Read more about the article Can you relate to this 1 major challenge of #Autism Parenting? 
#Autism Discussions / Autism Parenting Woes / Feeding Problems / My thoughts / Sensory

Can you relate to this 1 major challenge of #Autism Parenting? 

I find it incredibly difficult to ensure that my kids with Autism maintain a balanced diet. For that matter, I have such a hard time simply getting my kids to eat anything. We are very much a sensory oriented family and that presents many obstacles for me as a parent. The biggest being how unbelievably sensitive my two youngest are when it comes to things like texture, smell, color, presentation, shape and yes, even packaging. When there is literally only a handful of things your child will eat, aiming for a balanced diet becomes a pipe dream. How many of you can relate to my experience? Please share examples of your challenges with feeding issues in the comments below...  

4 Comments
January 29, 2017
Read more about the article 1 of the most common threads amongst #Autism parents
Autism Parenting Woes / My thoughts

1 of the most common threads amongst #Autism parents

I'm having a really hard time sleeping lately.  Even with the boys doing better at night, I still can't seem to shut my brain off. It's frustrating because I want so badly to go to sleep but I'm so used to not sleeping at night, that it's like I need to retrain my body or reset my circadian rhythm. I've heard from other Autism parents who experience the same type of thing themselves. The can't wait for their kids to fall asleep so they can go to sleep, but when the opportunity presents itself, sleep remains elusive. It appears to be a relatively common thread amongst Autism parents.

4 Comments
January 25, 2017
Read more about the article Please tell me it’s bedtime 
Autism Parenting Woes

Please tell me it’s bedtime 

OMG.... I've had my hands full today with the boys. Gavin's been driving me nuts with his constant talking but he's also been a huge help today and I'm super grateful for that. Elliott and Emmett on the otherhand have been fighting all day long.. I've lost count of how many meltdowns Emmett's had today and I'm not looking forward to getting him ready for school in the morning. A day like today is not a good sign of what's to come. I'm really looking forward to bedtime because I need some quiet tonight. I'd love to be able to hear myself think.

4 Comments
January 8, 2017
Read more about the article Perception: One reason why being an #Autism parent is so hard  
Autism Parenting Woes / Gavin / My thoughts

Perception: One reason why being an #Autism parent is so hard  

I mentioned earlier that I've been struggling with Gavin today. Just so we're perfectly clear, he's not being a problem like he used to. He's simply being Gavin and that's exhausting for those around him, including myself.  Gavin is absolutely struggling in his daily life. He doesn't necessarily see it as struggling because he doesn't really possess that higher level of self awareness anymore.   Here's what kind of things are frustrating me now.  Last night, Gavin finished up his infusion and removed the needles from his stomach. He always has some tissue on hand in case there's any leakage or bleeding.   He removes the needles and I hear him freaking out about how badly the one infusion site was bleeding but he seemed to have addressed it himself…

10 Comments
January 3, 2017
Autism Parenting Woes / My thoughts

Merry Meltdowns

The day after a major holiday is usually one of the most difficult days as a special needs parent. Of all the major holidays that can present with day after fallout, Christmas is by far the worst.  The boys have been freaking the fuck out, all day. Fighting and bickering is a constant issue today and frankly, it's pushing me to the brink of insanity.  I get upset and frustrated, like any parent would. The difference being that I have to keep in mind that at least some of this is out of their control. How much remains unclear but a large portion of this is related to overstimulation.  On the other side if the coin, I don't want to excuse their behavior simply because they are spectrum kids. They…

12 Comments
December 26, 2016
Read more about the article How we finally got our child with #Autism to fall asleep in his own bed
Autism Parenting Woes / Emmett John / My thoughts

How we finally got our child with #Autism to fall asleep in his own bed

Here's a little story about an eight year old with Autism, who was unable to fall asleep in his own bed at night.  This little boys name is Emmett and this has been a long standing issue.  He's had some really bad nightmares while in his bed. Based on a very common trait with people on the spectrum called generalization, Emmett now believes that he will always have nightmares when he falls asleep.   We've tried all kinds of things: New beds New mattresses  Night lights  Flashlights Things that project very peaceful light shows onto the ceiling Magic spray Leaving a calming show on repeat on their TV Diffusers with essential oils  Music Door open and door closed These are just a few things off the top of my head…

8 Comments
December 10, 2016
Autism Parenting Woes

I’m really struggling with patience today

It's been one of those days where Autism and ADHD are totally kicking my ass. I love my kids to the moon and back but they are absolutely driving me crazy.  Gavin's repeating himself over and over again. Elliott is just melting down like there's no tomorrow and it's over every single tiny thing. Emmett's really the only one keeping his head above water today.  When Elliott gets like this, there's absolutely no reasoning with him and he has to be sent to his room to calm down. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. Today has been one of those days where is hasn't been working.  I'm very preoccupied with a new problem that Gavin has been experiencing over the last few days that I haven't shared publicly…

2 Comments
November 19, 2016
Autism Parenting Woes / Gavin / My thoughts

His endless talking is driving me nuts

The day overall was pretty good. We had something pop up with one of our utilities but I was able to figure it out and now we're good with that particular one. This could have been bad but it worked out that that's super positive.   Where I struggled today was in dealing with Gavin. I know he means well but holy shit was he driving me crazy.  It was one of those days where he shared every thought that went through his head. It seemed constant and without reprieve. Lizze and I were both feeling the burn on this one today.  When I say he shared everything that went through his head, it was more like he had to verbally announce everything he did or was going to do. …

28 Comments
November 15, 2016