He MEANT for it to be mean, but I actually had to plug my nose to keep from laughing.
My son got mad at me because the underwater picture of the cool fish he took on his trip to Hawaii with his grandmother was a big blur once the film was developed. He really wanted to show me that fish. I suggested looking up a similar fish online, but that would not suffice and I was told it was a stupid idea.
He slammed the door to his room and I let him cool off.
Before long, I heard him calling me, but it was not the normal, “Mom”, he was yelling, “Mother!” I ignored him because he knows to come to the room I’m in if he wants to talk, instead of hollering for me throughout the house.
He then started to call for, “Amy!” He had never done THAT before. I ignored it.
Next was, “Mrs. Smith!” This was becoming comical now. I continued to ignore him.
Finally, “I WANT TO TALK TO YOU! You, you, BASTARD!!!”
Now, I have heard what other parents would have done in that situation; slap him across the face, yell back, ground him, or take away his phone, electronics…
Methods that work with “typical” children do not always work with kids on the Autism spectrum, my son included.
I calmly walked to his closed door and reminded him of the rules again. He must have heard a bit of amusement in my voice because he got quiet and asked, “Are you LAUGHING at me?!?”
“Actually, yes, a little bit. Do you know what a bastard is?” I asked.
There was silence.
I embellished the term to show him how ridiculous he sounded and I told him, “It’s a young boy who doesn’t know who his father is. Now, I’m a grown woman and we all know Grandpa is my dad. That’s why I thought your comment was kind of funny.”
He opened the door and stood there, head down, shoulders drooped, and looking defeated.
“Do you want a hug, Honey?” I asked.
He nodded yes.
I held him for a while and rubbed his back.
“Mom?” he began. “Can we look up that fish?”
“Yes, Honey, that’s a great idea!”
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