With having a special needs child you tend to think most things are unique to your situation. The challenges you face all are part of having a child with a disability. However, when you have a teenager those feelings can be mixed.
On the one hand my son still has the intellectual brain of a child. He still does kid-like things. Like play with stuffed-animals. Then the hormones come out and you don't feel so special. As every teenager is moody, have small temper, and wants to do what they want. Like others, my teen is unmotivated and lazy when it comes to job, chores, and other life skills. He expects that we will do everything for him and all he should do is sit in front of the electronics. Where did the sweet boy go? The one who likes to be active, or spend time with the family? At this time, of course he wants to be alone most of the time.
Half the time when I am experiencing a particular bad behavior I think is this the disability or the teenage brain? Which is in control at this time? Is it both that is acting or one? All these thoughts go through at once.
It makes me worry for the future. Most teenagers find their way into adulthood and grow out of their lazy ways. Will that happen for my son? Will he eventually start getting the motivation to take care of his life? It is very likely he will never been fully independent. But, I can only hope he will get pushed into having as active and normal adult life as is possible!
