Joey – last Friday and Saturday were difficult, as Anne was introducing the new food regime, ie moving away completely from complex carbohydrates.  Joey’s behavior worsened and he was too hyper, sensitive and over-reacted when things did not go his way.  Both Anne and I, regrettably, lost it with him on occasion.  I was starting to think that I should not go to the UK, leaving Anne alone to manage.  But she, God bless her, encouraged me to go – I have spent the best part of a year working on this and this was an important week.  Fortunately, Joey was already better Sunday and so here I am.

Anne has kept me informed of progress – and there has now been real progress.  Monday night, Joey came downstairs after he had heard Anne talking to her sister-in-law Carole on the ‘phone about his diet.  He told Anne that he was starting to feel better and that he thought that the diet was working.  He was very positive and calmer.  This has, broadly, continued this week so that is great news.  Anne has also worked hard to avoid stress in the evening.  We know that Joey struggles sometimes when his schedule is upset, when there are surprises that appear to affect what he wants to do.  This can happen even when we have dinner a bit late and then everything is rushed, or when we aren’t clear about what is going to happen.  So – make sure dinner is on time (1700-1730 at latest), set out what will happen after dinner, make sure that Izzy gets to bed on time and then have the time to get Joey into bed without rushing.  We also have made clearer to Joey what he is and is not allowed as regards TV etc.  He is allowed 20 minutes of Minecraft, and 15 minutes of ‘rubbish’ on the computer, both early.  Then he is allowed some more time with TV but only if it is educational eg nature, science etc.  Anne has taken to watching this with him on the sofa and this seems to calm him down nicely and prepare him for bed.

So all positive steps.  Another corner turned?