Read more about the article This shit isn’t easy
Autism Parenting Insight / Emmett John / My thoughts

This shit isn’t easy

I've had a longer day than normal today. I already shared that I was up with Emmett last night because his nose was really stuffy. You might be saying to yourself, everyone's nose gets stuffy, why is that a big deal? To put it simply, it's a sensory thing.  Emmett has never done well with a stuffy nose.  I don't know what he experiences when his nose is stuffy, but if it's in line with the way his brain perceives many other stimuli, it's a nightmare for him.  Last night, he finally fell asleep while snuggling on the couch. He had found a position he was comfortable enough in to fall asleep. Unfortunately for me, that position was partly on the couch and partly across my chest.  I was pinned…

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May 17, 2017
Read more about the article It’s been well over a month 
Emmett John / My thoughts / Occupational Therapy

It’s been well over a month 

I feel so much better after a nap. I need a night where I can manage a solid eight hours. It's been awhile since I've had one of those.  I'm getting ready to go pick up Emmett from school and take him to occupational therapy. It's been a long time since he's been there. Between fever cycles and the OT having a family emergency, it's been well over a month since his last appointment.  Emmett is so excited about going back... 

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May 16, 2017
Read more about the article Midnight and morning meltdowns 
Emmett John / Meltdowns / My thoughts

Midnight and morning meltdowns 

Last night was a nightmare. Mr. Emmett didn't go to sleep until well after midnight. It was one meltdown after another until he fell asleep. All of this because of a stuffy nose.  To recap, a stuffy nose turned our lives upside down, until well after midnight last night. Emmett and I ended up falling asleep in the living room because I didn't want to him to wake the other boys up.  Lizze had to be up super early, in order to go to class, so I was nominated to manage this situation last night. I'm so tired today and I'm going to have to close my eyes for a little while.  If I wasn't already tired enough, I would be after trying to get Emmett ready for school. It…

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May 16, 2017
Read more about the article 2 shits and a flying fuck
Autism Parenting Woes / Elliott / My thoughts

2 shits and a flying fuck

I've been in an awesome mood all day, but I have one pubecent pre-teen who's been copping a major attitude lately. I haven't talked about this much because..... Truthfully, I don't know why I haven't talked about this.  For all the Autism related challenges I face on a daily basis, sometimes life sprinkles some more typical problems in as well, just for fun.  Puberty is apparently one of those things.  Lizze and I have been dealing with horrible attitude and lots of mood swings. This is part of the reason that we are watching for signs of Bipolar disorder. The mood swings are especially difficult, but the attitude is a close second.  Just to be clear, no one's labeling him with anything other than annoying pre-teen behavior however, there is…

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May 15, 2017
Read more about the article We had some impromptu fun this afternoon
Link / My thoughts / Outdoor Adventures

We had some impromptu fun this afternoon

Lizze is hanging out with her Mom for a bit, while the boys and I go from the school to the Garden Center. We of course, made a brief stop home to pick up Pokémon Go equipment before heading off to hunt. Some of these Pokémon are hard to find. It would be really interesting to go overlanding or off roading and see what we can find. Lizze and I used to do that when we first met. Obviously, Pokémon go wasn't around then but the off roading part was so much fun. Anyway........ I'm really happy that Lizze got a chance to spend some time with her Mom. Lizze doesn't leave the house all the often because of social anxiety. She's not spent time with her Mom like this…

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May 15, 2017
Read more about the article You might not believe this
Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / My thoughts

You might not believe this

In what can only be called a miraculous turn of events, both boys are in school today. 😁  There was some struggle in regards to lunches, but we did finally get out the door. We even got to school a bit early, and I was able to speak with the principal, as well as Emmett's teachers.  We addressed the whole breaking pencils thing, and was comforted by hearing from several of the staff members that his non-uniform shirt was okay.  After dropping the boys off and dealing with each of their problems/concerns, Gavin and I went walking.  I'm feeling pretty amazing today and really enjoyed walking. 

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May 15, 2017
Read more about the article Rediscovering forgotten skills 
Gallery / Gavin / My thoughts

Rediscovering forgotten skills 

I have been working to reduce the amount of time Gavin spends on his tablet during the day. Part of that process is requiring him to practice some of his other skills during the day.  The first forgotten skill is drawing.  Gavin used to spend a great deal time drawing. He hasn't been drawing in for quite awhile. I'm not sure why, but I'm trying to reintroduce him to his past love of art.  At some point during the day, Gavin is required to take a break from his tablet and draw three pictures. As time goes on, I'll introduce different tasks as well. This is meant to keep his brain working, as well as broaden his horizon.  Gavin has no complaints about this and I'm hoping his love of…

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May 15, 2017
Read more about the article Emotional distress
Elliott / My thoughts / School Related Issues

Emotional distress

Sunday was a tough day for Elliott. He's been struggling emotionally for awhile. We're working with Dr. Pattie to help him, but he's in a place where I'm not sure how to get through to him.  Much of what is eating him alive is in regards to school. He likes school but he's extremely frustrated with the behaviors of some of his classmates. Frankly, it sounds very much like typical stupid kid antics, and I've explained that to Elliott.  At the same time, some of what is upsetting him is actionable and I need to look into it.  Apparently, one of the kids sitting next to Elliott enjoys breaking pencils and has broken all fifteen of Elliott's new pencils. According to Elliott, he's approached his teachers and they haven't done…

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May 15, 2017