Read more about the article Is Sensory Processing Disorder controlling our lives?
Autism Parenting Struggles / Elliott / Emmett John / Feeding Problems / Inspirational Posts / My thoughts / Sensory

Is Sensory Processing Disorder controlling our lives?

Sensory processing disorder sometimes seems to be controlling our lives. It really is something that has an impact on so many daily functions, and unless you're living with or loving someone with this struggle, it's very difficult to understand. In my house, all three of our kids face these daily struggles. Their brains are hardwired differently and they do not perceive sensory input correctly. This leads to frustration, being overwhelmed, anxiety, meltdowns and yes, even physical pain. Truth be told, we gave up on a balanced diet a long time ago and now focus on calories. While sensory processing disorder (SPD) impacts many areas, but the most challenging for me as a parent, revolves around eating food. The most profoundly impacted are Elliott and Emmett, so I'm focusing here for…

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November 13, 2017
Read more about the article I’m so excited for occupational therapy today
Elliott / My thoughts / Occupational Therapy

I’m so excited for occupational therapy today

It's been quite a bit of time since his last session, but Elliott returns to occupational therapy Monday afternoon. His last appointment was before we left for Florida and because he's been sick or the therapist was out, we just haven't connected. At this point, all signs are go for his return and it couldn't come soon enough. He desperately needs occupational therapy. He needs the physical outlet, strength training and coordination building that goes on at this fabulous therapy session. Even better, he doesn't have to miss any school for this either. I'll pick him up after school, drop Emmett off at home and head to Akron Children's Hospital for his 45 minute session. It's been about 2 month since his last session so I fully expect him to…

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November 12, 2017
Read more about the article Sometimes it’s the little things
Autonomic Disorder / Gavin / My thoughts

Sometimes it’s the little things

This past week has been a rougher one for Mr. Gavin. For some reason, he's been dealing with bouts of nausea. Some of these bouts have been worse than others but they seem to mostly happen at night. Thankfully though, the last couple of nights have been good for him. I don't think he's had an issue since Thursday night. You might be asking yourself, why is Gavin being nauseated such a big deal? The problem isn't so much the nausea itself but rather the vomiting that can occur as a result. Gavin has a very serious Autonomic disorder that has come close to killing him on a few occasions. Basically, his brain stops controlling involuntary functions like blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate. When this happens, he goes…

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November 12, 2017
Read more about the article #Autism Parenting: We’re all in this together
Inspirational Posts / My thoughts

#Autism Parenting: We’re all in this together

While I utilize this blog to help support my family, I do that by helping others. Not everyone appreciates what I do here and that's okay because it's probably not for them. The people that I'm doing this for, will largely remain silent because nothing needs to be said. Many times though, people will reach out privately and ask for help or share how reading my blog has helped them. Sometimes they want to share their experience but aren't comfortable doing it in the comments. Sometimes the comments here can be kinda rough and while it annoys me, it discourages others from speaking up. This morning I received an email from a parent who's dealing with what will likely be a two year old, newly diagnosed kiddo. They're worried, stressed…

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November 11, 2017
Read more about the article Did that just happen? Yup, it totally did.
My thoughts

Did that just happen? Yup, it totally did.

I had a rough evening yesterday. My stomach was upset and I ended up going to bed about 7:00 PM. I wasn't sick or anything, but I was dealing with a tremendous amount of stress and it manifested in me not feeling well at the end of the day. While Lizze was putting the kids to bed last night, I laid down in my our bed. I definitely needed the rest because I was out and aside from waking up to run to the bathroom, I didn't get up until about thirteen hours later. It was about 8:00 AM when I woke up this morning and I felt pretty goddamn amazing. This isn't something that can happen very often but because the kids were incredibly well behaved this morning, I…

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November 11, 2017
Read more about the article Well shit, that didn’t go as planned
Cleveland Clinic / Fibromyalgia / Lizze / My thoughts

Well shit, that didn’t go as planned

It's been a really long day and it's only 3:30 PM. I'm actually feeling much better today and want to give a big thanks to the inlaws for chillin' with the kids while I took Lizze to her doctor at the Cleveland Clinic. I have to say, the traffic was good and we made excellent time. ☺ Unfortunately, when we arrived at the doctors office, Lizze was informed that her appointment was at the other location. Considering we didn't even know there was another location, it was a bit frustrating. Apparently, her doctor has begun seeing patients in a second location as well. In all the years Lizze has been a patient, the appointments have always been in the same place. Lizze's appointment ended up being in this new location,…

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November 10, 2017
Read more about the article Teacher conferences: Proud and Pissed Off
Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts / School

Teacher conferences: Proud and Pissed Off

We had conferences tonight and they went amazingly well. That doesn't mean there wasn't anything to deal with though. I'll begin with Emmett because he's going to be the easiest. We met with all of Emmett's teachers and not one of them could even think of a single thing that Emmett could possibly improve upon. It was twenty minutes of literally hearing nothing but them praising everything about him. Emmett helps other students with their work and essentially tutors them when they need extra help. His teachers kept saying they wish they could have 18 clones of him. ☺ What was really cool is that they told him how amazing he is and do so all the time. Emmett is so proud of himself and he loves school like crazy.…

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November 9, 2017
Read more about the article When parents and teachers are on the same page
My thoughts / School

When parents and teachers are on the same page

The boys had a good day at school and that's never a bad thing. Elliott's very concerned about whatever this thing is that's going on between him and his teachers. At the very least, there's a communication issue and we need to button that up. I'm hoping this will prove to be enlightening because when teachers and parents are on the same page, our kids will only benefit. Unfortunately, the conferences aren't until 7 PM tonight and that sucks but whatever we have to do. ☺

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November 9, 2017