Tantrums- for want of a better word

[Foxymoron]

MY DS has such a way of making me feel like the worst person on earth.
I have tried getting him to verbalise when he is cross but he won't. Last night DH and I sat down to chat, and he wanted us to go watch "chicken run" with him for the galzillionth time. We are grateful that as autism goes, our son is quite friendly and wanting our attention. But we had spent all day doing kiddie stuff, and just wanted 20 mins to chat before bed. Anyway, I found a toy brochure.. my DS loves these and will look at them for hours, I'd prefer him to sit with us and look at his brochure than watch chicken run.
He was so incensed that he ripped the brochure to the tiniest shreds and threw himself on the floor, not able to speak to us or look at us he was so upset. I ended up watching chicken run, of course :o
I love him dearly but sometimes I get so down. I worry that little incidents like that are going to harm him, you know? Mentally..... He is so much more sensitive and sometimes when it gets too much for us he is exposed to our anger and you can see how it effects him. He sees the girls get yelled at, but it rarely happens to him and I feel like the worlds worst mother when I do, or when I have to say no to him. It's hard for my eldest too... he has always been a "baby' and never gets into trouble for the things that his sisters do. DD's teacher told me she has expressed her frustration at school, that her brother gets away with everything, and she gets into trouble for stuff she does...
blah... sorry for the long rant. Just feeling so useless and the whole toilet training thing is still impossible :confused:

[Supermum]

Hi Keara

I can't imagine how difficult it is for you. Not only do you already have three children with one on the way, you also have a child with special needs. And autism, in all its forms, makes for busy and exhausting lives. You've got to be on your toes ... constantly.

I cannot offer you any advice as I have no experience with special needs children at all.

I just wanted to say I think you are phenomenal for being an obviously caring and attentive mummy to three and a ½ children .... who shouldn't feel in the slightest bit guilty for just wanting a few moments of peace to have a discussion with her husband.

Hugs to you, you're amazing.

[tickle]

Keara:
Sorry I can't offer any words of wisdom either, but I admire you for all the hard work you must do!!
I can't imagine having as much on my plate as you do on yours and by the sounds of it you keep on going like a champion.
Your kids are so lucky to have you!! ;)

[Foxymoron]

That's so true... and as hard as I try to explain to my eldest DD I think it will be a while before she grasps the concept. She thinks my DS just has life easy, and is upset that he won't be going to school next year "why doesn't he have to do hard work like me mum?" and when I'm trying to explain to her sometimes you can just see her frustration and anger that he is treated differently :(
It really helps having a place to come and talk about it.

Way to go Dayton using the Day care toilet :) I know we will get there in the end, sometimes it just feels like a hard road..... ( I haven't had a nappy free day in the 5.5 years of his life, and I'm getting another bum to change in march!!) Still it's not all bad... Everyday he helps me see the world through different eyes :D

[Lunar]

Keara,
I feel your pain I really do. Your DS tantrums sound very similar to my DD. We too are trying hard to toilet train with little success. And I see you are due in march with another baby? I am due on the 1st of march with DD#2.
My eldest has Down Syndrome with strong autistic tendencies. She is WILD that's for sure.
Would like to get to know you and your family better, keep in touch or pm me.

[Foxymoron]

aww congrats! you'll be holding your lil bundle before I get to meet mine!

I'm currently screening some american potty training vids here at home, as my DS likes things he can memorize, he seems to gain more from telly than me sometimes :(

Mrs Casper DS is over 5 years now, I had no idea I could get a discount rate.. I know people do, but I thought your child had to be more profoundly disabled.. I'd have no idea who to contact in regard to that.... but I'm hoping persistance will pay off for me this year. I want to only have one in nappies when bubby comes!