Awesome Moments

My son started to speak when he was 2.5 years old. He learnt to ask things he wanted like water, cookie, soda, chocolate, etc. Now he is 7 years old and still most of the time he used his speech to ask for something or he keeps talking to himself repeating the sentences (vocal stimming) or he does scripted talks.

We don't have any conversations with him. When we start talking to him, most of the time it converts in question answer session instead of meaningful conversations. He doesn't ask any questions or doesn't show any curiosity in anything except electronic gadgets.

But always he was lovely and affectionate boy. He liked hugging and squeezing. He is very calm and happy boy. He shows only the tantrums when he doesn't get his favorite thing - iPad or iPhone. Since few months, I have seen major changes in him. He is being more affectionate than earlier. He started to ask for more hugs and squeeze.

Lately, he started to show his affection in new ways. He started to kiss me all the time, whenever he feels to. I love how he kisses me. He says - "I want to give a big kiss." Now, kissing has become his obsession. He kisses me like a lover - he holds me tightly and kisses me on the cheek. He keeps kissing me everywhere - even at public places. (Personally, I enjoys his kissing as that gives me a great pleasure. I feel a bond with him.)

I was also worried as he tells his wants but doesn't tell his feelings and pains he is going through. But 3-4 days back he himself started to tell us if he is hurt. Two days back he told us that something is stuck in his teeth and he himself pointed where is the actual problem. Earlier, we always used to keep guessing where he has problem.

Yesterday, weather was good so we went to park. Both brothers were enjoying. There was a balance bar on which kids have to balance themselves when walking on. Earlier I used to force him to walk on it and he used to walk away from it. Yesterday, he came to me and called me - "Mumma, I need you" and take me to balance bar to help him. I felt very happy.

Today morning, when he was taking shower, suddenly water became cold. He called me - "Mumma, I want hot water." In the evening, he went inside the bedroom. The light was off and he came to me - "Mumma, I want light on."

These were my awesome moments. Atleast he is coming to me when he is in need. He is expressing himself and he is now feeling confident in coming to me for help. I really feel great. I hope he starts to initiate talks too.

I hate Autism

I love my son. But I hate Autism. 

I feel happy when he smiles and laughs. But I hate Autism.

I feel proud when he comes to me, kisses on my cheeks and says - "Mamma, I love you." But I hate Autism.

I feel proud when he sings a song. But I hate Autism.

I feel proud when he reads, writes, does good academically. But I hate Autism.

I feel proud when he understands everything and listens to me. But I hate Autism.

I feel proud when he solves his problems. But I hate Autism.

I feel proud when he thinks and chooses things. But I hate Autism.
I don't bother if he is different or he thinks different. But I hate Autism.

I love his cute smile and spark in his eyes

I know in my heart that my son has a great potential in him. I am always with him and I feel that he have so much strengths. He is very cute and affectionate. His smile is contagious. He has great eye contact. He speaks and tells us clearly what he wants. He has his own interests and choices. He likes to listen to music and also sings the songs. He likes to play Wii and games on iPad / iPhone. He is hyperactive, energetic and great problem solver.

He is also good academically. He knows reading, writing and coloring. He is average in Maths, but good in puzzles, models and thinking tasks. When he is focused at task, he is at his best. He has good memory and remember roads too.

But when my son is unaware of his environment, I hate Autism. When he is lost with electronic gadgets, I hate Autism. When he can talk but can't do conversations, I hate Autism. When he can't understand reasoning and stuck on something, I hate Autism. When he bites his fingers and hurts himself, I hate Autism. When he doesn't act without prompts (still we have to prompt for everything, even for eating), I hate Autism.  When he wanders aimless and just lost in his own world, I hate Autism. But I love my son very very much.

Computer Stimming - Part 3

Continuing from the stories Computer Stimming Part 1 and Computer Stimming Part 2, this is the final part of the story. I don't want to get anyone bored, but without mentioning all these incidents, I won't be able to explain about computer stimming which is a big part of my life. How this affected me and my son's life, his learning, his thinking, his attitude and his behaviors. Computer and other electronic gadgets were feeding him continuously and became hindrance to his learning. He kept talking repetitively what he heard as I mentioned in part 2. 

Till June, 2012, I was very much frustrated and upset about his computer stimming. But, I was not able to control this situation fully as I was not there always to control his access to electronic gadgets. My younger son was born in 2009 and he also needed my attention most of the time. So, I had to switch myself between these two kids. 

Without explaining my situation, this post won't get finished. I was alone with these two kids. My husband used to come late after 7:30 PM. Tanay, my younger son was too sensitive to the noise and Tanishk was very loud when he used to make tantrums. (Still, he is very loud. I can not stand with him, when he shouts and screams.) When I try to take away computer from him, he used to make tantrums and very loud noises. So, when Tanay was sleeping, I did let him do whatever he is doing.

In June 2012, when it became a little easy to make Tanay busy in something else when I was working with Tanishk, I decided to not to give computer to him. How can I forget that day? He came from the school and he asked for computer. He kept asking, crying, screaming, banging, stomping, hitting for 1 hour. Next day, same thing happened, but only for 10 minutes. After that day, his attention and focus were increased a lot. He doesn't touch the computer, and if he gets he gives it back in time. I don't let him stim on any gadget. That was the major achievement for me.

Still, he gets electronic gadgets but for the limited time and as a reward. He loves music. But now, he plays music appropriately and also play games appropriately. He reads stories. His focus is improved a lot. Still, sometimes he is tempted to do wrong things. Still, he repeats the talks from videos and audios. He sings songs and also tells stories.

Now, I can say that I have taken right decision. I told my readers this story for telling them - "Please don't let your child get lost into these electronic gadgets, he / she can learn them later. Engage them in other useful activities instead of TV and Computer. Use them for short time."

Computer Stimming - Part 2

As I have written in my earlier post Computer Stimming - Part 1, Tanishk learnt to use all the electronic gadgets. He knows what does he want. He learnt typing himself. He was always good in reading. He started reading in 2.5 years after he started speaking. His therapists used flash cards to teach to label things and then he learnt reading through flash cards and bumble bee videos. We never had to teach him reading.

Tanishk used to watch his favorite videos on YouTube - TOONBO "ABCD", TOONBO "Alphabet Song" and Dancing babies with diapers (indian version video). He also got interested in Hindi songs and he used to ask us his favorite songs on YouTube - Pocket Mein Rocket Hai, Yeh ishq hai, Nagada Nagada and Suraj Hua Maddham. He learnt to start these songs himself.

When he became an expert in YouTube, he started to explore more videos. He started to watch any video (Not meant for his age). He also explored more things on the computer. His favorite program on the computer is Windows Media Player. He used to listen to the songs on the windows media player and liked to see the patterns on the screen. He gets excited by looking at patterns and starts to jump, laugh, run here & there. I became a little bit scared when I saw him showing odd behaviors.

He had learnt to use every electronic gadget - iTouch, iPad, iPhone, Computer, DVD Player, TV and Wii. He was an expert using all the gadgets appropriately, but he was only interested to use them inappropriately. He started to go into the settings and do the changes. He used to shut down the system and restart again. He plays the games in the wrong way. He plays the same videos again & again. We tried to limit his access and only give him the electronic gadgets as the re-inforcer. But whenever the gadget was taken away, there were lot of tantrums (jumping, banging, shouting, screaming etc.).

Here, I want to mention that he is verbal and is also an expert in copying all the verbal tones (he says or sings the same way it was said or sung). His articulation is very good and copy all the talks he have heard. He also sings the music in same way, but all words are not clear. Later, he started to sing inappropriately knowingly. He is habitual of doing things inappropriately, even he knows what is appropriate.

Then he went one step ahead and started to forward all the videos and songs. He liked that forwarded noise and became habitual of it. And he started to repeat the same forwarded noise verbally. That made me feel very upset.

So, electronic gadgets are his obsession. In the morning, he wants them. Whole day, he wants them, In the night before sleep, he wants them on the bed. He lost interest in other things totally. He does other tasks only to get his favorite gadgets and to use them inappropriately.

Computer Stimming - Part 1

This is era of technology. World is changed into the electronic world. Today, you will find electronic gadgets that fulfill your everyday needs. These gadgets can be anything from a grinder to a camcorder to a laptop to an IPad / IPhone. World is connected electronically through internet. It has become very easy to communicate to the people who are very far from you.

All electronic communication devices (Computer, laptop, IPhone, IPad etc.) are great help to Autism world too. The autistic kids and adults are now able to communicate through typing without looking at the person. It was a great help for them to open up and feel connected. So many apps are also developed for them to learn new skills (Academic, Language, Social etc.).

Examples of such people for whom the world is changed after learning the electronic communication devices are - Peyton Goddard and Carly Fleischmann. After starting communication through these devices, even they were able to tell their experiences they had in their childhood life.

Nothing is perfect in this world. Everything has its uses and misuses like people who have talents and shortcomings both. Same is the case with these electronic devices. It also depends on the people how are they using these devices. And mostly autistic kids are used to do things inappropriately. My son is one in those kids.

I have read few similar stories through blogs, I got to know that I am not alone. Few other parents are also facing the same problem. One example is here - Be A Good Mom (Stims oh boy the stims). I thought that I should also share my story. It's a very long story, so I am writing in parts. -

Before coming to US
My son Tanishk was born in India. When he was a toddler, he was cute and enjoyable kid. He used to cry very little. On his 1st birthday, he was not interested in people but their cell phones. We were very amazed  to see that how he has learnt to start music himself. He didn't respond to his name when he was 18 months old, but he used to respond when he hears phone ringing or music on TV. He loved to watch Indian ads on TV and few ads were his favorite ones. He liked to watch Bollywood actors Shahrukh Khan and Urmila Matondkar in ads. We were sure that he doesn't have hearing issues as when the ads started, he was used to come so fast even from another room. But, we were very much concerned that why he is not responding to us.

My husband used to work from home those days. Tanishk was so much fascinated by his laptop like all the kids. He used to press buttons to explore how it works. One day, we saw that he was sitting on the laptop. My husband had to work in closed room and he had to put off the computer when he was not there.

We used to make different sounds and calling him in hope that he will respond to us. But no, he never respond to any noise except TV or phone. He used to respond only one word - "Orange". Orange was his first favorite fruit and still he loves it.

After coming to US

At early age, Tanishk was interested in all the electronic gadgets like all the kids. So, we didn't give much thought about it. We came to US when he was 2 years old. As time passed, Tanishk kept exploring the electronic gadgets. He  had learnt how to operate Phone, TV, DVD player, Computer. We were very happy that he used to watch videos and also liked to listen to the music.

But problem started when we realize that he wants to watch the particular video / particular part of the video or to listen to the particular song. He wanted to repeat videos and music again & again. We couldn't leave him alone as he kept pressing buttons on the DVD player or computer.

He learnt to operate the computer, and also learnt to start YouTube. Earlier, he was used to ask us for particular video or songs on YouTube. He learnt himself to type and started to watch the videos on YouTube. Once more, we were amazed to see that. He used to listen to appropriate songs. Everything was going fine.

One day, I realized that he has started to stim on the computer too. It happened gradually. He used to enjoy and we were happy that he is enjoying. He started to ask for the computer every time, he gets it when no one is there, he started to play windows media player and see patterns (visual), he started to watch inappropriate (not appropriate for his age) videos, he plays the videos and gets excited (jumps, shakes hands, runs here & there), doesn't want to leave the computer, melt-downs (jumping, banging, stomping) started when computer is taken away.

Major Behavioral Updates

My sons - Tanishk (6 yrs old) & Tanay (2 yrs old) are having very different personalities. But, they both are great in their own ways. They both are handsome, lovely, affectionate and joyful. One year before I posted about interaction between them - Tanishk With His Little Brother. In this one year, they have got developed new skills and behaviors. Tanay is very particular about things. He fights with his brother for things and he doesn't want to share anything. Tanishk also fights for things he wants.

I was reading last year's posts when I started this blog - Tanishk, Tanishk's Birthday and Major Behavioral Changes. Tanishk has now started to understand his environment and other things. He now understands what is said to him. He has got new skills in writing words & numbers. He is now working on comprehension skills and recalling events. He has got more eye contact, calmness. He now listens carefully and does the task with his attention.

Tanishk has changed a lot. Now, he is so much aware of the environment. Sometimes, he also comments on things going on in his environment. The comments are not so often, but they are very appropriate. He is sometimes very much stubborn, but all kids are like that. Throwing tantrums and meltdowns are very less. He listens and understands most of the things, but he is not sure that how to react.

Both brothers fight with each other, but also like each other. First time I saw Tanishk to observe somebody. He observes his brother and tries to do the same thing. Two days back, they were fighting for playing with a red car. They wanted the same thing. First I told them to share the car. But they don't understand. I taught them to take turns - Everyone had chance to have car when I am counting till 10 and then give. Then they themselves started counting till 10 and gave car to each other. Next day, they were fighting for another toy. I heard that Tanishk was counting till 10 and he gave the toy to Tanay himself. He didn't get any prompts. He himself initiated and I was amazed.

In last 2 months, there were more incidents where Tanishk was behaving appropriately. He seems more connected and was talking nicely. I have mentioned one of those events in my last post - Hi Neera. He has also started to show his new interests. He likes to stand outside and watch all the cars. He likes to play basket ball. He sits in the library very nicely. He himself chooses the books to read. One day, we were in the car and I was sitting on the backseat with him. He looked at me and he was smiling continuously. There was a light in his eyes. I was also smiling at him. It seemed he was saying - "Mumma, don't worry. I am here with you. Just don't give up." I feel very proud of him.

Hi Neera

Sometimes, we find ourselves shocked at the moment we see unexpected behaviors in our kids - whether it is good or bad. Two days back I had such a good moment. I was really amazed to see this and felt very good about it. Such moments increase my hope and motivate me to keep going on.

Tanishk read my name somewhere on the book - "Neera". He suddenly started to say - "Hi Neera". He said it 2-3 times. I thought, he is just repeating as usual. But he came to me. He looked into my eyes. He said - "Hi Neera". And was still looking into my eyes and was waiting for my reaction. I was just shocked and laughed. He also felt happy to see my reaction and laughed. It seems that he was saying to me - "Mom, I am there. Please don't give up on me." Thank God, I have such lovely kids and family.

No More Melatonin

Still, I feel that I am dreaming. Yes, it's definitely like a dream. Every night, Tanishk sleeps very easily without Melatonin. No screams, no shouting, no crying, and no fight. When Tanishk was younger, all nights were nightmares. We used to spend hours to get him to sleep and there no night when he slept without screams and shouting.

I remember when Tanishk was an infant he had a colic problem and every night he used to cry. I used to sit with him in my lap almost every night. When he became a toddler, he was constipated. It was very difficult to get him to sleep day or night. Every time it was a one hour job.

He became so active that he started to avoid sleeping. Every time he wanted to either watch TV or videos, listen to music etc. Even we switched off the lights, he didn't want to lie down on the bed. It was very difficult for us to get him to sleep. He slept little and we were worried about his health as he was active all the time.

We talked to other parents and the doctors. Everyone suggested that we should give him Melatonin so that he can sleep easily. We started to give him Melatonin and it was very effective. He used to sleep within few minutes after taking Melatonin. It was so much effective that a very little piece of tablet also worked. I used to give him very little. We were happy that he was sleeping nicely. But still we were not happy that he needs medicine for sleeping, he should take his sleep natural way.

I tried to get him to sleep without Melatonin several times. He used to lie down, but continuously he was restless. And his behaviors (continuously touching his nose, toes, lip picking, scratch over the body, grinding his teeth, changing his sides, asking for water) & vocal stimming was not letting him sleep. Every time I was exhausted & frustrated after his sleep. So we kept giving him Melatonin.

I researched about Melatonin and it's effects - I got few articles. Melatonin Side Effects and Melatonin Side Effects on Autistic kid. After that I wanted to stop giving Melatonin totally.

One month back our friend Neena came to our house and we discussed a lot of things with her. We discussed Tanishk's behaviors and she told us about how to deal with sensory issues. She suggested us OT for him and also suggested few tips at home. We told her that Tanishk doesn't sleep without Melatonin. She was shocked to hear that and said "Are you serious? He has definitely sensory issues." She suggested that we should let him carry some weighty things so that he gets tired and feels sleepy. She also suggested that we should massage his head, hands & feet with almond oil while he is trying to sleep. This will help him sleep easily.

Surprisingly, it helped a lot. Really, it was amazing. Now Tanishk sleeps with in half an hour. He still resists, still restless, still vocal stimming. But he calms down after massage and gets to sleep. No shouting, no screaming, no tantrums. I am so much relieved now. No more Melatonin. Thanks Neena!!

Major Behavioral Changes

When Tanishk's behaviors were so bad in his last vacations, we were not able to control his behavior through ABA therapy and motivational system, and most of the time we spent in screams, shouting and crying. I was so frustrated all the time and wanted to have a quick solution, as it was creating a hindrance in his learning too. He was not able to focus or concentrate on any thing. I decided to find out other ways to help him to calm down & be more focused and attentive. I read about Sensory Integration Therapy, Massage Therapy, Bio-medical Intervention and Dietary Intervention. And also I tried to find out more activities to keep him engaged every time.

Already, I was following the GFCF diet. We were wondering where we are going wrong. I was reading a book on Digestive Enzymes - Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions written by Karen Defelice. This book says that if we give proper digestive enzymes to our autistic kids, their gut can heal sooner and it is also possible that we don't need to give any specific diet to our kids, just digestive enzymes will also be sufficient for gut health. So, I started to give digestive enzymes regularly to Tanishk. I started to give Papaya & Pineapple more as these two fruits have digestive enzymes.

Tanishk was so much hyperactive those days and very much uncontrollable. My husband was suspicious about thyroid medication and also digestive enzymes. Then I & my husband decided that we should stop all the medications and supplements, and then we should introduce them one by one. That worked amazingly. His behaviors were lessened.

We started only thyroid medication and B12 shots. Then we started Oxytocin nasal spray prescribed by doctor and also gave calcium-magnesium supplement. The day when we gave Tanishk his liquid calcium-magnesium supplement, his behavior was tremendously changed. That day was totally amazing day. I was doing his therapy and I had to take the data on his behavior. He was so much focused and attentive. He did everything very nicely and he was complying all the instructions. He did puzzle so nicely and without any behavior. I was shocked to see that he even didn't need any prompt for his tasks. :) 

I read a book Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother's Story of Research & Recovery written by Karyn Seroussi. This book tells us about the dietary intervention / elimination diet. This book gives much stress on the GFCF diet and says every one will get benefit by it, even if they don't have behavioral problems. After reading this book, I started to believe strongly in dietary intervention. Now, my theory is that instead of taking so much supplement tablets or gels, we should eat the proper food which contains all needed nutrients. We should try to get most of the nutrition through diet. I started to include more vegetables and fruits in diet, started to cook food that needs very less cooking.

Recently we saw few major changes in Tanishk. He was calmed down. Now he has less behavioral issues. He has become more attentive. Yes, still he has behaviors but less frequent. He still repeats the things & talks, but also listens to us. He reads the books, plays with toys appropriately. He solves the puzzles more focused. His handwriting and coloring are also improved a lot. He has become more cautious about his behavior, people around him and their reactions. He corrects his behavior when I give him a quiet look.

He plays hide & seek with his father. He likes squeezing against us. He understands most of the things what are they. But he doesn't understand reasoning. Why he should wait? Why he should not run or jump anywhere? Why should he be quiet sometimes or loud sometimes?

He understands word quiet & loud. We got to know that when we went to the library & read a book about quiet & loud. When he was reading, he was changing his tone appropriately for quiet & loud things. He was awesome. But, when someone is sleeping and we tell him that he should be quiet or whisper, but he doesn't understand.

After long time

I didn't write anything after my last post in July. I thought but I didn't get any time to write in these days. My both sons made me very busy. In these 5 months, there were so many ups and downs.

As I had written in my last post Summer Vacations, that Tanishk's vacations went great in june. But again when his vacations started in August, it was not that great. I tried my best, but this time it became very tough to get him focused on the tasks. Every-time he wanted to go out. He started to show his tantrums - screaming, shouting and crying loudly. He wasn't ready to understand any reasoning. But It was not so bad too.

I followed the activity schedule and gave him rewards on his completion of tasks and good behaviors. He became more aware but was less focused. His sensory issues were major. His nail biting, teeth grinding, touching his toes, picking up nose, pressing his lips, jumping and running here and there, not sitting still, looking from the corner of eye, lying down on the floor, walking on the toes, playing with the wheels instead of cars, pressing the buttons of the gadgets, verbal stim, flipping the books etc.

Tanay is also growing up and seeking my attention especially when I was trying to concentrate on Tanishk. Now Tanay is also not easy to keep busy. He also has started to cry and scream for most of the things. He also wanted everything Tanishk has. He wants to sit where Tanishk is sitting. When I want Tanishk to sit still, Tanay comes and pushes him. Tanishk gets distracted when Tanay makes noises or plays. They make fight for one common thing - car, book, toys etc. Still, they are like that. They both are at same level and wanted to play with same thing at same time. They don't want to share at all.

Now Tanay has grown up strong and has also become very particular about things he wants. If he wants something, then he wants it surely. No negotiations please. It is same for food. If he doesn't want to eat, no one can force or prompt him to eat.

Tanishk's behaviors became more worse now. He had become stubborn. He didn't want to get out from the car or stroller. He didn't like to go anyone's house. We went for Ganesh Puja at my friend's place. Tanishk didn't enter the house and started to scream when we forced him. Tanay got scared and he also didn't get in. My husband had to stand outside with both kids for one hour. Then we decided to leave from there as it was no point to stay there if the kids are not getting in and attending puja.

We went to "Touch Me" museum and both kids were in the strollers. Tanishk didn't take any interest there and just wanted to keep sitting in the stroller & moving. Whenever we stop to see something, he started to scream and just said "I want drive". Tanay enjoyed a lot there.

3-4 months back there was a birthday party in our neighborhood. He started to scream and was uncontrollable. I had to come back with him leaving Tanay with his father. Tanay enjoyed there.

When his behaviors got so much worse and were uncontrollable by ABA therapy too, we thought to stop all his medications and bio-medical supplements. We stopped everything for one week. And then we start with only his thyroid medication and B12 shots. Behaviors were lessened. Yes, something was going wrong. Still there are behaviors but the frequency of those behaviors are lessened. And also became more focused and attentive.

Last week, there was one more birthday party of 2 year old boy. Tanishk went there. He was well behaved. He was sitting on the chair nicely. He also played with piano. So, we were happy that he didn't create any problem there. After coming from there, he said "I want to go to birthday party".

Summer Vacations

I was worried that how will I manage two kids during Tanishk's vacations. Tanishk is not easy to handle. Both of the kids are now very active and they need something to do every time. Tanay can play appropriately with the toys and most of the time he keeps busy himself. But Tanishk doesn't play appropriately and he asks for the gadgets every time - TV, Video, Computer, ITouch, IPad, Phone and he is stuck to the screen. Else he will demand to go outside and I alone can't take two kids outside. Tanishk runs here & there and can go far away from me.

I am happy that I was able to manage with the help of activity schedule and reward system taught by PCDI. It was not so simple, but that helped me organizing the activities for Tanishk and Tanay. Whole day - keeping them busy, homework activities, creating new activities, correcting bad behaviors, giving rewards, minimizing their time with the screen for very limited time, teaching them play appropriately, data collection, changing choices everyday for variety, bathing and feeding them, cooking, cleaning, laundry and also avoid their conflict with each other. Oops - so much.

Everyday I made a schedule for Tanishk and told him to follow start from the morning. I wrote all the available rewards on the white board. I daily changed the rewards for variety and to avoid him stuck on one thing. I avoided computer totally as a reward as he stims most of the time. I noticed that he watches anything on TV, Video, Computer for only the patterns, color changes and also repeating their dialogues. He doesn't answer any questions related to the story shown in the video.

At school, he doesn't get any free time less structured. But, at home, he gets most of the time unstructured as he doesn't know what to do when I am busy with Tanay. He just climbs on the sofa, table, and also plays with the gadgets, buttons, plug-points. He doesn't comply easily as he is distracted by what Tanay is doing. Tanay also tries to come in between us when I am talking to Tanishk. So, I have to keep both of them busy at home.

Tanishk is intelligent, affectionate, easy learning boy. Main problem with him is his focus. He can't keep focus on the activity he is doing. And also he is not able to control his behaviors. He knows when he is doing wrong, he understands gestures and also face expressions. He looks at my face and understands that he has to sit quietly and nicely.

He is a good problem solver. He likes to do puzzles, coloring and also handwriting. He is also good in counting. Now he understands all the instructions. He is particular about what he wants.

But he can't wait for anything. He can't control his behaviors himself. He needs prompts to finish his activity. He is most of the time lost in verbal stimming, scripting, spinning, nail biting, touching his toes, closing his eyes, flapping his hands and moving around here & there. If he is forced to stop the behavior or to do something he really doesn't want to do, he resists, shouts and screams.

So, how did I manage that all? I made the schedule and made him to follow the schedule. I also gave Tanay to do something so Tanay won't disturb him. Everyday, we do homework activities (9-10 activities for the data collection), play activities (bowling game, blocks, jump on trampoline, find game etc.), fun activities (tickle, squeeze, piggy back, upside down, coloring, tracing, TV watching etc.) and also routine activities for the day.

I gave him lots of choices except the computer. TV programs (Dora, Diego, Yo gabba gabba or whatever videos were available with me - he can't watch the same program repeatedly), Snacks (popcorn, cookies, juice, soda, wafers etc.) and also other toys & activities in which he has interest. Everyday, I changed the choices. Every morning, he sees the board interestingly and checks what he can get during the day.

It was very tough task but it became very easy with the guidance given by his teachers at PCDI and also the book Activity Schedules for Children With Autism, Teaching Independent Behavior. This book is very good and helpful. How to deal with the children with behaviors and how to correct them, reward them and teach them, everything is explained in detail. The staff at PCDI is also very good, they are very helpful.

Yes, it all was not an easy task. It takes lots of time and effort to teach him new skills and correct behavior. And also, the most important thing, we should have - patience. It needs lots of patience. Still, I am not perfect and sometimes gets frustrated. But, I have to keep going and not giving up. :)

Now, I am looking forward to his next vacations - Aug 15 to Sept 7. Wish me best of luck.

Perfect Day

On May 31, Tanishk's behavior was very nice. He was showing such a normal behavior like a typical child. When he came from the school, he asked me for the computer very nicely - "Mumma, I want to get the computer." I asked him to take off his shoes and change his clothes. He followed my instructions very nicely. He got the computer for 10 minutes.

When I said, "computer is all done!", he himself put it off and gave it to me. He didn't scream or shout at all. When I told him to go to take bath, he went to the bathroom. He enjoys playing with water. He doesn't take bath himself. I gave him 10 minutes to play as this was very hot day.

I feel very much happy and relaxed when Tanishk is in good mood and behavior. It was that day. I was so cool and was able to do other household work also. When he is in bad mood, the time just goes in prompting him, keeping him quiet and redirecting him to the good behavior.

After bath, I asked him - "What do you want to eat? Chhole Chawal (Rice and Chickpeas Curry) or Dosa?" He replied - "I want to eat Pasta." I was shocked to hear it as two days before he refused to eat pasta and now he is asking for. I gave him pasta to eat and surprisingly, he ate pasta himself still sitting on the seat and he didn't get up from the seat once.

It was really a great surprise for me as he has habit of moving around here and there when he is eating. He doesn't sit still and also he doesn't want to eat himself. I have to feed him and prompt him to eat on every bite. I gave him computer immediately after finishing his eating, as he was in very good behavior and that was the rare thing.

I gave him several minutes as I was busy in Tanay, his little brother. After done with Tanay, I asked him to shut down the computer and asked him to do his homework. He was so cool and worked on his homework nicely. It was awesome and I felt very great. It was the first time, when I didn't have to do any prompting and thought that he is only a typical child.

It may be a very small thing for others, but for me this was the celebration day. That encouraged me to keep working with Tanishk and not to give up any time at any cost. Thank God for his all the blessings. Thanks everyone who have worked & are working with him and also thanks to them who are his well-wishers. God bless all of them. :)