Read more about the article Gavin has major testing today at the @ClevelandClinic
Cleveland Clinic / Gavin / My thoughts / Psychiatry

Gavin has major testing today at the @ClevelandClinic

Today is a massive day for us. Gavin will be spending the day at the Cleveland Clinic for one of the most critical appointments he's had in a very long time. Gavin will be undergoing another round of neuropsych testing. It's been many, many years since he went through this battery of testing the first time and it's long overdue. It's very difficult to get in to have this done because they were booked out so far into the future. We also had insurance issues that indefinitely delayed things as well. Click here for previous posts on neuropsych testing and why it's important. Basically, Gavin will undergo hours of psych testing today. The purpose of this is to see where he is cognitively, as well as emotionally, and compare it…

1 Comment
June 11, 2019
Read more about the article My 19-year-old #Autistic son has a touching moment with my grandmother
Autism Parenting Insight / Gavin / My thoughts

My 19-year-old #Autistic son has a touching moment with my grandmother

Gavin is my 19-year-old Autistic son. While he's 19 years old on the outside, he's about 5 or 6 years old on the inside. This presents many challenges for him, many I talk about on this blog. One of the significant challenges for Gavin is pretty much anything to do with emotion. He's always struggled with emotion, which isn't uncommon for people on the Autism Spectrum. Gavin has never been able to express himself easily, and that has led to frustration on his part but also our part as well. Autism is a complicated and misunderstood human condition. In Gavin's case, he also has schizophrenia as well and that further complicates things. He's often out of touch with reality and off fighting battles in another Universe where he's a superhero.…

5 Comments
June 10, 2019
Read more about the article This is a f*cking nightmare every week
Clozapine / Gavin / Medication Management / My thoughts

This is a f*cking nightmare every week

It's Sunday, and we still have not been able to get Gavin's Clozapine refill. He has his bloodwork done every Wednesday morning, but the pharmacy either doesn't check for the labs, or they aren't sent to them in the first place. We end up waiting and waiting for the refill to come in. I set everything up so that there's a few days of overlap, and we have a backup supply as well. Timing is of the essence with Clozapine because he can't ever miss more than two doses. Lizze called again today, and they should have it ready in the morning. We still have his backup supply, so he's not missed anything. That being said, it's incredibly frustrating. There's so much red tape surrounding Clozapine, and it's a nightmare…

0 Comments
June 9, 2019
Read more about the article I was completely unprepared my #Autistic son’s heartbreaking emotional reaction
Autism Parenting Heartbreak / Autism Parenting Insight / Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / My thoughts

I was completely unprepared my #Autistic son’s heartbreaking emotional reaction

One of the biggest challenges my wife and I have faced as Autism parents is something that thankfully, doesn't present itself very often. When it does, however, it's very difficult to navigate. That challenge has to do with the death of a family member. Thankfully, that doesn't occur very often, but it's something that we all have to face throughout our lives. Before we get into our current situation, I want to provide a bit of background and context. We've lost two grandparents in the last eight months, and for the first time, we allowed the kids to participate in the process. We've always shielded them from these things because of their limited ability to cope with emotional situations. It doesn't get more emotional than the loss of a loved…

1 Comment
June 8, 2019
Read more about the article Heartbreaking: We do what we must for those that we love
Autism Parenting Heartbreak / Gavin / My thoughts / Schizophrenia

Heartbreaking: We do what we must for those that we love

I'm way behind on this update, but life has been getting in the way of writing. That said, what better time than the present to get everyone caught up. This particular update is in regards to Gavin and Wednesday night therapy. I had mentioned that he was chomping at the bit to update us on the missions he's been on recently. I also said that my enthusiasm for those updates was a bit lacking because it's a lot to take in, and it's a reminder of just how much he struggles with reality. It's important to me that I be supportive of him, but at the same time, I can't feed into his delusions. It's a very blurry line on the best of days, and it's not easy at all…

0 Comments
June 7, 2019
Read more about the article My #Autistic son’s act of kindness
Autism Parenting Victories / Gavin / My thoughts

My #Autistic son’s act of kindness

Gavin's bloodwork went well and I want to give Gavin props for how he handled himself in the parking lot while he was there. As I mentioned in the precious post, my morning walk was rain delayed, and when I dropped Gavin off for his bloodwork, it was pouring down rain. As he was running to get into the building, an elderly woman was making her way to the same door and doing so with the assistance of a walker. She was moving very slowly, and Gavin isn't always super patience. That said, Gavin stopped dead in his tracks and politely let the woman go first. The whole time he was waiting for her, he was also standing in the rain. Gavin does not like getting wet. Once she was…

3 Comments
June 5, 2019
Read more about the article I feel like this is a total victory
Akron Children's Hospital / Gastroenterology / Gavin / My thoughts

I feel like this is a total victory

Gavin's appointment at the always amazing Akron Children's Hospital went very well. Most of his gastro symptoms have subsided, and he does not require regular medication in that area of his life. While he's not really gaining weight, he's maintaining where he is, and that's a good thing. His doctor is happy with his progress in the weight department. Gavin spoke up a few times, but it didn't cause any confusion during the appointment. Sometimes it does because of Gavin wanting to say what he thinks the other person wants to hear. Accuracy is not his thing and makes things more confusing than it has to be. He did an excellent job today. He doesn't even have to come back for 12 months. After that appointment, if all is well,…

1 Comment
June 3, 2019
Read more about the article Guess where we are today
Akron Children's Hospital / Gastroenterology / Gavin / My thoughts

Guess where we are today

We've made it to see our friends at Akron Children's Hospital, and did so on time. That's quite an accomplishment if you've driven through Akron in recent years. Anyway, this is a follow-up with Gastroenterology for Mr. Gavin. I don't expect anything Earth-shattering to occur today. Gavin's in a pretty good mood, and he's having a decent day thus far. He's a bit animated though. I guess manic would be a better or more accurate word to use, but it's not mania how he's historically experienced mania. He's just really happy, very exaggerated in much of what he does, and is extremely talkative. It's not bad, at least comparatively speaking but it's enough that we can tell something is going on. I do suspect it will be a bit annoying…

0 Comments
June 3, 2019