Navigating the Challenges of Autism: A Family's Story
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Chapter 1: A Difficult Start
Some mornings begin unusually early, and today was one of those instances. I found myself drifting in and out of sleep past one in the morning when Owen woke up. I attempted to convey to him that it was still the middle of the night, but my words were drowned out by his cries for his tablet.
"Tablet, tablet," he insisted, showing no regard for my attempts at explanation. Although I knew there was little I could do, I encouraged him to return to bed. He complied momentarily but quickly returned. In the end, I relented and let him take his tablet back to bed, which only added to the noise. Who needs a good night's rest, right?
We eventually got dressed and stepped outside to wait for the bus. Owen was animated, chatting about his upcoming day and curious about who would be at school. As the bus approached, a radiant smile lit up his face. He eagerly boarded and chose to sit with the aide, excited for the day ahead.
Upon his return from school, I noticed he had his school tablet in hand, and it hit me hard. Managing his school tablet at home is an ongoing struggle. As soon as he entered the house, he demanded the password for one of his apps. I tried to explain that I didn’t have it, which only intensified his frustration. He believes I can do anything with the tablets, even when I’m unsure.
After a challenging twenty-minute meltdown, I finally managed to get the necessary information from his teacher. Fortunately, once I got the tablet functioning, Owen calmed down, engaged with the app, and eventually enjoyed his snack.
When we got off the bus, we noticed the pizza sign he had been eager to see was finally fixed. I suggested we get pizza, but he declined, rushing inside to change his clothes instead. It seemed his school tablet was his priority.
He persistently asked about visiting his grandma's house the following day. I explained he needed to sleep tonight to go, and we had to avoid any yelling. He continued to ask throughout the evening, and I aimed to keep the atmosphere peaceful, knowing that any conflict could keep him awake again. I hope to introduce more relaxation techniques to ease this process.
Throughout the evening, I tried to maintain his calm, but he repeatedly expressed his plans for Saturday. I sincerely hope he sleeps well tonight so we can enjoy all our weekend activities. Despite the hurdles we encounter, there are moments of joy that remind us of our progress. On days that are particularly tough, I cherish those small victories that inspire me to make a change. Sending smiles to all and embracing the sweet moments!
