Our Aspergers Teenage Boy

Tommy’s mood even more defiant than yesterday. If asked to do something he does a Rip Van Winkle impersonation. Doug told him he’d have to sleep outside so he didn’t completely waste a beautiful day. Tommy got bored and came inside. He was told he can have luch after he cleans up Amy’s building blocks. Now he’s lying on the floor playing with the blocks.

Dad reports:
Tommy altercations thus far today:

First thing this morning he comes out of the kitchen with white ice all over his face and a plate of french toast sticks. I ask “whatcha been eatting?” He says “nothing.” I say “You are lying.” He says “I am not.” I instruct him to put the plate down and I walk him to the bathroom. Upon looking in the mirror he says “I ate icing with a spoon.” I said “I know. Now come with me.” I walked him back to the kitchen and threw the remaining icing away. As I spoke with him he started zoning me out so I gave him a light slap on the face to get his attention. Not a hit; more like touching my hand to his face and quickly removing it. It was still something that I try to avoid doing. This was more instictual that intended. I guess being away for 4 days dropped me out of practice. He cried and screamed more than he should have but I told him to turn it off and he did instantly. We talked and moved on.

Tommy returns to sleep after the DVD the kids were watching ended. I finally rouse him and pull his feet to the ground and tell him “if you are going to sleep go do it on the hammock” and instructed him to fold his bed. He immediately cuts in with “leave me alone. leave me alone. That hurt! THAT HURT!” The ‘that hurt’ of course referring to moving his legs from the bed to the floor. Tommy is 192 pounds and growing. He is touch sensitive but at that size he can take more than he lets onto so I don’t believe a gentle redirection of the position of his legs hurt anything.

Dad reports This Morning:
I watched Tommy wake. Got his medicine and took it to him. He laid there pretending to sleep for a few seconds before deciding just to sit up and take his medicine (roughly 7:30). He likes to stand at the top of the stairs and shake the gate to try to get our attention. He just did that then thudded off toward the kitchen.

Since I’ve been away, Tommy should punish me today. I wonder what he will do?