Read more about the article How to get the technology needed to help keep your wandering kids with #Autism safe
Vivint Gives Back

How to get the technology needed to help keep your wandering kids with #Autism safe

It's Autism Awareness Month and one of the biggest concerns that Autism parents face is wandering. Children with Autism have a tendency to wander away from a position of safety, only to find themselves in danger. Unfortunately, these situations don't always end well and we know that the faster the intervention, the more likely we are to have a positive outcome. Having a child safely recovered is what matters most. Did you know that there is a foundation out there that wants to provide you with free Home Automation and Security technology to help prevent your child from wandering in the first place? To that end, I was to share a partnership I have built with an amazing company called Vivint Home. They have a charity division called Vivint Gives…

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April 7, 2017
Read more about the article This morning has completely fallen apart
General Update / My thoughts

This morning has completely fallen apart

We're not off to the best start today. Unfortunately, most of us are not feeling well. By most of us, I mean everyone in my family with an active immune system. Ironically, Gavin is the the only one who's feeling fine.  In reality, that's a good thing because the last thing in the world we want is for Gavin to get sick.  Nobody went to school today and we're all just going to take it easy this morning and see if things improve.  In regards to Emmett, I actually suspect he's in a fever flare. This explains his demeanor and level of aggression this morning.  Lizze can barely move today because of the weather. We went from a much warmer trend to this.  As for myself, I'm exhausted beyond words.…

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April 7, 2017
Read more about the article We have a really busy day today
My thoughts / The Day Ahead

We have a really busy day today

We have a really long day ahead of us. After dropping the boys off at school, we have to get a copy of Gavin's birth certificate from the Canton Board of Health. We can't find his for some reason and we need it cause in order to recertify this year, we have to prove that our kids are legal residents of the United States.  After that, we can go home for a short time before having to return to the school to pick up the boys and head to Cleveland for three doctors appointments.  The appointments are with Allergy and Immunology.  We'll be in the car for at least three hours, for what amounts to a thirty minute appointment.  The boys dislike these trips cause they're in the car forever.…

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April 6, 2017
Read more about the article Here’s some GOOD NEWS
Good News / My thoughts

Here’s some GOOD NEWS

While yesterday was a trying day, there was some really awesome news. We got our car back from the shop. My brother was able to get the ignition removed and replaced but it wasn't easy. The new ignition works like a charm and I'm so grateful for his help. I also was to say a huge thank you to my parents as well. They were a huge help as well and Lizze and I are both very grateful for that... My triumphant return to the driving world comes in the nick of time because we have to get all the kids to the doctors in the late morning. This is one of those out of town trips that will take us all day and this wouldn't have been possible without…

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April 6, 2017
Read more about the article 2 things my #Autism family is struggling with right now
Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts

2 things my #Autism family is struggling with right now

It's been an exhausting day.  I managed to squeeze out five hours of sleep between last night and now. That was broken up into three tiny chunks and not all at once. That sorta kills the benefit.  Emmett's been having nightmares again for the last couple of nights, and in true Autistic fashion, he's generalized the cause as being his bed. In other words, because he had a nightmare while in his own bed, he will always have nightmares if he's in his own bed.  Generalization is one of the challenges Autism has brought into his young life and its tough to counter.  He's so smart and logically I think he knows his bed has nothing to go with bad dreams, but emotionally he can't put those things together.  It's…

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April 6, 2017
Read more about the article 5 ways you can help an #Autism parent 
Inspirational Posts / My thoughts

5 ways you can help an #Autism parent 

Being an Autism parent is overwhelming. I think anyone who's parenting a child with Autism would likely agree with that statement. What I think we can sometimes forget is that Autism can be overwhelming to anyone, including family and friends.  I truly believe that most family and friends want to be supportive, but don't know how. There are also very unsupportive or unhealthy dynamics between family and friends, but let's focus on the positive.  My thoughts at this point, center around helping family and friends discover ways that they can be more supportive, by sharing some ideas that can make a difference. Pick up the phone The easiest thing that someone can do to help an Autism parent is very simple and doesn't cost a penny. All you have to…

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April 5, 2017
Read more about the article I’m in desperate need of sleep
Autism Parenting Woes / My thoughts

I’m in desperate need of sleep

I had a rough night. I fell asleep around 1 AM and was woke up about 3 AM by Emmett. I don't remember all the details but he had a nightmare and just wanted to snuggle.  Normally I wouldn't mind but I've spent the last several nights on the couch because Elliott's been dealing with insomnia, even on Melatonin.  As a result of many nights on the couch, my back has gone out. I don't remember feeling this much pain in many, many years. The point being that Emmett wanting to snuggle, wasn't going to work cause I was in took much pain.  I ended up moving down to the couch again and was eventually able to fall back asleep. Lizze is sending me back to bed and I'm going…

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April 5, 2017