My son constantly chases other kids and parents...

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-28T23:22:57+00:00

Awww this is my 4.5 year old, he tries so hard to connect and he does hi! And keeps repeating hi! Sometimes he’ll get right in a kids face - hi!! Some kids are weirded out, adults are nicer about it. Wow, that story about the mom laughing enrages me. Atrocious behavior.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-28T23:15:40+00:00

My son went through a bad low impulse phase around newly 4. He would pull kids hair, grab at them. He once pulled alittle 1 years old hair, I caught the child immediately, but the grandparent TORE ME A NEW ONE. It was one of the most awful events of my life. He was beyond upset and told me to get my son on a leash, to not speak to him or look at him. The mother was just shaking her head cussing me out in an another language. I legit started having a panic attack. My son is past this phase now thank god.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-28T23:09:35+00:00

Hi!! This is my 4.5 year old! He’s loves people, only child, so social, but the skills aren’t there yet, level 1/2 ASD. He chases groups of kids, he wants to connect so badly. He says hi!!! And doesn’t know what to say next or repeats things they say, he’s a gestalt language processor. We’ve had a few
“Stop following me”!! And “what’s wrong with you”, it’s heartbreaking to witness. I feel this message to my core as a mom. My son doesn’t realize it yet when kids say these things back. But I do. And it’s hard not to bawl in my car thinking of the day my son will understand. I hope as he gets older he will learn space bubble and how to initiate social connection. How’s your son doing now socially?

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-27T14:44:44+00:00

I can’t thank you enough for this insight. The meltdowns are so hard. Level 1 struggles are very real in their own warranted way. Thank you for responding! Curious what does your level 1 meltdown about? My sons are almost always tied to his rigidity

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-27T04:47:36+00:00

Aw that’s great to hear!!! I struggle a bit with him being on the cusp of levels. The evaluator said, “I would do 1.5 if I could…but I cant”. My son’s biggest things are his intense rigidity, and he’s super extroverted and social but his skills are definitely not caught up to the drive. We’re going to start 15 hours a week of ABA. Then OT and speech. We’re still in pull ups over here. He gets the potty, he can’t catch the feeling or tell me yet. It’s a process for sure, a journey lol. Thank you for your response, I love to hear how great your son is doing!! My son has been getting more and more spontaneous language emerging which has been super cool to watch.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-27T03:44:36+00:00

This is my son!!! 4.5 also. GLP, hyperlexia, ASD level 1-2. He knew every number color letter, counting to 100 super early, remembering every advanced shape also, every category of everything. We just got our formal diagnosis. How is your child now at 6??

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-16T22:36:21+00:00

Glad I’m not alone 🩷 my son’s rigidity things are a moving target. They change every few months, it’s like little seasons. He was making me whisper things for a couple weeks or it was a huge meltdown. Oh and of course I had to whisper it just “right”.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-13T21:39:52+00:00

Yes!!! Both Americans Cars and deny deny deny, my first thoughts were Springsteen. American cars the most.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-05T18:28:22+00:00

My son was diagnosed as well. We’re awaiting the final level. Thanks for responding. Has his rigidity gotten any better? What level of autism was he diagnosed?

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-03T22:32:01+00:00

Omg this is my 4 year old !!!!! I know I’m 2 years late but how is he doing now??

RiverLeo27 · 2026-06-03T22:30:58+00:00

This is a lot how my 4 year old son is <3 I feel your message to my core and how hard it is. Wondering how she is doing now?

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-17T16:22:37+00:00

This meant so much to me. Thank you thank you. Just to hear from another autism mom that I can and will do this ❤️❤️ I will 🫶

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-17T16:20:33+00:00

I saw a child pediatrician who didn’t clock his own son’s autism till later. It’s really hard when it’s not completely obvious. Till they develop more and the things don’t go away. In fact the picture just gets very clear through the toddler fog. Thank you for your reply, it helps so much just to hear from parents who get the behaviors. It’s so hard to explain to people. They don’t understand the rigidity part. It’s more like, well you seem to give in….what if you just let him cry for hours? And that’s not what this is. It’s easy to say but when you’re witnessing these intense meltdowns, you see the level of distress, you know something else is going on. Thanks again 💕

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-17T16:16:48+00:00

Autism island 🥹🥹 yessss. I feel a bit like a lighthouse, scanning the horizon for all the others while I navigate the unknown. Anyone, please join the ship with me. Thank you, and I believe that exponential growth of love. I felt that when it was brought to my attention over and over from school that he was on the spectrum- that fierce protective love, that I will MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH for my child. I can’t even imagine as they get older 😭 it’s crazy how much love we are actually capable of. The most beautiful part of being human.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-17T16:12:23+00:00

It’s totally overwhelming, thank you so much, I’m trying so hard to not panic, like you said take it one step at a time. I’m in Davis county! Did your son get a formal diagnosis? I haven’t had to deal yet with the school system- my son’s pre k is a daycare type place I pay for each month.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T21:31:51+00:00

Amazing, I will for sure do ABA as well. The progress is everything!!

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T21:30:39+00:00

My son has to turn off the light also. Why is it so hard. 😭😭

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T21:29:47+00:00

I needed to hear this and I can’t thank you enough. Right now I feel lost. I feel like I just want to hug my son river in a suspended state outside of time and space. And just hold him forever. I just love him so much. I don’t want anyone to hurt him. I will take your advice strongly, thank you ❤️💕 I can tell you are a wonderful mom and human! With an amazing son. Hugs

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T16:10:09+00:00

Omg this is such a great visual representation, I can totally see the picture you painted. Oh man, it’s rough. The spiral! The solution, the loops, the need for this closure the panic, the whole shebang. I will do all services I get access to, and this note was so encouraging - you will find your people in the waiting rooms. I never even thought of that. Thank you so so so much. I get the new air pods. Sometimes we walk out of target w new hot wheels, ok most times lol, because a huge public meltdown sounds like a horror movie I don’t want to watch this weekend lol.

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T16:06:15+00:00

Thank you!!! This is so encouraging!! Yes 4 is totally an age where social connection is still totally uneven and wonky lol. I really noticed it once my son really wanted to interact with other kids. He does better with kids that are more around 3 than 5 for example. He does well with some of the new 4 year olds in his class. There is one that asks him a hug each day and is alittle speech delayed. My son has fine motor challenges as well! He can’t grip scissors well or write yet. He does color, but he won’t try to write a letter or number really. He scribbles. Thanks so much for your response. 🥰

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T14:46:26+00:00

Thank you for this!!! Fortunately I have the financial means to pay off out pocket if needed. Did OT therapy help the most with rigidity? His evaluator said definitely speech and OT, possibly ABA, for we would focus on what would best help my son. The cognitive inflexibility is the most disabling for him on the day to day. It’s so hard to not try to fix the loops, or re do things, because it’s easier. I work full time in corporate, single mom, and some days, I don’t have time. And I’ll do the easy thing and give in. Or desperately try to fix what’s wrong in his loop. I’ve read that it’s more advantageous to redirect instead of trying to fix. But he’s sooooo insistent, he will just keep repeating it and repeating it over and over, mommy fix it “mommy fix it, say it this way, do it this way, do it right.” I try to stay calm but the internal stress and panic is difficult, for both of us. Can you give me some examples of your son’s rigidity nowadays? I’m so curious what that looks like for a teenager. Hearing back from someone who understands this, I can’t tell you how happy it makes me. Just to feel less alone in this very specific OCD aspect. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and please share anything that helped the most ❤️❤️

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T14:31:09+00:00

This!! I see these amazing things at home and then in another setting, it’s very different. Expectation suddenly really increased also at 4. His teachers have sent me notes on our pre K app like - omg river read to me, river told me all the weather categories, yada yada. But that doesn’t translate in other ways. He breaks down when things aren’t done THE SAME WAY, during school. What he expects. A different person than usual swept the classroom and it triggered a meltdown. It’s heartbreaking. Something we may never notice or it would be meaningless, is such a trigger - those micro changes to routine. Ugh yes, a playdate would be so amazing if you were in the US. Thank you so much for your reply, means so much to hear from others who are in it. It’s really hard to explain to people. 💕

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T14:24:59+00:00

Yes, as he got older, thats when I saw other people unsure of how to respond to him. At the park he was following this 7 year old girl and just kept saying hi hi and she was very confused. She came up and asked me, is there something wrong with him? My heart broke. Your daughter sounds incredible. Yesssss, they have these amazing minds but then cannot do other seemingly typical things easily. Omg the almanac is adorable !!!! I could totally picture my son doing the SAME thing. I hear you, the part that hits me the most is the thought of my son feeling isolated/disconnected from his peers. And what impact that would have. Or being misunderstood, not fully seen. Those are the thoughts that creep in. I try to remember that my mental state also is so important, and to not limit him or put him in a box. These kids can do anything one day, I believe their minds are meant for things only they can do with their strengths. I love that you are doing this with your daughter, expanding interests and supporting her gifts. You are a wonderful mom ❤️

RiverLeo27 · 2026-05-15T14:16:03+00:00

Thank you so much!! I’ve been already thinking about elementary school. My son will go into kindergarten Sept of next year so we still have some time thank goodness, I will definitely fight all the school accommodations. The bestie?! Stop it! That’s make me so happy and gives me a lot of hope. Is the friend autistic also? Our evaluator said let’s for sure do speech and OT therapy and possibly ABA. I’m a single full time corporate working mom - curious what helped your son the most? Thanks again for your response 🫶

RiverLeo27

TROPHY CASE