Can you leave your toddler alone for a few min? This post is especially for moms with autisic kids or those with sensory kids but open to anyone:)
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I can't. It used to be that a few min is all I had and now it's getting progressively worse . The only time I can do any housework is when he is sleeping. I can't load the dishwasher. I can't go pee. I can't do anything. He grabs everything, throws things. I have to repeat myself several times. He has had time outs btw. It gets to the point that if he had a time out for every time I had to repeat myself he always be in one. He bugs the cat, pulls things down, etc. If I put him in his room he will find something else like bang on walls...something.
I will add that my son is more energetic than most kids. He does have sensory issues and is being tested for autism so I am not sure if there is a link. I haven't asked his ot.
my DS was diagnosed with Austism at 15 months old, i knew from the time he was 6 months old he was Autistic, he is low functioning, but verbal.
to answer your question, i was able to leave him alone, i taught him right from wrong.. and it is possible...
he is 5 now, but i cant not remeber not being able to leave him be.. and i dont child proof either... i used to shower and all... i taught him how to crawl the stairs at 9-10 months old... so never baby gated the stairs.. he didnt walk till he was 16 months 3 days... and when he did, i taught him how to walk the stairs. i was able to shower and do whatever i needed to do...
again DS is low functioning but verbal...
My toddlers are "normal" and I still don't leave them alone. When I go to the bathroom I give them fly swatters and put them outside of the door. They put the fly swatters under the door and I step on them. It's a game we play. It keeps them occupied while I know what they are doing.
If I go up or down stairs, they come with me.
When my husband comes home one of us always is watching them.
They are 4, 3, and 1.
Do you have a completely child proof room to gate him in to, so you can get stuff done? I used to gate dd into the living room and dining room and work in the kitchen or pee. She's 4.5 now and usually helps me.
I feel your pain momma and mine are 6,6,5,3 and 9 months. The only one half way good is the baby! LOL Cooking supper when the hubby is at work (like tonight he works until 10) is sometimes a pain and a chore because they get into EVERYTHING!!! The girls have autism and my 5 yo son has ADHD like his oldest sister and we're thinking he's also on the spectrum but I have to wait until May to get an official diagnosis. So I definitely know how you feel! Have you thought about those "pen" thingy's that you set up for kids and they can't climb out of them? I've heard those work really well and keep the kiddo's outta stuff they're not supposed to be in!
I have my son help. I've found using a calm voice and allowing him to help me gives him a sense of accoplishment and helps me get what I want done. Yeah, my son throws stuff, but I only give him the unbreakable stuff to help with. And If I stay calm, he stays calm.
Being a SAHM for the past 5 yrs has made me