Last week i posted a bit about my son, and some of his autistic traits, and i appreciated all the comments commiserating with how hard it must be. I was actually surprised though, because what i shared i no longer think of as the hard parts anymore. Jace is ruled by obsessive behaviors, yes. He is wasteful and destructive, yes. But that is nothing compared to how agressive he can be at times, especially now that he is 12 and about 200 pounds. But we manage because my husband and i are in it together, and my husband is still strong enough to deal with the violent times, and the stubborn times. He helps me by teaching me self defense moves. And he just bulls through, when that is what is needed, like a month or so ago when jace chose to lay down in the road in front of wegmans. If i had been alone with him i would have simply had to direct traffic away from him, but my husband simply scooped him up, threw him over his shoulder and walked him to the car. Not many people could have done that. Knowing that we can manage together makes it all OK.
I read an article by a mother of two autistic sons a year or so ago and one piece of her advice in the article has stuck with me. "Don't think past dinner", and although i can't help but wallow in worry about the future at times, most days i try to stick to that advice.
Another part that makes it all OK is that Jace is still a sweetheart, frustation aside. He used to be too thin, but now he is quite chubby so he's like a giant Pillsbury dough boy that truly means well. He is simple and cuddly and so lovable.
He loves to look at himself in the mirror, and since the ipad has a reverse camera where he can see himself he likes looking in the ipad too. The other day he pulled me into a hug and took some photos while admiring himself in the screen. These aren't really print worthy; i don't look my best and i have taken off my glasses so he won't smush them, but i love this set of photos regardless.
This is Jace, this is him....
