Read more about the article Unfortunately, Gavin isn’t getting better and tonight’s appointment is proof of that
Gavin / Mission Debriefing / My thoughts / Schizoaffective Disorder

Unfortunately, Gavin isn’t getting better and tonight’s appointment is proof of that

We met with Dr. Pattie tonight and one of the main topics was Gavin. He's officially been back on 800mg per day of Clozapine for 48 hours. While we haven't seen any improvements, we continue to see his side effects becoming more significant.   Gavin had been waiting all day to tell the three of us about his latest missions.  When it was time for him to share, he just unloaded on us.  He talked pretty much nonstop for over 20 minutes.   His adventures were more of the same. He's the indispensable hero that sees all and knows all. He uses his power to smite evil (I've been watching Supernatural, so that's my word not his) and reign over his Universe.  He told us about how he can glue…

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September 20, 2016
Read more about the article Today’s Victory: Fantastic News About Emmett
Emmett John / Occupational Therapy

Today’s Victory: Fantastic News About Emmett

In the spirit of trying to remain focused on the positive, I have some really good news to share this afternoon.  While at Akron Children's Hospital this afternoon for Gavin's Speech Therapy, I inquired about Emmett's return to Occupational Therapy. The news I received was a really positive boost to my afternoon.  Emmett's therapist has returned from maternity leave and today was her first day back.   We sat down and discussed what would be best for Emmett. Basically, we're going to stick to the same schedule and time slot. Rather than every other Tuesday though, we're moving to the first and third Tuesday of each month. Akron Children's Hospital as a whole is moving to this to avoid months with a fifth week from throwing everything off.   Emmett…

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September 20, 2016
Read more about the article I’m really struggling with Gavin today
Autism Parenting Woes / Gavin / My thoughts

I’m really struggling with Gavin today

I confessed last night about how I'm not in the best of places. Today doesn't seem to be any different. Life in general is okay but I'm really struggling with Gavin.  When it comes to conversation skills, Gavin has three topics that he talks about: Food Video Games  His Super Best Friends It's not like it's on occasion, that I hear about this stuff.  It's as though he compulsively tells me about every thought that enters his mind. Those thoughts typically center around the above three topics.  I'm so grateful that he can speak. I'm grateful that he wishes to communicate with me. I'm even more grateful that he can communicate as well as he does. At the same time however, he's driving me crazy.  Yes, I know it's a…

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September 20, 2016
Read more about the article I love the sound of meltdowns in the morning :(
Emmett John / Meltdowns / My thoughts

I love the sound of meltdowns in the morning :(

Emmett woke up in a really, really, really bad mood. I can't even talk to him without being screamed at.  As a result of finding myself overwhelmed already, I've put myself in a brief timeout and I'm trying not to let all of this unpleasantness, set the tone for the day.  I love waking up after not getting enough sleep and getting screamed at all morning by my youngest for reasons that known only to him.  😔

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September 20, 2016
Read more about the article Confessions: How I’m not coping well with my son’s declining overall health
Confessions / My thoughts

Confessions: How I’m not coping well with my son’s declining overall health

So I've mentioned that I'm going through some things at the moment but never got around to saying exactly what those things were. This is the post I promised a few days ago. I'm sorry it took so long but it's not as easy for me to write lately. By nature I'm a positive person. I've got a wicked sense of humor and I enjoy laughing. Frankly, if we're being honest, it's that sense of humor that's mostly kept me from losing my mind on many occasions. For instance, I refer to Gavin's schizophrenic hallucinations in a manner that some may deem disrespectful but it's simply how I cope with all of this and the name is actually very appropriate. I've dubbed the friends in Gavin's world, his visibly challenged…

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September 20, 2016
Read more about the article Today’s Victory: Major props to my middle minion
Elliott

Today’s Victory: Major props to my middle minion

I want to take a second and give some recognition to Mr. Elliott. The middle of three, Elliott has traditionally struggled with homework, not because he couldn't do it but for reasons tied to rather extreme anxiety.  Anyway, so far this school year, Elliott's been doing awesome with his homework. He now does his homework with little or no complaints.  Rather than give him a set amount of time to work on his homework, we now define a set amount of work he needs to do per night. This has taken much of the anxiety inducing nonsense out of the picture.  Elliott doesn't do well with anything related to being timed or time limits.   Rather than continue pushing that concept, we have instead found a way that works better…

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September 19, 2016