The "Did you knows" of #Autism: Meltdowns vs Tantrums         The "Did you knows" of Autism is a small series that I have done, more on facebook than here.  Basically, I use simple graphics to help educate the public on important Autism related facts. If you find value in these, please share them and help spread awareness. This site is managed via WordPress for Android, courtesy of the @SamsungMobileUS Galaxy Note 2 by @Tmobile. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Check out my #Autism Awareness Store to find really cool and unique #Autism Awareness Clothing and Accessories, designed by me. ;-) For more ways to help the Lost and Tired family, please visit Help the Lost and Tired Family.

I once again had the worst nights sleep ever. I'm so stressed out about everything from Gavin to losing our house. I'm really worried about everything going on with Gavin and it's taking a serious toll on me.  There are a million other things that I need to totaled care of and I just can't seem to focus very well.  When you have the knowledge that someone you love, especially your child, is in a life threatening state of being, how can you focus on anything else? I know that life still has to go on and the world won't slow down but I just can't figure it out. This site is managed via WordPress for Android, courtesy of the @SamsungMobileUS Galaxy Note 2 by @Tmobile. Please forgive any typos…

There are so many things in life that can impact how hard or challenging it is to raise a child on the Autism Spectrum.  For me personally, I think the fact that all three of my boys are autistic and have different and oftentimes conflicting needs, is among the toughest thing I face as a special needs parent. When I say conflicting needs, I'm referring to things like sensory processing issues.  Each of my three boys are individuals and unique in their own right. They each have challenges in the sensory arena.  These challenges range from tactile, visual, auditory and olfactory to things as simply as taste.  Because they are each different, there is no way to one stop shop when it comes to anything with them. What's good for…

While Friday was a really, really trying day, I wanted to try an end things on a positive note.  What's one thing that can put any kid that isn't allergic to milk or lactose intolerant, in a better mood? That's right....ice cream!! It worked pretty well and for the most part, the evening concluded on a high note.  This site is managed via WordPress for Android, courtesy of the @SamsungMobileUS Galaxy Note 2 by @Tmobile. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Check out my #Autism Awareness Store to find really cool and unique #Autism Awareness Clothing and Accessories, designed by me. ;-) For more ways to help the Lost and Tired family, please visit Help the Lost and Tired Family.

The only way to describe what today was like is with the word chaos. The morning began with Gavin in so much pain we were getting ready to take him to the ER. He was actually screaming in pain.  He had Elliott totally freaked out and we were in such a hurry that we didn't send anyone to school.  Gavin was going to be in the hospital and Elliott and Emmett were going to my parents.  I was freaked out myself and really worried.  We ended up not having to go but by the time everything was said and done, it was already not a good day.  We were also waiting to hear from his cardiologist to find out if he wanted him seen and evaluated for his rapid heart…

Kids are meant to be kids.  They're meant to be care free and full of life. When you are a special needs parent to a child with fragile health, sometimes you have to do things that you don't like, in order to ensure their health and well being. That's the case for the Lost and Tired Family, with our oldest Gavin.  With everything that Gavin has going on and because they are so incredibly rare, there isn't much known about the disorder's. We don't have a clear cut set of instructions or limitations that we should impose, in order to ensure his health and safety. I want so badly to let Gavin just be a kid.  I would love to be able to say to him, go be a kid.…

Gavin's cardiologist from Akron Children's Hospital, personally called this morning to discuss our concerns about Gavin current heart rate issues. I explained what was going on and what I was worried about.  Part of my concern is the fact that his resting heart rate has been so high for so long.  For right now, he isn't so much concerned about the numbers because Gavin is so young. However, we do need to closely follow him and make sure that nothing else develops as a result.  This might sound like this isn't a big deal.  The reason for that is because this isn't actually a problem with Gavin's heart itself.  The problem is in Gavin's brain and the way in which it's controlling the heart. The concern arises when we look…

Gavin woke up this morning in extreme abdominal pain. So much so that we called both boys off and we walking out the door to head to the ER at Akron Children's Hospital. Elliott and Emmett were going to my Mom's while we were on the way up. Before welcomed leave however, Gavin began to feel better. The reason I was freaking out is because Gavin was totally freaking out.  He was doubled over and screaming. While Gavin has a pension for the performing arts, mainly drama, he did seek to be faking anything. This also had Elliott stressing out as well, in a pretty big way and in the moment, I wasn't going to even try to make him go to school.  Plus, we were going to be leaving…