As I previously mentioned, Robert is my five year old, autistic son. He is rarely verbal and has limited comprehension, or so we believe. Robert loves things that spin and fast moving things, like ceiling fans, so much that he is obsessed with them. There is a reason for this. The scientific explanation is that autistic children see movement much faster than typical individuals.
Robert constantly asks me to “Make the fan spin faster” in my room. I am tired of doing it because I want to stop his obsession and it makes my bedroom very cold. The second reason is not as important as the first.
Robert walks into my bedroom this morning and says, “Mom, make the fan spin faster.” This means I have to put it on its highest setting.
“I’m sorry honey, no,” I respond quietly, knowing what’s coming.
“MOM, MAKE THE FAN SPIN FASTER, PLEASE,” he screams and pleads.
“I’m sorry, no,” I respond as I look away.
Robert begins to throw a tantrum by crying, stomping his feet, and screaming, “Please, please, please make the fan spin faster”. Ignoring the screaming goes against everything we have been taught to do as parents, but I know it works, so I continue to ignore him.
Robert’s screaming and crying increases so much that I can’t hear myself think. I wanted to say “Screw it” and give in, but I didn’t.
This, by the way, is breaking my heart. It takes all my willpower to not give in, but I know it is for his own good. It is important to desensitize him to all “spinning” things.
Finally I looked at him and I said, “Robert, look at me.”
Robert immediately looks at me, “You don’t always get everything you want,” I say quietly, knowing in my heart that he doesn’t understand what I say, but praying he did.
He looks at me and quietly responds, “But I want to get everything.”
I got my answer people! We are getting played by Robert. He does have the comprehension, he just chooses when to use it. Quite a coherent thought being expressed by the little booger!
Five minutes later he stops screaming. Later in the day he comes to me, “Mom, please make the fan spin faster. Don’t say no.”
“I’m sorry honey, no fan today.”
He looks at me, smiles and says, “Mom, tickle me.”
I obliged.
