Sprinkles of OCD In My Life

Living with two Autistic children both at very different spots on the spectrum, means some interesting conversations & debates of power at our house.

My oldest son (will turn 8yrs old next month) is what is known as high-functioning but still did not talk until he was 4 yrs old.
My youngest son is 5 1/2 yrs now and displays more but not all of the classic Autistic symptoms. He still isn't forming sentences. His words he uses are on a 12 month old level or lower. At 55 lbs that's fun, let me tell ya.:)

This said, my oldest son is the one with more of the
Obsessive Complusive Disorder issues.
Most of the time I know as any parent of ANY child knows, to pick my battles.
Because of the Autism issues in our home, my husband's personality & the grace of God bestowed upon me, we're a pretty laid back household.
However, like any non-perfect person/mom, I get very frustrated by the millions of times a day I say "NO!" or "Don't sass me!".
We have all the same issues you have at your house with your kids, and then a few others sprinkled in.
I thought I'd let you see those "sprinkles" and maybe taste life at the "Smith" house.;)

Typical day of OCD & other Autistic moments: ***Please remember these happen EVERY day, rain or shine!**

*8 yr old has to say "Good Morning!" and be responded to in same manner before he can talk to you about anything else.
*He must help me make coffee-has to put in the filter in the basket, dump in the scoop of coffee, WATCH me add water, then LOOK into the water part to say it's "beautiful", then & only then can he turn it on.
He then gets spoon while I add sugar & creamer to my cup & when the coffee is done, he has to turn it off, and get a spoon full out of the cup, while I pour in coffee, then he can add his spoonful. And then the most important part, I must say (exact words) "Thank you for helping me make my coffee."
-sometimes Teddy Bear helps us & has to receive the same compliment!
*pack the exact same three things for lunch every day in 8 yr old's backpack
*every time the 8 yr old goes to restroom he has to count to 8 before he can flush the potty
*have the same routine to get on & off the bus (certian words & rituals that take about 5 min total)
* has to sit in the same spot on bus everyday
* only mommy can get him ON/OFF the bus-somtimes daddy can "help"
*must have mostly red colored items to drink out of, write with, or sit in
*if I log onto computer, he has to launch email & internet for me & gets VERY upset if he doesn't log onto my bulletin boards FOR me in a certian order of course
*if you give him a bath, must rinse hair 8 times before it's completed
*jackets & coats have to be zipped up to the TOP of the item & stay that way
* if going anywhere in the car there is a whole OCD routine of he has to be first one in the car, has to be buckled in before his brother, has to use "clicker" & push garage door opener at same time you start car, AFTER counting to 8
*certian toys ONLY go in the car & have to be present to even be MOVING in the car
*only certian french fries are acceptable to eat; in order of importance: McDonalds, Arbys & Carl's Jr.
*only Strawberry Starfruit & Strawberry Kiwi kool-aids are acceptable drinks-
unless it's lunch where Strawberry Kiwi Capri-Suns are allowed (and of course pop is always welcomed)
*bedtime holds a nice routine all it's own & thank goodness is more daddy's time-after tucking him in bed, daddy must kiss him on the lips & tummy (we're having a baby ) and then kiss Elmo & Teddy Bear is same manner. Then mommy gets kisses along with baby brother in my tummy.(where he got idea)
Then you have to say good-night to daddy over & over until he can't be seen anymore. Otherwise, you gotta come back & start over.

(sigh!) I know this sounds like indulging & quite honestly some of it is. There ARE times we be the parent & put our foot down & say "NO". But there are reasons to avoid "meltdowns" that result from not adhereing to the
OCD rules. And most of the time, it's all because we just don't have the energy to fight it. If you lived here, I bet you wouldn't either.
After all, everyone has a little sprinkle of OCD in them too.:)