I have had a pretty bad habit in the past. (Yah, so I’ve had many bad habits in the past…let’s just talk about this one! Ha!) As soon as I learned of the connection between diet and ADHD and autism, I always assumed that any increase or full-out return of eliminated symptoms in my son have to be related to diet.
While that made me diligent in staying on top of the new diet and I learned quick what foods have a negative effect on my son’s aspergers symptoms, it hasn’t always made sense…
This picture says it all...
For example, these last two weeks, my son has been consistently showing some extreme behaviors I haven’t seen in a long time. There has been no explained reason.
There were no slips in his diet. (Thankfully, he lets me know if he thinks he’s had something he shouldn’t. I’ll share my story of his sneaking foods adventure that happened about a year ago sometime later.) I did my duty and checked all labels on his usual foods to be sure there were no ingredient changes, but most of what we eat is fresh and whole and doesn’t even need a label!
What I realized is one thing did change in these last two weeks – and it had nothing to do with food! We have been on summer vacation for a week now and the last week of school before that was crazy with a different outing or schedule every day. Going from a very specific routine, knowing what is coming each day to hectic schedules with all four of my kids was enough to put ME on edge.
Looking back, I’m actually quite proud of how well he did handle it all. It didn’t make the raised level of tension and frustration he was feeling while he was going through it any easier on the rest of us, but hindsight is always a great perspective!
I started our summer point system again a couple of days ago and it has made a tremendous difference. We are finally into a new routine of no schedule to keep to, but with a list of things he can do to earn points to cash in. It is very motivating for him to actually do something productive instead of going bug-eyed on his DS and griping at his sisters all day. With chores and educational activities to choose from, not only is my house a little cleaner, but he’s willingly participating!
It has helped ease the tension around here, too. Part of the deal is that since they get points for doing things they usually do anyway, they also lose points for doing things they shouldn’t, like fighting and complaining or whining.
Thanks to my son’s focus on Pirates of the Caribbean since he saw part 4 at the theater on his birthday, he is bound and determined to earn enough points for a toy he’s dying to get. Since buying things isn’t the point of my reward chart, it doesn’t come cheap! He has been a little more aware of how he talks to others because he doesn’t want to lose any points!
So, yeah, coming back to my original point, it was the break in routine his last week of school and then total lack of one this last week that set things on overdrive here in our home. It doesn’t mean the diet isn’t working. It still is – he’s not having meltdowns and angry rages about these things. I’ve just noticed his patience has been greatly lacking and he needs more help than usual in groups again. These things I can deal with. We all need a little help now and then, don’t we?
What has helped your kids adjust to the new summer routine? Do you use a reward system? How’s it working for you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
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