Did you know that many kids with #Autism lack a filter? Here’s a perfect example.

I mentioned in the previous post that we took Gavin to dinner last night cause the boys were gone and we thought it would be nice. We ended up at Chipotle grabbing burritos. Gavin does a pretty good job at ordering for himself but I stayed within earshot because like many kids on the Autism Spectrum, he very much lacks a filter and you never know what's going to cone out of his mouth. What's a filter? A filter is what we call the ability to think something and not blurt it out for everyone to hear, regardless of appropriateness. Some might call it tact but filter is the general term. Anyway, Lizze was getting ready to pay and Gavin was finishing up his order. The person behind the counter…

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We had a challenging day but this is why it was also rewarding

We've had a pretty eventful day. The boys did great at school today and that's ways a good thing. ☺ On the way home, Emmett informed us that he was invited to another birthday party, only this time it was less than 24 hours notice. They passed out invitations at the end of the day on Friday for a birthday party the following day. That's kinda short notice and Emmett won't be home. Actually, Emmett and Elliott won't be home. They're going to be at their grandparents. I feel bad and I hope someone is able to make it but that short of notice is kinda hard to work with. Anyway, after picking the boys up, we all went over to my parents house to hang out with my Grandpa…

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It’s a good news kinda morning

Elliott made his return to school this morning. He's been sick for the last few days and has been home as a result. Lizze and I were planning on having to work with him in order to get him to go today but he went without a word. We're very proud of him because situations like can be stressful and produce anxiety. I took the boys to McDonald's on the way because they did awesome this morning and I wanted to reward that. ☺ On the way home, I stopped and got my walking done. I've gone everyday this month, rain or shine. I'm already pushing 40 miles since the first of September. I'm doing really awesome so far and I'm hoping to beat last month's 52 miles. I'm feeling…

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What do you do when not everyone in the class is invited?

Emmett came home from school today in a really good mood. This was a pleasant surprise because he had to go to school without Elliott and doesn't always do okay with that. When Emmett climbed into the car after existing the school, he said Dad, I need you to interpret something for me. Emmett will sometimes do this when he doesn't understand an interaction he's had with someone. Social cues aren't always his thing, much the same as many others on the Autism spectrum. Turns out the issue was pretty simple. Someone in his class is having a birthday party and Emmett got an invitation. He was clearly excited but also troubled at the same time. Emmett says he doesn't think everyone in the class was invited. He overheard his…

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Another long and trying day

It's been a long, trying day here in The Autism Dad household. With three of us sick, things have been more challenging than normal. Poor Elliott is still running a fever as of midnight tonight and will not be in school once again. Truthfully, he'll probably miss the rest of the week. Emmett seems to be doing better and should be returning to school in the morning. Unfortunately, Emmett has a very difficult time going to school without Elliott. It's been a longstanding issue that we've never really been able to work through. We can usually get Emmett to school but not without a great deal of work, endless patience and a bit of luck. As long as he's feeling better, we should be able to get him to school.…

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Once upon a time when he could remember

As time goes by, it becomes more and more apparent that Gavin's entire state of being is in decline. One of the most impactful for him, at least from my perspective, is his memory loss. Memory loss is probably not the right word choice because it's more like unable to remember than it is losing memories he already has. The latest example of this is from a few minutes ago. Gavin is continuing to lose weight and his gastro put him on Ensure. He's supposed to drink one with every meal, totalling three a day. We've talked about it many times and he's specifically asked about when he was going to get the Ensure, so he can have one with each meal. There was a delay with his shipment of…

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What’s more challenging than a child with #Autism?

One of the few things more challenging than raising kids with Autism is raising kids with Autism while they're sick. Last night Elliott spiked a fever of almost 104 °F and Emmett began coughing and hacking. Elliott's home from school for the second day and Emmett's now home as well. Both are quite miserable. Miserable kids can be challenging enough but add in Autism/sensory issues and things get way more challenging. Kids with Autism tend to feel and experience things so much more intensely, especially when sensory issues are involved. Things like runny noses, stuffy heads, sneezing, coughing and headaches can be tough for anyone but forany kids with Autism, these are absolute nightmares. I'm still sick as well and life in general pretty much sucks right now. I've got…

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