Stemming

Hi everyone! It's the MIA lady! I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time to post anything. Plus, I feel guilty that I haven't had time to read others' posts so I just stayed away.

I'm sad today. I feel like I'm going crazy sometimes in my attempt to prove to the world that my son has Autism. I go back and forth between convinced he has Autism and really unsure. We still have no official diagnosis. When do I push for this? It drive me insane!!! I can't tell you how many times I hear, "He can't be autistic! He communicates so well!"

Over the last month or so, Marshall has been shaking his hands. He used to only do it when he was frustrated and couldn't remember what he wanted to say. Now he does it ALL the time! He holds his hands up at about shoulder height and shakes them out to the side of his body. He does it more while jumping or taking big steps around. I don't know why he does it. It must be a form of stimulation. His OT is trying to figure out what what he needs to compensate for. When my friend asked him why he does it, he said to get the itch off. She asked him where the itch is and he rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and shoulders and arms, and front as he showed her where it itches.

This week, 2 grown men have mimicked Marshall and I do not find it funny at all! Our downstairs neighbor did it right back at him as Marshall was saying that he had been waiting a billion hours for them to come outside. Then yesterday, Marshall was jumping and flapping his hands, and the guy whose kids I babysit shook his hands out exactly the way Marshall does. He said, "Hey Marshall!" and then flapped his hands. I don't find it funny. I don't know why they would do that. It just makes me sad.

One more thing... we have great news! The BEST NEWS IS: MARSHALL SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR 2 WEEKS NOW!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy!