Read more about the article My day started at 4am but it’s been a pretty decent morning 
My thoughts

My day started at 4am but it’s been a pretty decent morning 

The boys got off to school alright this morning. No major issue aside from Elliott getting up at 4am and wouldn't go back to bed. The boys were sorta crazy but we left for school on time so it couldn't have been that bad.  On the way home, Gavin and I hit the track and did our thirty minute walk before heading back home.   I'm really tired this morning but I'm in a pretty decent place.  All things considered, this wasn't too bad of a way to start a Monday morning. 

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September 19, 2016
Read more about the article Today officially begins our last ditch effort to help relieve Gavin’s schizophrenic symptoms
Clozapine / Gavin / My thoughts

Today officially begins our last ditch effort to help relieve Gavin’s schizophrenic symptoms

For the final time, Gavin will have his Clozapine dose bumped up today. He will once again be at 800mg a day and this will be the last time it will ever be increased.  So far, we haven't seen any improvements but hopefully, this next increase will make a difference.  Unfortunately, while there hasn't been any improvement, there has been a worsening of the side effects he's already been experiencing. With this next bump, it's a pretty safe bet that things are only going to get worse.   I'm actually really nervous about making this change because there's no going back. Some of these side effects are permanent and will be a part of him for the rest of his life. :( This is such a shitty feeling because making…

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September 19, 2016
Read more about the article Someone’s been sleeping in my bed
Emmett John / My thoughts / Sleep Issues

Someone’s been sleeping in my bed

When Lizze and I went to bed tonight, this is what greeted us. 💙 I knew Emmett was there already because I sang him to sleep, after he tried for almost two hours to go to sleep on his own.   When he came down stairs, we were surprised because he'd been up there for a couple hours and we figured he'd fallen asleep because we hadn't heard from him.  I walked him back upstairs and he curled up next to me in our bed. We played some music and I sang poorly to him.   He was asleep within a few minutes.  I wish I knew what was going on with him but he's just having the hardest time falling asleep in his bed.   On the positive side,…

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September 19, 2016
Read more about the article Do you know the differences between an IEP and a 504? Which is best for your child? 
My thoughts / PSA

Do you know the differences between an IEP and a 504? Which is best for your child? 

One of the big things that parents of kids with Autism have to deal with in regards to school, is this little thing called an IEP. An IEP is vital for our kids education but they're also extremely confusing. There's also something called a 504 and while it's similar in nature to an IEP, there are some major differences. I wanted to share some information that I learned during my recent IEP and 504 meeting for my two youngest in grade school. I hope this helps to answer your questions and decide which is best for your child. [embeddoc url="https://www.theautismdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IEP-v-504-1.pdf" download="all"] Brought to you by understood.org

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article Back to real life cause the break is over
My thoughts

Back to real life cause the break is over

The boys just got home from my parents house. They had a really good time and aside from Elliott, everyone actually slept through the night. Elliott struggled a bit but Emmett was good to go on my parents spare queen mattress.  Lizze and I both were able to sleep in this morning and that was really nice.   We don't really have anywhere to be today. I have to hit the grocery store but that's about the extent of it for now. We need a few things for school lunches.   There's a ton of laundry to get caught up and a few other odds and ends that need some attention.  At this point, the house is quite. Gavin's sleeping off his morning meds. Elliott and Emmett are spending sometime…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article Gavin broke his glasses
Gavin

Gavin broke his glasses

The other day, Gavin broke the arm off his glasses. It was an accident but he's pretty upset with himself. Frankly, he's had these glasses for well over a year and I'm amazed that they've lasted this long.   I'm pretty sure he can get a free replacement pair but if not, he's do for a check up and that will bring with it, a new script.   One way or another, they will get replaced.  I was able to superglue them back together and the arm still opened and closed. Yesterday, Gavin took his glasses off and was hyper-flexing the arms. This broke them once again.  This was only meant to be a temporary fix. My dad was going to try replacing them while the boys were visiting.  On…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article We had to take Emmett to the doctor on Friday
Emmett John / My thoughts

We had to take Emmett to the doctor on Friday

I realize this is a bit late but life has had me otherwise occupied. Better late than never.  Thursday night, Emmett decided to clean out his ears, using q-tips we had thought were out of reach. He ended us hurting himself and so we got him into the pediatrician the next morning.  He wasn't seriously hurt but we needed to make sure he was okay.  As it turns out, he actually scratched the inside of his ear canal. Nothing too bad but painful nonetheless. The other thing he did was pack the wax in his ears, all the way back toward his eardrum. Emmett was checked out by the doctor and she found the scratch. She also found that his ears were completely blocked and she couldn't see his eardrum.…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article This #Autism Dad took care of himself today and I hope you will do the same
My thoughts

This #Autism Dad took care of himself today and I hope you will do the same

I took today off to take care of me. I should probably back track just a little bit. Elliott woke up at midnight Saturday morning and never went back to bed. That meant a really broken, restless night for me because I had to be at least half awake all night. I'm not sure what the deal was but Elliott just couldn't fall asleep, despite really trying. I don't know the how's or why's but I know he was really frustrated that he couldn't find sleep. Anyway, the boys all were delivered to my parents house this morning because they were going to spend the whole day with their Grandparents. They're also spending the night and going to church before returning home on Sunday. As soon as Lizze and I…

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September 18, 2016