This is my life too some days. I swear it's like Austin just wakes up like that. Having a baby to care for means you can't just drop everything else and be hawkeyes for the day.

I wish I had some great advice for you. Here's my honesty though. I think to myself on those days that he's going to be lucky if he doesn't die. Either from the flying leaps and backflips or me killing him. It gets so stressful and half the time I can't tell if he's too impulsive or in "that place" to hear me or if he doesn't care. Aspergers or not, 4 year olds are 4 year olds. My bottom line with Austin is first, do no harm. That becomes so difficult in moments like you described. Mommy has had enough, the bark comes out then fingers in the ears and he gets scared. It's heartbreaking. Then the lashing out comes. I spent months staying calm in those moments just sitting in the floor. Anytime he would look at me I'd open my arms and offer a hug (which of course would either piss him off or get ignored). Eventually though, he hugged me. Still upset, still locked in that place but he hugged me. Now I open my arms and within a minute he comes to me and let's the frustration leave him. Captain Jumpy Pants and Mr. No Listen....I still have no clue how to deal with. Any day we survive is a good day to me.

I hope you can take some time for you, even if it's just a shower. That gets really difficult too though. I'm not really any help but please know I understand. When it comes right down to it you have the only thing that matters covered. You love him. Your son is loved. Let today set with the sun and begin the new adventure tomorrow. It's always an adventure, isn't it? *hugs*

Im so sorry that you having a hard day. I wish I had betteradvice for you. My daughter (5 years old) gets that way to with any little change in her schedule. I understand how time out does not work. If he is like her. She loves it find it time to her self to stim or hurt her self. she does very well with reward charts and her behavior is on there.
We have had a big change wih Aba.

Is there something in the water? Jordison (2 1/2) has been crazy for a few days now. I'm so tired of being hit, kicked, bit - and I know his therapist is as well. He's been so crabby and whiny the past few days - it's exhausting. I actually look forward to nap and bed time. His visual stimming is getting worse and I can't place what has changed - but he is stimming on EVERYTHING. I'm hoping he mellows out for our mini-trip this weekend - maybe it will do him some good to be in a new place for a couple of days.

I don't have much to offer - just pray - breathe - and take it one day (or hour) at a time.

This just reaffirms he most certainly needs the structure of the school program. And the baby not hitting his milestones assures me he needs mommy time alone.

^^ This! Sounds like it helps just to vent to us...you got rid of the steam and then had time to think of some solutions. I really do enjoy time alone with my kids - seperatly - once in a while. And so do they

On the other hand - I just had 4 months of sick leave with my (Asperger) son and 4 weeks of holidays with all the kids - husband was working. So you guys can imagine how nice it has been this week - I went to work and my husband was at home with them all week (wonder why I had 4 weeks and he did one - or why do most of our husbands work more?? I do wonder!!!)

I also did a summer schedule for my son. Time table, tv times and play/computer, exercise and free time plus meals and so forth. He is 12 so fully understands and likes the schedules. It´s been one of our better summers but it will be nice to get back to everyday rutine.