The specialist we’re using to pursue biomedical therapies for Kenny’s autism prescribed a five-day trial of steroids. His blood tests suggest there is inflammation in his body, and she wanted to see whether steroids could heal that inflammation and spark immediate improvements.
Throughout the trial, Kenny was highly agitated. On the fifth day, he attacked me, grabbing my hair and pulling as if he wanted to rip it from my scalp. His younger brother Theo, who is also autistic, thought Kenny and I were play-wrestling, so he jumped on us to join in the fun, making it impossible for me to control Kenny’s hands. It took considerable effort to get away, and the experience shook me.
