All of Jacob's life, he's been consistently defiant. Anytime we ask him to stop what he's doing to do something else, he gets extremely angry. It doesn't matter if we ask if he wants ice cream. His first answer is almost always "NO". Then he'll quickly backtrack and say "Oh, I mean yes." He's much better at home when it comes to cycling through his emotions. So when something like this happens at school, he often has to leave the classroom. The school is very understanding when Jacob needs to leave the stress that often fills his classroom, but it can make learning more challenging.
Jacob's ASD doctor told us that most normal kids start to get control over their emotions around age 4 or 5. But kids with Aspergers often do not until age 9 thru 12. So there's still time and growth that has to occur, before Jacob will really get a handle on his feelings. And he also feels that Jacob does not have ODD. Phew. We are so relieved. I don't know if having ODD would be that big of a deal for us, but it's still nice that he doesn't have it.
Jacob's doctor did put us in sequence with an ABA therapist for some extra work in dealing with his emotions. Which was okay for us, because we were just happy that a doctor felt that Jacob was doing well. Shannie and I have always tried to look at things with honesty. We promised each other that we wouldn't look at things through rose coloured glasses when it came to Jacob's ASD, because that doesn't help anyone. So we're not afraid of some extra work. We're just simply used to it like most autism parents are. Because if autism teaches you one thing, it's how to be dedicated.
I'm glad Jacob doesn't have ODD. it's good to know that with help and time he will learn to control his emotions. Being an autism parent does take alot of dedication.
ReplyDeleteIt does take dedication, and lots of patience. Jacob was in the principal's office this morning. But that's how it goes.
Delete