Change.....

As I have posted before, routine can be a must for a complex need kiddo. As R gets older the more difficult this becomes because he can see his friends are doing things he isn't. Things like riding a bike without stabilisers, playing outside the house (not including the garden), even things like sleep overs and last minute trips out.

It breaks my heart every time he asks me if he can go ride his bike and I have to watch him struggle to stay on it, even with the stabilisers on. To see his tears when he can't seem to achieve, what to him seems like 'normal kids do' (his words!)

I tell him every day that tomorrow is a new day and that I'm proud of anything and everything he does each and every day. He doesn't look convinced though lol.

His biggest break throughs have only recently happened, and one of which his little brother H loves recieving. Let's remember that this is a 7 year old boy who has autism amongst other things, who has at least one meltdown a day and can't adapt to any tiny change. We recently found out that a gluten free diet can be of benefit (I mentioned it in a previous post) and finally bit the bullet and me and R became gluten free.

Cue major meltdown as he cant have a pretzel dog, bread, fish fingers, pizza to name a few! SURPRISE, no meltdown has occurred over food in the last 3 weeks! 😮
I know right?! Since then he's seemed calmer, more centered and more focused. He's more understanding when H has a potty training accidental 2am and is crying because H believes he's failed. He came through and, despite us expecting a whining R over being woken, we got a calm R who walked up to H, gave him a huge hug and a kiss stating, 'It's ok, you are being such a big boy H. I'm proud of you!' Then went back to bed.

This people NEVER happens! We have only had minor meltdowns over onion rings (he hadn't realised they were gluten) and over not going to the swimming pool. So overall, I think we have maybe had 2-3 meltdowns over the last 3 weeks! After he's been on gluten free for over 2 months, we will try a casein free diet as well, as the article I read stated combining the two diets can be more beneficial in autistic kiddos.

I can only hope this change stays and that R reverts back to a meltdown a day again. If anyone wants any tips or advice on how we managed to convince R to even try gluten free foods, I am always a comment a way.

*PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL OR A NUTRITIONAL SPECIALIST. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND IN NO WAY ADVISE CONTRAVENING ANY MEDICAL ADVICE PREVIOUSLY GIVEN. IF IN DOUBT CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR*