29 July 2012

Literally, really! Literally! AKA autism doesn't go away

This morning like most mornings I had almost forgotten that Beren has high functioning autism.  Things cruise along pretty well  for so long that you do forget.
So long as we stick to familiar and routine we can get along fine.  We have the occasional 'tantrum' but I wouldn't call it a full on meltdown.
And dare I say it but 2hr monologues on skylander (insert recent obsession here) are part of our 'normality' so much so that I don't even bat an eyelid.  I should probably win some sort of award for feigning interest and putting the "oh really", "wow" and "cool" in the appropriate pause spots.
We deal with stimming in a similar fashion.  Beren does................  and we ask him to stop. *rinse* and *repeat*.

So, today when the kids came to work with me to 'help' was like any other day.  With the added bonus that is, of Beren deciding to do the bathrooms.  (For those not in the know I care take a holiday house.)

When Beren came to me for another job I handed him a pack of toilet paper rolls and said "here, put four of these in each toilet".  These were the words to burst my little bubble.

Now, I know anyone who has kids with autism are gonna pee themselves at this.  And yes, the inevitable did happen.

Beren came to me and said "um, mum  I just put the toilet roll in the toilet but I am not sure what I am meant to do with it there".


I must say, I am surprised that I didn't respond rather negatively to this news but instead my subconscious reacted faster than me for a change and I knew that he had taken me literally.  He had put the toilet roll IN THE TOILET!  Not in the vanity cupboard in the bathroom, but IN THE TOILET!

I re-explained what I had meant, retrieved said roll from the bog and continued on with my work.

This is a funny story but it has also hit me like a kick in the guts.  It has reminded me that even though I can cruise along and pretend things are 'normal' but at the end of the day they are not.  My kid has autism.

18 comments:

Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos said...

Oh yes, the literal child. The amount of times my son has looked at his ankles in confusion when told jokingly to pull up his socks, and replied "My socks don't need pulling up!" You have to laugh!

Lyndal said...

oh bless!! just bless! It is a funny story - but i am sad that it hit you like a kick in the guts.. xx
#teamIBOT

miss.cinders said...

I have no idea what it is with Miss10, but it clicks when I say things like that, and she'll give me a look and ask "are you sure Mum?". I am now Thankful beyond words for that lol One of my biggest ewwy things is toilet rolls in the loo! lol

Happy iBOT chickybabe xx

salwa said...

Oh thats funny and cute at the same time.

Yvette Bowyer said...

oh that is funny!! Yes I can see that happening... alot!

Footprints Australia said...

Too funny :-) ... wow that would be hard, you would have to think carefully before giving any instructions ...

Rachel from Redcliffe Style said...

He probably though you were a little silly for wanting them in there. :) Rachel x

Jess Newman said...

I love that he did it even though he must have thought that was an odd request. That says a whole lot about your parenting. :)

You Mums of autistic kids are incredible. You do such a great job.

Catherine said...

Oh my goodness, that's funny! My hubby had to try and explain the 'Lions Club' to our eldest son today. I'm sure he still suspects that it's really a social club for big cats :)

Kebeni said...

they are precious aren't they!

Kebeni said...

thanks :)

Kebeni said...

I am sure that is why he stopped at one LOL

Kebeni said...

yes, it is one of many strange things

Kebeni said...

yes, certainly topped the list for the day

Kebeni said...

does it happen often at your place???? LOL

Kebeni said...

thank you, I got over it quickly and saw the funny

Kebeni said...

I used to ask "are your legs painted on?" when he was being lazy and he always looked down like that too LOL

Michele said...

ah yep - so been there. Many times. You just have to laugh and chalk it up to experience. It does catch you at times though hey