OUR NEXT ADVENTURE

We are in the process of filling out tons of paperwork for Ryder's new GI in Austin, Texas. Ryder is one of the severe kids with GI problems according to our DAN! doctor, and he's referred us to Thoughtful House where world reknown doctor Andrew Wakefield (from England) and his colleagues practice. They are experts in Autism and the connection with the gut. I don't know how we are going to pay for it, but this is our last ditch effort to help Ryder. Right now, it seems to be in remission or something. He's had a good week. Knock on wood.

TASMANIAN DEVIL RETURNS

We decided with the psychiatrist to switch Hunter to Strattera instead of Concerta to see if that would help his trichotillomania. Sometimes Concerta can exacerbate the symptoms. We did this during Winter Break and all seemed to be going ok, until school started and we noticed the anxiety building back up in him. Eventually we noticed that he was just like he was before he was on any medication three years ago. He was hyper, squealing, running around getting into things, touching everything in sight. If he walked by you he couldn’t help but reach out and poke you or get into your face and laugh this high-pitched obnoxious giggle. The house looked like the Tasmanian Devil came through it. He started saying things that were inappropriate and he didn’t make any sense. His judgment was off. It seemed as if his mind would get stuck in hyperdrive and he had no inhibitions whatsoever. You know it’s bad when Mason gets upset. He’s generally really laid back. So, after we realized this, back on the Concerta he went. The problem with Concerta is that it wears off by the time he gets home from school. So the school gets the good Hunter, and we get the Tasmanian Devil.

We love him regardless, but it does make for a long day. I’m just glad we’re getting our Hunter back.

ASPIE BILL SAVES THE DAY!

It had only been 1.5 hours since I had been gone. I took Mercedes to Utah for her check-up with her rheumatologist when the phone rang. It was Bill. He was happy to tell me that he was able to get Mason to go to a birthday party that he was invited to. Before I left, I tried everything I could think of to coax Mason to go to the party. He just kept saying that there were just too many parties lately, and he was tired of going to them. I decided to let it go, because I had to leave. So when Bill called, he explained that he was able to get Mason out the door with the gift in his hand. "Maybe I'll just stay for cake, then come home" Mason stated.

They got into our 19 year old Honda, and Bill drove Mason to the party just up the hill behind our house. Bill walked him to the door then returned to the car only to find that he had inadvertently locked the door while the engine was running. I had the only other key-- but was 90 miles away. Bill ran back down the block, down the hill to our house to get a wire hanger. On his way back, I guess he had a brilliant idea and he ran over to the fire department which just happens to be across the highway from our home. He rang the doorbell and the firemen answered. He asked them if they had ever broken into a car before, and since they were bored and there weren't any fires to speak of, they decided to give it a shot. They grabbed some tools and their lucky hatchet, then told Bill to climb aboard the FIRE TRUCK! (What?!) Off they went up the hill to rescue our little Honda. After some time, they were able to get the door open with the hatchet, and Asperger Bill had saved the day!

MY ASPIE HUSBAND

Today I wondered, will I ever miss the things that drive me crazy about my Aspie husband? Or will those memories be a source of comfort and happiness someday when I'm old and gray?

Will I miss Bill's 11 pens in his right pants pocket?

Will I miss his giant pickle jar filled with quarters devoted to the USA Today's weekly edition of basketball stats?

Will I miss his endless aches and pains?

Will I miss the methodical way that he eats fried chicken-crunching and nibling ever so slightly on the tiniest of bones?

Will I miss his growing collection of crossword puzzles with each page finished in pencil and the time it took to finish it highlighted at the top?

Will I miss his quest for descriptive details?

Will I miss the way he can't hear his alarm go off?

Will I miss his hourly (it seems) bathroom episodes?

Will I miss the quirky way he ties his shoes and matches his clothes like Cousin Eddy?

Will I miss all of the receipts, trinkets, ticket stubs, and fast food restaurant napkins he saves? Gag.

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In the present, I would miss his help in changing Ryder's diapers.

I would miss his taking the garbage out.I would miss his help with bathing the kids.

I would miss his staying up late "just in case one of the kids wakes up".

I would miss his cleaning up vomit in the middle of the night after Hunter or Ryder has a seizure.

I would miss the candy bar he buys me every time he fills his car up with gas.

I would miss how he holds the door open for me even when it really isn't logical.

I would miss having a walking dictionary.

8 YEAR OLD GIRL WITH AUTISM ARRESTED AT SCHOOL

Click Here to view the news segment:

http://www.kxly.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=3334708&h1=Autistic%20child%20taken%20from%20school%20in%20handcuffs&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=156467&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=73966545

SHOULD I TAKE ACTION OR LET IT GO?

Having kids with disabilities turns us into fighters whether we want to be or not. I really try not to be too anal about things, but sometimes I have to put up a fight for the kiddos.

The other day, out of the blue, Hunter started complaining how he hates math and "why does math have to be so hard?" and "why do I have to learn math the new way?" and "why can't the teacher stop swearing?" and...Whoa...back up a little. "What?" was my reply. Then he proceeded to tell me how a girl in his low- math class wasn't understanding a simple math problem that the teacher had explained in detail. This little girl apparently has something "wrong with her because she talks funny and shakes" (according to Hunter). The teacher was angry, and said, "Oh my God" several times. This is very upsetting to Hunter because we don't swear in our house. I tried to tell him that some people may not realize it is a curse word in that manner, and they may not even realize other people are offended.

Everything is either black or white with Hunter. It's hard to teach him about the gray.

So, what do you think? Should I bring it up to the teacher, or just let it go, or talk to the principal in generalities, or make an anonymous suggestion box? What would you out there, do?

BREAKING NEWS

::: BREAKING NEWS :::

In 2009 the government will start deporting all the mentally ill people.

I started crying when I thought of you.

Run my little crazy friend, run!

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
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2009/01/john-travolta-1.html
-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.

HAPPY DAYS

Hunter had so much fun having his new friends over. I sure had fun too, just talking with moms who have similar challenges. Friends are fun.