CRAZY BUSY DAZE

My blog has taken a seat on the back of the bus lately. I've been so busy this summer, having kids home, starting up developmental therapy for two of the kids, and being the secretary of the Idaho Autism Community, that I haven't had time for much else. And I really like my little blog. :) Hopefully when school starts up again I will have a little free time to do this.



Mercedes just got back from Girl's Camp. It's nice to see her mature and do better at camp...previous years have been hard for her. I still can't believe she'll be in high school in one short month! That is messed up.



Hunter is maturing too. He hates the fact that he NEEDS to wear deodorant and I remind him all of the time. His hair on his arms is getting long and he's freaking out because he does NOT want to be hairy like his part-Italian dad. (Actually, Hunter's hair on his arms is due to his developmental challenges...at least that is what the dr said... I guess kids with dev.delay often have abnormal hair growth...) Hunter uses my cordless shaver to shave it off.

He is constantly wanting to get on the computer to look up maps and then he draws them. Over and over and over and over.



Mason is getting so big. His feet are now bigger than mine, and he is 8 years old!! He is five feet tall. He and Hunter go to their special needs gym class, and he is like one of those giants in fairy tales that can barely move. The picture above is Mason coming off conquerer.


Ryder continues to have gut pain. We cannot afford to take him to Thoughtful House yet, but saving up. Medicaid won't pay for his blood work and labs that need to be done before we can go, so that is a real barrier for us. He is a fun guy except for when he is in pain. Then we all feel it.

PHOBIAS: JOIN THE CLUB

Mason, age 8, is the newest member of the anxiety/phobia club in the family. I noticed about 9 months ago that he seemed awfully jumpy around insects. Especially the flying kind. I was hoping it wouldn't develp into anything, but after this past week, I will seriously consider medicating this child if we ever go outside again.

A week ago Mason was outside playing and got stung by a bee. He screamed, flailed, and had a total freak-out experience. We got him situated and bandaged up, etc. The day after, his bee sting had spread out around the bite and was swollen, hot, and tight. I drew with a Sharpie on it to make sure it wouldn't spread anymore, and then I called the pediatrician. He had a bit of a delayed reaction he said. The dr also said it would be ok if he went on the first-ever camping trip that was planned for the next day with his dad, brother and grandpa.

I know... you can see what's coming can't you?

Well, long story short...They made it for several days and decided to come home early because of Mason. Mason was horrified because of a bee that flew in through the car window. He screamed, jumped out of the seatbelt, and lunged for cover behind Hunter, and in this process he got his legs tangled up in the seatbelt. More flailing ensued, I was told.

By the time he arrived home he had a rash all over his body--which Bill thought were insect bites, but it was clearly a rash. (Maybe from anxiety??) Mason was very jumpy and kept turning his head real fast as if he was looking for a bumble bee. He kept swatting himself. He asked me why he keeps hearing a buzzing sound in his ears when there were no bees around. This was very concerning to me.

Mercedes has a phobia of spiders which started around eight years old. Therapy and a small bit of Prozac has really helped her. Bill has a phobia of grasshoppers. If I let myself, I can freak out with mice. But I'm usually in check. :) Hunter has anxiety with just about everything loud and intense, especially movies. Also, dead birds. Whats up with the animal kingdom?

I was hoping just one kid of ours would not have to take anti-anxiety meds. Mason was my best bet. I need to talk to the psych dr, and as luck would have it, Mason actually has an appt with him tomorrow. Deep Sigh.

Anyone else have any phobias??

THE LATEST

We've been trying to adjust to this summer schedule and it has done a number on us. Hopefully the kids will get into the sync of things soon.

I haven't had much time to post things of a personal nature--but here is the latest:

I am the secretary of the recently formed Idaho Autism Community in our area. That keeps me busy. We have some events planned and we hope lots of people show up.

I've been fighting with the doctor to order some labs for Ryder so we can get him to Thoughtful House, but it's a no-go for now. In the meantime, we save money and I come up with a different approach. We see him in a couple of days...

Ryder has been having some bad days lately, and I know he's been finding gluten. I caught him with a chocolate Zinger all over him. The following day he whacked a package of animal crackers open and gobbled them up. It's been hard having the kids home because they will leave food out and Ryder will have free reign. We're trying--again--to teach them to "be aware".

To our amazement, we discovered Ryder can turn the bathtub faucet on when he decides to take a bath. Unfortunately, he does not discriminate between hot and cold, and now he has first degree burns on his lower half.

Mercedes is on the swim team this summer, so she swims for three hours a day, Monday-Saturdays. She thinks we've sent her to swimming boot camp.

Hunter has been very quiet lately. He's been in his own world now that summer is here. He just fixates on maps, telephone books, MapQuest, GPS's, and drawing his own maps.

Mason is obsessed with video games, so I've had to LIMIT him A LOT. I've had to limit his father, too! What a bunch of amoebas when they're together!

Picture: ***Ryder fell asleep with a cup in his mouth. **:)

SUSAN SHOULD HAVE HAD MORE HELP

I came across this article about Susan Boyle, the Britian's Got Talent 2nd place winner. She has some learning disabilities, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if she had Asperger's, because of some of her characteristics and mannerisms. Some of you may have heard she checked into a hospital after the show from exhaustion. This article here and here explains more. I'm glad they are paying her hospital bills. And we all need to be reminded that stress can exacerbate anxiety stemming from a disability.

ADULT ADHD IS REAL

Check this out: http://www.adultadhdisreal.com/ and take the quiz to find out if you might have Adult ADHD.

Gotta love Howie Mandel!

A CHANGE ALONG THE PATH

Hunter, Mason and I went on a walk along the Edson/Fischer nature trail one afternoon. I took a lot of pics and thought I'd post them.

Good news: Mason no longer qualifies for Occupational and Speech therapy in the school setting. He has grown by leaps and bounds this past year. The problem is, the school's "cut off" mark to qualify is 7 percent or below. They have very strict qualifiers. So, if I don't agree with the school, I have to fight it...due process. I'm not going to. Let's give it a year. He's done very well and he'll still have outside Speech and OT, so that should be enough.

Not so good news: School gets out in four days. Woe is me. :)

Enjoy the pics!

TOP 10 TERRIFIC TRAITS OF AUTISTIC PEOPLE

Below is a great article by Lisa Jo Rudy, that I came across.


Updated February 26, 2009

If you're sick of hearing about all the "deficits" challenging people on the autism spectrum, join the club. But for every down side to autism, there seems to be a positive -- an unusual trait that rarely appears among the "typical" community, but shines out among autistic folk. These plusses are well worth celebrating.

1. Autistic People Rarely Lie

We all claim to value the truth, but almost all of us tell little white lies. All, that is, except people on the autism spectrum. To them, truth is truth -- and a good word from a person on the spectrum is the real deal.

2. People on the Autism Spectrum Live in the Moment

How often do typical people fail to notice what's in front of their eyes because they're distracted by social cues or random chitchat? People on the autism spectrum truely attend to the sensory input that surrounds them. Many have achieved the ideal of mindfulness.

3. People with Autism Rarely Judge Others

Who's fatter? Richer? Smarter? For people on the autism spectrum, these distinctions hold much less importance than for typical folks. In fact, people on the spectrum often see through such surface appearances to discover the real person.

4. Autistic People are Passionate

Of course, not all autistic people are alike. But many are truly passionate about the things, ideas and people in their lives. How many "typical" people can say the same?

5. People with Autism Are Not Tied to Social Expectations

If you've ever bought a car, played a game or joined a club to fit in, you know how hard it is to be true to yourself. But for people with autism, social expectations can be honestly irrelevant. What matters is true liking, interest and passion -- not keeping up with the Joneses.

6. People with Autism Have Terrific Memories

How often do typical people forget directions, or fail to take note of colors, names, and other details? People on the autism spectrum are often much more tuned in to details. They may have a much better memory than their typical peers for all kind of critical details.

7. Autistic People Are Less Materialistic

Of course, this is not universally true -- but in general, people with autism are far less concerned with outward appearance than their typical peers. As a result, they worry less about brand names, hairstyles and other expensive but unimportant externals than most people do.

8. Autistic People Play Fewer Head Games

Who was that woman, and why were you looking at her? I know I TOLD you I didn't mind if you went out, but why did you believe me? Most autistic people don't play games like these -- and they assume that you won't either. It's a refreshing and wonderful change from the Peyton Place emotional roller coaster that mars too many typical relationships!

9. Autistic People Have Fewer Hidden Agendas

Most of the time, if a person on the autism spectrum tells you what he wants -- he is telling you what he wants. No need to beat around the bush, second guess, and hope you're reading between the lines!

10. People with Autism Open New Doors for Neurotypicals

For some of us neurotypicals, having an autistic person in our lives has had a profound positive impact on our perceptions, beliefs and expectations. For me, at least, being the mom of a son on the autism spectrum has released me from a lifetime of "should" -- and offered me a new world of "is."

NO TIME

I keep trying to find time to post something of interest, but our lives are so hectic right now with the end of the school year fast approaching. I'm trying to get a summer schedule together...Ok. I just heard a loud bang upstairs. Later................................

Two hours later, I'm back. I don't know where that bang came from. We have to make sure each door is closed upstairs, plus we just installed a gate to the kitchen. The other day Ryder figured out how to move the stool over to the counter, climb up and over the counter, back down on the other side and open the pantry door. He'll find all of the gluten and casein ladened foods and have himself a feast, so we have to keep a good eye on him.

Another two hours later: Bill came home from running errands, brought a hamburger home and left it in the sack on top of the kitchen table, then went outside to play with the other boys. I didn't know about the sack, and the next thing I see...Ryder had devoured the hamburger.

We'll see if he sleeps tonight.

The boys tummies are full and backed up. We're seriously considering a clean-out up at the hospital this summer. I really feel like I'm doing the very best I can based on the load I've been given, but some days it's just not enough. I need five of me.

HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?

The following is a poem written by Sally Meyer. I came across this poem several years ago when we first learned about the autism that came to dwell with our family. It brought me a lot of comfort at the time, and still does. A special thank you goes to Sally for letting me post it!

How did it all begin?

I was seated in a spacious room, with many other women, the room was adorned with beautiful paintings of children, the beauty and innocence of their faces lent an atmosphere of wondrous joy to the room. Silence permeated the air, as we sat together, no one uttered a word, and I wondered why we were gathered there. The sound of a door opening behind me broke the silence, no one turned to look, we all remained perfectly still, there was a reverence in the air, a feeling of great joy.

I felt someone touch my shoulder, and rising immediately I followed the others who were chosen, and we made our way softly out of the capacious room. Walking along a narrow hallway, lined with mirrors framed in gold, we passed beneath twinkling chandeliers that sparkled overhead. We were led into another room even more prodigious than the first, and it was so dimly lit that I stumbled slightly as I entered. As the last woman proceeded through the door, it closed softly behind us. An audible gasp emanated from all who stood within that exquisite room, for there, before us were a chorus of children. They were clothed as we were in purest white, and they stood hand in hand softly singing. Their faces glowed with a beauty that defied description. A hush fell upon us as we gazed in awe, at the wondrous sight before us. No words were spoken, for mere words could not describe the scene that we beheld that night. A voice came from the back of the room, a soft, compelling voice, we looked around us, but could not see who was speaking.

"Heed well my words, dear sisters, for you have been chosen to receive these children. One day you will become the mothers of the children you see before you now. These children that stand so glorious in their perfection are the self same children that will be your own. These children will struggle in their mortal lives. Some will be blind, some deaf, or unable to speak. Others will battle with a body that will fail them. Some will never understand the world to which they are sent. Many of these children will become ill, victims of illness and disease. Then there will be those who, while they are born perfect and whole, will suddenly and without warning be taken from your arms. You will weep a thousand tears as you wonder why, you will fall to your knees in despair, because you will not remember this day, or the perfect children you see before you now. Your journey will be hard, your road a long and difficult one. You may stumble and your steps falter as you struggle to carry on. But fear not, for I will be with you always, my peace will remain with you and you will be blessed with great joy that other mothers may never know. You will have the knowledge that your child will return to me, to become perfect and whole again, as you see them now. You will learn patience, grace and charity. Your prayers will not go unanswered, for I will not leave you alone, to care for these, my favored of all children, who will be entrusted to your care. I will comfort you in your darkest hours. I will be with you in your sorrow, and weep with you as you grieve. Now go forward and choose."

I watched as other mothers moved slowly forward, mingling with the children, I watched them choose carefully that child who would be their own. Once again a light touch prompted me to action, and I walked among the children. There were so many, each so beautiful, how would I know? How could I choose?

For the third time that evening, I felt a gentle touch, and I turned to see a small boy standing before me. His eyes were of the deepest grey, they seared my soul as they looked up into mine. Kneeling down in front of him, I caressed the dark curls that framed his innocent face. Taking his small hand in mine, I kissed it gently. As I gazed into this beautiful face, recognition overwhelmed me, he smiled and spoke softly and with the voice of an angel, he uttered just one word .. . . ."Mother" . . . . . . . .

JOKE OF THE DAY

A guy is flying in a hot air balloon, and he's lost. He lowers himself over a field and calls to a guy "Can you tell me where I am and whereI'm headed?"

"Sure. You're at 41 degrees 2 minutes and 14 seconds North, 144 degrees 4 minute and 19 seconds East; you're at an altitude of 762 meters above sea level, and right now you're hovering, but you were on a vector of 234 degrees at 12 meters per second"

"Amazing! Thanks! By the way, do you have Asperger's Syndrome?"

"I do! How did you know that?"

"Because everything you said is true, it's much more detail than I need, and you told me in a way that's no use to me at all."

"Huh. Are you a clinical psychologist?"

"I am, but how the heck did you know that??"

"You don't know where you are. You don't know where you're going. You got where you are by blowing hot air. You put labels on people after asking a few questions, and you're in exactly the same spot you were 5 minutes ago, but now, somehow, it's my fault!