Read more about the article I’m really trying to be positive but it’s getting more difficult 
Autism Parenting Woes / My thoughts

I’m really trying to be positive but it’s getting more difficult 

Let's start with the good news first. I was able to go grocery shopping today, and not a moment too soon. It'd been a couple of weeks since we were able to make a decent shopping trip. Super grateful for that... ☺  I was also able to take care of the water bill, which is really important as well.  The HVAC guy will be here around noon tomorrow, and we were able to pull together, to get the house caught up enough for him to do what he needs to do.  Here's the thing about this service call. I don't know if anything will actually be fixed, because I have a very, very narrow budget for this repair. The service call itself is almost a hundred dollars by itself, and…

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June 15, 2017
Read more about the article I had to do what I thought was best
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

I had to do what I thought was best

I took the boys to the indoor playground. Unfortunately, there were a ton of little kids, and I wasn't comfortable letting Gavin use the equipment.  Maybe that wasn't the right decision, but I had to do what I thought was best for all involved.  Gavin was fine with it, and he just hung out with me.  It's hard because Gavin's so much younger on the inside than he is on the outside. When parents have their little kids playing on this playground, they can be uncomfortable with an almost 18 year old, with facial hair, playing good with their kids.  I totally get it. It's just one of those things that I have to manage as an Autism parent.  Regardless, everyone had fun, and we were able to get out…

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June 14, 2017
Read more about the article I have to do something
Family Fun

I have to do something

I can't take it anymore. The boys are driving me crazy, and I have to get them out of the heat for a little while. I'm going to try and get to the indoor playground.  We haven't been there in forever, so I have to check the hours or operations, and with any luck, they'll be open.  This will let the kids be kids for a bit, and maybe even get to socialize a bit as well. That's a win win in my book. 

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June 14, 2017
Read more about the article The fallout is worse than the cause
Autism Parenting Struggles / My thoughts

The fallout is worse than the cause

The good news is that it's much cooler today. Elliott's still dealing with heat rash, and Emmett won't wear any clothes, but at this moment, the boys are in a good mood.  Gavin's been hiding in his bedroom for most of the day thus far.  Lizze started a new, art based therapy class today. She graduated from the first DBT class yesterday. I'm really proud of her, as I know this isn't close to being easy.  I still haven't heard back from the HVAC company about tomorrow's service. I've no idea what to expect. At the very least, we're looking at $90 for the call to diagnose the problem. From there, it depends on what's covered under warranty, and what isn't. Then of course, there's the labor.  Frankly, the heat…

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June 14, 2017
Read more about the article I have a tough decision to make
My thoughts

I have a tough decision to make

On a positive note, my check arrived today. I was able to pay some crucial bills, and order Emmett's birthday present. We wanted to take care of that while we had the money.  I'm faced with a tough decision, as to how to best utilize the remaining funds.  There are a couple big issues to deal with. Actually, it's more like a few issues that need addressed. Unfortunately, there isn't a way to address all three at this moment in time, and I have to prioritize.  I realize that this may seem like a no brainer, from the outside looking in, but from where I stand, not so much.  The first thing that needs to be dealt with is groceries. I have to go grocery shopping, and there are no…

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June 14, 2017
Read more about the article I never heard back
My thoughts

I never heard back

I never heard back from the HVAC company today. Hopefully, they'll call in the morning. It did briefly rain, which has cooled things off for a bit. Emmett is in a horrible mood still, and if the screaming continues, I will probably need to close the windows.  I'm really hoping to be able to get the boys to sleep tonight because it's cooled off. With any luck, everyone will get some sleep tonight...

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June 13, 2017
Read more about the article Things are rapidly going downhill
Autism Parenting Woes / My thoughts

Things are rapidly going downhill

As the day marches forward, the temperature in the house is well into the 80's, and the boys are no longer fun to be around. In fact, they are quite unpleasant. Something that most people might not think of, is how sensory processing disorder plays into things. Anything that causes stimulation of the senses, can lead to sensory overload. Kids like mine don't process sensory input correctly, and therefore they can become overwhelmed. Kids with sensory processing disorder experience everything at the same time. They feel, hear, smell, see and taste everything, all at once. It's disorientating, overwhelming and even painful. Place those same kids into an environment that's too hot. Their skin becomes sticky from sweat, and they reach a state of overstimulation fairly quick. I don't experience things like this myself.…

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June 13, 2017