Autism and A Ten Year Old!!!!!

Autism is a crazy, bizarre, nearly unbearable syndrome. We have a beautiful, wonderful grand-daughter that we have raised from three weeks of age to current. She is now ten...although, funny, witty, always smiling....life is one big CHERRY, for her. As a high functioning academic autistic child....I know that she will be the death of me. She is normally an A/B student....however, the last six weeks she dropped to C/D student. Although, according to her mid-term report: she has excellent work ethic. HELLO????? Upon speaking with the teacher, I find that my daughter has decided that it is Spring, and she has decided that she no longer wants homework....and she doesn't bring it home, and/or rushes through her work and gives any answer. Examples of why I will die soon:

1. Saying goodnight to her and giving her a hug and kiss results in: feeling odd objects in her pajamas. At which time I ask, "what is in your panties". Her response: "Cookies"
Damn, Oreo cookies shoved into the waist band of her panties...

2. Finding hair in the bathroom that once was on her beautiful head. As if, cutting off 26 inches of hair for donation to Locks of Love, this pass December wasn't enough hair to cut. She continues cutting her hair. All of her dolls have received hair cuts....And I know that you are thinking that I shouldn't leave the scissors down. And trust me, I DON'T. She is now using her brother's beard trimmer to cut hair.

3. Noticing that someone, (not I) has been in my make-up. Asking her about this...results in:
"No mommy, I would never get into your make-up".........hmmmmmmmmm...As I am standing there looking at the eye shadow that was mistaken for lipstick.....

4. So now before bed, I have to frisk her.....like a common criminal. And the real kicker would be....she is ready for bed. I ask, "honey, do you have anything in your panties that is not suppose to be there".....her response, "no mommy, I know better than that after I had the cookies in my panties"....I smile, give her a kiss, hug her and then frisk her...and what do I find?
Two big yellow lemon heads..you know the size of a jaw breaker? Of course, first I think what in God's name has happened? Then , I think...what next?

I'm sorry, I can not continue this..........but this would be a small example of between 10-25 issues a day with her...from pouring out shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotions, etc., to asking 25 questions on the 1 1/2 mile drive to school....and before I can answer one, the next one is asked.....I find myself dreaming of duct tape....(just kidding), super glue will work just fine.

And at the end of the day, I ask for strength to do it all over again and survive!!! And for so many years, I thought for certain that my middle son would be the death of me.

That is all for today folks!!!!!!!Tomorrow is an another story........well, actually, she will be out of school in three hours.......so technically, this afternoon is another story....it just hasn't arrived yet.