A couple of months later

Since my last post, Tim has been back and forth with the raging.  One of the things that is helping is the clinic we were referred to.  With the help of a psychiatrist, and psychologist, these professionals are looking at Tim's day, and seeing how we can design it to take some of the stressors away.  There is definitely an agitation at times that is hard to get around, which eventually leads to the rages.  Last week, he had three.  One happened at a loved caregivers house, one happened at school, and one happened at home.

What I found most interesting is talking to the psychologist.  We filled out a 14 page profile.  Well, maybe it was 12, but it was in depth.  We filled out a similar one for the respite home a couple of years ago, which they have obviously referred to as they do similar things to us to try and diffuse the situation.  In filling out this report, I am reminded that Tim likes to help lift things, so I am having him being my laundry lifter more than ever. I am reminded that he loves tactile activities like bubbles and bubble bath.  So I fill the sink with dishes I have to soak anyway, and let him "help".  It actually does help, and he's getting a fix for something he needs.  We lamented that he didn't have a trampoline because of our small condo, and she wondered if a rebounder might help.  So, thanks to Amazon, a rebounder sits in our piano room, in front of the TV.  He likes to sit on it, and he gets some input that wasn't there the previous week.  Maybe these little things help.  I like to think so.  The clinic is going to get an Occupational therapist involved, as well as the day program.  We hope that this type of comprehensive care for Tim will help him cope.  She also suggested because one anti-depressant didn't work, didn't mean that anti-depressants won't work for him.  I had kind of thought since the one we used in the summer had such adverse effects, that they all would. So it looks like we may go down that path.

Mom and dad are coping.  Our breaks from coping with Tim come from working, and the odd date night out. Other kids Tim's age are out having fun, and we have to be his fun.  That is a hard thing to do on a constant basis.  No wonder he rages.  Maybe we just aren't that fun?