Thanks, cybermember. That's a very reassuring message. It gives me a lot of hope. I need to remind myself - and be reminded by others - of the progress he's made.

We've already adjusted the meds upward - which helped significantly.

My son also gets really irritable and he also isolates. I've asked him to force himself to go out in public unless he's really, really stressed. He went to the library Friday and Saturday, which seems like a really low threat place, but even that was scary for him. I really believe, though, that forcing oneself to face mild stressors helps desensitize one. I guess the question hinges on what's mild. Something that seems like nothing to me is huge for my son.

Edited to add: I'm doing my best to encourage mindfulness, but even that feels to him like an overwhelming thing he has to do.