pingu

Hi There. I have to add my experiences as we have just realised this ourselves. Kieran was ill at school last monday. It had been his birthday (7) on the Saturday, sunday he was fine, and monday morning he said his belly was moving !! I got a call from school just after dinner to ask for him to be picked up. When i got there the teacher said he had been fine, and had eaten a tangerine for his snack, then gone off to have dinner. When he got back in the class rooom he had gone white, and his teacher asked if he was ok but as he went to reply all that came out was so everyone else on the table had to move fast !! When i collected him he looked terrible he didnt even look like kieran. I was shocked at how i never noticed the degree or severity of his illness, but thats when i realised he never tells us when he feels ill, I thought it was just him, I make sure the world knows about it if i am ill The good news is after 1 day throwing up and another feeling dizzy (which he described as "going Backwards") he was back to his normal self. Well have a good day everyone, i hope that health is on your side Take care shaz

Sorry, I had wrote a massive reply and pressed the wrong button and deleted it all I was saying that i cant give you any advice because the advice you have already got is what i would have suggested, But I can completly understand how you feel, Its like been carried away on the sea of normaility just to fit in, your not sure why you have the feelings of bewilderment when talking to others but you know its the normal thing to do, And as you get older you start to question if its your imagination, the 'person inside' I know somedays i cant see where my imagination ends and reality begins, but i still manage to keep the family rolling. I would trust your instincts, and i congratulate you on moving on and having a family of your own, Its not easy at the best of times, but for those who have difficulties themselves its sometimes harder, but you have done it, and you keep going, but i do agree with you that for your own sake you have to know, its part of who you are, your identity, and lets be honest, if something is hurting it helps to find a remedy, in your case, your rememdy would be the truth. Take care, shaz

Thankyou everyone for your support as always. the meeting went well, im glad i wrote it all down now. they have decided to go down the path of statmenting, otherwise his education will come to a standstill. apparently its not easy to get him statemented but they will do all they can. tonight they came to see us at home and we went over it all again. whilst the kids were arguing between themselves, I guess that went well too, as they did say we would be seeing a lot more of them over the years, I am lucky to have phycologists who are very understanding, but my heart goes out to all those who feel like they are swimming in custard, because even though they are great i still have the jitters each time a meetings due. (i always feel like im under the microscope) Anyway thanks again for your replies, Im glad you liked the poem. Shaz x

Hi Everyone. We have the planning meeting tomorrow to discuss kierans future at mainstream, and im stressing out, i know that his teachers are on my side and to some extent i know the phychologists are in favour of statmenting him, but i always get tetchy when meetings are due, i think its because i want to try and explain everything in his defence and make myself understood on his behalf, but i always end up starting a sentance and not knowing how to end it, and then i start tripping over my tounge and things that sounded great in my head suddenly sound stupid. Then tomorow afternoon we are having a home visit by the phychologists, to discuss a stratergy for meltdowns and various other things, including what a shambles our bedtime routine has turned into, i know they are going to throw all sorts into play like rewards/punishments, so i pre-empted this and decided i would do it my own way, so on the 1st of jan i started a new bedtime routine, i explained it all to the kids, (now here is where i become obsessed) So i think to myself, "ill keep a record of what im doing" that turns into a novel, and today i have printed off a 10 page essay on the probs we were having and the solution,. followed by all the things already tried and failed, and finally a 10 page sleep diary for all 3. I was ok with it all and thinking i had done good, untill someone told me i was obssessed earlier, just a passing comment from someone i was speaking to) but then i thought... i might be!! am i?? I just wanted to be understood. I am worried the phychologists will see me as obsessive which is a real worry as thats one of my daughters huge problems, (OCD) now all i can think is they will think i have OCD and thats where she gets it from.. I always take things to the extreme and do things in a particular way, buts thats just how i am. Im warbling...ill stop !! In addition, the other thing i posted for is this. i was sat earlier doodling, and thinking of how my son is treated at school, and i wrote a poem from his point of view, it is certainly what i felt at that age when no-one understood me, anyway, please feel free to judge it, its not meant to offend anyone, but if it does im sorry, i hope you like it. I am not stupid please do not speak to me as so I'm not deprived I like my world I am not unfeeling Things do matter I am not ungrateful I just struggle with the rules I am not unkind Just mis-understood I'm not wearing a mask I hide behind nothing I do love and care I just do it in my own way Dont judge me just accept me In my own right, i will always be me In my own space i will always be free Dont Judge me Just accept me For who i am Take care Shaz

Hi Jayne. First of all <'> Secondly everyone here (im sure will agree) will have had some experience of the dreaded temper tantrums, and im sure you will get excellent advice. We all have different ways of dealing with meltdowns, I personally have to treat it different each time, depending on what has upset him, If he has worked himself into a hyper tantrum (the kind where they run around like crazy getting more and more hyperactive laughing manically until asked to calm down, then starts screaming and kicking etc) then we take him to his room BUT stay with him, change the subject regardless of his screaming, keep talking in the same tone of voice picking out colours of the wallpaper, the coulour of the sky, how many cobwebs on the ceiling. he may continue to fight and thrash around, even attempt to run from the room, each time we coax him back and carry on as before, when he has calmed down enough to be heard, gently lay his hand on his own chest, and tell him to count his heartbeat, You'll be suprised at his reaction. Im not sure what age your little un' is but Kieran is 7 (today actually) and this is the only way we can get him calmed down, He now knows if his heartbeat is going fast, he needs to take deep breaths (thus calming him down). It takes a while, and sometimes he shouts like im murdering him, but with perserverance he does calm down. It sounds like you are doing a really good job already, So if all else fails remember to chill the alcohol Take care Shaz

Hi What a star !! I felt like loosing it with a guy on the phone earlier. I have finally had broadband installed (which is great), but whilst finalising the details with my ISP Kieran decided to throw a major paddy all because he was getting killed on sonic the hedgehog. Now normally when this happens i usually save the peace and get thim through to the next level, but tonight as i say i was on the phone trying to set up the broadband (technical help) I was halfway through explaining my code thingy when K went off on one. Hubby did his best, but he doesnt know how to stop sonic getting murdered by eggman, so there was shouts of "DO IT MAMMMMMMMMMMMM" and all the while im trying to hear over the noise to what the guy was saying, I could't go into another room, as i needed the computer (with the number on the screen) and Kieran wouldnt shut up. I had to ask the guy to hold on then go to kieran, and explain that i would kill eggman and realise sonic from Rouge's evil grasp just as soon as i was done with the guy on the phone who is helping me set the internet so we can find pictures of sonic. When i got back to the phone the guy had seemed to have lost his 'patter' and was quiet blunt about having to scream over the noise just to do his job, i apologised and i tried to finish off this damn code but kieran started again as another level proved fruteless. i eventually got it sorted, but boy did i have a headache. it wasnt until i sat down later that i thought about what that guy had said, i have so many answers NOW but at the time i was gobsmacked and could only appologise (what's that all about??) So well done for standing up to todays ignorant society ................. I salute you. Shaz x

Hi I scored 31. Good test though !!

Hi Everyone, I have come to vent my spleen, as it seems that in the last 3 days, my bouncy spring of a son now resembles a bruised apple !! I dont know how everyone else keeps there young safe whilst in hyper/meltdown mode, but we just try and move the obstacles before any contact is made, But in the last 3 days Kieran has lost a tooth (which was only just wobbly) Bruised all the bottom of his back, Cut inbetween his toe's, and has 7 seperate bruises on his legs !!. The reason... Clumsy? Bullied? hyper? In fact All of them. On Sunday, whilst watching his video, K's brother grabbed him with a blanket round his head (he was reprimaned for this, ) The blanket is one with the little holes in, and when he put it on his head and pulled it caught on K's top teeth. One has come out the other is dangling. He cried initially, then went charging off only to run straight into the door just as his sister shut it, Thus cut toes. !! He then went to get into bed, (2 hours after initially going to bed) and fell, !! here is the bruised back !!. Then the next day, he fell over and cracked his knee on the stone steps, and today a boy has attacked him at school, he now has 4 extra bruises from this, The boy was repremaded for the kicking he gave him, but i cant help feeling very inadequate at keeping him safe, it seems no matter what we do he is never safe, he falls over all the time, and if it isnt his fault, someone pushes/kicks/punches or trips him over. Im terrified that the school will accuse me of hurting him, I know they wont as they understand what he is like, but you know what its like when all you do is explain time after time after time why he looks so 'beaten'. Kieran was diagnosed with dyspraxia recently, and i know this used to be termed "clumsy child syndrome", but if this is the case how come he can walk in a straight line, and more recently ride a bike ? In addition to this, i have to now stay with him at bathtimes, because he keeps sticking his head under the water, and he seems to enjoy it, either that or he pours water over the side and brings the kitchen ceiling down (its just been renewed after last time, and already has dark rings where its happened again) Forgive me for been so negative this early in the year, But im running out of steam and feel like i cant keep up with him. At the moment he is playing on the gamecube nicely with his brother and sister, and i feel guily for going on, but i know come 6.30 when i turn the game off, it will carry on again with no respite until he is asleep around 11pm (even though they are all in bed for 9) ! does anyone else feel like they are fast loosing grip of reality?? Or is it just me ? Thanks as always for your time. <'> Shaz x

hi Everyone, Just wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone. We all hope that 2006 is everything you could wish for. We are taking the safe option tonight and staying home, we were invited to go to my parents, but as i look at kieran playing on the gamecube (as usual) i realise i have done the right thing in asking them to come here. All the best in 2006, and thankyou to everyone for all your advice over the year, you are like my second family <'> <'> <'> <'>

Hi all. I was going to post this on the other thread which asks about Dyslexia and Dyspraxia been on the Autistic spectrum, But the more I wrote the more I realised it wouldn?t be fair to take over someone elses question with my own, so I hope you don?t mind bearing with me while I explain myself. . The thing is, My daughter, (8) Has Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, in addition she also has some 'behaviours' which are been put down to stress, But knowing what I know now about Kieran (6, AS) I?m not sure. There is huge differences between the two of them, and my daughter can be very loving, to the point of been too loving, She does have a good imagination, but tends to 'play out' scenes from the videos she watches, rather than make any stories herself, unless she is playing with her dolls, then she plays the same games with them. My other concerns are as follows 1) She had good speech from 2 years old, but at 3 she stopped talking altogether and stayed silent for 9 months. She talks fine now and communicates well, But she is a very literal thinker..... 2) The literal thinking thing is a problem for her more than kieran. She does take things very seriously, like the time I said that her dad would hit the roof if he found the mess they had made; she was the one to ask "why? What?s the roof done?" 3) She has behaviours that have to be carried out in a routine before bed, She gets her ducks, puts them in a line, covers them with blankets, (sniffs her fingers) Puts the curtain right. Bangs the door against the dressing table until she's sure its as far back as it can go (sniffs fingers) gets into bed, She has to say goodnight first, then I say it, then she says it again adding "love you Bye" I say "love you too" Then she blows me a kiss and does a virtual hug, which I return. This is normal I admit for a loving child wishing to say goodnight, the difference is, if any part of that routine is broken she will become upset, and if I go to the loo, of shout up at the boys, she has to do it all over again. 4) Sniffing. Now this has become a massive issue as she is sniffing everything all of the time, if she touches anything she then sniffs her fingers. 5) Lining things up. She does it more than Kieran. So sorry to go on, but I would like to know what everyone else thinks, she doesn?t have the behaviours (as in tantrums) very often, and is loathing of school (as she gets very little help with her difficulties), she understands peoples feelings to the point of been very sympathetic, But I am worried about her. The doctors think its anxiety, and when I mentioned Obsessive compulsive disorder, they didn?t agree, (even though she switches all the lights on, shuts the door 4 times, Hates odd numbers etc) SO I suppose what im trying to say is do you think that she may be ?slightly affected? by ASD or am I just been paranoid? Thankyou as always for sticking with me, I know I don?t explain things as clearly as I mean. I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas, I will be thinking of you all, as I know for most of you it will be a very difficult time. Take care Shaz x

Hi Every one. I was trying to explain this to k's doctors yesterday, I was saying about him becomming very intense over the last few weeks, and they said it could be due to the fact that it is dark nights and he doesnt get out to play as he did in the summer !! But kieran does seem to have Obsessions that come and go, but once something has been an obsession then it rarely goes away for good, maybe more like kicked to the sidelines, until he picks it back up again, In the summer he is all Bouncy castles and fans, Now its winter the gamecube has come very much alive, BUT the Bathplug spinning remains constant and this in itself does go on for most of the evening, and has been doing so for about a year now, Before the bathplug he used to use the link lead from liams game, But i think once he had discovered the bathplug he was happy !!. Oh by the way the phych's yesterday said they need to see him again, as i mentioned all the probs we are having, She was really worried about a particular need that K has at the moment (im worried too ) as his new thing is sticking his head under water, i have to be with him ALL the time, And that is certainly different to last yer !! Ohhhh The way things were Take care all. Shaz x

I SAW HIM !!. We watch that irritating show every night (when the kids allow) And tonight the kids were at their noisiest and eugene appeared, we couldnt believe it, we both shouted at the tv, and the kids shut up (momenterially) to join in our cheers. Doesnt he look well Im happy again Im also sad

Hi everyone, Apologies for not visiting for a while, you know how it is, ! At the moment i am supposed to be doing a thousand other things, but i have had to come and get the lastest school meeting out of my system before i pop. I was quite shocked yesterday at the lastest meeting about K, Usually we go to these things (very informal, just his great teacher and the ed Psch) To discuss how he's getting on, how much longer everyone thinks he will need before joining his mainstream class. etc. We usually spill our guts about what a handfull he is at home, mention the climbing and the hyperactivity, the fuss and fads, obsession, routines, the spinning of his hands, all of it.. it all comes out, And USUALLY his teacher says, that although he has some of these things in scool he is happy to play along with the routine quietly and they dont see the obsessions and the hyperactivity and his spinning is minimal, and then we discuss how much longer he will need in the nurture group and finally how everyone thinks he will be fine to go into year three a confident happy youngster who wll have learnt to cope it alone with only minimal teaching support. (THATS WAS THE PLAN) BUT yesterday, whilst preparing ourself for the above. Instead she has ordered a "planning meeting" (anyone let me in on this? i was too busy listening to the list of problems to take it in) It seems that over the last couple of months, His concentration has gone and he can't do a simple puzzle without someone there to guide him, He Laughs hysterically all the time, and wont stop singing, She said he wasn't trying to be naughty or disruptive, but just because he felt like it. His writing has improved a tiny bit, but his reading has not progressed at at (he is 6, nearly 7) He hasn't the concentration for most things, and is very active. He also has a fixation for the glue at art time, so he has not managed to finish his owl because he keeps eating the glue. And whilst they assure me that the pva does no harm i'm still shocked that things have got this bad at school. He is happy to go, to be honest school is great according to him (although he hated it at first) He is keen to get there on a morning and is usually happy when i pick him up. We still have meltdowns all the time, but he seems ok whilst he's there !! Anyway this has gone on a bit, so i suppose what i needed to vent my spleen about was the sudden change from talking about his progress and his merger into his full time class after christmas (alone) TO No talk of intergration, and all his behaviour going wonky. I asked about Statementing, but was told they don't do it anymore, well they do, but not in the same way, she said the LEA pay the school direct and any money allocated for the child will be sorted out, but they have to re-apply to the LEA if a childs need have changed and they need extra money for support. I am really confused now, He is changing before my eyes !! Thanks for starying with me, i know i have babbled but i hope you understand it. Take care Shaz x

Hi All What an interesting thought. Kieran has got obbsessional behaviour, but how do we know if he has crossed the line with this behaviour, and gone into the OCD "box". Kierans interest with his bathplug, takes over every other rational thought that he may have, we can't get him to eat if he's halfway through a "game" while spinning it, likewise we cant get him to bed before 10.30 because of it. Ill give you a quick insight to our evening routine, and as you will see the bath plug and gamecube play a big part of his enjoyment at home, is this just the way he is or is it OCD ? 3pm - Go to pick K and and sister up from school 3.30 - Home, K immediatly comes into the room to collect his sonic the hedgehog book, which he left in its normal place before school (and god help you if you moved it during the day). Spends a couple of minutes flicking through it's thinning pages, whilst slapping his leg and taking deep breaths. 4pm - Kieran takes a bathplug from his collection (All the same with white shoelaces tied to them) He spins until Tea time 4.45pm - IF he is finished his 'level/game' he will come to the table and join the family, (Same blue plate, spotted plastic cup, nothing touching each other, and all vegies except broccolli and potaoes raw) 5.30pm - Kieran has a go on the game cube, to play sonic the hedgehog, but insists on playing the same levels over and over again, so usually the other two kids cant get a sniff, we are working on sharing, but usually they cant be bothered to argue and go and do something else. 6.30pm. I make the first warning call, "GAME OFF NOW K" 6.45pm - Second warning call (whislt edging towards the t.v and trying to change the subject to bed) 7pm - Manually remove him from floor, and carry him upstairs. We have to be really careful that all his bathplugs have been removed, because if he see's one we have no chance in getting ready for bed, because even though he likes the routine he will have eyes only for the plug. Bath (which is a story in itself and i wont go there ) 8pm - If all's gone to plan, then usually its supper time, where he will have a slice of toast or cereal (Blue plate/ dish). 8.15 - I insist on doing his teeth BEFORE he gets his plug, or else i dont get them done. 8.20pm - BATHPLUG TIME. He now spins this until at least 9pm, goes and annoys the other two, becomes very stimulated, carries on spinning until 10, then we have to try and calm him down enough to think about sleep. On a good night, which what this example has been we usually get him in bed with his sonic magazine for about 10/10.30pm. But taking in mind that most nights dont work like this, and he will find a plug, and wont get ready wont eat his tea, wants endless snacks, which we refuse, which sends him on meltdown, those nights are more like 11-12pm. Is this OCD or is it just the Aspergers. Now im actually very confused. But thanks for staying with it. I Have irrational thoughts !!!!! Take care Shaz x

<'> <'> <'> HUGS TO EVERYONE WHO NEED THEM <'> <'> <'> I really believe that the weather doesn't help our mood. Has anyone heard of S.A.D ?? I hate this damp cold BONE CHILLING weather, the last time i was properly warm was 2 nights ago sat in a boiling bath, watching the skin on my feet going red, and feeling so so hot. (sorry im freezing) Well this morning, before we even had a chance to get out of bed, we had managed to upset kieran, and the long suffering hubby took a punch to the leg... The reason....... Kieran thought that steve was strangling me. He was actually giving my neck a rub, cos i had been laid all wrong and woke up with a creek in my neck. Kieran walked in and got the wrong end of the stick and was upset with steve. He hasnt been in a good mood since. I can sort of understand why HE doesn't like to be touched, but he hates it if anyone touches me too, Then i had an aurgument with eldest who is proving that the teenage hormones may have kicked in after all. He is just so immature and lazy, He is 13, and has to be reminded to wash and do his teeth, in fact i have to remind him to do everything. My brain is not big enough to think for everyone, and now i think im hearing voices, but i dont know if thats just the echo that they all leave behind once they have gone !! Oh well, on the plus side at least its not snowing yet !! Thanks for listening, you have saved my sanity once more. Take care Shaz x

Hi everyone. Lol. Are you going to take it back? My 3 (plus the eldest's friend) enjoyed the short display (that ate a weeks shopping money ) We had some whizz, bangs, sparks and gasps. Kieran was great this year, but i sympathise with those of you who's kids cant bear the noise, we have had that every year with one or the other of them, last year kieran was horrified every time there was a bang, it got to the point where i actually considered sound proofing the walls !! . But like i say the very pretty (very expensive ) fireworks went down a storm, as did the 16 hotdogs numerous jacket spuds and various nibbles. I thought i had a pack of locust's in for supper !! the only thing that has spoilt it is our eldest and his (kevin) attitude. He talks to me like he's my dad and he really doesnt give a damn about anything other than his play station and dragonball Z. I had forgotton what puberty felt like !! Take care everyone Shaz x

I was called PINGU at school, and since then I have carried the name with me. (Hence my user name) I never knew why people called me it.......untill ....... my dear hubby pointed out it was the way i walked.. I apparently walk like a penguin. Has anyone else noticed that they are shorter on one side?? Im nearly an inch shorter and ive only just realised Is this normal I Blame all the running about, and bending and lifting etc. its worn me half down On one side Shaz x

Welcome Lufty. Ive still a long way to go before i become a "Demi god". Hope you are still around when it happens. Good look with the repairs (if they are needed) Shaz x

Hi everyone. I have just had a converstion with someone, who seems to think that we would be entitled to 'Carers allowence' I explained that we are recieving DLA at the middle rate, with nothing for mobility. But this lady said they are 2 seperate things. I dont know how true it is or if indeed this lady was mistaken or its true. I thought if we were getting DLA that was the same thing. Anyway if anyone else has any information on this i would really appriciate it. I also had a visit today from an OT. Who saw what a climber kieran was, she came to look at the windows in his bedroom, as they don't have any restricters on so we have to keep them locked. She is going to try and get some fitted for us. She also saw first hand, the 'climbing' As kieran walked up the doorframe, and across the raidiator. I explained that he had no sense of danger, whilst in and out of the house, and she explained that we could apply for a buggy to use while we are out (at present we use the buggy he was in as a baby) She also mentioned that she could get a stair gate (5ft) to deter him from comming down when he sleepwalks. Im really glad she came now, as its such a change for someone to walk in and understand the needs of a child rather than having to fight for everything. He was a little (shall we say) 'hyper' whilst she was here, But at least she could see where the difficulties lie. She looked horrified as kieran scrambled up the door frame like spiderman, Cackling all the time as i told him off . But anyway, just another day in the life eh. Any info on this carers thing would be great. Take care Shaz x

Well thats the interesting bit. i noticed he was constipated when he stopped doing his 'buisness' then he was struggling to do it, then he started bleeding (a sure sign according to the vet) i took his advice an got thetiniest amount of lactlose (which was no different apparently to our lactlose, except it cost me 4 times as much) the rest they say is history................it didnt work opppppps. hope today is better <'> shaz x

Hi Suze. <'> to you both. What a horrible day it has been for you. i can symathise as i broke my 2 front teeth at school when i was 8, only our dentist at the time was horrendous, i used to ask my mum before each visit if they had locked him up yet, as i thought he was an escapee torturer. At the present age of 31, i have only just had the guts to trust my current dentist ('croc doc' as we call them)to fix my teeth so they actually look real. . And the poor rabbit, You mus'nt blame yourself for this unfortunate accident, you didnt do it on purpose, and the fact that you feel guilty means that you didnt mean it to happen. I once killed our pet mouse (Stuart Little) completly by accident, i know its not the same thing, but to us he was one of the family, and when he got constipated the vet said to give him Lactolose, but within the hour of me forcing his tiny mouth open and squeezing in a minute amount, he was dead. I was so upset, and no matter how much my kids and long suffering hubby told me it was not my fault, the more i felt guilty. I hope tomorrow is a better day, and i hope your son is ok. I picked K up from school today and the teacher told me that he has recieved a kicking off another child at dinner time, K had curled into a ball whilst the other boy (who is supposed to be his friend) landed blows to his back and side. By the time the dinner superviser had dragged the boy off and informed k's teacher he was hysterical. But apparently he was ok, and seems to have been ok about it tonight. Anyway. have another <'> and please try to put today to the back of your mind, put it down to yet another one of those things that life throws at us, just to see if we can cope !! Take care. Shaz x

Thanks Karen. He is only 6, but if he's empathic he may be feeling the wrath of liams hormones, he turned 13 in september, and he too is very different (But in a typical Kevin way) Funny you should say that about school though, I have my concerns, but they tell me he is happy and settled and enjoys school (although he cant read or write very well) Shaz x

It has to be said though, even with all this behaviour, that he can still be the sweetest thing, and kisses and cuddles me (on his terms, and in a certain way) I wouldnt change him for the world, and i know he doesnt do (most) of it on purpose, but Jeeeezz Its frustrating Shaz x

Hi everyone I hope everyone is well, sorry i havent been on for a while, but life is a rollercoaster at the moment, its like living with a hurricaine !!!! Well im here now and i hope you dont mind if i offload, but ive a lot of questions, and uncertanty about some aspects of kierans behaviour. here we go...... Last year when he was diagnosed, he was classed at the 'mild' end of the spectrum, with only the social difficulties and obsessive behaviour standing out. His obsessional behaviour at that time was fans, and bouncy castles, and he had to have a bath on alternative nights (with a wash invetween). He couldnt do eye contact, and had problems with concentration. Other than that you wouldnt be able to tell he was any different. He was lovely natured with occasions outburts (usually after school) but he never hit out. BUT This year is a different story, It seems like he has undergone some kind of behavioural transplant, He seems to have developed :- 1) hyperactivity. (In the last 6 months,) whereas before he was mostly calm and happy to play alone. Now he is loud and aggressive, and hes started to hit and punch, sometimes he headbutts walls, and goes for everyone around him. Inbetween that behaviour, 2) He laughs hysterically, Again this is new, as before he hardly smiled. 3) The eye contact is still poor, But now it really is as though he is spaced out, and at times he is totally unaware that we are still in the house, and god help you if you "get in his space" (that is, walk near him when he is spinning his bath plug) 4) The Bathplug. - When he was assessed the lady asked us if there was anything he needed to do, or if he had any odd movements. We told her about the flapping and spinning of his arms, but at that time that was it. NOW. He spins his bathplug obsessively, he replays james bond games/movies in his head whilst acting them out in various rooms of the house, making strange noises and flapping his arms all at the same time, He has to do this all the time, with breif breaks to either 1) scream. 2) drink. 3) eat 4) playon the gamecube (james bond) I could go on with the obsessions but i wont. If i was to write them on a loo roll there wouldn't be enough room. The only routines he had before was the bath thing, and which way he walked to school. NOW life is the routine. from the second he wakes up to the minute he falls to sleep, I dont know whats got into him . We have tried allsorts. Im not even going to go into the sleep, or the schooling (for which apparently he loves, and is settled in the routine, But hes the same there). Theres so much this year that there wasnt last year. is all this actually possible, its like he's 'growing into' the symptoms chart for ASD, catching up with the 'critera' iff you like. I first had my doubts, and thought him unique, now i know for sure. He was a lot worse than the little girl on little angels last night, and to be honest im devestated that he is so distant and unreachable at times. Sorry to go on, but my brain couldnt take any more, i had to ask. Thankyou to everyone who has been patient enough to read to the end. Take care Shaz