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This is a long post. Triggered. Our son is 24 years old. He has autism (diagnosed at the age of 19 months, and NOT by Google). Among others, his ability to speak is limited. When he's happy, he jumps up & down & claps his hands, laughing out loudly & like a ball of energy..

2/15
..imagine a supersized energizer bunny. Because he's inarticulate, he uses alternative communication. However, it happens that he just runs out of what he could form out as words in his mouth or utilize a way to communicate his intent. He can grow frustrated at not being

3/15
able to get his meaning across. So, he yells and yells. At times, it isn't easy to stop it even though we have established key words that ought to help him simmer down. If not, I just let him blow that steam off until he cries. He cries like someone has died...howling even

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He cries out of that frustration until he gets tired and stops. It is upsetting and breaks my heart each time.

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I admit that when he was younger, we didn't bring him out as much because we didn't want him to make others uncomfortable. But now, I take the view that this is just wrong. This behavior does not define who he is. He is obedient (the most out of my three kids),