I. AM. EXHAUSTED.

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I am just so exhausted, my son is constanly on the go and never stops, his night terrors have increased and I dont really know how to "slow him down". He also doesnt communicate well and the frustration he gets when we dont understand has steadly increased. Dont get me wrong he is a joy to be around and hes not a terror, but gosh I just need to stop long enough to breath sometimes. He has just been diagnosed with Autism and they said build him an at home gym so he is safe and can be active, but that has not been an option yet. Any advice?!?!?

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry - it IS exhausting - my son has calmed down a LOT by 12 years old, but I think I'm still retroactively exhausted from all those years when he was little.

What about making pillow forts in the living room? He might be able to get some of that energy out if he has something safe to climb on and build with. Just collect every soft thing you have in the house, including all the seat cushions, and let him go to it.

There are also a lot of toys you can pick up at the local store that are pretty active but don't take up a lot of space, most of which are actually in the adult excercise aisle - a balance or "wobble" board, a giant "yoga ball" (word to the wise - get the kind that is flat on one side or comes in a stand so you don't have to worry about it bouncing around the house.) Even a yoga mat for tumbling might be fun.

Of course, my other suggestion is respite care: find out if you qualify for support, but if you don't, hire a "mother's helper." I know I LOVED active kids when I was a teen-ager and would have been thrilled to be paid a pittance to play for several hours a week. Ideally, you'd get someone who knows how to deal with a special needs kid, but if you're going to be home (napping!) anyway, just make sure it's somebody who can understand and follow the "house rules."

There are also yoga balls that have sand in them so that they don't roll around. I bounce on mine when I need to.

As for physical activity... how old is he? What is he interested in doing physically? If you can build on that you'd probably get the best exercise for him because he won't lose interest as quickly. For example, if he likes to bounce a small personal trampoline might work.

If you haven't already, definitely throw out the notion of a "nice" or "gracious" home and get focused on livable. My son liked to go up and over the furniture and things with him were so much better when we finally decided to stop fighting it, and just let him move as he wanted to. No standing lamps, no breakables, furniture bolted to walls, etc. Extreme child-proofing that your son probably won't outgrow until ... well, maybe never: my brilliant and very well adapted 15 year old still needs a bit of a jungle gym of a home, albeit nothing like when he was younger.

Then find a way to give yourself a break. As in, time for yourself. Or, at least, doing something different, that engages you in a different way. Whatever works for you; there is no formula. If that means you get a small part-time job so you can pay for a part-time nanny, so be it. Your son needs you to be your best, and sometimes you have to invest in that result.

Oh geez y'all are amazing I never even though of the excercise aisle....that would be perfect! He will be four in march and his favorite things are jumping and flipping....he's double jointed in his shoulders so he loves to climb up mommy and flip I have yet to find something that mimics that but i will definitely try the excercise stuff also he just got diagnosed and I am clueless on how to find out about qualifying for stuff.. I work 6 hours four days a week and I thought that shortening my work week would help but I am still exhausted it's like he could out do an energizer bunny...plus I have a six year old that is loves to encourage the little ones need to be on the go...( I think he may have sensory issues a little too)....and not saying alcohOl is the cure but I can't even drink a little wine to relax when their dad is home cause I don't like the stuff...(dad works 6 10s nights) so basically I am an only parent except on sundays

Qualifying for stuff varies from country to country and state to state - but Autism Speaks usually keeps a list based on location of service providers in your area. http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-serv ... urce-guide (this is the US version, there's an international list here: http://www.autism-resources.com/links/o ... tions.html )

Usually, no matter where you are, government resources are accessed either through the public school system, the Department of Human Services or the local Health Department - all a quick google away. Give yourself an afternoon to find them, and ask about respite care and how to qualify. Goodwill also often offers services or resources - they are known for working with Downs kids, but they do the same for kids with autism.

When you get to the point of a home gym, look up autism-specific toys: there are climbing ladders and frames that attach to doorways, "crash pads" etc. You may be able to find the thing you want and then get it cheaper elsewhere, so do some research.

Try to get him to pull the little kids around on a sled of some kind. My kids use blankets or boxes. It seems to really burn energy and they love it.

Mine also love the pillow/blanket creations.

We have a circular floor plan and my older son (NT) will build a little obstacle course (just things to jump over or do something funny) and then I just sit in a chair and give people five as they go past me.

Also, my son does like to rock. He just rocks on my rocking chair at this point.

I know of people who have small indoor trampolines, and I know there are things you can mount to a doorframe. I have not tried these, though.

My son also likes the flips-off-mommy, but I can get him to jump onto a bunch of pillows instead. That is much easier on me, he is basically at the point he is too big for me to do it anymore, though other people do it with him.

We try to be outside a lot, too. We have got chicken wire along our fence, but he can climb it anyway. However -- he has matured a little and now even if he climbs the fence he will not go in the road. He used to run away at playgrounds and I would sit him in the baby swing if he did that. I think he just grew out of it though -- he does not run away at playgrounds anymore. He still has times he can run away but at least not at parks and/or I can see it coming now.

You have my sympathy. I know my son is not as active as a lot of kids and I am still worn out, too.