Spinning

Sandy River, Rhododendrom, OR

It's been a difficult summer for me.  Especially on the Autism front--as noted by my "Regression Depression" post.  But, hopefully I can start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  After a few months of regression, combined with obvious anxiety behaviors, I decided to start the process of getting my baby boy on medication.  We've only been on the drug about 4 days.  It's an anti-depressant and as a person with pharmacological experience, I have to say that I'm pleased we're going this route.  Even though they say the drug won't take effect for 4-6 weeks, I have read some documentation indicating that effects can be seen in Autistic children as early as 3 days.  I saw evidence on the FIRST day.  He was lethargic in the morning but by afternoon he was not hand-biting nor playing with himself (this is very notable).  The second day he seemed to have already metabolized therapeutic blood levels by morning as the hand biting resumed.  But it was gone again by afternoon and he seemed more mellow.  The third day he seemed to level out more and today is the 4th day.  So we'll see.  As a side note, I have noticed more spinning.  Which is something I haven't seen since he was 2.  I also asked him how he was feeling and for the first time he said, "happy."  

As one who doesn't believe in medicating due to behavior, there are some behaviors that demand medication simply on the basis of a bad chemical brain imbalance impairing quality of life.  I am happy with the results so far.  As a parent you're always second guessing yourself because in Autism there are no concrete routes of treatment.  You just have to do your best and do a lot of hoping and a lot of praying.  And sometimes, more spinning.  :)

Regression Depression

Regression man....it sucks!  And to make things worse, an appeal for more ABA has gotten me another rejection and another doctor's appointment with the 'ABA-doctor-in-charge-of-how-many-hours-you-get'.   I can't climb out of this regression depression.  The bad news seems to continually come.  I really keep trying to count my blessings but then I'm physically being pulled and tugged and my positive thoughts go out the window.  How many more years are going to be like this?   What am I doing wrong?  What have I done to cause this latest round?  The questions keep coming and the solutions are ever elusive.  All I know is that more work is ahead of us.  There is much to be done.  AGAIN.

Happy Autism Awareness Day!

I try and always post positive things going on in our little Autistic world.  Like, for example, I made thank you gifts for my son's teachers and therapists.   They are amazing and I am grateful they all chose to go into this field.  It's definitely not easy.  And I like to show my appreciation.  

But sometimes you wish people really understood how different your life is.   I guess having a day to say, "yes, we're an autistic family" gives you that chance.  Not that anyone REALLY wants to hear what your reality is, but it's nice society will acknowledge some of it today.   

Speaking of Autism and it's reality, I am looking to the future and am starting to build a manufacturing company.  My goal is to have a facility capable of training young Autistic individuals technical job skills. I don't know how long this will take, but my children are young, I'm hoping if I start now, it will grow by then.  

Oh, and if you would like to print out those thank you puzzle cards/tags like mine, I have a printable on my other website....  www.13shopnumber13.blogspot  or you can go to www.shopnumber13.com for more information.

Autism Awareness Day is my Thanksgiving

Autism Awareness Day is coming up, April 2nd.  And if you didn't already hear the battle that rages in the Autism Community about the CDC statistics that were released yesterday, you may find yourself witnessing a new trend emerging in the Autism Awareness campaign in response to Autism Speaks "Light It Up Blue" campaign; the "Tone It Down Taupe." 

I have a philosophy.  To each his own.  However, I think the T.I.D.T. people need to put their efforts into something more productive. That's all I have say about that.

I choose to stay away from the all of the drama and debate about Autism during the month of April.  Instead, I use this time to thank family, friends, teachers and therapists who work with and socially support my children.  This year my shop has made key rings that we will give to teachers and therapists.  I have made extra, and am selling them here.

Lego

I haven't posted in a while because I've been busy!   Driving to and from Portland one or two times per day takes a lot of time out of one's schedule.  It's been worth it though.  

Today my son and I played with Legos.  My son's fine motor skills still need work and Legos are great for working little fingers.   He hasn't been too interested in building much, but today I tried tying in his obsession with letters and numbers into the Lego build and I got much farther in terms of participation.  This entire set of letters and numbers were built with Lego set 6177.   So if you have an ASD child in need of fine motor tuning, grab a set and build!   It's fun!

Happy Halloween!

What I made for my son's teachers/therapists.

Halloween can be a time of great stress to those with children on the spectrum.  The costumes, the sugar, and noise all pose challenges.  Pumpkin carving even has it's own challenge because my son doesn't like the sight of slimy things.  I'm very tired at the moment and Trick-or-Treating seems like such a monumental task.....but I'll happily do it!  I am grateful I can spend as much time with my children as I do.

Parent Teacher Organization

Face painting at PTO Picnic

Well, I've officially started it.  A Parent Teacher Organization at my son's School, Building Bridges.  I am getting us incorporated and more importantly getting us 501(3)(c) status.  There is a lot of paperwork involved and I hope I can do this on top of creating a business.  I have my plate so full right now I can barely think straight!  Busy is good though.  I seem to be happier when I'm working.

I have the best group of people on the Board, helping me with the PTO.  I am amazed at the enthusiasm and support these parents want to give the school and their children.  This picture is from the first activity the PTO arranged.  The ladies who did it are wonderful!

I'm so glad to be starting an organization dedicated to helping improve our children's education as well as support other parents of spectrum children.   I'm also very tired from the extra hours I'm putting into getting us non-profit status.  So I am ending this entry and going to bed!