PETE, REPETE, PETE, REPETE……….
A little window into my son’s world, he has autism and therefore he repeats nearly everything, what he says and what he does. I mean EVERYTHING. Did you ever have to learn to tune things out? For example when reading in school and there would be background noise……WELL, being around my son it is nearly impossible to tune him out. He makes sure he is heard by turning up his volume or getting in very close proximity to usually your face and trying to get his point across. In the morning, when he wakes up it’s “CHOCK MIK, CHOCK MIK, CHOCK MIK, CHOCK, MIK….” Over and over and over until you get up and get it for him.
Opening and shutting the door, “OPEN, SHUT, OPEN, SHUT…..ETC” for hours.
Pushing any of his push toys back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, back and forth….etc.
Leading our dog, Nell, around by her collar for hours and hours, and she follows obediently.
Lining his Matchbox cars and ertl tractors and machinery on the tables and counters, continuously hooking and unhooking them together.
With his limited vocabulary and tendency to just take you to what he wants it is hard to sometimes please him, therefore he becomes frustrated to the point of screaming and then a meltdown. More about meltdowns in the near future.
His repetitive behaviors are very comforting to him, and they are sometimes go unnoticeable to others who don’t understand what autism is. His “stimming” is usually not bothersome to me, but to others in the family it is hard for them to tolerate. I have a hard time dealing correctly with his meltdowns……later on that subject matter.
Patience is indeed one of two most important virtues when being a parent to a special needs child. The other is SHOWING them you love them…..because loving them is a given.
