet are either because he didn't get his clothes laid out the night before because we came in late or he is trying to get his toys together. If I don't allow him to do the things he wants at his pace his shuts down.

Right now I am creating a schedule just for Caleb to go by. I found an old dry erase board in the office I share with my boyfriend. With the papers the specialist gave me on creating a schedule I have made one to fit Caleb. I plan on taking the board home within the next couple of days and sit down with Caleb explaining to him this is his schedule. Then I have to think of some incentives. I know he loves playing the Wii, getting new legos and new/used movies. I am really hoping this will help things improve between he and I.

It's been about a month now since Caleb was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum with PDD. I've been mostly working on learning more about PDD and reading the information given to me by his therapist and Autism Specialist at TEAM. As much as I wish things would improve over night since we've been through so much I am happy that things are falling into place and that things are gradually getting better.