I have a son who is going to be 8 soon. He has a brother who is Autistic. He can be is brothers best role model and worst critic. He is impatient at times, and that's understandable, but no one can deny how much he loves his big brother. We started ABA a few weeks ago and have been having some good session. But on July 3, things got rough as I described in my posts on our FB and G+ pages. In the hour and a half that my older son was having his meltdown, D was in his room playing with the iPad and waiting for the calm. He has seen these episodes in the past and has been in tears over it. I feel bad for him when this happens. Not only because he's obviously overcome with emotion but because at these times, I have all my focus on my older son. But that is the least of his worries from what I can tell. Aside from the gut wrenching screams that are definitely unnerving, he will say to me he was upset by what 'Milo saying (usually calling me names), or that he was hitting me or hurting himself (banging his head on walls or scratching his face) Or he was upset that 'Milo was throwing things or knocking over furniture. I'll admit, the older he gets, the stronger he is... and well, the older I get, not as strong as I used to be I guess, but at least for now, I can still overpower him so there isn't too much damage. But Thursday it was evident that 'Milo had actually physically left me with some marks. Honestly I've grown a thick skin to this. I take none of it personally. In fact, when every last bit of his outburst is over with, he'll sit quietly for a bit an out of nowhere he back to just being 'Milo. He will tell me sorry for "being crazy" and give me hugs a kisses, the go on as if nothing had happened. It's like someone flipped a switch.
When my younger son saw this he said, "Did 'Milo do that to you!?" I said, "yeah, but I'm OK". He didn't respond. The next day he saw my arms again and said "I don't like seeing these marks on you...when are they going away?" I said, "hopefully soon". Then today, 'Milo went over to grammy's for the night...honestly, I think she just likes to give me a "break" now and the, bit also to give me and D some one-on-one time. Seriously, he deserves it. I asked him what wanted for dinner and he said pizza. I said "oh, you want to go to Pieology?", he said "no, just here". So we went to the store, got a pizza, brought it home and sat and ate. As we bit into our first slice, he put his hand out for mine, and held my hand...as we sat and had pizza... just the two of us :)
