You all know by now that Gavin has a lengthy history of very violent meltdowns.  I wanted to share a brief update on his behavioral progress. Gavin has been home for about 9 days now.  I that 9 days,  he has not had a single meltdown. We are struggling with some annoying repetitive things but he is continuing more good choices than bad ones.  I'm really proud of the progress he's making.  I have not delusions that this will be a permanent fix but,  it's a pretty big step in the right direction.   :-) **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung's Galaxy…

I've been thinking that it would be really beneficial to add localized forums to the #Autism Help Forums.  Basically,  I want to add a section for people that are in the same state (for the US)  and for localized areas in other countries as well.  The reason for this is that people could carry on discussions that pertain to their particular location.  For right now I don't want to get anymore local than the state level,  just as an example.  Another big reason for me wanting to do this is because quite often services will vary by location. Typically,  in the US,  every state has its own programs and services.  By having the ability to have a more localized forum,  information can be catered to the people in that area. …

Elliott had is 3rd session of occupational therapy this afternoon.  He absolutely loves it.  He does so well and it's proving to be a fantastic outlet for him. Today, he tried something new.  This new exercise was called catching whales.   Basically,  he sat in this plastic boat and pulled this weighted punching bag type thing into the boat. He did awesome and really enjoyed the workout.  Honestly,  he did awesome with all the exercises.  I'm so incredibly grateful that he has this opportunity to learn and grow.  :-) **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung's Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos.…

I fully realize that the title of this post may sound really weird but it really isn't. I want to share with all of you and encourage all of you at the same time, to please take things like this to heart.  You're probably wondering how in the world can you use toilet paper to teach a life lesson. I'm going to show you in the video below. Let me set the stage..... Bella, our Boxer puppy, got into the toilet paper the other day. It was horrible. Toilet paper was absolutely everywhere, but mostly isolate to my bedroom.....but I digress. That is what created the need to go to the store and inspired the video below. Basically, I took Gavin to the store and asked him to buy a…

Gavin had therapy today and I have a really bad feeling that it will be his last,  at least for awhile. Gavin was getting really dizzy,  to the point of panic today.  That's never happened before. I had the heart rate monitor on him but he's so friggin skinny it kept falling off,  so I don't know what his heart rate was doing.  I just don't know how safe this is for him,  at least for the immediate future. We're going to have to speak to neurology ASAP.  We really need to figure this out. He needs the therapy but not when his health is so unstable. This really sucks..... **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app…

This doesn't happen very often,  at not often enough.  All three of my boys are playing nicely together,  without any fighting,  screaming or yelling.  :-) With three boys in different places on the #Autism spectrum,  they often squabble due in part to differences in communication abilities etc. It's frustrating for everyone involved but it's just one of those things that we have to work on. However,  moments,  like the ones captured below,  are truly heartwarming for me as a father.  I love seeing them all get along and find a way to bridge the communication gap and just enjoy each others company.  Fantastic job boys,  Daddy is soooooo proud of you. **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help"…

I'm sleeping on the couch so that Lizze can try and feel less claustrophobic.  I just woke up from one of the worst nightmares I've ever had.  Oddly enough,  I'm compelled to go back to sleep.. **Thanks for reading**        -Lost and Tired Please join our Autism Help Forum Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung's Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct is working against me.

For all the headache and nightmarish behavior we see from Gavin,  I want to share this with you.  For the most part,  this past week since Gavin's been home has been pretty good.  There have been a few frustrating moments for him but not a single meltdown in over a week.  That's down from several a day. It think there are a few things at work here.  For example,  I'm trying to spend more one on one time with Gavin,  even when I really don't feel like it.  I'm tired all the time and even well behaved,  he is exhausting.  We are working on rewarding his positive behavior once again.  That may seem like common sense and for most kids it is but Gavin exploits every reward system we have…