Sorry to hear about the backwards steps, TM. yes, it's horrible watching your child deteriorate before your eyes. In difficult child's earlier years of school his issues ebbed and flowed like this considerably during the school year and then steadied out again in summers when he had less pressure and lots of downtime so I could control things like sensory input, schedules, snacks when needed instead of by the bell, etc. During those down cycles his Autistim-related issues would kick in, often 1-2 havng a domino effect on the rest. It was only last year in 3rd grade that the wavy curve of ups and downs began to settle into a steadier line with a few downward blips. I think for my difficult child that it takes so much more energy just to "maintain" in the school environment as compared to other kids that just being there is a stressor even when things are going well.
