SOMATIZATION: WHAT'S THAT?

We had the good fortune of reconnecting with some friends that we hadn’t seen in 11 years. They invited us over for Sunday dinner. It was nice to catch up. Before we got there, William was dealing with some social anxiety, but since we knew these friends were very down-to-earth and straight-forward, I tried to refrain Bill from fretting.

During the course of the meal, and relaying the past events of our 11 year absence, our friend said, “Bill- you were always sick!”

This got me thinking about life with Bill during our early married years. And I do recall him always being sick or injured. Then I remembered part of his (many) psych evaluations. It explained about somatization. If you’ve ever heard the term “psycho-somatic” –then you can figure it out.

The definition:: Somatization is a term that describes the expression of psychological or mental difficulties through physical symptoms. Somatization takes a number of forms, ranging from preoccupation with potential or genuine but mild physical problems to the development of actual physical pain, discomfort, or dysfunction. Somatization appears to be fairly common, and a somatoform disorder diagnosis is not warranted unless symptoms cause significant distress or disability. –Taken from the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders.

With Asperger’s and Autism, it is very difficult to figure out what you are feeling, and even harder to express your feelings and emotions. I think because of this, Bill internalizes everything and all of that energy is trapped inside of him, causing him to be sick all of the time: headaches/migraines, severe stomach problems, appetite poor, sleep disturbances, a constant sinus cold, aches and pains-here and there, and depression.

Those are my deep thoughts for the day.

THE CASE OF THE SLIPPERY PAJAMAS

Last week, Ryder fell backwards off of his stool. He had slippery pajamas on, and he must have thought he was on his special stool with a back on it, but he was on just a regular stool without a back. Down he went and bonked the back of his head. He was out cold for 20 minutes. I called the doctor and he said to go to the ER.

Ryder had a CT scan and everything looked good, so that was a relief. He was back to "normal" after 2 hours or so, but now has post-concussion syndrome and he has been sleeping a lot. Never a dull moment around here.

Here he is 1 hour afterwards and in the waiting room. He's a little out of it.

GOOD TRIP

This morning I took Ryder's hand to lead him to the front door because it was time to go to school. He must have tripped over his shoes (they are a little big), but I managed to swing him up and save him from biffing it on the floor.

I knelt in front of him afterwards and looked at him.

I said, "Did you have a good trip?"

And you know what? He laughed at that. See. Someone is home after all.

SPEECH THERAPY FAMILY

We received some good news from the Occupational Therapist for Hunter and Mason. They no longer need services!! They have finally caught up with their peers in this area. It came as quite a surprise. I am sure that 1 year of gymnastics/tumbling with an OT also helped, as well as the in-school therapy and out-of-school OT. YEAH!!

Now, we focus on Speech. All three boys were evaluated again and they still need services. Hunter is age 6 years and 3 months in his pragmatic language (his real age is 10 1/2). Mason's needs are different; articulation and social skills. Of course, Ryder needs everything.

It's so strange that each kid has different needs/challenges when they are from the same gene pool. You'd think they would be a little more similar. I guess that's why they call it a SPECTRUM.

Bill is getting ready to start Speech himself. He has difficulty with pragmatics and social skills. He has learned throughout his life to "copy" how other people survive socially, just to get by--but finally he is able to get the therapy that he needed so long ago.

I'll have to post a conversation we have had as an example. It really is humorous at first, then absolutely frustrating to no end later as these conversations continue every day. Hunter is the most annoyed with it. Well, I guess he's right up there with me. Hmmm...Let me think of one...

Bill: "Hey Steph, when was my last physical with the doctor?"
Steph: "I think it was last May"
Bill: "You mean a year ago last May, or this past May?"
Steph: "No, just this last May."
Bill: (clarifying...) "You mean a YEAR ago in May, or this PAST May?"
Steph: (trying to contain my eye roll) "Just this last May...How hard is that to understand?!"
Bill: "That's what I'm trying to find out. All I want to know is if it was a year ago, or this past May?"
Steph: "Just a few months ago".
Bill: "A few as in three or twelve? It depends on the context, you know"
Steph: (by this time I have pulled out all of my hair) "Now I don't want to tell you!"


Whew!! Ok, ok, so I exaggerated a little bit, only at the end, but it is TRULY frustrating. You can only imagine when Bill and Hunter go at it. It always ends up with Hunter stomping off and coming up to me with daggers in his eyes and he says, "See?!"

I think Speech Therapy will be FANTASTIC!!

COMING OUT

Now that the Travolta's came out that their son did in fact, have autism--I thought I'd repost this older post.

I was livid when I found out. Think of all the good they could do for the autism community and the awareness for the rest of the world.

I know it's none of my business. But those of us little people sometimes need a hero.

Here is a link to the foundation they have set up in their son's name. Heroes are better late than never.



Jan 7, 2009

MORE THAN A TRAGEDY


This will be a controversial post, and I mean no disrespect to the Travolta family. I've been thinking--well--wondering if Jett Travolta did in fact, have a form of autism. The family denies it, but that is understandable too. (Maybe they called it PDD-NOS.) The reason for my speculation is this:

-Seizures
-Disconnected behavior in public
-Macrocephaly
-His uncle, Joey Travolta, did a documentary called "Normal People Scare Me" about autism and believes Jett had a form of autism
-Holding his father's hand in public at age 16
-Being buckled into a car by his nanny
-Having a nanny.
-Toe walking
These are just some of my observations. I won't bring up their religion, because that will open up a big can of worms

COWBOY AND WILLS

This is a must read: Cowboy and Wills by Monica Holloway

"Monica Holloway has written one of the most extraordinary memoirs I've ever read. Tender, loving, and heartbreakingly intimate, it chronicles her struggle to coax her son, Wills, out of the shell of autism. I highly recommend this gorgeous and frank book about family, connections, and the ephemeral state of belonging."

-- Barrie Gillies, senior editor, Parents Magazine

"Monica Holloway had me laughing AND crying within the first five pages of Cowboy & Wills. She crafts artful and, so often, hysterical observations of everyday life, while also revealing the many dimensions of heartache that come with being a mother who wants only the best for her family. Monica is the genuine article when it comes to pitch-perfect memoir writing."
-- Jennifer Lauck, New York Times bestselling author of Blackbird and Still Waters

THE HORSE BOY

This looks like a great movie called The Horse Boy:


How far would you travel to heal someone you love? An intensely personal yet epic spiritual journey, The Horse Boy follows one Texas couple and their autistic son as they trek on horseback through Outer Mongolia in a desperate attempt to treat his condition with shamanic healing. When two-year-old Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson and his wife Kristin Neff sought the best possible medical care for their son—but traditional therapies had little effect. Then they discovered that Rowan has a profound affinity for animals—particularly horses—and the family set off on a quest for a possible cure….The Horse Boy is part travel adventure, part insight into shamanic tradition and part intimate look at the autistic mind. In telling one family’s extraordinary story, the film gives voice to the thousands who display amazing courage and creativity everyday in the battle against this mysterious and heartbreaking epidemic and insight into how, in life’s darkest moments, one can find the gateway to joy and wonder.

THE OLD ALBION NORMAL SCHOOL-PRESENT DAY

For the Myers Family Reunion this year we went to a supposed "haunted" college, which used to be Albion Normal School back in 1901--a college that taught students to be teachers. It has been closed and boarded up since the 1960's. The town of Albion, Idaho has a population now of less than 200, so it is very strange to see these ominous buildings in the middle of nowhere. A family recently bought the place and they are now renovating it. The first building to be renovated is called Miller Hall. This used to be the men's dormitory. This building is available to rent out for family reunions. As a family, we saved up for a year to afford it--but we have a fairly small family (25 people). Plan to book it a year in advance!

Here is a link to their sight: http://albioncampusgrove.com/index.html

We had a lot of fun and we all walked away feeling like we needed more time to enjoy it because there is so much to do there. We stayed for two days (barely) and two nights.

Here are some photos:

THROUGH MY EYES

Take a look at this: Through My Eyes by Thanh Bui

A poignant song about autism.

GO LYTELY

Here is a catch-up blog. Last month, the boys had to be cleaned out up at the hospital. Their bellies were very full of fecal matter. Mason was worse, and had never been cleaned out before. Hunter was cleaned out about five years ago. It really helps. I am so sick of Mirilax and Ex-Lax and everything in between. We've tried behavior interventions, too, but I'm 90% sure their is a physiological problem.

Their dad just had a colonoscopy...forgot the follow up appt today though-- (Asperger's ) but we do know something is up with his bowels, too. Doc says the nerve endings don't look right... that would explain many things.

If we ever build a house, I would definitely install four toilets in the same room for all of the guys to do their thing. Let sweet freedom ring!!!

**By the way, the name of the medicine that is dripping into their tummies is called "Go Lytely". Anything but. Somebody was trying to be funny when they came up with that title.

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