Eat on time
I think today was a good one. There again was issue with my 9 year old wanting to do video games all day. But he was able to get school in, play outside (since it was not freezing outside) and draw. He played with his sister, and helped do some chores. He took a shower this morning, made his bed, and more. And he did not throw any fits.
I was sort of dragging when it came to getting supper done, and also we give the ibuprofen and "evening" medicine with supper. My 9 year old didn't ask for any snacks, and seemed okay. But then came down about 15 minutes before supper was served and insisted on not using his voice. He spent the next 30-45 minutes only signing or writing things down. Only after we were partway through the meal did he use his voice. His demeaner was depressed, he also had darkness under his eyes. But he perked up, we ate and then watched a Disney movie. And he did his own craft activity, and willingly did his evening routine and went to bed. So, it was minor but was a noticed change in behavior. Likely, if he were 5 to 7 years old I'd not think about it. But he's almost 10 (in April) and the refusal to use words feels a bit like a regression to me.
It's still an improvement over a month ago when a fit would be running around the house, hitting the walls, or screaming at us repeated what it was he thought he wanted over and over again until he came out of it and cried.