Isms Past and Present (Part 1)

As all parents of children with autism know, our kids have some pretty unique repetitious behaviours.  These behaviours can be cute, annoying, self-injurious, subtle, and very peculiar.  There are different ways to look at these behaviours.  Some people call it stims (short for self-stimulations), but I've come to call them "isms" as coined by the Kaufmans when they were recovering their son, Raun, from autism.

I reflect back once in a while to see how Remy has evolved with regards to his isms, and I wanted to share my observations with you.

Present Isms

Remy's Current Top 5 Isms:

1.  Rips paper

He started ripping in the Spring or early Summer of 2011.  At the time, he started ripping coloured construction paper in the Play Room.  If he couldn't get a hold of something of a thin texture (like newsprint or computer paper) to rip, he would resort to cardboard and plants.  In fact, he ripped SO many plants that we did an impromptu plant sale last Fall. 

His ripping preference has evolved, though.  He now chooses to rip only new colouring books or books of that material.  His dad calls him a paper snob. 



What do the rippings spell?

"My name is Remy" "I love to rip"

2.  Vocalizes loudly

This ranges from yelps (people have commented over the phone, "is that your dog?") to sounds like "up a hoo".  He also laughs and giggles uncontrolably sometimes.  We've come to deal with his early morning or in-the-middle-of-the-night bursts of vocal babble.  We accept it.  I am very grateful to Remy's dad for masking his noise level to let the rest of the house rest.

3.  Holds two items

I've noticed since March 2012 or so that he's been consistently holding one item in each hand.  Now, the evolution of items has certainly changed.  I think it started out with two small metal cars (you know, the Hotwheels and like cars), then two stuffed ducks, one stuffed bear and one monkey when the ducks were in the wash... he's currently holding a toy train and a small plastic rooster (that we refer to as a "chicken").  These items change all the time.  But we have noticed that he will get very upset if he cannot find one or both of the items.  The items in the hands are like a security blanket for him.

Notice the two small cars in front of him

4.  Flings water

So when he goes to the washroom to wash his hands, he's actually got the two items IN his hands while turning on the facet, washing his hands, turning off the facet and then FLINGING the water off his hands and toys (the items)!  He whole bathroom floor and vanity get soaked.  This is one of the challenges that Remy's dad and I have been working on.  How do we control the situation?  Well, right now we try to lock the bathroom door.  Yes, this does create some inconvenience - a topic for another post.

5.  Eats from the cast iron pan

It seems to be that he's been doing this as long as he's been ripping.  Fortunately, he knows how to be careful with the heat from the pan.  When we serve him food in a bowl, he'll start eating, but if that food gets a little cold, he'll bring his bowl of food over to the pan and pour it in.  He even takes out a clean spoon or a wooden spoon to eat from the pan!



What's in the pan?

These are the top 5 isms that still go on every day.  Things change over time.  I believe that these isms serve a purpose whether they are for self-soothing, a developmental purpose or just a habit of enjoyment.  I do also believe that if the underlying need for them isn't there, the ism itself would also no longer be needed. 

I accept and appreciate my son's isms, and see them as a way of understanding my child.

Seize the day!