Phases -Autism Style

I know that autism can be a sensitive topic but I feel that our experiences are worth sharing publicly because there are so many people out there with children recently diagnosed or not diagnosed yet and perhaps this will help you cope.
Or maybe you live in an area where autism support isn't available to you or like me, you don't know anyone else nearby with autistic children.
I suppose that's the great thing about the internet and technology. There's all kinds of forums, blogs, Youtube channels and articles to read!

I should state it now I do not think that vaccines are the cause of autism. If that were the case, my other two children would have shown signs by now along with millions others.
That theory was debunked and the doctor was stripped of his licenses.

Now, moving on, Super Hubby and I have noticed that V-Man goes through phases like any other child but his can be a bit different than average. Okay, A LOT different.
And after putting him to bed tonight he pointed out that the progress that's been made is truly amazing - comparing to the past!
I don't remember what order they happened in, so they may not be in specific order:

• V-Man refused to be held by SH until he was nearly ten months. Refused a bottle or a soother.
• He drinks from any kind of water bottle or container and was able to drink from a straw from about 6-months old.
• Pinching and biting - the biting is mostly gone and both were more based on frustration than anger.
• Now it's more based on anger with his little brother!
• Only falling asleep with SH or I lying beside him.
• Only falling asleep on the sofa while we watched our shows (we're into DVD TV series and would let the intro music and end music play so it would be repetitive and keep him sleepy).  House and Dexter were his favourites for boring opening music!
• Only falling asleep to a playlist from "Boyce Avenue playlist all songs" on Youtube - Heaven forbid it skipped a song or played in the wrong order!
• Only falling asleep to "Simply Noise" (free noise generator site)
• Currently, he now sleeps in his own bed and room (A-Man's still in bed with me) and all we have to do is walk him to bed and say, "Good night - we'll see you in the morning! Love you."
• Rubbing chests - female or male.  But male chests were better because they didn't wear bras...yeah he aimed for nipples.
• Squeezing boobs...
• Nibbling people's fingers and arms.
• Grabbing people's bottoms - especially from his stroller seat on the bus.
• Cuddling to complete random strangers.  One time we went to a beach and he sat in a young man's lap who was about to have a beer and of course I was alone because SH had a conference out of country! (This was also pre-diagnosis - so of course MEGA embarrassing!) 
• Playing with plastic bottles - doesn't care for that as much.
• Sticks are his current favourite..
• Pulling laundry off the laundry rack and running around with it.
• Eating dog food (typically during teething).
• Refusing to go for hikes - he'd scream the whole time in the middle of the woods - but now he enjoys himself if he wears his harness (which he loves too!) and has a stick.
• Refusing to eat meat and now he at least tries food before deciding he doesn't like it.  
• Prefers to eat rice the next day when it's a bit crunchy.
• Previously only eating French fries, yoghurt and crackers.
• He's not eating French fries very much these days which was a huge shocker to me!
• Jumping and play wrestling - that'll probably never go away!  And that's fine with us.
• He used to let A-Man bully him around but now he's sticking up for himself which is both a good thing and a bad thing!

 I'm sure there are many others but if I don't post this soon - I may forget entirely! :)
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