A Different Kind of Normal

A few weeks ago, our sons teacher called us up to the school for an interview. There had been an incident which involved swimming, locker rooms and nudity (sigh), all you typical boy stuff. We went prepared to deal with it and move on. Her first words threw me for a loop and I stiffened in my seat.

"I think Aiden needs to be tested for ASD." Ms L said. Tony asked what ASD was and we were told it is Autistic Spectrum Disorder or one of the many behavioural types that come under the Autistic banner. Wow......

She proceeded to highlight areas of his behaviour which mimic those of an ASD child. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head. Putting inappropriate items in his mouth, check. Excellence in some areas of school but poor performance in most others, check. Lack of friends or trying to make friends, check. Unexplained violent behaviour, check. Susceptibility to noise in a class environment, check. Inability to concentrate in a group situation, check. Unable to handle change, check. Poor toileting habits, big check. Inability to follow directions or gets distracted from tasks easily, check.

We always joked that Aiden had Bright and Shiny Syndrome...you know those kids that will be talking to you and then, "Oh LOOK, bright and shiny!" and they drift off? Seems it may be more. The more we spoke, the more I realised that this could explain so much of Aidens behaviour. Last year one of his teachers found him slamming his head repeatedly against a wall, exclaiming he was stupid over and over again. I have asked her to write a statement about that incident to take to the paediatrician.

I'm lucky that I have a solid friend base and home base to help us during this time. We have specialist appointments booked but they all take time. Meanwhile, I have been logging any incidents that happen and potential triggers to see if I can find a pattern.

And, I have been loving my boy for the person he is, even if he is a different kind of normal.

Cin