Writing About My Son

The best way to describe Thomas would be this; he is like a flame, short of water nothing can put it out. Lately, the people around him are like firewood, and sometimes they can be the air that fuels an explosion. He also feeds off of the emotions of those around him, so I try to remain positive and calm when we are in the same room. We have our moments, but for the most part, our relationship has gotten better. I think now he understands that I am his mother, and everyone else is just another adult in the house.

My son was diagnosed with mild Autism, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) a couple years ago, and I have been working with quite a few people to get some help for him. We've been to the doctor, the pediatrician, social thinking groups, school psychologists, parent classes, seminars for Autism and ADHD, and have tried other local resources. Once we tried medication, but it was ineffective and stopped taking it. He has been taking natural supplements for a while now, and it seems to be more effective than anything else we've tried. 

He was also diagnosed with Encopresis, a very difficult problem pertaining the bowels. He developed a fear of using the toilet, one being that someone scared him because of the toilet overflowing. The other being that he is sensitive to sounds, so he doesn't like to use them. It gets to be complicated when trying to get him to sit down and try, becomes a bigger fight, making it more traumatic... so I just wait until he calms down to get him to try. Most of the time I can get him on there, but other influences are not helping at all. So he hides himself, locks himself in the bathroom, and gets backed up causing pain and discomfort. So I have to give him Miralax to get it moving again, so he won't be in so much pain. It's hard and trying to get help with this one is very difficult to find.

What defeats the purpose of me trying so hard to help him, is those around us that don't want to help. If he deserves praise at a certain time, he damn well better get it from everyone. If he deserves discipline for something, he damn well better get it. That has always been a struggle, which in the end, has caused nothing but a power struggle for him and the adults in his life. Making school difficult, by thinking he doesn't have to listen to the teachers when he is asked to do something. His cussing is out of hand at school and only sometimes at home. But, I would like to point out that his outbursts are happening a lot less at home. Progress is being made, and I am hopefully that it will only get better.

He is smart, he is funny, he is a handsome little guy, he is creative, stubborn, and strong-willed. He has such a sense of humor, that most people we run into compliments on how children his age don't have that kind of sense of humor. He is only 8 years old, and when people talk with him they always assume that he is older than he really is. He is sweet, caring, loving, and protective. At times he can be reckless, loud, and rambunctious. Life would be boring without him, and I can't imagine not having him around. Although we've had our issues, I really enjoy being a stay-at-home mom with him. I just wish that him and I were in a better situation.