Over the last few days, I have definitely seen an increase in OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) in both Casey and Rob. It hasn’t reached a point where I need to call their doctor. It isn’t interfering with their lives (that’s how the doctor and I decide it’s time to do something – when the obsessions really interfere with their routines), but it’s more present than it has been for a long time.
Rob’s love of magazines had really loosened. It used to be that he wanted any magazine he saw (though he never tried to buy them at store – only when he was in elementary school. He loved looking at country music magazines and purchased many of those.) and would put up a fight if I told him to put them back. He finally got to the point that he wanted the magazines, but he understood that he couldn’t have every one that he saw.
I got three magazines in the mail last week. Unfortunately, he saw them and decided he wanted them and nothing was going to stop him. I told him as soon as I was finished, he could have them, but that wasn’t enough. He was gone for a few hours that evening and when he got home, he went after them again. I gave him the two I was finished with, but that wasn’t good enough. He wanted them all. He took his shower and literally sat by me on the couch with his hand on the magazine while I tried to read and enjoy it. And he repeated… “one two three magazines. one two three magazines. one two three magazines” until I thought I would scream.
I finally gave it to him and sent him to bed. The next morning, while he was still sound asleep, I quietly took that magazine back so I could read part of it again. When he stumbled out of his room later, he went right to the stand by the couch and grabbed it back. He did put it back, but he was anxious until I was finished and he could have it back.
He has also become very concerned about all of the window locks being turned the same way and other items in their proper places (according to him! :)) I’ve seen it all before. As his anxiety levels go up, his OCD gets more controlling. As well as he has done with this stay at home stuff, I think he is about done. He hasn’t mentioned Hopewell and he is doing amazing in everything else, but the increase in OCD is a sign.
Casey has decided that she can only wear a certain pair of black shorts most days. One day last week, I had just put them in the dryer when she wanted to get dressed. She refused to put anything else on until I told her we would not go for a walk until she got dressed (she had a shirt and socks laying out – apparently, she wasn’t going to put anything on until she got her shorts). As soon as the shorts came out of the dryer, she changed. I thought maybe she needed new shorts, so she went shopping Friday and bought three new pairs. But, this morning, she wanted those same black shorts. She has decided the new shorts are “good” and can’t be worn at home.
She has always patted certain things – her socks, her shoes, the floor in front of the closet, door frames. This morning, I noticed she couldn’t come to breakfast until she tapped the coffee table, the drawers in both end tables, the drawer in the hutch, then the mirror on the hutch and then the floor in the living room. She seems happy – but that much touching is a sign that her anxiety and need for routine is growing.
I am so proud of both of them for how well they have handled the stay at home order. I never in a million years dreamed Rob would be okay with his routine being so drastically changed. He hasn’t even mentioned Hopewell since the end of March! It’s a huge help that they get to see Bob and Reagan a few times a week, but still, I think they are ready to get back to their routine.
I worry about that, though. If and when their day hab opens, it will be different. They will have to stay in a small group with two staff. They won’t be able to wander around the building and they will be asked to wear masks. ( I don’t think that will be a problem, but who knows?) They will not be riding their shuttle and their day will be shorter. And, as much as I think they want to go back, I can’t help but wonder if they really do. Casey says yes, but I can’t ask Rob without him thinking they are going right now – and then asking every few minutes for Hopewell. I can’t do that to him – or me. I think they have had fun staying with me, but fun with mom only goes so far. 🙂
I’m not ready to call their doctor, yet. Right now, the anxiety and OCD are coming out as little quirks more than anything else. We are rarely in a hurry to go any where so Casey can pat all she wants. And if he likes the windows locked, I’ll say it’s for our safety. (Some of his habits are handy – he wipes up spilled water and folds laundry neatly! 🙂 ) What I really wish is that they were able to tell me what they are feeling – what they would like to do – what I can do to help. Some days, the communication issues with autism are the worse part. I hate not being able to help them.
At this point, he has been on repeat with long black train. He isn’t upset – he’s just talking. The weather changed drastically yesterday and I’m sure that is partly to blame, but really, he is just stimming. I’d like to think that going for a walk would help, but I doubt it will. We are going to my mom and dad’s for supper later and I’m sure that will break his repetitions, at least until we get home again. 🙂
I hope all of you are doing okay and staying healthy. I also hope that the people you love with autism are handling the changes as well as Casey and Rob are. This “new normal” is hard enough for typical people to understand. I wish people understood that it’s a hundred times harder explaining it to someone with communication issues. We will get through it with lots of walks and now that the weather has finally gotten warmer, we can go on longer hikes and explore new places. Casey and Rob both enjoy that so hopefully, that will help their anxiety and OCD.
Stay safe!