Read more about the article THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF PARENTING A CHILD ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM
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THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF PARENTING A CHILD ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or autism, is a neurological condition that affects a large number of Canadian children and their families. In fact, it is the most common developmental disability amongst Canadians aged 5-17, with 1 in 66 children and youth diagnosed. As a result, minors with autism have trouble with social interactions, communication problems, and a tendency to repeat certain patterns of behavior. Depending on where they fall on the spectrum, the severity of the condition and level of functioning differs from child to child. As a result, separate types of treatment and programs are offered to different kids. Parents raising children with high-functioning autism, for example, are subject to more expenses than those with kids who have low-functioning autism, due to the extra care commitment required. Nevertheless, the…

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March 6, 2020
Read more about the article Houston, we have a fever
Elliott / My thoughts

Houston, we have a fever

Nothing is ever easy in The Autism Dad household. I was able to get to sleep early last night but woke up because Elliott wasn't feeling well. Long story short, he didn't sleep well and was under the weather. I did manage to get Emmett to school, which was a bit challenging because he doesn't like going alone. Anyway, Elliott went back to bed and woke up a little while ago with a fever of almost 103°F. I'm not sure if it's a cold or not but he's very congested and has a headache. It sorta seems like the status quo for when he gets sick. It's usually upper respiratory in nature and sets in rapidly. I just have to watch him closely because he's prone to pneumonia and other…

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March 6, 2020
Read more about the article I just want him to be a kid
Emmett John / My thoughts

I just want him to be a kid

I thought I would share this because it's both funny and a bit reassuring for me personally. So Emmett has completely taken over the dining room with a giant blanket fort and refuses to let me take it down. I know I could do it anyway but he's not hurting anything and it's something that helps him feel a bit more in control. Obviously, it can't stay there forever but I think I'll let him be a kid for a good long while. He's dealing with so many grown-up issues right now and I hate that he's growing up so fast. Is it really a crime if I encourage him to just be a kid right now?

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March 5, 2020
Read more about the article Adaptability is a job requirement for an #Autism parent
My thoughts

Adaptability is a job requirement for an #Autism parent

Our start to the day has been a bit meh. Elliott and Emmett were both up and moving super early. Emmett wasn't feeling well and I decided to give him a late start, rather than miss the whole day. I got Elliott to school and then spent the next two hours trying to help Emmett. I figured he wasn't actually sick but like Elliott yesterday, he's upset about something and it's causing him distress. I did manage to get him to school by 10:00 AM. So far so good. In a short while, I need to have Gavin to a doctor's appointment. He's still seeing his pediatrician for a number of reasons but I'm going to need to eventually move him to his own PCP but that's a problem for…

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March 5, 2020
Read more about the article Today proved to be challenging due to several unexpected events
My thoughts

Today proved to be challenging due to several unexpected events

Pretty much nothing has gone as planned today. The boys got to school and I went walking but everything thing else sorta derailed. I recieved a call that Emmett's doctor was out sick today and his appointment would have to be rescheduled. I hope he feels better and this did free me up a bit. At the same time, Emmett had planned on things happening a certain way and unexpected changes can be difficult. I did call the school and they relayed the message. I won't know for sure how he's doing until I see him. I won't see him until after dinner cause Lizze and her mom are picking the boys up from school because they have a visit today and they're celebrating Elliott's birthday. As I was adjusting…

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March 4, 2020
Read more about the article First things first, Happy Birthday Elliott
Elliott / Happy Birthday / My thoughts

First things first, Happy Birthday Elliott

I want to start out by saying Happy Birthday to Elliott. He turned 14 today and I couldn't possibly be prouder of the young man he's becoming. The plan for today is get the boys to school and go walking. I have a meeting at 11am and that should last about an hour. I have to pick Emmett up early and get him to Akron Children's Hospital for a follow-up. Lizze and her mom will be picking up the other 2 kids because it's Wednesday and they have a visit this afternoon. I will drop Emmett off on our way home. They're celebrating Elliott's birthday, so I'll celebrate it later this week. It sucks that we have to do things this way but it's okay. I have Elliott everyday and…

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March 4, 2020
Read more about the article I hope you can learn something from my #divorce
My thoughts / New Beginnings

I hope you can learn something from my #divorce

It's been a very challenging day. I got the kids off to school and then met with Lizze and the kids therapist to hammer out all the important details of our pending dissolution. It's complicated for a number of reasons but it's incredibly civil, there's absolutely no animosity and everything is already worked out. While I would never have chosen this as our path, I do take comfort in the knowledge that this will not be ugly and that frankly, it's almost over. This isn't easy at all but I'm grateful that Lizze is working with me to ensure the best interests of our kids. Divorce is a shitty, painful thing, but it doesn't have to be ugly. War does not have to be waged and even if I don't…

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March 3, 2020
Read more about the article I need to get you caught up on a few things
My thoughts

I need to get you caught up on a few things

Okay, so I've been a bit unplugged today and aside from paying attention to the news and getting some work done, I've not been online much recently. My focus today was on moving forward and taking the necessary steps in order to do that. I had a meeting today and I have another one tomorrow. I'd rather be doing just about anything else and it's very emotional for me but we can't move forward by standing still. I feel good about everything, I mean, all things considered anyway. I spent my downtime going through hundreds of emails from the last week or two. I really need a secretary to help manage all this. I keep finding myself buried in correspondence and I can never seem to get through all of…

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March 2, 2020