Read more about the article We’re at the psychiatrist for Gavin and I’m terrified
Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / My thoughts

We’re at the psychiatrist for Gavin and I’m terrified

We are finally at the psychiatrists office for all three boys.   Elliott is a simple meds check and refill, while Emmett's is in regards to a meds check, refill and sleep issues. Gavin on the other hand is a far different and much more complicated situation.   I'm sitting here sick to my stomach because I don't know what's going to happen.  We may not have any choice but to adjust his meds and that scares the shit out of me.   Thank God I'm not doing this alone anymore. Lizze and I are prepared to do whatever we have to in order to help Gavin.   I'm seriously shaking as I'm writing this because I'm terrified we have to increase his Clozapine. 

0 Comments
August 29, 2016
Read more about the article An example of how locked into routine kids on the #Autism Spectrum can be
Elliott / Emmett John / Routine

An example of how locked into routine kids on the #Autism Spectrum can be

I went to pick the boys up from school yesterday. Actually, Lizze and I both went to pick the boys up from school yesterday.  We got there a little bit before 3pm, which is dismissal.  As my long time readers may recall, I typically get to the school about an hour early, park in the shade and write.   This makes me first in line to retrieve my kids.  The boys will usually see me there during their hour of school and feel better kowing that I'm there to get them.   Yesterday, I walked into the school rather than wait in line forever.  When I walked into the school, it was a little before 3pm and I caught Elliott walking out of the office and Emmett in somewhat of…

0 Comments
August 26, 2016
Read more about the article We are still struggling with sleep issues
Elliott / Emmett John / Sleep Issues

We are still struggling with sleep issues

Sleep issues are one of the more prolific symptoms that can present when someone's on the Autism Spectrum.  It's one of the more exhausting challenges as well.  Elliott and Emmett are both struggling with sleep issues.   Elliott wakes up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. Sometimes he's not able to fall asleep either.  On the other hand, Mr. Emmett can't seem to fall asleep in his own bed. He sneaks out of his bed after being tucked in and makes his way to our bed, where he proceeds to encase himself in our pillows and blankets.   We put him back in his bed after he's asleep and most of the time he'll stay there.   There are countless reasons why sleep can…

8 Comments
August 26, 2016
Read more about the article Massive meltdown over shoes and socks
Emmett John / School / School Related Issues / Sensory / Shoes and Socks

Massive meltdown over shoes and socks

Here's what happened this morning in regards to Emmett's shoes and socks.  For simplicity, I'm going to refer to it as World War III because that's what it felt like.   Emmett went from excited about going to school to massively melting down over shoes and socks.   I had him in a pair of socks and sandals for a little while and then all of a sudden, he freaked out because they started to feel funny.  The meltdown lasted over 30 minutes and was sprinkled with I won't go to school and I'm so sorry my feet feel funny.  It's as heartbreaking as it is frustrating.  Once we had reached the 15 minutes late mark, we had no choice but to carry him to the car with a few…

0 Comments
August 24, 2016
Read more about the article I could see the distress in his eyes and it broke my heart
Emmett John / Sleep Issues

I could see the distress in his eyes and it broke my heart

I tried again tonight to get Emmett to fall asleep in his own bed but it didn't go well. Emmett will give us a reason for his not being able to fall asleep in his bed.  We've heard things like his cat won't leave him alone, it's too dark, his bed is too high or he's afraid of his bad dreams. He mentioned to Lizze that he likes her really soft, fuzzy blanket and that's why he sleeps in our bed. While Lizze was away with her Mom tonight, I gave one of those blankets to Emmett and told him that we could try the blanket in his bed and if it works, we'll get him his own. That lasted all of ten minutes. He came downstairs and I could…

0 Comments
August 21, 2016
Read more about the article Great News: Grocery shopping we did go
Emmett John / My thoughts

Great News: Grocery shopping we did go

We were able to finally go grocery shopping today.  It's not as much as we really needed but I'm grateful for what we were able to do.Emmett went with me because he wanted to go along and help.  He also wanted to pick out hot chocolate and there's a story behind that. Last night, Elliott asked for hot chocolate and after he made it, Emmett decided that he wanted some as well.  Unfortunately, as well as because that's just the way life goes for us, Elliott had used the last packet.   Emmett, who'd already been struggling yesterday, lost it.   He had a massive meltdown and the only thing that eventually calmed him down, was the idea of going to the store with me and picking out a new…

0 Comments
August 20, 2016
Read more about the article You won’t believe what I’ve found in my bed over the last three or four nights
Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts

You won’t believe what I’ve found in my bed over the last three or four nights

As I get back into writing after a day or two of life getting in the way, I thought I would start off with something that's just too fricking adorable and precious, not to share.   As you know, Emmett and sometimes Elliott, just can't fall asleep in their own beds.   This is habitual for Emmett and occasional for Elliott.   I don't know what's behind this for sure but I know Emmett has nightmares and Elliott has anxiety. They can't seem to relax or feel safe enough to fall asleep, unless their in our bed.   This is especially true for Emmett.   What happens is that they will try to fall asleep in their own beds. Elliott usually can but Emmett simply cannot.   After an hour…

0 Comments
August 18, 2016