The very day I wrote about the NEW Josiah he began hitting himself in the head. I sat stunned, just outside the bathroom door, watching as he repeatedly pummeled himself hard.
Over the past couple weeks it’s gotten progressively worse. Self-injurious, aggressive and destructive behaviors are escalating. OCD behaviors are cropping up. Hyperactivity is intensifying and there are intermittent bouts of screaming throughout the day. Yesterday, he scratched one of his therapists pretty badly.
This is why I am hesitant to respond when asked how Josiah is doing. It’s an ever changing path we walk with this boy. We truly never know. Just when we think it’s predictable and we have figured out the ‘magic’ formula to keep things on an even keel, the rug gets pulled out from under us.
I can’t imagine how it must feel for him.
His sensory needs have increased. He bounces longer and harder on his trampoline, He needs more frequent brushing with a therapy brush and more opportunities to squeeze a therapy ball. He also started rocking in the wooden kitchen chairs which weren’t built for rocking. In an attempt to save the chairs from imminent destruction, a very generous friend loving gifted Josiah with a rocker recliner her family was no longer using.
For the past 3 weeks we’ve been redirecting him to the rocking chair for all his rocking needs. He loves to sit in it. He loves it when we push the chair back and forth, back and forth. He will push with his feet a few times to keep the momentum going once we stop, but I wouldn’t say he’s adept at using the rocking chair just yet.
Which is why THIS happened Tuesday morning…
I love the attempt to fix it himself. Josiah made a valiant effort but ultimately figured I would take care of it and thrust the top half of the chair in my direction.
He briefly tried the backless chair, discovered a pivoting piece he couldn’t rip off and opted for a better solution.
Pretty smart choice to just take one from the other end of the table. Works for me since the chair he had is beyond repair. Eventually we may run out of seats completely.
If and when we do, this might just be the best idea yet.
Sandy, I am so sorry for the regression. Yeah, sometimes you get to the point where you’re afraid (which, of course, is silly) to say the good stuff out loud. My husband used to say, “Don’t jinx it.” I am praying for all of you. LOVE the rocker at the table!!!
Your husband is spot on. It definitely feels like I am ‘jinxing’ when I share the good stuff! But we have to celebrate those moments when they come!! Thank you for your prayers and constant encouragement Kim.