Rockin His World
Parents of Aspies have learned that it is healthy to shake up their routine. Rearranging their furniture can totally through them off. But life is full of stuff that does not follow our rules. Life has surprises and unexpected turns. We have become complacent in allowing Tommy to fall into a regimented routine of non-activity and primarily days on end of World of Warcraft. Today I forced him off the machines and, along with a friend, dropped him at our local Frisbee disc golf course. He was visibly shaken at the suggestion that he do something involving walking around in the hot sun. No sooner had I arrived home and started to settle into work, the phone rang, "we are out of water and dehydrating. Please come pick up us." When I refused telling them to finish 9 more holes then call me I got a another call, "we found a friend to bring us home" which got a sharp, "no" returned from me. Yes, it is so much easier just to let them have their routines and hide like hermits in their darkened rooms!
August 14th, 2007 at 1:30 am
I just found your blog and already I can say we relate!!!!
My son is only 8, yet we are dealing with this exact same thing. It is sooo much easier as you said just letting them be.
I look forward to getting to know you better
September 11th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Oh I can so relate to what you are saying. My aspie boy is 10 yo. And
I.m already guilty as charged, in relation to his Pokemon
October 16th, 2007 at 12:58 am
My 14-year-old son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome just over one year ago. Until then, I knew that any change in my son’s life threw him into a panic, but I could not understand why. I suppose, in one sense, it wasn’t a bad thing to have such a late diagnosis, because my son has learned to manage change. Whew … it hasn’t been easy though.
I encourage him to try new things because often I find he ends up enjoying them.
It’s good that you were able to get your son away from his preferred game … I sometimes struggle with that too. Being firm is hard too so kudos to you!
October 23rd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
How fantastic that he was able to find a friend to take him home. That alone means he has the social skills to interact with his peers and make connections. You should recognize that as a strength for your son. Kudos to him for taking the initiative.
January 5th, 2008 at 12:36 am
I was cruising through the Autism Ring and found you. Then I saw that you haven’t posted in a while. Well, life happens.
My 11yo (also asperger’s) is the exact same way–but doggone it, he DID find someone to take him home. Good for him and for the nice friend who helped him out.
Boy, could I relate to this post.
Hope to see you blogging again soon.
January 5th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Hello aspiemom!
Cathy and I have talked about trying to get some more posting back on http://aspergerteen.com/ I have been doing most of my blogging at http://realityme.net/ and Cathy has been integrating her Aspie related posts into her personal blog. Even Tommy has his own blog although he rarely posts. All the links can be found at http://domesticpsychology.com/
I also owe sheri a reply.
Happy New Year all!
February 15th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
My son is 12 and a half. He is currently in his room talking to himself about how horrible we are for changing his routine. You see friends of ours are only available for a much talked about and planned dinner, tomorrow night. Well my son is having his only friend over for a sleepover. How dare we want the two of them to join us for dinner!! His plans were NOT that. They were video games and pizza. He burst into tears and went to his room.
I feel like cancelling dinner. I don’t want his life to be harder. What would you do?
February 15th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
I think you have to trust your own instincts. There are some things that are worth standing your ground and others that are not. Maybe there’s some sort of compromise that can be worked out if your son is asked to help figure out a plan. Can the two boys eat pizza at the table while the adults eat real food?
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Wooh! It really is too easy to let them settle into their groove rather than deal with all the whining and complaining that comes from providing alternative content. If I could count the times that my husband or I shook off the groove and my 14 year old enjoyed the novelty, I would be writing a best seller book. I have the same condition as my son, and living in a generation that was not accomodating was so much more productive than the current “unconditional” unconditional love. We need to guide as parents, not be prisoners to our children’s whims.