A different kind of tired

I get a little tired of always explaining my son’s behaviors.  It’s not that it’s annoying and it’s not that it takes a lot of time.  Sometimes, I just don’t feel like doing it.  I just want to do what we need to do and go on with our day. I want folks to just see him and think “Oh, autistic.  That’s why.” and then just go about their day.

I get a little tired of myself resenting other kids and other families.  My kiddo is almost eleven.  Autism has been here roughly since he was two.  I’d like to think this grants me some sort of autistic tenure and I should know better than to compare him to any other typical kid his age.  Yet here I am, still doing it. Plus, I am not just tired but disgusted with myself when I see a kid having a hard time out in public and I still have to remind myself that maybe that kid is autistic. That they are probably having a meltdown.  Yep, that’s right.  Mama Fry ain’t perfect. I still need prompting not to jump to “Listen to that brat over there.”  thinking. I know, I’m a real ass like that.

I am getting a little tired of the same scripted conversations that we have day in and day out.  I mean, I love hearing him speak. God knows we worked so damned hard to get some of those words out of him.  I also know these scripts make him feel good.  They are the key to what’s going on in that brain of his, I get it.   Still, I would like to not wax nostalgic of the greatest hits of his meltdowns. Yeah, that’s his new focused interest at the moment.  Rattling off the dates he had these epic meltdowns on because they were so much fun the FIRST time he had them.  I’m just waiting for the walk down memory lane to trigger the upset again.

I am so tired of the planning.  Even the most basic of events require way too much thinking.  Is he due for his medications? Will we get back in time from out outing for the important nighttime routine?  I’m tired of prepping for every possible trigger.  I know all kids are unpredictable but it just seems my autistic kiddo is ten times more so.  Ironic, given the nature of his preferred structured way of life.

I’m tired of being told “I don’t know how you do it.” because really, what choice do I have?  Good thing I do know how to do it!  I’ll let you in on a little secret. We are all making it up as we go! I haven’t a clue anymore than you.

I’m tired of constantly calling doctors, emailing teachers, stopping by the pharmacy, trying to decipher the insurance paperwork and trying to do so in a cheerful and pleasant manner.  Extra fun to do after he’s been up since 3 am or screaming for an hour over something that made him sad but he can’t tell me what it was.

I’m not tired of my Kiddo though.  So, I guess I’ll keep doing all this.  😉

Reprinted with Permission from the blog “Autism with a Side of Fries.” Original can be found here.

About Mama Fry

Mama Fry is a suburban stay at home mom. She worked as an educator for 9 years with children on the Autism spectrum in a group home and in schools. Now that she has her own kiddo with autism, she has gone “Pro.” You can follow Mama Fry on  Facebook and @FrenchFryInc

You can listen to her interview on the Autism Show with Catherine Pascuas here.