Read more about the article My son with #Autism will no longer wear shoes
Anxiety / Emmett John / My thoughts

My son with #Autism will no longer wear shoes

I really worried about this upcoming school year for Emmett. He hasn't tolerated shoes in almost 2 months. He's been wearing flip flops, which sorta seems odd but that's all he will wear.  He has to wear shoes at school, flip flops won't cut it.  I went out and bought him water shoes yesterday which he did wear for a bit before telling me they feel funny.     The sensory issues he's been struggling with for most of his life have kicked into overdrive. At least that's how it seems. I don't know what I'm doing to do for school.  Brushing doesn't help either because I've already been trying that.  Between the bathroom and the sensory related clothing issues, I'm completely overwhelmed. These not only impact him but everyone else…

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August 29, 2015
Read more about the article Today’s Major #Autism Victory: Eating Dinner
Emmett John / Today's Victory

Today’s Major #Autism Victory: Eating Dinner

I don't have to explain how difficult it can be to get a child with Autism and/or Sensory Processing Disorder to most of you because you live it everyday.  This type of food proclivities run rampant in The Autism Dad household and meal times are very challenging as a result.  It's for this reason that I'm celebrating what I consider a major victory tonight.     Emmett is so difficult to feed, especially when he's in the midst of a fever flare. Last night was no exception. He hasn't been eating very much lately and I'm worried about him.  Last night I had everyone figured out but Emmett. He had no idea what he wanted for dinner and after the meltdown, he'd pretty much given up on eating. Honestly, it's a…

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August 19, 2015
Read more about the article Emmett kicked butt in physical therapy today
Emmett John / Physical Therapy

Emmett kicked butt in physical therapy today

One of the downsides to Akron Children's Hospital taking over where Emmett's physical therapy is being done, is that they have banned parents from taking videos of their kids in action.  They have signs up everywhere that say no videotaping allowed.  From now on, you'll have to just trust me when I say that Emmett kicked major butt at therapy today.  Can he do everything he needs to be able to do? Absolutely not.. That being said, he gives 110% each and every time.  He did really well today. He had to do a few things he's never done before and he struggled at first. I sorta pulled him aside and told him to pay attention to the pattern because he functions largely on patterns.. That did it for him…

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August 18, 2015
Read more about the article It’s tough to have your child scream at you :(
Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

It’s tough to have your child scream at you :(

It's been a really long and emotional day. This flare that Emmett's enduring right now is really kicking his butt.  He's started biting his upper and lower lips today and so now he's got these red sores that almost look like chapped lips but I'm not sure that's what they are.  Anyway, today has been spent trying to make him comfortable.... Advil and numbing cream on his lips and Oragel for the sores in his mouth. Thankfully, it looks like he only has one so far but honestly, one is enough.     I did get him to eat a little bit of Mac and Cheese but he really hasn't been hungry today.  It should go without saying that he's been rather grumpy and by grumpy, I mean he screamed at…

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August 16, 2015
Read more about the article Emmett could use some thoughts and prayers tonight
Emmett John / PFAPA / Thoughts and Prayers

Emmett could use some thoughts and prayers tonight

Poor Emmett. He just can't seem to catch a break anymore.  For those who aren't aware, Emmett's been dealing with a rear fever disorder known as PFAPA. I'm gonna let you follow the link and read about it yourself because I'm really tired and only have a few minutes.  It appeared as though Emmett had outgrown this disorder because the cycles just sorta stopped or at least the most obvious symptoms did.  While he spent most of last year pain free, the cycles have once again reared their ugly head.  Emmett finished a cycle about two weeks ago and has began another one today, right on schedule. 😔 He's absolutely miserable.    The above image shows what these mouth sores look like.  As the 10 day cycle progresses, these sores…

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August 15, 2015
Read more about the article Art by Emmett: Something from Minecraft
Artwork / Emmett John

Art by Emmett: Something from Minecraft

I wanted to share this cool picture that Emmett did while in therapy tonight. I believe this is called a Blaze and its from Minecraft.  He worked really hard on this and I think it's pretty darn amazing.  I love my kids artwork because I can see pieces of who they are inside their creative endeavors.  Beautiful artwork Emmett. Daddy's very proud of you. ❤️👍   

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August 12, 2015
Read more about the article Emmett will take on a pretty major change today
Daily Autism Challenges / Emmett John / Physical Therapy

Emmett will take on a pretty major change today

We have a sorta major schedule change for Mr. Emmett today. We've switched over to the school schedule for his physical therapy today. Normally he goes to therapy on Wednesdays at 1pm but with school coming soon, we needed to make the switch to a more sustainable school schedule.  Therapy will be on Tuesday afternoons now and he'll have to be pulled from school early, once it starts. That being said, it will be at the end of the day and shouldn't disrupt anything significant. The school is amazing at working with me so I know everything will work out.  The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, is the physical change from one day and time to another. Kids with Autism tend to dislike change and Emmett is…

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August 11, 2015
Read more about the article I’m having a really hard time getting my son with #Autism to eat
Emmett John / My thoughts

I’m having a really hard time getting my son with #Autism to eat

As a father to 3 boys with Autism, feeding issues are nothing new to me. I've faced those challenges almost 3 times a day for 15 years.  Typically this envolves making a different meal for each child and then remaking it several times, until it's sensory acceptable. It's a long and often wasteful process but kids with these problems with sooner starve than eat something that's offensive to them in sensory level.  Of my 3 boys, Emmett is by far the most sensory sensitive and as such, the most challenging to feed.     Lately, it's getting more and more difficult to ensure he's eating.  It's frustrating for both of us because I worry about him losing weight and he truly is hungry. What ends up happening is whatever I do…

3 Comments
August 10, 2015