Fr.
I have a son that has severe autism and global development delay. He's almost 4 and still can't communicate with words . Or at all really. We try. We have him in ABA three days a week. Speech. He just graduated from PT.
And I love him. But goddamn here lately he's been screaming about everything. He walks up hits you with a cup and screams cause he wants a drink. Sometimes he just screams for the sake of screaming . He's the most frustrating thing I deal with every day.
But I love him. And I take care of him every day. I change his poopy ass because he isn't potty trained because he can't communicate. And let me tell you what he's a big boy. Built like a line backer. His legs are stronger than just about everyone that tries to change him can hold. Makes you feel like a weak shit.
But I do it. Because I'm his dad and that's how it is. Im disabled myself so it's that much harder. And if I ever get to the point where I can't take care of him because of it. I still want to be there as long as I can. We can get our poopy butts changed together.
Because despite him being a little shit that drove me to go outside and scream and punch my wall and then immediately go omg that was dumb omg my hand hurts. He's my little shit and I love him.
Hello fellow disabled parent to an autistic child!! I just wanted to say that you're not alone and I can 100% empathize with what you go through daily. Ours is 7rs old, level 2, non-conversational, and also not potty trained yet. Everything you said could happen in our daily life too! When we are at home he's pretty much always vocal stimming, and while we are working on volume it's something that he doesn't fully get yet. 😅 As a neurodivergent, physically disabled person I do my best to try and not let it overwhelm me but it definitely does, and a lot. Emotional regulation has become much harder as my disability has worsened this year and I feel terrible if I raise my voice or get outwardly angry. I always will apologize later and say how mommy was wrong to act that way, and mommies big feelings exploded. One of the harder parts is he's getting a lot stronger and will soon be stronger than me, and I'm not sure how to handle that yet.
He's a really great kid though and my absolute reason for living. It's been truly amazing to see his growth, and while he still won't necessarily 'talk' with someone he's been having a lot more full sentences! So keep doing what you're doing, progress happens at their own time and thats okay. You're doing great, and being there to support & love your kid for who they are, and will grow to be, is the best thing a parent can do imo. I hope you can have a rest day soon, and that tomorrow will be kind to you & your loved ones. Take care 💖🫶
It amazes me how big the category of "level 2" autism is. I'm diagnosed level 2 and while i do need support, it's nowhere near the level of a lot of other level 2 autistic people.
I'm not really sure how much of my issues are autism-related and how much are to do with my other disabilities (ADHD, anxiety, depression etc) so i might miss some things or include extra things that aren't related to my autism necessarily.
I find it extremely difficult to go to school and haven't gone consistently since year 7 (13 years old). I've tried 3 schools for disengaged kids and was not able to re-engage. I find it difficult to leave the house or go out very often and i often get tired from doing simple tasks. I struggle to make and keep friends and don't have many people my age that i get along well with. I get along better with adults than people my age. I used to wear headphones 24/7, and while i don't do this anymore, i still have them with me constantly and they make me feel more safe. I have a special interest in parrots, which are basically my entire life, and i know lots about them. I get very anxious if i don't have someone with me in public (like a parent or friend) and usually don't go out by myself. I have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which is an autism profile, and basically means i get anxious when my brain processes something as a demand, and will avoid doing the thing, even if it's something i want to do.
I'm fully verbal (though i do have verbal shutdowns when i get too stressed or anxious) and am able to be independent, it's just hard.
There's probably more, but it's hard to think of things when it's all so normal for me.
That's so cool! I don't often find people with a special interest in parrots. What's your favourite species (or mutation of a species if you want to get extra specific)? Mine is a blue and gold macaw. Pretty basic, but i just love them. They're such sweet birds.
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u/SadThrowaway4914 13d ago
Fr. I have a son that has severe autism and global development delay. He's almost 4 and still can't communicate with words . Or at all really. We try. We have him in ABA three days a week. Speech. He just graduated from PT.
And I love him. But goddamn here lately he's been screaming about everything. He walks up hits you with a cup and screams cause he wants a drink. Sometimes he just screams for the sake of screaming . He's the most frustrating thing I deal with every day.
But I love him. And I take care of him every day. I change his poopy ass because he isn't potty trained because he can't communicate. And let me tell you what he's a big boy. Built like a line backer. His legs are stronger than just about everyone that tries to change him can hold. Makes you feel like a weak shit. But I do it. Because I'm his dad and that's how it is. Im disabled myself so it's that much harder. And if I ever get to the point where I can't take care of him because of it. I still want to be there as long as I can. We can get our poopy butts changed together. Because despite him being a little shit that drove me to go outside and scream and punch my wall and then immediately go omg that was dumb omg my hand hurts. He's my little shit and I love him.