Read more about the article Once again, Sensory Processing issues interfere with life
Emmett John / Sensory / Shoes and Socks

Once again, Sensory Processing issues interfere with life

These sensory issues are absolutely killing me as a parent and I'm not even the one having to physically experience them. I can't image what it's like for Emmett.  We tried and tried to help Emmett work through his sensitivity to anything on his feet but we were unable to make it happen this morning.  It's extremely frustrating for Lizze and I as parents because we know that he needs to be at school. It's even more frustrating for Emmett because he wants to be at school but his body is making that very, very difficult for him.  We were somewhat pressed for time this morning because we were already late, Elliott needed to get to school and Gavin needed to have his bloodwork done first thing.  The bottom line…

24 Comments
March 3, 2017
Read more about the article Here’s what happened at Emmett’s doctors appointment today
ADHD / Emmett John

Here’s what happened at Emmett’s doctors appointment today

As I shared earlier, Emmett had an appointment with his pediatrician this afternoon for an ADHD intake, similar to Elliott's from last week.  The ADHD intake went just fine. Emmett's ADHD was on full display while we were there. We kinda joked about whether or not I was sure he had ADHD because he was all over the place. 😁  I'm grateful to have such a cool, young doctor because it sorta puts me at ease when the kids are in rare form, like they were today.  The only other thing we needed to have checked out was Emmett's ears.  I explained to one of my readers earlier today that he doesn't have issues with his ears but he tends to be really waxy and it can occlude his ear…

14 Comments
March 3, 2017
Read more about the article Why I had to pick up the kids early today
ADHD / Emmett John

Why I had to pick up the kids early today

We're all checked in and waiting to be called back. Oh... I should have mentioned that Emmett has his ADHD intake with his pediatrician today. This is the same appointment that Elliott had last week, minus the headache stuff.  I'm not expecting this to be a challenging appointment unless they try to clean his ears out. He needs to have his ears cleaned out and Lizze is home with Gavin because neither are feeling super great today.  This is a big appointment in the sense that we had to move to his pediatrician for his ADHD management and can finally get refills again.  I'll let you know how it goes.... 

12 Comments
March 2, 2017
Read more about the article Why I’m so proud of my son today
Emmett John / My thoughts

Why I’m so proud of my son today

It was a rush rush kinda morning. Everyone slept pretty well last night but we have a big day today.  Emmett has a field trip today and we weren't sure how that was going to go because he must wear his shoes and socks if he wants to go. He really, really wants to go visit the chocolate factory and worked extra hard to get his shoes and socks on.  I'm really proud of him because he pulled it off today and is currently at school, getting ready for his field trip.  There was a bit of struggle at first but he talked himself through it, and that doesn't happen very often at all.  What would be amazing is if this were a sign of things to come... ☺ 

2 Comments
March 2, 2017
Read more about the article General Update: The Good News and The Bad News
Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / General Update

General Update: The Good News and The Bad News

I've been spread pretty thin this week and I haven't written much at all. I'm trying to refocus a bit and get back into the habit but frankly, it seems overwhelming sometimes. I'll do my best to get back on track.  There are a few things that I'd like to update you on.  First and foremost, Elliott finally was able to fall asleep at his normal bedtime hour. The last four or five nights, he's really struggled to fall asleep and wasn't able to until well after midnight. Last night however, he never fell asleep and that's not a good thing.  I'm not sure what was different about tonight but he fell asleep without a problem. Lizze and I are both grateful for that.  Emmett's been Emmett. Shoes and socks…

6 Comments
March 2, 2017
Read more about the article How we handle one of our kids with #Autism being home from school
Emmett John / My thoughts

How we handle one of our kids with #Autism being home from school

It was a rough night but I did get some sleep and so did Elliott. Having said that, we had Mr. Emmett throw a wrench into our plans today because he woke up not feeling good.  Emmett loves school and so faking an illness to stay home isn't his thing.  His stomach was upset and there was no getting him to do anything. Lizze and I kept him home because we didn't know what else to do. It's really frustrating because Emmett struggles with expressive language in a very big way. Gaining insight into what he's experiencing is no easy task.  Sometimes we can only step back and look at everything as a whole, making a decision based on our best guess.  Emmett's home from school and when one of…

0 Comments
February 27, 2017
Read more about the article My son’s sensory issues totally kicked my ass today
Emmett John / My thoughts / Sensory / Shoes and Socks

My son’s sensory issues totally kicked my ass today

Mother of God, I didn't think we were going to survive this morning. Everyone was in a great mood and that's awesome. Elliott and Emmett were getting along and there wasn't any fighting whatsoever.  Let me tell ya, that almost never happens.  All of that awesomeness ended the moment it was time to put shoes and socks on. Our mission of helping Emmett tolerate his shoes and socks began about 7:15 am and we finally arrived at the school at 9:00 am.  It took almost two hours to work through the sensory issues this morning. There was so much screaming and panic over how his socks felt funny, I wouldn't be surprised if my neighbors, three doors down could hear him.  We came so close to throwing in the towel and…

12 Comments
February 23, 2017
Read more about the article I’m heartbroken over forcing my son with #Autism to go to school today
Emmett John / My thoughts / Sensory / Shoes and Socks

I’m heartbroken over forcing my son with #Autism to go to school today

I woke up exhausted, but in a good mood. That mood carried me through until it came time to get Emmett in his shoes and socks.  Lizze worked for quite some time with him on being able to tolerate his shoes and socks. Unfortunately, despite her best efforts and massive amounts of patience, we never resolved anything for more that a few minutes.   Emmett was okay with things until he got in the car and I began making the drive to school.  At this point he's freaking out, screaming and ripping his shoes off again. This lasted the entire trip to the school and I wasn't in the best place to deal with this.  When we got to school, I had to park the car because he wouldn't get…

16 Comments
February 21, 2017