Read more about the article I have some good news and some bad news
My thoughts

I have some good news and some bad news

It was a morning of mixed emotions here in The Autism Dad house. We tried so very hard to keep the little baby squirrels alive through the night so they could be taken to the Wildlife Center at Sippo Lake this morning.   The Xbox kept them warm and toasty throughout the night and pedialyte kept them hydrated. Unfortunately, we lost one before bedtime and another one at some-point during the night.    When we woke up this morning, only two were still alive.  Elliott and Emmett were heartbroken once again but we put aside our grief long enough to finish the job we'd started the night before.m We successfully delivered two baby squirrels to the Sanders Wildlife Center at Sippo Lake by 8:15am this morning. I explained to the…

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August 12, 2015
Read more about the article Art by Emmett: Something from Minecraft
Artwork / Emmett John

Art by Emmett: Something from Minecraft

I wanted to share this cool picture that Emmett did while in therapy tonight. I believe this is called a Blaze and its from Minecraft.  He worked really hard on this and I think it's pretty darn amazing.  I love my kids artwork because I can see pieces of who they are inside their creative endeavors.  Beautiful artwork Emmett. Daddy's very proud of you. ❤️👍   

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August 12, 2015
Read more about the article Elliott cried himself to sleep tonight :(
Elliott / Thoughts and Prayers

Elliott cried himself to sleep tonight :(

Poor Elliott's heart was broken again tonight. 😔 The boys had therapy tonight with Dr. Pattie. When we got home, Elliott found what would turn out to be a baby squirrel. In fact, there would be a total of 4 newborn baby squirrels found.  Apparently, they had fallen about 40 feet out of the nest and landed on the sidewalk. Frankly, it's pretty miraculous that they survived in the first place.     These little guys are way to young for me to try and take on myself but we got them wrapped up in a warm blanket and safely stored in the house for the night.  I'm raising my kids to cherish all life and that includes helpless baby squirrels.    In the morning, they will be going to the…

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August 11, 2015
Read more about the article Emmett will take on a pretty major change today
Daily Autism Challenges / Emmett John / Physical Therapy

Emmett will take on a pretty major change today

We have a sorta major schedule change for Mr. Emmett today. We've switched over to the school schedule for his physical therapy today. Normally he goes to therapy on Wednesdays at 1pm but with school coming soon, we needed to make the switch to a more sustainable school schedule.  Therapy will be on Tuesday afternoons now and he'll have to be pulled from school early, once it starts. That being said, it will be at the end of the day and shouldn't disrupt anything significant. The school is amazing at working with me so I know everything will work out.  The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, is the physical change from one day and time to another. Kids with Autism tend to dislike change and Emmett is…

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August 11, 2015
Read more about the article Guess who lost another tooth?
Elliott / Lost a Tooth

Guess who lost another tooth?

I forgot to tell you folks that Elliott lost another tooth the other day. He's missing his two front teeth and now two on the bottom. 😁 He's been handling this really well. He normally panics at the sight of blood but he pulled the tooth out when it was ready, all by himself. 👍      

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August 11, 2015
Read more about the article Today’s Autism Victory: Walking a mile in his shoes
Elliott / Today's Victory

Today’s Autism Victory: Walking a mile in his shoes

I want to take a few minutes and share a pretty big victory we celebrated tonight. The world at large probably won't understand the significance of something like this but I know at least some of you will.  Elliott struggles with extreme anxiety. He takes medication to improve his quality of life but it doesn't really help.  The boys and I walked the track tonight. Elliott wanted to explore the banks of the creek but I had to tell him no because we were racing the weather and I didn't want to be caught in the rain.     Elliott wasn't happy with that and kept pushing and pushing to be allowed to go. My answer didn't change and he was getting really frustrated. I stood my ground because I knew…

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August 11, 2015
Read more about the article Gavin makes his triumphant return to the Cleveland Clinic next week
Cleveland Clinic / Gavin / Rheumatology

Gavin makes his triumphant return to the Cleveland Clinic next week

Something I'm don't know if I've shared before is that Gavin has connective tissue problems. Apparently, his Mom has a connective tissue disorder but that was diagnosed after she left and so I'm relatively in the dark on that. Gavin is extremely hyper flexible. Some of the things he can do are actually cringe worthy and hard to watch.  I've known about that forever and that's one reason why he was in OT/PT and is currently back on the waiting list.     The problem he's been having recently is that his shoulders and hips pop out. It's very painful and just sorta happens randomly. He could be running around and be just fine but he could have his shoulder or hip pop out while climbing out of bed in the…

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August 10, 2015
Read more about the article I’m having a really hard time getting my son with #Autism to eat
Emmett John / My thoughts

I’m having a really hard time getting my son with #Autism to eat

As a father to 3 boys with Autism, feeding issues are nothing new to me. I've faced those challenges almost 3 times a day for 15 years.  Typically this envolves making a different meal for each child and then remaking it several times, until it's sensory acceptable. It's a long and often wasteful process but kids with these problems with sooner starve than eat something that's offensive to them in sensory level.  Of my 3 boys, Emmett is by far the most sensory sensitive and as such, the most challenging to feed.     Lately, it's getting more and more difficult to ensure he's eating.  It's frustrating for both of us because I worry about him losing weight and he truly is hungry. What ends up happening is whatever I do…

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August 10, 2015