Read more about the article I was just too overwhelmed today
My thoughts

I was just too overwhelmed today

I haven't written anything today and that's pretty unusual for me.  The truth is I've been just a bit overwhelmed.  I've got a lot of things on my mind lately.   Lizze went out of town with her Mom for the day. Good for them because we're really trying to do things differently and time away is important.☺  That left me and the boys with the house to ourselves. While Lizze was missed, it's nice to just be the guys again for a little bit.  Maybe that sounds weird and it's not meant to be taken in a negative way.  Anyway, I just couldn't find the motivation to write about anything today.   Frankly, I'm not sure there was much to say anyway.   It's now just after midnight and…

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August 29, 2016
Read more about the article Insight into the fear and self-doubt that’s keeping this #Autism Dad awake tonight
My thoughts

Insight into the fear and self-doubt that’s keeping this #Autism Dad awake tonight

So often parents of kids with Autism or Special Needs suffer in silence. We don't always ask for help or tell people the truth about how we're really feeling, if we're ever asked. As I'm trying to help people understand what parents like myself go through on a daily basis, I'm going to share what's keeping me awake tonight. These are my innermost thoughts that only myself and my wife are ever really aware of.  I rarely talk about this stuff anymore because they aren't things that I'm proud of and frankly, I don't always have the courage to share this stuff publicly. As I'm laying in bed tonight, I'm overwhelmed by fear, self-doubt and feelings of utter failure. I feel like I'm failing my kids for a million reasons…

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August 28, 2016
Read more about the article Today’s been challenging, overwhelming, frustrating and heartbreaking, with a smidgen of awesome on the side
Gavin / My thoughts

Today’s been challenging, overwhelming, frustrating and heartbreaking, with a smidgen of awesome on the side

It's been a really interesting day here in The Autism Dad household. By interesting I mean challenging, overwhelming, frustrating and heartbreaking, with a smidgen of awesome on the side. The truth is that I was overwhelmed by my kids today, especially Gavin. Elliott and Emmett would get along for a little while and then fight over what amounted to misunderstanding or not wanting to deviate from their set way of doing things. We had front row seats to several meltdown today and while front row seats are usually a good thing, when it comes to meltdowns, not so much. lol The main story tonight revolves around Gavin once again. Gavin's in a place where he's telling us everything that pops into his head. This is almost compulsory because I don't…

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August 28, 2016
Read more about the article This is one of the weirdest things that ever happened to me 
My thoughts

This is one of the weirdest things that ever happened to me 

I had the hardest time sleeping last night. The reason for this is something that I've never experienced before.   I had a nightmare that wouldn't quit and I mean that literally or as close to literally as possible. Everyone has nightmares and there's nothing unusual about that.  Last night, my nightmare was family related and seemed to go on forever.  I can normally wake myself up because I'm aware that I'm dreaming.  I know that sounds weird but so am I... ☺  I woke up a few times last night, for various reasons but each time I went back to sleep, the nightmare picked right up where it left off, as though I had hit the pause button before waking up..  To my knowledge, I woke up four times…

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August 27, 2016
Read more about the article Gavin’s missions have taken a dark turn today and I’m at a loss
Gavin / Mission Debriefing / Psychotic Episode / Schizoaffective Disorder

Gavin’s missions have taken a dark turn today and I’m at a loss

Gavin sat Lizze and I down tonight to fill us in on some bad things that happened back at base today.  I'm going to be really honest and admit that after a little while, I shutdown. I listened to him go on and on for 25 minutes before I just couldn't take it anymore.  Self-preservation kicked in and I sorta went to my happy place.   He didn't know the difference and to him, I listened to every word he said. Apparently, Twilight Sparkle broke someone's arm today but it wasn't her fault because she was being controlled by King Modor (I think that's his name).   Long story short, Gavin and is group of super best friends, had to go track down the evil King and break his hold…

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August 26, 2016
Read more about the article Gavin’s Friday IVIG infusion is underway
Gavin / IVIG Infusion

Gavin’s Friday IVIG infusion is underway

Gavin's Friday IVIG infusion is well underway and so far, he seems to be doing just fine.   Typically, he will sit in the exact same place and do the exact same thing. Tonight is no different, as he's playing his tablet and constantly checking the needle sites to make sure that nothing is leaking.   This particular infusion is actually going pretty quick and he should be done sometime around 8pm tonight.   We're going to give him medication that will help to limit the issues he sometimes gets as a result of receiving foreign antibodies.   All should go just fine and within about an hour or so, he'll be fast asleep, recovering from this life saving procedure.  

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August 26, 2016
Read more about the article An example of how locked into routine kids on the #Autism Spectrum can be
Elliott / Emmett John / Routine

An example of how locked into routine kids on the #Autism Spectrum can be

I went to pick the boys up from school yesterday. Actually, Lizze and I both went to pick the boys up from school yesterday.  We got there a little bit before 3pm, which is dismissal.  As my long time readers may recall, I typically get to the school about an hour early, park in the shade and write.   This makes me first in line to retrieve my kids.  The boys will usually see me there during their hour of school and feel better kowing that I'm there to get them.   Yesterday, I walked into the school rather than wait in line forever.  When I walked into the school, it was a little before 3pm and I caught Elliott walking out of the office and Emmett in somewhat of…

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August 26, 2016
Read more about the article More neighborhood drama because why the hell not
My Crazy Neighborhood

More neighborhood drama because why the hell not

I meant to share this the other night but I just didn't get a chance.   I'm pretty sure this was a drug bust on a known drug house. I can't say that for certain because I didn't talk to the police parked right behind my house, blocking off the alley.  The house in question is widely known to be dealing but have never really been much of a problem, aside from the occasional domestic dispute.  Either way, the cops were marching in and out of the house for quite some time. The entire alley was blocked of as well.   I took this picture from my back steps. I'm really grateful for my home and the effort I put into keeping it is a testament to that. At the…

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August 26, 2016