Introducing a new baby

[Bri_1985]

Ive been thinking about this for awhile but its now only gotten worse. Im 35 wks pregnant with my third son and its affecting the behavior of my 5 yr old in a very negative way. What are ways I can help him through this transition? We talk about the new baby to him all the time reassuring him that his new baby brother will love him like we all do. He wasnt this bad when I was pregnant with my 2 yr old but Im afraid Im losing him. We are trying to get him back into this Autism program offered at a local childrens hospital but his Dr keeps giving me the run around about how they are backed up on getting their referals done. I dont to loose my boy to some group home over his behavior.

[Bri_1985]

powerless*

[Bri_1985]

My 5yr old has finally been prescribed Risperdal by his Dr. She is also - finally - getting me the referrals I need for my boys to go to a children's hospital. I was about to ask what to expect from the Risperdal but glad I read your post. I honestly didnt want him on meds either but I want to do anything I can to help him. It just kills me to see his behavior issues and feeling powe

[pennie4]

We have a 7 year old with autism (among other things). I also have a 5 year old girl and 2 1/2 year old boy and just found out we are expecting in December. With the other 2 my son was ok, but he was young, around 5 was when we started having issues with scratching and hair pulling, pushing the younger kids as well. He pretty much left them alone until they became mobil. We have tried rispidadal (sorry about the spelling) the past year and it has helped, not complete but enough that we aren't walking around with huge scratch marks. I never wanted to put him on medicine, but it keeps everyone safe and really has not changed his personality much at all other then to curb the aggression. We had to go through a psychiatrist and have him go in every two-three months to see how things are going. I understand your concern and it is a hard and sucky place to be.

[Bri_1985]

I totally intend to involve him in everything that I can. With his 2yr old brother he helped him learn how to walk so I know he has it in him to be a great big brother again. We're thinking he may be ADHD or ADD also and because we havent been able to get him in to the Childrens Hospital we dont know anything yet.

[Daj3]

I did not know my son was autistic at the time I was pregnant with my twins but my mother in law was very involved and very helpful. She always reminded him that he was going to be a big brother and tried to get him all hyped up. She bought him things like cards that said "im goig to be a big brother" and t-shirts, some others i dont remember. We also tried to get him excited to help out and do all he can. When the twins were born he helped with feedings, changings, holding them, etc... Anything and everything that he wanted to help with. Keeping him involved gave him a great sense of responsibility as a big brother. He grew to love them and he has always been so good with them.
Anyway, I'm not trying to brag- honestly I give all the credit to my MIL for doing all that. If it weren't for her I would have juat went through another normal pregnancy, not even thinking about the big brother scenario. The point is- I honestly believe that is the why he is so good with them.
It really makes sense. If a new baby comes around, and takes up all the mothers attention, the older child can feel neglected.

Keep him involved so you can all bond together.

[DannysWifeyForever]

You want to keep bringing up the baby so its not a surprise...I know my 7 year old was a year and a half when her sister was born and she was so terrified she pissed herself at the hospital when her sister was only a few hours old...and she has autism...they don't seem to like change...he may fear that the new baby will take all your time away from him and his little neither