Read more about the article If you detect some frustration, you’re not wrong
Akron Children's Hospital / Autism Parenting Woes / Emmett John / My thoughts / Pediatrics / Psychiatry

If you detect some frustration, you’re not wrong

I've been struggling to write as much as I'd like if under better circumstances. This last week of my life has been very challenging, and recovering from it is taking some time. We buried my grandmother a week ago today. All of us are still feeling the impact of this, but especially Emmett. As I'm writing this, he's been up for two days now and cannot fall asleep. Melatonin isn't helping, and he's incredibly stressed out. I just got off the phone with his pediatrician's office, and I'm trying to get them to put him on low dose Prozac. Emmett has his first appointment with Akron Children's Behavioral Health in September, and he's on a cancellation list as well. For some reason, his pediatrician, whom we really like, seems resistant…

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June 27, 2019
Read more about the article It’s a difficult birthday for our youngest
Emmett John / My thoughts

It’s a difficult birthday for our youngest

Today is going to be crazy busy for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's Emmett's birthday, and he turns 11 years old. ☺ Secondly, my Mom is having knee replacement surgery this morning, and I'm at the hospital with my Dad waiting while she gets her brand new knee. I'll probably be here most of the day. We've been trying to help Emmett figure out what he wants to do for his birthday, but he doesn't know. He doesn't even know what he wants for his birthday. This isn't something we can decide for him either. He's a very indecisive person and struggles with even the most benign decisions. He's always been this way, and it does create many issues. If we try to surprise him with something, especially when…

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June 26, 2019
Read more about the article Confessions of a frustrated #Autism Dad
Autism Parenting Struggles / Gavin / My thoughts

Confessions of a frustrated #Autism Dad

This is one of those posts where I'm brutally honest about something that's going on. Those with experience will be able to relate, and those without have an opportunity to gain some insight into something they might not otherwise have any experience with. The issue tonight is a reoccurring one, but I've not spoken about it in a little while. Mr. Gavin has been driving me nuts today, and the day before, as well as the day before that. You get the picture. He's driving me crazy on a pretty regular basis. I always want to preface things with a this is not his fault statement, because it really isn't his fault. Yes, choices are being made, but nothing he does is meant to upset or cause distress to anyone.…

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June 24, 2019
Read more about the article No parent likes to see their child struggle
My thoughts

No parent likes to see their child struggle

It was a rough night. Emmett only ended up falling asleep in our bed, and that ultimately sent me to the couch. I'm okay with that because it meant that he got some sleep and wasn't up all night. I'm hoping that we can help him through this because he's clearly struggling with everything that's happened over the last couple of weeks and I certainly can't blame him. I know it's been tough for me, and I have a plethora of coping skills he has yet to develop. So far today, he had quite a few emotional outbursts. It's not like emotional outbursts are uncommon for him, but these are not triggered by things that would normally trigger him, like more sensory oriented events. He's miserable, and I hate seeing…

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June 24, 2019
Read more about the article #Autism can make dealing with loss much more difficult
Autism Parenting Struggles / My thoughts

#Autism can make dealing with loss much more difficult

Raising kids with Autism is no easy task. There are a zillion little things that we as Autism parents have to be cognizant of, that other parents don't. There are challenges our kid's experience that are unique to Autism, and it can be very difficult to navigate as a parent. Losing a loved one is one such challenge. I've been talking recently about my late grandmother. She passed away a week ago, and we had to decide how to handle services with our three Autistic kids. Elliott and Gavin didn't want to go because they knew it would be too hard. Emmett, on the other hand, struggled to decide. Ultimately, Lizze and I went on our own while the kids stayed with her parents. We knew that even without attending…

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June 24, 2019
Read more about the article Review: @Otsimo is a fantastic educational app for kids with #Autism
My thoughts / Reviews / Sponsored Post

Review: @Otsimo is a fantastic educational app for kids with #Autism

If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that I'm a huge proponent of technology. I like to connect people with tech that can improve their quality of life, and this is especially true in the case of Autism parents. As an Autism parent myself, I know first hand how challenging it can be. I also know that I need all the help I can get. I utilize many forms of technology in my daily life. Apps are easily among the most common pieces of technology I utilize. I use apps to manage many aspects of my family's everyday life. I'm even using the WordPress app to write this post. Apps are amazing little pieces of software that can enrich our lives in ways we couldn't…

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June 23, 2019
Read more about the article We have an unpleasant task ahead of us today
My thoughts

We have an unpleasant task ahead of us today

The boys and I are going to be heading to my late grandmother's condo today. We're going to help my parents prepare it for sale. There's a ton of things to go through and as unpleasant as it sounds, it mist be done. Lizze isn't feeling well, so she's going to stay home and sleep. I don't want to spend all day there cause I'm exhausted and don't feel very good myself. I'm hoping to make a good dent, and spend the rest of the day recovering from am awful week.

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June 22, 2019
Read more about the article Working to get back on track
My thoughts

Working to get back on track

The boys came home this morning. They're in pretty good spirits, and that's always a good thing. Lizze and I are exhausted from the week's events, and if the kids are in a good place, we're all the better for it. We may be going to my grandmother's condo tomorrow to help with whatever needs to be done there. I don't know anything for sure yet. The main mission I have, at this point in time, is getting our lives back on track. I wish I knew how to do that, but we're going to have to figure things out as we go. We have an entire summer ahead of us, a birthday next week and a ton of work that needs to be done so we can one day…

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June 21, 2019