My First Post

What a better day to start than today? Its a Monday and the craziness has began!

Back in August 2010, one of my 4 year old identical twins was diagnosed with autism 299.00. That basically means that she is just SOMEWHERE on the spectrum and they haven't made a specific diagnosis as of yet. I do, however, know that there will eventually be a more in-depth diagnosis because she is much too high functioning to just be a 299.00. She is non-verbal and has always been. She never said more than the run of the mill "da-da" at about 6 months or so.

Fast forward to today... She screams and has tantrums and the new thing... peeing on the floor at the daycare. For the past 2 weeks or so, she has been stripping down completely naked AT THE DAYCARE and peeing on the floor. Last week, she peed on her clothes and had to be sent home. She does NOT do this at home NOR at school. I don't know WHAT has set her off to the point that she is doing this but I REALLY want it to stop! It has gotten to the point that the daycare director calls me and has me come and get her because she has gotten too out of control for them to handle that day.

I have 3 other children in the home that I feel are becoming resentful of her and her constant need for attention. We are still new to this so I haven't worked out ALL the kinks in her schedule. We are still running around like we have our pants on fire going back and forth to appointments and therapies.

I and physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially EXHAUSTED!! Who knew one little diagnosis could flip the lives of so many people upside down so quickly? Some days she is the "average" child behaviorally and other days I just want to cry because of the stress and strain that her actions put on me. I have NOT had a break away from my children (for longer than a work shift or school day) since Thanksgiving 2009. I can't afford a vacation, I can't afford a nanny, I can't afford to do ANYTHING but sit and suffer because I am so drained but I am all my children have. I don't have anyone that I can send them to for the summer (mainly because of my Autie's (autistic child's) behavior). I don't even have anyone that will take them for the weekend. I NEED A BREAK BUT DON'T HAVE THE MEANS OF GETTING ONE!!!!

Being a single mother is hard enough on its own. Adding the stress of a special needs child to the mix has me teetering on the edge of insanity most days...