I’ve been very open and honest about how Gavin drives me crazy with his constant talking or repetitive questions. I share that not to make Gavin look bad but to provide insight into just some of the challenges I face as a special needs parent. Maybe some of you can relate and find comfort in not being alone.

Anyway, it occurred to me this morning, while taking Gavin for his weekly bloodwork, that I should share another thing he does. It’s funny but at the same time, it can also be extremely frustrating as well.

I’ve been working with Gavin every day in regards to remembering that he doesn’t need to tell me everything he’s thinking.

There are many times that Gavin will walk into the room, with a big smile on his face and with pride, say something like this:

Hey Dad, I was just about to come into the room and tell you that I was going to have frosted flakes, milk and an orange for breakfast, but then I remembered that you said I don’t need to tell you what I’m having for breakfast, so I didn’t.

I don’t always know how to react to this because on one hand, the gears kicked in and he remembered that he didn’t have to tell me everything he’s thinking. At the same time, it makes me want to scream because in the process of telling me about how he caught himself over-sharing, he fricking tells me what he stopped himself from telling me about anyway. Aghhh!!!

He did it again today. OMG, this drives me crazy and I feel like I’m losing my mind. I’ve tried to point out that when he catches himself, he doesn’t need to tell me because that sorta defeats the purpose of catching himself in the first place. He doesn’t grasp the concept.

On one hand, I’m proud of him for catching himself but on the other hand, I want to beat my head into the wall because I’m still being inundated with his internal dialog..

Part of being an Autism or Special Needs parent is never giving up. We’ll just keep working on it.