life with the Wendling -- a case study

[sistawendy]

It's my night to bathe the Wendling, and I was a little unclear as to whether he wanted a shower with me as usual or a tub bath, so I asked him. He said he wanted a tub bath, and against my better judgment I ran one. Changing his mind is one of his autistic (or is it OCD now? See below.) quirks and has been for years, but since I'd already run the bath by the time he changed his mind, we parents insisted that he get in the tub. Oy, such a meltdown. I think it's beginning to dawn on him that choosing what you don't want makes no sense, but he can't seem to help himself. Poor little skinky boy cried most of the time he was in the tub. For once I felt more pathos than irritation.

The folks at school gave us the card of an OCD specialist who's had a look at the Weindling. I'll be calling him.

ATTN liberpolly and vorona: Seen on a bumper sticker among leftist stickers: He-ayin-mem am ha-Golan. Something people of Golan? What's that first word?

Comments

[oracle2c.livejournal.com]

Being a parent is the most trying, stressful job in the world. In the long run, the most rewarding. If you can imagine with twins I had stereo! Glad to acknowledge that I survived, albeit a bit brain damaged, but survived ;p

[liberpolly.livejournal.com]

"ha am with ha golan" - "the people is with golan" - popular right wing slogan in israel against returning golan heights to syria.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Huh. That's surprising, considering the rest of the bumper.

[phyx.livejournal.com]

I am so out of it, I guess. When did this OCD suggestion pop up? Does he need to touch things on one side after he's already touched them on the other? Does he organize his underwear by size and colour? How could they define this in such a youngin'?

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

When did this OCD suggestion pop up?

Just a couple of weeks ago. A special ed consultant was at the Wendling's school and saw him.

Does he need to touch things on one side after he's already touched them on the other?

No, but he does have to be the one to put certain things in their places or press certain buttons. Otherwise he gets all weepy and upset. To a degree this is common, but in children a couple of years younger than the Wendling.

[phyx.livejournal.com]

Do you think it's due to his slower development? They won't make him take more meds, will they?

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Do you think it's due to his slower development?

I sure hope so. I also have reason to believe that it is so. A year ago he chewed holes in his shirts but he doesn't do that now, and I'm pretty sure it isn't because we told him not to repeatedly.

He's not taking any meds at the moment and I'm very much inclined to keep it that way.