Read more about the article Generalization is a b!tch
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

Generalization is a b!tch

One of the most frustrating things for me as an Autism Dad, in regards to my kids with Autism is generalization.  Merriam-Webster defines generalization as the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus.  In layman's terms it means that if something happens once, it always happen again. Kids with Autism tend to apply this concept to just about everything in their lives. My kids are no exception. In fact, my kids are the poster children for generalization.  Let me give you a few examples from recent history, most of which center around Emmett.  If something tastes funny this time, it will always taste funny. Even if the reason it tastes funny is because you just brushed…

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May 5, 2017
Read more about the article I’ll give you one guess
Emmett John / My thoughts / Partners

I’ll give you one guess

I spoke with Emmett's dentist this morning, explained what we were dealing with and apologized for the late notice. He said that it's best to keep him home and reschedule, and not to worry about it because he understood.  I hate canceling at the last minute for anything. I fucking hate it, but sometimes it can't be avoided.  As for Emmett's status today, he's running a fever. I'm sure you're all as shocked and surprised as I am, but it is what it is. He's in a good mood for the most part today, and that's a good thing.  I'm not the one physically going through this fever flare, but goddam if it hasn't completely worn me out. Emmett was up at 5:00 AM this morning and wouldn't go back…

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May 5, 2017
Read more about the article A MAJOR update about my wife
Lizze / My thoughts

A MAJOR update about my wife

This is a really important update, not only because it deals with my wife Lizze, but also because of how she's choosing to deal with a major struggle. Lizze doesn't have an easy life. She's living in chronic pain, thanks to Fibromyalgia, and chronic, untreatable migraines. She's been dealing with menopause, and hormone replacement therapy as a result of an emergency hysterectomy a couple years after Emmett was born. A couple of years ago, she was diagnosed with Bipolar II, with Borderline tendencies. This has been very challenging to manage because much like Gavin, her biology tends to make her process meds differently. This makes finding the right combination of medications, very difficult. She also struggles with severe social anxiety that makes it difficult for her to leave the house…

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May 5, 2017
Read more about the article My wife and I have been going back and forth over this
Autism Parenting Struggles / Emmett John / My thoughts

My wife and I have been going back and forth over this

I've been trying to figure out what to do in regards to Emmett's dentist appointment tomorrow. I remembered that we've had a similar situation in the past and the office said that as long as he's not sick, the fever is fine.  The only difference between that and this is his mouthful of sores.  Lizze and I have been going back and forth over this, but it's not an easy decision. He's already not going to school because he's running a fever still. If it were just the fever, we would probably move forward with the appointment.  Unfortunately, he has a mouthful of sores and I'm pretty sure that's something they are going to notice.  He already has another appointment in June. Elliott and Emmett both do actually. They bumped…

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May 4, 2017
Read more about the article Trying to find the light at the end of this tunnel
Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

Trying to find the light at the end of this tunnel

This fever flare has officially cost Emmett an entire week of school. Not only has it cost him the week of school but it continues to have a vice like grip on his body.  He's not currently running a high grade fever, it's still a fever at around 101°F on average.  We've taken to describing his tongue as a zombie tongue, because that what we image a zombie's tongue would look like.  I'm not sure how to handle his dentist appointment tomorrow. He's not sick, but it looks like his tongue is falling apart. I need to call and try to explain what's going on and see what they think. The other thing is the fever. As soon as they touch him, they'll know he's running a fever.  Frankly, Emmett's…

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May 4, 2017
Read more about the article I’m so overwhelmed I just want to cry 
Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

I’m so overwhelmed I just want to cry 

It's been another exhaustive day in the house of freakishly rare, and frustrating medical conditions. Emmett wasn't at school again because of a fever. He's now been out of school since last Thursday, and while this is outside of anyone's control, it makes me uncomfortable.  The school is very understanding and we do t have any issues in that area, plus we do have a few notes from his doctor, but it doesn't cover everyday.  Emmett did pretty well today. He wasn't as moody as he has been, but his fever is still present. It comes and goes throughout the day. We have to adhere to the twenty-four hours without a fever before returning to school rule.  The problem is that while we may be confident this is a fever…

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May 4, 2017
Read more about the article Emmett didn’t go to school today and it’s thrown our day off
Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

Emmett didn’t go to school today and it’s thrown our day off

Unfortunately, Emmett didn't go to school this morning. He's having an okay morning but it's obvious that something's isn't right. Elliott did really awesome this morning and we got off to school on time, even besting bus 38... ☺ Emmett being home has thrown our day off, but we've adjusted and have been able to move forward regardless.  We also have a sick cat that had to get into the vet this morning. She's had explosive diarrhea and it wasn't getting better. The first appointment they had available was 9:30 AM this morning.  Thankfully, she's going to be okay but we have quite a bit of medicine to force feed her for the next few days. Fun..... 

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April 10, 2017
Read more about the article Emmett’s running another fever tonight because what’s 1 more missed day of school 
Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

Emmett’s running another fever tonight because what’s 1 more missed day of school 

Emmett spent the evening in the worst mood imaginable. He had a zero tolerance for everything. Several meltdowns were had in a relatively short period of time, with each one being as unpleasant as the next.  I decided to check Emmett's temperature and son of a bitch, he's running a fever. It's low grade and just under 101°F, but it's another piece of the puzzle.  Unfortunately, the school has a fever policy and anyone with a temperature of 99.5°F is sent home. They've bumped that up a little bit for Emmett but at the moment, he's still over the limit.  We've been suspecting for a few days now that he was hitting a fever flare, but the demeanor and fever pretty much confirm it now.  He has state testing tomorrow…

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April 10, 2017