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!