Over the years, I have learned to embrace my children for who they are and not what they are diagnosed with. However, with that said, there are times when Autism simply breaks my heart.   When my child is sick and can’t tell me what’s wrong. That’s when Autism breaks my heart. When my child is treated unfairly at school because they are “different”. That’s when Autism breaks my heart. When my child is in pain and can’t say where it hurts. That’s when Autism breaks my heart. When my child is harshly judged by the ignorant. That’s when Autism breaks my heart. When my child is angry and can’t tell me why. That’s when Autism breaks my heart. When my child is afraid and can’t tell me of what.…

Emmett had a bath this morning.  Not that big of a deal except for the story leading up to the bath. Emmett woke up from his nap and had to go potty.  He went potty and tried to clean himself up. The keyword is try. I applaud his attempts at independence but that attempt was very messy and required the use of a carpet scrubber,  clean clothes and the aformentioned bath. He was nothing the mood for a bath and the sensory bombs wenwoukd normally use weren't an option today.  However,  I brought out the next best thing,  shaving cream.  :-) I spray shaving cream on the wall and Emmett finger paints.  What did you think I was referring to when I said fingers painting in the bathroom? Anyway,  he…

Gavin finished up his 6th and final Antibody Infusion of the year this afternoon.  He did a great job and I don't think he ever really complained about anything.  :-) We will be back for #7 in about 25 days. This is really an exhausting process for all involved.  Gavin is usually pretty run down afterwards and I'm completely drained after having to sit there for hours on end. I will say this though,  it could always be worse.  I'm throughly grateful that all he is receiving is an antibody Infusion and not something like chemotherapy. The infusion takes place in the oncology ward and I've seen kids much younger than Gavin bravely submitting to these treatments in order to fight off cancer.  My heart goes out to them and…

Gavin is well into his 6th Antibody Infusion today.  He decided that now was a good time to need to to go potty. In the past week have had accidents while receiving the infusion so I didn't want to take any chances. Since he was hooked up to the IV,  it made things a bit more challenging but Gavin did great.  He even pushed the IV poll all by himself,  without getting tangled or knocking it over.  :-) Hopefully,  that will be the last trip to the bathroom today,  at least until he's done.  :-) Posted from WordPress for Android

Gavin's IV is finally in ace and the IgG infusion has begun.  The whole process takes a few hours but as time goes by,  and his body continues to tolerate the infusion,  the process will be sped up. He did pretty well with the IV placement. He repeatedly asked the same questions over and over again but he's didn't scream. They drew blood so that he doesn't need a second needle poker on Monday in order to refill his Clozapine prescription. He's back to playing Phineas and Ferb on the PS3 and has phased everyone,  and everything,  out. Now we just wait....... Posted from WordPress for Android

After he was weighed in and his vitals checked,  he needed to be prepped for the infusion. I couldn't find the ENMA (I think) to put on his arms before we left so this will take an extra hour to complete.  We have to wait for the ENMA to numb his arm before they start the infusion. He also receives other medications as well to help his body better tolerate the foreign antibodies that are being infused. These medications take about an hour to kick in. While he waits,  he's playing Phineas and Ferb on the PS3. Posted from WordPress for Android

We have arrived at our home away from home,  Akron Children's Hospital,  for Gavin's 6th and final Antibody Infusion for this year. He has been weighed and had his vitals checked. He is watching TV in the waiting room until we get called back to his room for further preparations. Gavin is very excited because this is the one time every month that he gets to play video games. He never knows if it will be a PS2 or a PS3 but he's happy either way. Even though Gavin +  Video Games = meltdowns,  we figured he deserves this while he sits still for his 4 hour infusion. Posted from WordPress for Android

I'm just curious on this one.  What is it about dry, uncooked Ramon Noodles and kids on the Autism Spectrum? If I let them,  my boys would live on uncooked,  crunchy Ramon Noodles. If we happen to be out,  they love eating uncooked pasta,  especially Emmett. I used to think it was just my kids but after mentioning this before,  I learned that many of you experience the same thing. I was wondering what your thoughts were on this topic?  Personally,  my thought is that it's a sensory thing. Maybe it's that they get some desirable feedback from the crunching. Maybe they just like the taste. To me, it would be like chewing on tree bark,  not that I've actually tried that,  but you get my point. How many of…