Living Under the Umbrella and still getting wet

looking for a smoother morning routine?

2011-11-29T13:55:00.001-06:00

Read this article for a great way to feed a nutritious breakfast to your family while cutting down on some of the early morning chaos. This breakfast is easily adaptable for most diet requirements and restrictions and still tastes great.
http://www.examiner.com/dairy-free-food-in-topeka/breakfast-the-easy-way-with-out-the-milk

Keeping it calm through the Holidays

2011-11-27T15:04:00.001-06:00

Hopefully everyone survived Thanksgiving. Now we move forward to December with more celebrations to look forward to. If you Celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or any of the other Celebrations during the month your sure to dread the effects of over stimulating the Autistic child. Finding ways to celebrate with out over stimulating and triggering rages and other reactions can be tricky. I have a few tips to help you survive and keep your hair attached to your head! I know I have had many Holidays that when done I am sure I had less hair than in the beginning!First stick to the schedule as much as you can. When the schedule will change remember to add it to the schedule ahead of time. Give enough warning and prep time for the child to understand and prepare for the change. I tell anyone I work with that change needs to be part of the routine. It helps them adjust when things are different. So if on the 7th your going to decorate the house start prepping now. Repeat that you will be putting away some of the items that are normally out all year long to decorate for Christmas. Make up a story about it, putting the=ings away to make room, pulling out the Decorations, sorting, going through them and putting them out. Remind the child, and family why your doing it, what your celebrating, how important it is, and do it daily until the big day. When the time comes take a few days ahead of time to pack up anything you need to put up to make room. Then when the biog day comes if your child is over whelmed and refuses to take part do not get upset, make sure he/she is ok, safe, and not harming anyone and then continue on. Many families try to minimize the change by using less decorations, use only your favorites, or only have a tree. There are ways to do it. We keep 2 Nativities out all year round. It makes it normal to have them out, and I think it is a beautiful decoration reminding me always of the Savior and what he has done for me. Many families have music going and it is a party to decorate. Sometimes this is to much stimuli for the Autistic/aspergers child. Turn down the music, or even off. Maybe you can spread out the days the decorating is done. Instead of 1 day to do it all take a week or more, doing a little each day. Many families have parties, Santa is invited to some, gifts exchanged and dinner. This is often to much for someone in the spectrum. You may have to skip out on the Large family parties, or go for a short time. Being prepared to leave. It is good to teach your child a signal, when it is to much and he is about to be over stimulated and realizes it, a way to let you know can be helpful. Then you can quietly excuse the family and go home, or maybe a time out away from everyone, where he can have a few moments of quiet solitude and regroup. For older Aspergers. Autistic children this sometimes works. Allowing them to take part but escape for a brief period when they need. A spot to sit alone can make it possible to attend family functions. Even if it is in the car, allow it if it helps. Make sure to take safe foods for your family if there are any special diet requirements. and also comfort foods. Sometimes a favorite food is very comforting during chaos, and can help avoid over stimulating during the meal. Stick up for your child and do not allow others to tease or set off. There are many ways to make it possible to attend family functions. But for the times that it is just not do able skip it and do something at home. If it makes your child miserable it is not worth it. And if you really must attend but your child is not up to it find an alternative for the child that they are happy with. I suggest this as a last resort for those who must attend for some reason. Remember the Holidays are to be enjoyed but we all have a different comfort level. It is important to make sure everyone feels safe, loved, and part of the celebrations without over stimulating. This can be hard but can be done. Take it slow and remember family is most important!If you have any questions please feel free to email me ladyjae@renaissanceofnaturalhealth.comJaelene H.Merry Christmas!

2011-09-29T17:31:00.001-05:00

If you have an Aspergers child, or anyone else in your home has an allergy to dairy or intolerance here is an awesome way to be able to enjoy a great dessert and not worry about the dairy. Add your favorite herbs and spices and make it nutritious and delicious! I make Black Rice pudding using herbal tea and water and coconut milk. I add cinnamon, Good Earth sweet N Spicy tea, Ginger, Nettle leaf, Roasted Dandelion, and whatever else I feel like to the water and again to the coconut milk. The recipe is2 Cups black rice 6 Cups water Spices and herbs 3 tea bags of any packaged tea used 3 TBS any loose spice or Herb used Bring to boil then simmer until water is gone usually takes an hour or moreAdd 1 cup sweetener- sugar, brown, sugar, stevia, or honey. You can use more or less according to your taste and 1 package coconut Add 4 -6 Cans Coconut Milk so it is liquidy again. Stir well and simmer again until Thickened and rice is soft. If you use this recipe you can change anything, add your favorite tea or herbs, try with almond milk also. For a change in chocolate or Vanilla Pudding try some of the following ideas.Choose your milk substitute first. Water, Hemp Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk or Rice milk are my favorite options. Measure the amount of liquid needed for the recipe, and add herbal tea. If I use packaged tea bags I use 2 bags per cup of liquid. If I am using loose Herbal tea I use 3-5 TBS per cup depending on how strong I want it and the type of Herb being used. I use a tea ball or muslin tea bag for this. I steep for at least 20 minutes. Sometimes longer, you can sit it in the fridge covered overnight if you want. Remove herbal tea and continue with recipe as normal. There are so many ways to change pudding using spices and herbs. Use your imagination. Cloves, Orange peel, ginger, Raspberry herb and chocolate mint tea in chocolate or vanilla pudding. Use chamomile at night for a relaxing dessert to help mellow out the kids. Rose Hips are great in Vanilla Pudding. Orange ginger in Vanilla is a nice twist as well!

foods effects

2011-09-21T17:46:00.000-05:00

So a while back we had to cut out dairy for chubs. He gets none, and we cut out gluten for a month to see what happens. We ended up going to gluten again but less of it, we now use a lot of rice, potato, sorghum, tapioca,and anything gluten free. The only time we use anything else is if its whole wheat.
So how does this fit? We discovered that Chubs angry outbursts, the raging lets up to almost gone as long as he gets no dairy. If he has even a small amount wow watch out, he is violent, screaming, freaking over everything, refuses to do what he is asked, and can not retain anything he is taught. Take away dairy and he retains it better! it is amazing. So I made everyone go dairy free for a short time. I noticed a difference in them all. Unfortunately some refuse and so I am slowly working everyones milk into being dairy free milk. They all have it more often than they know, they always love whats cooked. I cant get them to drink it yet. Hope soon.
The gluten we went without 1 month. I think we need a redo and for it to be a few months to really know. I am fairly sure someone will have an issue of some kind. That starts next month.
Dyes play a role also, avoid them and artificial colorings of all kinds, artificial flavors as well.
I have discovered a few items that contain one form of milk or another, for someone with a severe reaction this could be bad, it could be the cause of morning or bedtime battles, or sickness.
One toothpaste! Can you believe it!
Dairy is something many react to and are not aware of it. If you are dealing with a dairy allergy here is a list of the various names it goes under on labels. I write a column on eating dairy free you can follow for ideas, recipes, and also ask questions and I will respond if possible to help. Check out examiner.com/dairyfree-food-in-topeka/jaelene-huffman

Acidophilus milk

Ammonium caseinate

Artificial butter flavor

Artificial flavors / flavoring

Brown sugar flavoring

Butter

Butter fat

Butter flavor

Butter solids

Buttermilk

Calcium caseinate

Caramel Color

Caramel Flavoring

Casein

Caseinate

Cheese (All)

Coconut Cream Flavoring

Condensed milk

Cottage cheese

Cream

Curds

Custard

Delactosed whey

Demineralized whey

Dry milk powder

Dry milk solids

Evaporated milk

Fat Replacers - Brands such as Dairy-Lo® and Simplesse® are made with milk protein

Galactose

Ghee

Half-and-half

High Protein Flour

Hydrolysates

Hydrolyzed casein

Hydrolyzed milk protein

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

Iron caseinate

Lactalbumin

Lactalbumin phosphate

Lactate

Lactic Acid Starter Culture

Lactoferrin

Lactoglobulin

Lactose

Lactulose

Magnesium caseinate

Malted milk

Margarine

Milk (whole, lowfat, and skim)

Milk derivative

Milk fat

Milk powder

Milk protein

Milk solids

Natural egg flavor

Natural flavors / flavoring

Non-Dairy - This does not mean milk-free, it indicates 1/2% or less milk by weight

Nougat

Potassium caseinate

Protein - The added protein in foods is often milk protein

Pudding

Recaldent

Ready sponge

Rennet casein

Sodium caseinate

Sodium lactylate

Sour cream

Sour milk solids

Soy Cheese - Often contains milk protein

Sweetened condensed milk

Whey

Whey powder

Whey protein concentrate

Whey protein hydrolysate

Yogurt

Zinc caseinate

Goat's milk is avoided also. Some people may be able to handle milk after a while of dairy free. Talk to your doctor or a Nutritionist about this possibility. Goats milk has smaller fat globules and they break up easier in the stomach.

Walk for Autism

2010-04-02T19:47:00.000-05:00

I am participating to the 3rd Annual Autism CARE Walk at Heartspring on April 10, 2010, and I want you to join me. The Autism CARE Walk raises awareness about autism spectrum disorders in our community and across the nation. This year's walk will be approximately 2 miles and will start and finish on the Heartspring campus at 8700 E 29th St North in Wichita.

Visit http://tinyurl.com/yapn2bp to join Huffin Family and support autism awareness today.

Come join us walking

new links and info

2010-03-22T21:53:00.000-05:00

I have ran into a few sites I had not seen before. They have good information so I wanted to share!
So here they are
First is a newspaper column and reading through back issues is very informative. You can subscribe to it as well.
http://www.examiner.com/x-16063-Autism--Adolescence-Examiner~y2010m2d6-One-small--step-towards-selfregulation-How-to-teach-your-teen-with-autism-to-request-a-break

This one requires a paid membership. I am unsure if its worth it or not, but you can listen to a few webinars free and decide for yourself. moms fighting autism

behavior charts

http://www.autismresourcecenter.info/help_books.htm

http://www.autistics.org/library/booklist.html

http://autismspectrum.tripod.com/

http://www.aspergers-and-pdd.com/home-schooling-aspergers.html

http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/chapters/index.php

http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/

http://www.familiestogetherinc.org/

http://www.familiestogetherinc.org/Spotlight.html

http://www.bookshare.org/

One small step towards self-regulation: How to teach your teen with autism to request a break

2010-03-22T20:57:00.001-05:00

One small step towards self-regulation: How to teach your teen with autism to request a break

Posted using ShareThis

Free E Book

2010-03-17T14:18:00.000-05:00

Having a contest everyone that posts a link to my site www.renaissanceofnaturalhealing.com between now and April 1st gets entered into a drawing! The winner will receive a free ebook with Natural remedies good for a variety of things. If your a parent or other with someone in the spectrum make sure to let me know and I will send you specific info about the Spectrum and things we have done to help! If your interested in learning more let me know! If you leave my link online anywhere make sure to let me know where! you can email me to let me know ladyjae@essencethrutheages.com

playing more

2010-02-18T15:58:00.001-06:00

~Jaelene

www.essencethrutheages.com
www.renaissanceofnaturalhealing.com
www.mompack.com
"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russell Ballard

Looking for a new way to word statements on Autism

2010-02-15T11:35:00.000-06:00

Me and "AAH"( formerly boo, 16 yr old son) were on the computer. I am getting ready to put links on here. One site says "Treating Autism" He is offended by it. I have taught my kids mainly him, that its just him, part of him, not to be ashamed, embarrassed, hide it or anything. Its just a part of who he is, helps shape his personality.
So to us its not a disease, just part of who they are, what shapes and makes them unique, and all my children are unique in their own way.
So when he saw that it bigged him. He says "Its not a disease, its not treated like a disease" Many see it as a disease. I have taught him, and the other kids, and other people to accept it. We have focused on ways to handle the effects, symptoms, characteristics brought on by AS. Never treating as a disease. So We are trying to figure out a new way to word that.
Whats a good way to change the statement "Treating Autism" and similar statements? Some of our thoughts are
Learning to live with Autism
Accepting and adapting to characteristics of Autism
Learning to live outside the umbrella
what are your thoughts?
I know some of the issues brought on need to be handled, these kids need to learn to move forward, past some issues brought on by living under the Umbrella, but it should not be looked at as a horrid disease, I love my AS Boys. They are loving, caring, and sweet in their own ways!

Lots of Links About the Spectrum!

2010-01-14T13:40:00.001-06:00

Here are a lot of links to information about Aspergers, Autism and the others in the spectrum! Some are here listed more than 1 time. Some because I wanted to remember specific pages on sites, others on accident! Eventually I will fix that. In the mean time read up, learn a lot. Don’t panic and if you have questions please feel free to email me at ladyjae@essencethrutheages.com
Many of these I use for personal reasons for my own children. I also use some when working with families that are dealing with someone in the Spectrum. I have more links, they are not all here. Its hard to get them all organized in a way to put here.
If you have questions, want to talk on a personal level please text or comment here. If your interested in more info on working with me as a Naturopathic Healer you can email me also ladyjae@essencethrutheges.com My web site for that is www.renaissanceofnaturalhealing.com The site is ot complete, and I am actually redoing it completely, but you can get some information there. It may be easiest to just email me.
I typed in another program and copied here it did not keep the link feature so for now copy n paste, when I get time I will fix it!

ASPERGER DISORDER HOMEPAGE
Asperger Friends
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide - Your Child CAN be Happy!
Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide - Your Child CAN be Happy!
aspergers
Aspergers Syndrome Information, Support, and Advice for Parents and Educators - Asperger Planet featuring Jackongia -
Aspergers Syndrome Information, Support, and Advice for Parents and Educators - Asperger Planet
Aspergers Syndrome Information, Support, and Advice for Parents and Educators - Asperger Planet
Asperger's Syndrome Survival Guide - Your Child CAN be Happy!
AUTCOM - The Autism National Committee
Autism Awareness Association, Inc. - CALENDAR
Autism Awareness Association, Inc. - CALENDAR
Autism Awareness Association, Inc. - CALENDAR
Autism Collaboration - www.autism.org
Autism Collaboration - www.autism.org
Autism Diagnosis what you need to know
Autism is Treatable!
Autism is Treatable!
Autism National Committee (AUTCOM): National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism National Committee (AUTCOM): National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism Network International
Autism Network International (ANI): National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism Recovery Education
Autism Recovery Education
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute
Autism Research Institute (ARI): National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism Research Institute/ Defeat Autism Now! Conferences
Autism Research Institute_ Defeat Autism Now! Conferences
Autism Service Provider Directory _ AutismLink
Autism Service Provider Directory | AutismLink
Autism Society - The Heartland _ Autism Society - The Heartland
Autism Society - The Heartland | Autism Society - The Heartland
Autism Society of America Foundation: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism Society of America:
Autism Society of America:
Autism Society of America:
Autism Society of America: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism Society of America_
Autism Speaks, Community, Chapters
Autism Speaks, Community, Family Services Grants
Autism Speaks, Community, Family Services, 100 Day Kit
Autism Speaks, Community, Family Services, Kansas: Categories
Autism Speaks, Community, Family Services, Kansas: Categories
Autism Speaks, Community, Message Boards
Autism Speaks, Community, Message Boards
Autism Speaks, Community, Message Boards
Autism Speaks, Community, Resource Library
Autism Speaks, Diagnosis of Autism
Autism Speaks, Home Page
Autism Speaks, Inc.: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism Speaks, Participate in Research
Autism Speaks, Participate in Research
Autism Support Program : Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls, Texas
Autism Support Program _ Midwestern State University - Wichita Falls, Texas
Autism Tissue Program
Autism Tissue Program: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Autism treatment eval use often
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) for Research
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) for Research
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Internet Scoring Program
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Internet Scoring Program
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Internet Scoring Program
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Internet Scoring Program
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Report
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Report
Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) Report
Autism Treatments
Autism Treatments
Autism Treatments
Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and the Autistic S...
autism_aspergers
autistic testing in wichita and ks
autistic testing in wichita and ks
childbrain info on all pdd's
Childbrain.com - PDD Assessment Scale
Childbrain.com - PDD Assessment Scale
Childbrain.com - PDD Assessment Scale
Childbrain.com - PDD assessment scale/screening questionnaire
Childbrain.com - PDD assessment scale/screening questionnaire
Childbrain.com - PDD/ Autismo
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Assessment Scale
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Diagnosis
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Diagnosis
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Diagnosis
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Diagnosis
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Diagnosis
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Diagnosis
Childbrain.com - PDD/Autism Types
Childbrain.com - Welcome
Contact Us
Contact Us
Contact Us _ Autism Society of America - Heartland
Contact Us _ Autism Society of America - Heartland
Contact Us | Autism Society of America - Heartland
DAN rules and info
diagnosing
Diagnosing Autism: What you should know
Diagnosis and Assessment Data and Forms
evals
For Families Living with Autism
For Families Living with Autism
For Providers
foundations and others
grands, awards, funding assistance for families with aspergers an similar
Heartspring Autism CARE Walk
Heartspring, A Worldwide Center for Children with Special Needs
Home - Autism Cares
Home - Autism Cares
Home/Local News - Autism Speaks: Communities
How to Identify Autism Symptoms _ eHow.com
How to Identify Autism Symptoms | eHow.com
http://www.autism.com/autism/first/e2.pdf
Inside the Bubble - Books : Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson
Inside the Bubble - Books _ Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson
Inside the Bubble - Books _ Freaks, Geeks and Asperger Syndrome by Luke Jackson
Kansas Early Autism- participating organizations
Kansas Early Autism- participating organizations
Kansas Resources - Autism Speaks: Communities
Lights On The Lake Drive Thru & Hospitality Center
Lights On The Lake, a fundraiser to benefit the children of Heartspring in Wichita, Kansas
online testing and tracking at home
Online Training
Online Training
Parent Ratings of Behavorial Effects of Biomedical Interventions
Parent Ratings of Behavorial Effects of Biomedical Interventions
Possible Triggers of Autism
Possible Triggers of Autism
Possible Triggers of Autism
resources and support
resources and support all over
resources and support near by
The Arc of Sedgwick County Home Page
The Arc of Sedgwick County Home Page
The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training
The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training
The Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training
Tony Attwood
Tracking Progress
Tracking Progress
Tracking Progress
Treatment Autism - Choose a Treatment for Autism
Treatment Autism - Choose a Treatment for Autism
Welcome to Families Together, Inc.'s Home Page
Welcome to Families Together, Inc.'s Home Page
Wrong Planet - Aspergers and Autism Community
Your Meetup Group profile - U.P.autism group (Wichita, KS) - Meetup.com
Your Meetup Group profile - U.P.autism group (Wichita, KS) - Meetup.com
•
Asperger Friends
• Asperger Syndrome
• Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and the Autistic Spectrum
• Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
• nacd activitied
• Tony Attwood
• Wrong Planet - Aspergers and Autism Community

slow going I know

2009-07-08T06:46:00.002-05:00

I have been so busy things are crazy here. I had planned to get more info here sooner but things keep coming up. This is to let ya'll know our most recent developments. My son chubby, age 6 has always been sick, constipation, impacted colon. Many hospital trips. He had problems as a breast fed baby. I finally fond a doc to listen! She sent him to a specialist. She did lots of tests. He is now on a dairy free diet, and laxative for min of 1 1/2 year to hopefully retrain his bowel and reverse some of the damage done over the last 6 years. She checked for Celia Disease. According to her the blood work came back no. But while waiting I started reading about celiac and gluten free, wow what a shock. A large part of the kids have some or most of the symptoms, some worse than others. Since the blood tests came back no for him she wont do the intestinal biopsy. So we are gluten free to see what happens. If he shows improvement I let her know and we go from there. Since its hard to cook separate meals, and gluten is in everything. I would cook separate, I would also risk him eating something to make him ill, and I want to see the other kids reactions, do they improve any in some problem areas. We are all doing it. I have found many resources with info. I will add them to the links. It has been harder with no dairy also. I have read that Autistic kids sometime improve or have all symptoms go away with no gluten, so we will see.

Routine/chores/schedule/lists

2009-05-25T19:28:00.003-05:00

Ya so its taken me longer to get to this than I had planned. I thought I would start off with routine. It makes the biggest difference here. With out it ugh! We have been pretty off, trying to get into a new routine, it shows. I have got to get back to it. I keep a large calander and several white boards, we all also have what we refer to as out chore boards
I rotate chores on the chore boards, every one knows what their job is. We rotate every 2 weeks for Boo, and weekly for the others. The rotation is different for the kids because Boo likes 2 weeks on a chore, he does better that way, the others do awesome for 1 week on a chore, after that week the work quality goes down hill! So we rotate, they dont get bored and we do better. I used to break it up by full rooms, but the little kids need chores also, so I have the chores split by room, and a few things smaller that the small kids can do. They will help an older kid also. We are talking about changing it and going back to the way we divided them a couple years ago, they liked it. Normally I also have a sheet in each room that specifies each thing to be done, then there is no question, no saying "I did not know" I have not put them up since our move, I need to get them up. I am running into a few things not being done as good as they should. My kids are very visual, if they see it, read it specifically they do better, they retain it more, they process it better, they can carry out whatever it is they are to do. It also stays with them more for what they are to do.
Our white boards keep our daily routine, the times- from wake up to sleep time. It is very specific. The kids know what time to expect to wake up, what time for school, chores, lunch, bed, bath, shower, everything. Its on a white board because it changes at times. If tomorrow we are going somewhere I write it in, it is fit into the schedule. I can go over the schedule letting them know what to expect. They can look at it and know what to do, free time, lunch, you name it. I unfortunately have not been doing good at the schedule. It shows. Kids, even adults with AS, or autism do so much better when they have a routine and stay with it. Straying from it sets them off, it can cause from a little attitude, total confusion, rage, not being able to function and do what needs done. The reason for our chore boards is so they know whats expected of them. One thing that has frustrated me over the years is Aspies are so much creatures of structure, routine and dont change things up that if Boo or Sir N are assigned a certain chore and I have another child do their chore, or ask them to do another chore it is a major issue! I have learned at times wording can get it done, other times not happening. I am very specific on it for that reason. Boo hasgarbage- full time. He is big enough, tall enough, no matter how heavy he can get it in the can. if another child has garbage and I need him to take it out it can lead to problems. So it was easier to just have him on garbage full time. He is usually good about it, if he gets to a point that he needs a break from it I assign it to another child for a week, letting him know if its a big bag he still has to do it, it is his chore.
I have tried to make it a point to stay with the routine, but as I have done this I always make sure to let them know sometimes things happen, life changes, we may have an unexpected illness, fun day out, park trip, doc app, visitors, things happen. Expect the unexpected. It does not end the unease when things change but it does help.This week end my brother and his family came. We saw Aunt E and kids in Dec 2006, and Uncle R in I think 2003, maybe 2004, not sure. So its been a while. They have 4 kids. So suddenly its 6 more people in the house. Now I had to be careful not to say anything to soon, it causes anxiety thats horrid, but let them know also to prepare them. Sir N has not learned to adapt even as well as Boo yet. Boo does not interact well at times. When he is feeling uncomfortable, unsure, crowded, and new things are around him he can get obnoxious. Unfortunately people do not understand, and often even when trying to explain they still dont get it. I have read up enough, worked with the therapists, and other people enough to know what to expect. People see an attitude they assume is the norm. It can be frustrating. I can usually pull him aside, point it out, we talk and he will regroup. This week end he did not get much chance to re group. I know we were already off routine when they arrived, we have been struggling to stay with it for a while. So there are already some issues happening, they increased for the visit. It can get old explaining, especially when they still dont get it.
So if you have a child in the spectrum, stay with the routine if possible, but still try to teach them part of the routine can be change. It helps with the change some.
Also keep your expectations on the childs abilities. Not some other kids abilities, your childs. There may be some things they can do that are "age appropriate" but at other things they may not be able to. Some times its a processing thing, in their thinking. Boo can not/does not think things through the same as other 15 year olds. It is not possible.

how it started?

2009-05-12T15:27:00.003-05:00

So this is the big long intro, sit down pull up a comfy chair!
Ok maybe not so bad, about 2000 or so I was told someone I knew had a child recently diagnosed with autism. I really knew nothing at the time. I decided if I was going to be around the maybe I should learn. At this time my children were already working with therapists and docs for various reasons. One had mentioned autism to me about my oldest, I shot that down so fast it was unreal! My knowledge at the time was limited, only having been around a few autistic people, and they were the low functioning. I was not willing to even think about it. (kick self now)
So I started my reading. I was sent an email describing aspergers, and it was like reading about my son! I thought " who knows us, who sat and watched and wrote?" Creepy! So I read more and more and more. I started to see my son n many things I read. I started to apply things I read that worked for autistic and aspergers children, and they worked! When he constantly asked if it was time for lunch, bout drove me crazy doing it, I bought him a watch, i wrote out our daily schedule, hung it on the wall and showed him what time we had lunch, he did not ask again, unless I change lunch and forget to tell him. Many other things happened. A few years went by, my learning, reading and applying. Still I did not talk to a doctor about my suspicions. Eventually he was weaned off meds, and doing ok with out, as long as I stuck to the routine. Eventually I did seek a doc, bring up concerns and he was diagnosed. He does see a therapist but is currently not on meds. I work hard to keep a schedule. We have white boards all over, we have chore boards up, to make sure every one knows what everyone should be doing.
At this time I have a daughter with bipolar, ocd and possible did, 2 sons aspergers, a dd with severe anxiety disorders, another son with depression and adhd, me- anxiety disorders and some physical health issues. They all keep me busy. I am not going to go into detail in one long post. I am going to tell over a few posts different things we have done, and do now that work for us. Oh ya one asperger son also has tourettes, and the other has a not yet narrowed down tic disorder.
So for now here is our intro and from here on out we will be referred to as
Nanna- bipolar, ocd, possible did
boo- aspergers, tourettes
bubba- depression, adhd
loo- anxiety disorders and depression, ocd
sir n- aspergers tic disorder
chubby- hmm just a cutie for now
baby E- adorable and at this time not dx of any kind
mom- me! anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, arthritis, pelvic/hip issues caused by ham string issues, thyroid and adrenal
So for now soak that in and I'll slowly add. In the mean time comment, read through the links.