Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Update

Just thought you all would want to know. Nick came to me after I got home with the biggest grin his little face could hold, and gave me a hug. His hugs are rare, but I know they are genuine. He wraps his sweet arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder. Simply devine. All the tantrums of the previous days have melted-and it is almost like he is saying "I am sorry mommy". He is asleep right now in his bed. Maybe it is a growth spurt, maybe his brain is busy making some connections-time will only tell.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Another day....another hole in the wall


This morning started out just like the last few mornings...with Nick in one of his moods where the slightest thing sends him into a tizzy. There is another hole in our wall-right under a light switch in the bedroom where Nick banged his head. UGH! I need a room with padded walls. The picture above is reminiscent of happier times. Today I took Nick to Target and we bought some outdoor summer stuff. A little chair for him to sit in outside, and some water toys. He weathered that trip fairly well, and when we came home I let the boys play outside. That pretty much wore him out,and before I knew it, he was in his bed asleep. I was ever so grateful to have a couple of hours of peace from screaming and banging. I was about to let him sleep however long he wanted to if it meant a break from outbursts. He woke up in a fairly pleasant mood though...until it was time to eat. He will eat something one minute, and by the time the next bite comes along he won't even look at it. Makes a small job very frustrating. Today he did manage to say "All done" without prompting so I guess the day was not a complete waste.

I got a new book while I was at Target. It is called "Born on a Blue Day". It is the story of Daniel Tammet. He is diagnosed as an Autistic Savant and thinks in numbers and colors. He can do huge mathematical sums in his head. He can also calculate what day a certain date fell on years ago. It is quite an interesting read. Positive books like this one give me hope on days like today.

Meltdown Mode


I think that would best desribe how Nick has been these last few days. We are constantly trying to prevent him from destroying the house. His frustration can reach an all time high in a matter of seconds, and before you know it he has put five new dents in the walls. I don't want to keep saying that this is so hard-when I know most kids have tantrums-but it is VERY hard when Nick's tantrums are caused by loud noises, or even noises we would not consider loud. Yesterday he went ballistic when we used a small air pump to blow up a plastic pool. Sometimes we tend to "forget" that Nick can be sensitive to such things-and noises you would not think send him spiraling out of control. His answer to every little thing right now is to bang his head or hit himself. It is like we trade one thing for another-Nick's speech has picked up somewhat; but he is easily frustrated. During times where he is not as verbal, he does not hurt himself as much. It is a cycle. I am hoping this "siege" is quickly over.

Instructions Included


So, all we have to do is periodically clean his "filters"?