Hi All,
I haven't written anything in months, sorry I know you guys have just been waiting with baited breath and I have dropped the ball. I just wanted to take a break from all the negativity that Autism has and not write anything until I had something positive to write about. Alot has happened in the last 6 months, we started therapy in our home, and we FINALLY had a break though with Liam, To say he hates therapy is a gross understatement!!! I could list all the things that have gotten broken, all the times he has attacked the therapists and me, but I don't have the time and I know you don't either so lets just say HOLY COW it was a lot. On the upside we had a break through!!! Shannon(one of the therapists) came over and brought her sisters little dog. Liam saw her come in and started his usually screaming and throwing of things and then noticed the little fluffy dog she was holding, it was like something came over him, his anger literally went to zero!! Since then he keeps asking when she is coming and if she is bringing a dog with her, FINALLY he will talk to her, not attack her, and actually play with her!!! The girls that own the clinic said she can't bring the dog anymore because of the liability, I have to get on the phone and talk to them about this. Liam will lose all trust in her if she can't bring the dog over, I can't let that happen, he is finally starting to trust her and if he thinks she lied to him, everything will go back to how it was, and I WILL NOT let that happen, all of us have worked to hard to get this breakthrough!!!!
Another thing that is helping us beyond belief are these two guys in Colorado that are in college that have Aspergers. I did a free webinar with them, and went on to sign up for one on one consultations on the phone. Just the few pieces of advice they have given me are making Liams anxiety a little lower!! Their website is Aspergerexperts.com, incase anyone wants to check them out!!! Who knows better how the Asperger mind works than someone with it????
Another big thing we are doing is applying for a service dog, I know I know we already have two dogs, and Big Jer is so NOT a dog person, but Liams anxiety goes down to almost nil when he is with the dogs. Him and I were at his doctors appointment and he started getting very anxious, saying this is taking to lone, I want to go,and started kicking the walls , I said "Hey Liam, tell the doctor about your dog scouts newspaper." She was amazed that his anxiety level went down just talking about dogs, so I am getting the application ready for 4 paws for ability, and then just waiting. Then the fight will begin to let him have the dog in school, I do understand that some kids are afraid of dogs, and others are allergic, so we will need to fiqure out something, but I do thing it is possiable.
Also I have hired an attorney to help me fight for Liams rights at school. He is very good at school, but I believe he is working so hard to keep it together that he is missing out on some school work. These kids that are in regular ed, classrooms are falling through the cracks because the teachers are not given the proper support or education on how to teach these children. I do not blame the teachers, I blame our district for not providing the support the staff needs. As many of you know I am on the school board, and even though I do not use my position to get my child more things, I do know I recieve better treatment that an average parent, and if my kid is not doing his best because of the situation, what is happening to all the other kids that parents aren't as educated as I am, or aren't "feared". I am and will continue to fight for all of these kids, I just wish EVERYTHING involving Liam wasn't a fight!! Whether it be with the school, sports, or just plain old Liam himself!!
My sister, Maureen , reminded me that Liams stubborness can't just be blamed on Aspergers. She made the point that I don't like being told what to do, his father doesn't like being told what to do, none of his grandparents like being told what to do, and NONE of his aunts(on my side, and I;m sure on his father too) Like being told what to do, so genetics have alot to do with it. Thanks Maureen for that slap back into reality!!!
Well I guess my reason for writing this is to say we have made progress, slowly, but I am just grateful for the understanding of family and friends during all of this. I haven't been able to go meet my friends out as much as I would like because I am Liams security right now, and I am also SO tired and stressed that I'm not very much fun to be around. I am trying not to let this take over my life, but I never seem to be able to relax, when I'm out I'm worrying what he is doing to whom ever is watching him, I'm worried about Jeremiah and Maura,being exposed to all of this. Jeremiah said he was going to run away from home because he can't take all of Liams screaming, and Maura has told me she only wants to have one kid when she grows up "because I don't want an Aspergers kind" I know we all worry about our kids, but this is different.
I also want to say I LOVE Liams therapists, they are 2 amazing people. I didn't think about what it feels like to have people in your house for 20 hours a week,days of just laying around on the weekends are kind of gone, we have to pick up the house and get dressed. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, and I'm not complaining , just didn't know how much it was going to impact us, our downtime is majorly reduced!! I know its not forever, and we will do ANYTHING to help Liam, Jer and Maura, just wanted to bitch for a while!!
Well thanks for reading and now go do something FUN!!
Love you all!!
Dawn
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday, September 17, 2012
Hello All,
Just thought I would update our CRAZY week last week, I know you are all on the edge of your seat wondering what things have been happening here, but wait no more, here it is!!!
I'll start with Monday, the day starts out our "normal", and Liam and I have an appointment at the Center for Behavioral Intervention at noon. I pick him up from school and head out to Mokena, Liam was excited to start therapy. He met Hakeem and went into the gym with him and I went with one of the owners Stephanie to get things started. Liam brought his lunch in with him so he sat down to eat and , as always he had a Pepsi, one of his new obsessions. After about a half an hour Stephanie leaves the office for something and when she returned she told me Liam was throwing Pepsi cans at Hakeem, I assumed it was his empty can from his lunch, so I didn't think anything of it. Well about 5 minutes later I look out and Liam had gotten out of the building, got into my van, found a 12 pack of Pepsi in the back and was throwing full cans at Hakeem and Stephanie. I went out there and got him in the building, screaming of course, with him telling me Hakeem had kicked him, won't leave him alone, ect.. He was beyond out of control, or so I thought. They were only able to get through 1/4 of the pre assesment, so we made an appointment to go back on weds. Stephanie told me we were "in crisis mode, and I couldn't agree more. Monday night, Liam decided to tell me some things he doesn't like about therapy, i.e. "I was excited to start therapy but this isn't the place for me!" "These people got the wrong training because I don't think they know what they are doing!" and my personal favorite, "I can't believe you pay these people to make me unhappy!!!!"
and then we went back on weds, He was flipping out!!! Big Jer met me out there and it broke his heart. Liam was putting up a HUGE fight, screaming, kicking, hitting, trashing the office, trying to dump the fishtank, and finally succeding in pulling the fire alarm. At first he was very angry, then he started begging to come with us, I also had Maura and Liam with me. Big Jer was very upset, I felt horriable, but maybe not as bad as I could have, I am at the end of my rope. Jeremiah is SO embarrassed by Liam, that is another blog, but this place has sibling classes!!! I am beyond happy!!! I took Jeremiah and Maura home and Jerry went to get something to eat and went back to pick up Liam, I had a block party meeting going on in my yard so I had to get home. On my way out I passed the fire truck. I can't believe how calm the staff is, They keep telling me its ok, and everything is going to get better, and for the first time since we started this journey I found some people I believe will help our family!!! Then we went back friday, I picked the kids up from school and Liam RAN over to meet me to tell me he wasn't going to therapy, when I told him he was, the screaming started. My wonderful neighbors kept Maura and Jeremiah so they didn't have to listen to Liam scream for the 40 minute ride out there.On our way out there Liam ripped up tons of paper, tried to throw his socks out the window, told me he was going to poison me, tear down the therapy building, ect... and ripped up my leather seat!! When we got there 3 of the AWESOME staff came out to get him into the building. Liam wasn't going without a huge fight, he slapped one of the girls across the face, Hakeem was sitting behind him telling me not to react, it went against every fiber of my parent being not to scream at him and crack his butt. Stephanie called after about 15 minutes of us trying to get him out of the car and said I should get him in the building, so I picked him up and grabbed his hand and started towards the door, Hakeem grabbed his other hand. Next thing I know Liam bit my arm HARD!!! Another thing I had to not react to. I brought him in the door and said goodbye and he started trying to get out, at first mad, then begging to come with me. It is truly heartbreaking to leave him like that, but I know deep down in my heart this is what we have to do for the good of all of us!!
Big Jer and I got away for a night thanks to some wonderful friends, Jenni and Tim Knight, who kept the kids and took them to Fisher Fest for 2 days, and Linda and Dan Meyer that keep my other baby, Tinky. We just went to Schaumberg, ate at Bennihanna, drank at Wildfire, and slept in bed WITHOUT children or dogs. Speaking of dogs, we got a pug. I know what you're thinking, "What the hell is wrong with her??" Jeremiah has had a fasination with Pugs for about a year, his friend from school and baseball moved and couldn't take their dog with, which happened to be a pug. Jeremiah has had and will continue to have a tough time being Liams twin, so we caved and took the dog.
Well thats all for now,thanks for listening, and now go do something on this beautiful day, Love you all, Dawn
Just thought I would update our CRAZY week last week, I know you are all on the edge of your seat wondering what things have been happening here, but wait no more, here it is!!!
I'll start with Monday, the day starts out our "normal", and Liam and I have an appointment at the Center for Behavioral Intervention at noon. I pick him up from school and head out to Mokena, Liam was excited to start therapy. He met Hakeem and went into the gym with him and I went with one of the owners Stephanie to get things started. Liam brought his lunch in with him so he sat down to eat and , as always he had a Pepsi, one of his new obsessions. After about a half an hour Stephanie leaves the office for something and when she returned she told me Liam was throwing Pepsi cans at Hakeem, I assumed it was his empty can from his lunch, so I didn't think anything of it. Well about 5 minutes later I look out and Liam had gotten out of the building, got into my van, found a 12 pack of Pepsi in the back and was throwing full cans at Hakeem and Stephanie. I went out there and got him in the building, screaming of course, with him telling me Hakeem had kicked him, won't leave him alone, ect.. He was beyond out of control, or so I thought. They were only able to get through 1/4 of the pre assesment, so we made an appointment to go back on weds. Stephanie told me we were "in crisis mode, and I couldn't agree more. Monday night, Liam decided to tell me some things he doesn't like about therapy, i.e. "I was excited to start therapy but this isn't the place for me!" "These people got the wrong training because I don't think they know what they are doing!" and my personal favorite, "I can't believe you pay these people to make me unhappy!!!!"
and then we went back on weds, He was flipping out!!! Big Jer met me out there and it broke his heart. Liam was putting up a HUGE fight, screaming, kicking, hitting, trashing the office, trying to dump the fishtank, and finally succeding in pulling the fire alarm. At first he was very angry, then he started begging to come with us, I also had Maura and Liam with me. Big Jer was very upset, I felt horriable, but maybe not as bad as I could have, I am at the end of my rope. Jeremiah is SO embarrassed by Liam, that is another blog, but this place has sibling classes!!! I am beyond happy!!! I took Jeremiah and Maura home and Jerry went to get something to eat and went back to pick up Liam, I had a block party meeting going on in my yard so I had to get home. On my way out I passed the fire truck. I can't believe how calm the staff is, They keep telling me its ok, and everything is going to get better, and for the first time since we started this journey I found some people I believe will help our family!!! Then we went back friday, I picked the kids up from school and Liam RAN over to meet me to tell me he wasn't going to therapy, when I told him he was, the screaming started. My wonderful neighbors kept Maura and Jeremiah so they didn't have to listen to Liam scream for the 40 minute ride out there.On our way out there Liam ripped up tons of paper, tried to throw his socks out the window, told me he was going to poison me, tear down the therapy building, ect... and ripped up my leather seat!! When we got there 3 of the AWESOME staff came out to get him into the building. Liam wasn't going without a huge fight, he slapped one of the girls across the face, Hakeem was sitting behind him telling me not to react, it went against every fiber of my parent being not to scream at him and crack his butt. Stephanie called after about 15 minutes of us trying to get him out of the car and said I should get him in the building, so I picked him up and grabbed his hand and started towards the door, Hakeem grabbed his other hand. Next thing I know Liam bit my arm HARD!!! Another thing I had to not react to. I brought him in the door and said goodbye and he started trying to get out, at first mad, then begging to come with me. It is truly heartbreaking to leave him like that, but I know deep down in my heart this is what we have to do for the good of all of us!!
Big Jer and I got away for a night thanks to some wonderful friends, Jenni and Tim Knight, who kept the kids and took them to Fisher Fest for 2 days, and Linda and Dan Meyer that keep my other baby, Tinky. We just went to Schaumberg, ate at Bennihanna, drank at Wildfire, and slept in bed WITHOUT children or dogs. Speaking of dogs, we got a pug. I know what you're thinking, "What the hell is wrong with her??" Jeremiah has had a fasination with Pugs for about a year, his friend from school and baseball moved and couldn't take their dog with, which happened to be a pug. Jeremiah has had and will continue to have a tough time being Liams twin, so we caved and took the dog.
Well thats all for now,thanks for listening, and now go do something on this beautiful day, Love you all, Dawn
Monday, September 10, 2012
Hi Everyone,
We had a very busy day here at the McNamara household. I took Liam for his first evaluation at The Center for Behavior Intervention, and he HATED it, the caps are not big enough to tell you how much he HATED it!!! It started out fine, actually we had the best morning we've had in a while. We got there at about noon and were greeted by one of the wonderful owners, Stephanie, I liked her right away, Liam went off with a therapist to start to be begin his journey, and I went with Stephanie to get things started on my end. After about 20 minutes Stephanie left the room to go get something, when she came back in she told me Liam had run out of the building, got in my van, and was throwing Pepsi cans at his therapist. I waited about 5 minutes and then I went out there. Liam had found a 12 pack of his Pepsi in the back of the van and used it as a weapon. I got him back in the building, and he went back in the gym. I must say the staff there were wonderful. I answered a bunch of questions, filled out a bunch of forms, toured the school, and got some great info. For the first time I feel like we are on the right track, I'm just not sure because it seems too good, if that makes sense.
Our life around here has been hell, and the chaos is taking its toll on everyone. I feel like these people will help us take back control. To all of you people that know my parenting style, I'm pretty no nonsense. I just have no idea when I lost control. Or did I ever have control??? I cannot wait to start getting some calm back into our home. I know we are going to always have to work at this, it just doesn't need to be this hard all the time.
We are going 3 times this week, and they are going to do therapy in out house. Stephanie told me the best and quickest way was to go there and do home visits, they regain control, and then transfer it to us. Sounds like a plan to me!!!!
Liam can't tell me enough how much he hates it. I love that. He knows these people are on to him, he's not going to get out of this one. I LOVE it!!! If he liked it, I would be worried, just another person that let him do what he wants.
The kids there were so calm, so compliant, everything I want for our house. Also they don't believe in restraining the kids, they also talked so nice to them, and no it wasn't because I was there, I could tell.
Right now I wish I could fast forward this part of our life to a part I know is going to be better!!
On a different note I was laying down with Maura tonight and when I said goodnight I love you very much, in a very sleepy voice she said I love you more. Thats why I fight for my kids and want to make the best possible home for them, because we all deserve it!!! We love each other, and we are going to fight this monster called Aspergers that tries to rob us of all things good. I'm a little bitter at the moment, and ready for a fight!!
Thanks for reading, now get off this computer and do something constructive!!!
Love you all,
Dawn
We had a very busy day here at the McNamara household. I took Liam for his first evaluation at The Center for Behavior Intervention, and he HATED it, the caps are not big enough to tell you how much he HATED it!!! It started out fine, actually we had the best morning we've had in a while. We got there at about noon and were greeted by one of the wonderful owners, Stephanie, I liked her right away, Liam went off with a therapist to start to be begin his journey, and I went with Stephanie to get things started on my end. After about 20 minutes Stephanie left the room to go get something, when she came back in she told me Liam had run out of the building, got in my van, and was throwing Pepsi cans at his therapist. I waited about 5 minutes and then I went out there. Liam had found a 12 pack of his Pepsi in the back of the van and used it as a weapon. I got him back in the building, and he went back in the gym. I must say the staff there were wonderful. I answered a bunch of questions, filled out a bunch of forms, toured the school, and got some great info. For the first time I feel like we are on the right track, I'm just not sure because it seems too good, if that makes sense.
Our life around here has been hell, and the chaos is taking its toll on everyone. I feel like these people will help us take back control. To all of you people that know my parenting style, I'm pretty no nonsense. I just have no idea when I lost control. Or did I ever have control??? I cannot wait to start getting some calm back into our home. I know we are going to always have to work at this, it just doesn't need to be this hard all the time.
We are going 3 times this week, and they are going to do therapy in out house. Stephanie told me the best and quickest way was to go there and do home visits, they regain control, and then transfer it to us. Sounds like a plan to me!!!!
Liam can't tell me enough how much he hates it. I love that. He knows these people are on to him, he's not going to get out of this one. I LOVE it!!! If he liked it, I would be worried, just another person that let him do what he wants.
The kids there were so calm, so compliant, everything I want for our house. Also they don't believe in restraining the kids, they also talked so nice to them, and no it wasn't because I was there, I could tell.
Right now I wish I could fast forward this part of our life to a part I know is going to be better!!
On a different note I was laying down with Maura tonight and when I said goodnight I love you very much, in a very sleepy voice she said I love you more. Thats why I fight for my kids and want to make the best possible home for them, because we all deserve it!!! We love each other, and we are going to fight this monster called Aspergers that tries to rob us of all things good. I'm a little bitter at the moment, and ready for a fight!!
Thanks for reading, now get off this computer and do something constructive!!!
Love you all,
Dawn
Friday, September 7, 2012
Hi All,
I haven't written in a while, so here goes. Liam has had a rough go of things lately, the start of the school year is tough for him. A new teacher, new room, some different kids in his classroom, ect. I hear moms so excited when school starts, I don't feel that way because it takes Liam about 2 months to settle in, and his behavior becomes worse at home. On top of this, his doctor changed his medicine, just a the look of different pill set him off. Too much change for the poor guy. It is hard for me to have patience with this, but damn it ,I try!!! Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I lose it and have a meltdown of my own, and trust me, its not a pretty site.
I took Maura to the doctor yesterday and she might have whooping cough. The test for whooping cough is to stick a q-tip like thing up your nose really far, she did great!!! This morning Liam woke up and he sounds like Maura when he coughs, great!! I called the doctor and asked if we had to do the test on him, we would need at least 3 people to hold him down and 1 to hold his head, and 1 to try to give him the test, great. We are waiting till Monday to see if he needs meds. He has been sleeping since 8 this morning and Maura is bouncing off the walls.
Jeremiah is another issue, he is starting to be very embarrassed by Liam. I get it, we were all embarrassed by our siblings, but he is in the same grade as his brother, on the same baseball team, has a lot of the same friends, he never gets a break. Jerry and I have been trying to explain things to him about how he is the only brother you'll have, ect. I hope we are doing the right thing. Jer isn't forced to be with Liam all the time, it just seems to work out that way. And yes, they are in different classrooms. I have been sneaking Jer out at night to have some alone time with me, I think I'm enjoying it as much as he is. One thing it has done is opened my eyes up to is how relaxed I am without Liam, I'm not always looking at where he is because he will wander away, get upset, scream, ect. I hope I never resent Liam for this, I know in my mind he can't help somethings, but I know people can have resentment without realizing it. I pray I don't.
Maura has also giving me a run for my money with school, she cries going into school, but is fine once she's inside. Last Tuesday Liam had a very bad morning, so I was talking to him in the car. Maura kept coming up to the van waiting for me to stand with her in line. When I rolled down the window for the 3rd time to tell her I would be right there, she said something that broke my heart,"Are you dealing with Liam?" Sometimes I feel bad that this disorder had robbed us so many things, other times I know this will help my kids have a better understanding of people with disabilities.
Speaking of having my heart broken, the other night we were coming home from baseball practice and Jer was being not so nice to Liam in the car. I told Jer, "the last thing Liam needs is you being mean to him, he has a lot of people being mean to him." and Liam said," Yeah Jer, when people are mean to me, I just go with it." Because he doesn't react when other kids are mean to him everyone thinks he doesn't care, or he can handle it, well he feels the same way everyone feels, he just can't show it. Also some kids just don't talk to Liam because "he's weird". He told me he wants to be the most popular kid in his grade, I am going in to his class to let some of the kids know how he thinks. Pray for me that I say the right things, Liam is excited about this, and so is Jeremiah. I'm hoping there will be a better understanding of Aspergers when I'm done, and I think it will relieve some anxiety that both boys have. We are lucky that the kids in the boys grade are really nice kids, except for a few.
Well I have rambled on long enough,
Thanks for letting me bend your ear!!
Dawn
I haven't written in a while, so here goes. Liam has had a rough go of things lately, the start of the school year is tough for him. A new teacher, new room, some different kids in his classroom, ect. I hear moms so excited when school starts, I don't feel that way because it takes Liam about 2 months to settle in, and his behavior becomes worse at home. On top of this, his doctor changed his medicine, just a the look of different pill set him off. Too much change for the poor guy. It is hard for me to have patience with this, but damn it ,I try!!! Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I lose it and have a meltdown of my own, and trust me, its not a pretty site.
I took Maura to the doctor yesterday and she might have whooping cough. The test for whooping cough is to stick a q-tip like thing up your nose really far, she did great!!! This morning Liam woke up and he sounds like Maura when he coughs, great!! I called the doctor and asked if we had to do the test on him, we would need at least 3 people to hold him down and 1 to hold his head, and 1 to try to give him the test, great. We are waiting till Monday to see if he needs meds. He has been sleeping since 8 this morning and Maura is bouncing off the walls.
Jeremiah is another issue, he is starting to be very embarrassed by Liam. I get it, we were all embarrassed by our siblings, but he is in the same grade as his brother, on the same baseball team, has a lot of the same friends, he never gets a break. Jerry and I have been trying to explain things to him about how he is the only brother you'll have, ect. I hope we are doing the right thing. Jer isn't forced to be with Liam all the time, it just seems to work out that way. And yes, they are in different classrooms. I have been sneaking Jer out at night to have some alone time with me, I think I'm enjoying it as much as he is. One thing it has done is opened my eyes up to is how relaxed I am without Liam, I'm not always looking at where he is because he will wander away, get upset, scream, ect. I hope I never resent Liam for this, I know in my mind he can't help somethings, but I know people can have resentment without realizing it. I pray I don't.
Maura has also giving me a run for my money with school, she cries going into school, but is fine once she's inside. Last Tuesday Liam had a very bad morning, so I was talking to him in the car. Maura kept coming up to the van waiting for me to stand with her in line. When I rolled down the window for the 3rd time to tell her I would be right there, she said something that broke my heart,"Are you dealing with Liam?" Sometimes I feel bad that this disorder had robbed us so many things, other times I know this will help my kids have a better understanding of people with disabilities.
Speaking of having my heart broken, the other night we were coming home from baseball practice and Jer was being not so nice to Liam in the car. I told Jer, "the last thing Liam needs is you being mean to him, he has a lot of people being mean to him." and Liam said," Yeah Jer, when people are mean to me, I just go with it." Because he doesn't react when other kids are mean to him everyone thinks he doesn't care, or he can handle it, well he feels the same way everyone feels, he just can't show it. Also some kids just don't talk to Liam because "he's weird". He told me he wants to be the most popular kid in his grade, I am going in to his class to let some of the kids know how he thinks. Pray for me that I say the right things, Liam is excited about this, and so is Jeremiah. I'm hoping there will be a better understanding of Aspergers when I'm done, and I think it will relieve some anxiety that both boys have. We are lucky that the kids in the boys grade are really nice kids, except for a few.
Well I have rambled on long enough,
Thanks for letting me bend your ear!!
Dawn
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Hello Everyone,
Sorry I haven't been on in a few days, been running alot around here. We have had a pretty good week so far, I hope me saying that doesn't jinx it. I noticed Liams speech being fast and pressured again, so I called the doctor and she upped one of his meds. It seems to be working, his speech is a little easier to understand and his hair twisting isn't as much. He is too funny, when I came home tonight he was awake, and he said "Mom I don't know why I'm not asleep, I took my medicine." He knows it helps him sleep, sometimes how smart he is amazes me, he was telling me about some ancient coins he saw and now wants to collect coins.
Liam has his play tomorrow and Sat. I feel like a bad mom , I can only make it to the first performance, I have to work on sat. I am worried that when theater camp ends he is going to flip out with nothing to do. The babysitter, Danielle, said when she picked him up from camp on weds., he was talking and talking about it, and he never talked to her that much about anything. As he was talking to me tonight, I was thinking,what if he does become an actor, He is handsome enough(I know I'm prejudiced, but he is good looking), wouldn't that be great for awareness??
Today while I was getting Maura ready for swim class< i was combing her hair, and noticed her lack of hair on the sides. I asked her, "did you cut your hair??" which prompted a crying jag, and her screaming, "you're mad at me!!" I was laughing which totally confused her. I said I was actually expecting this a long time ago. I asked her where she learned to cut hair and she said" by watching you" oh crap, I hope she doesn't start cutting her friends hair, all I need is more people mad at me!!!
Jeremiah has been hanging at his friends house a lot this week, so much I think we're letting them adopt him, his new name will be Jeremiah Johnson!!LOL
Well sorry for the boring blog, but to tell you the truth, boring = easy!!!
Dawn
Sorry I haven't been on in a few days, been running alot around here. We have had a pretty good week so far, I hope me saying that doesn't jinx it. I noticed Liams speech being fast and pressured again, so I called the doctor and she upped one of his meds. It seems to be working, his speech is a little easier to understand and his hair twisting isn't as much. He is too funny, when I came home tonight he was awake, and he said "Mom I don't know why I'm not asleep, I took my medicine." He knows it helps him sleep, sometimes how smart he is amazes me, he was telling me about some ancient coins he saw and now wants to collect coins.
Liam has his play tomorrow and Sat. I feel like a bad mom , I can only make it to the first performance, I have to work on sat. I am worried that when theater camp ends he is going to flip out with nothing to do. The babysitter, Danielle, said when she picked him up from camp on weds., he was talking and talking about it, and he never talked to her that much about anything. As he was talking to me tonight, I was thinking,what if he does become an actor, He is handsome enough(I know I'm prejudiced, but he is good looking), wouldn't that be great for awareness??
Today while I was getting Maura ready for swim class< i was combing her hair, and noticed her lack of hair on the sides. I asked her, "did you cut your hair??" which prompted a crying jag, and her screaming, "you're mad at me!!" I was laughing which totally confused her. I said I was actually expecting this a long time ago. I asked her where she learned to cut hair and she said" by watching you" oh crap, I hope she doesn't start cutting her friends hair, all I need is more people mad at me!!!
Jeremiah has been hanging at his friends house a lot this week, so much I think we're letting them adopt him, his new name will be Jeremiah Johnson!!LOL
Well sorry for the boring blog, but to tell you the truth, boring = easy!!!
Dawn
Monday, July 9, 2012
Happy Monday!!
We had a pretty good weekend, 2 improptu parties happened at our house, went to a block party on Saturday night, and went to see some friends in a play on Sunday afternoon. Liam did well on Sat. He stayed in the house most of the time when all the other kids were outside, I gave him a little nudge, but I have learned to let him do what he is able to in social situations. We went to our friends block party in the evening, and to watch him wander around by himself sometimes just breaks my heart. We ended up knowing alot of people at the block party, and thank God for that. I didn't think about my wandering son going into peoples backyards and into their houses, so it was great to have so many sets of eyes and nice people that understand him. After the play on Sunday some of the actors came back to our house, and some of the boys from all stars came over. This time Liam was outside the whole time, very social. I wish I could figure out what was different, but I think its just going to be a shot in the dark for a while. I just hope as these kids get older, that it doesn't get taken personally,it is truly a "its not you, its me" thing.
Sunday we went to the Beverly Art Center to see Flat Stanley,we all sat in one row, me between Liam and Jer, with Maura wanting to sit on my lap,well sitting on my lap is against "the rules" and Liam not only HAS to follow the rules, but everyone around him does too, so he kept kicking Mauras foot until she went and say on Big Jers lap, actually I was relieved, shes a load!!! Then during the performance the little girl behind me started asking her mom some questions,well the little rule breaker got an earful from from Liam. "Stop talking in the theater!!" was told to her numerous times!!! When I told him to stop, he shot me a dirty look and I was told to stop talking during a performance!! I tried to tell him he was being rude,with him telling me,"They are being rude!!!" It was one of those times it is hard to explain it to him. He was right, but she is a little girl, she was whispering, and her mother was trying to keep it to a minimum, but it is just another example of the concrete thinking of Aspergers. Black and white, you are NOT supposed to talk in the theater, PERIOD!! He was so stressed about it he twisted his hair into one of the biggest knots yet!! The biggest surprise to me was Jeremiah, Mr. "I don't like being in plays, and I don't like going to plays" asked me if he could try out for Flat Stanley!! Just when you think you have them figured out the throw a curveball at ya!!!
I don't know if its the heat or what, but Liam has not been eating to much lately, he is actually surviving on Frosted Flakes. I used to freak out about stuff like that before, I have learned to just ride it out, none of my kids are going to starve. I used to be very envious of people whos kids will eat anything, Jeremiah still only eats about 8 things, with Liam not much more, and then we have Maura. She is our carnivore, and it cracks me up!! People have said to me "wait until they're teenagers, those boys will eat you out of house and home" Personally I'm thinking Mauras already doing that, she loves her steak, pork and chicken, and if I put cheese on it she will even eat broccoli, I NEVER thought I would have a "normal" eating child!!
Well I'm sure you're sick of my ramblings, so go and have a GREAT Monday!!
Dawn
We had a pretty good weekend, 2 improptu parties happened at our house, went to a block party on Saturday night, and went to see some friends in a play on Sunday afternoon. Liam did well on Sat. He stayed in the house most of the time when all the other kids were outside, I gave him a little nudge, but I have learned to let him do what he is able to in social situations. We went to our friends block party in the evening, and to watch him wander around by himself sometimes just breaks my heart. We ended up knowing alot of people at the block party, and thank God for that. I didn't think about my wandering son going into peoples backyards and into their houses, so it was great to have so many sets of eyes and nice people that understand him. After the play on Sunday some of the actors came back to our house, and some of the boys from all stars came over. This time Liam was outside the whole time, very social. I wish I could figure out what was different, but I think its just going to be a shot in the dark for a while. I just hope as these kids get older, that it doesn't get taken personally,it is truly a "its not you, its me" thing.
Sunday we went to the Beverly Art Center to see Flat Stanley,we all sat in one row, me between Liam and Jer, with Maura wanting to sit on my lap,well sitting on my lap is against "the rules" and Liam not only HAS to follow the rules, but everyone around him does too, so he kept kicking Mauras foot until she went and say on Big Jers lap, actually I was relieved, shes a load!!! Then during the performance the little girl behind me started asking her mom some questions,well the little rule breaker got an earful from from Liam. "Stop talking in the theater!!" was told to her numerous times!!! When I told him to stop, he shot me a dirty look and I was told to stop talking during a performance!! I tried to tell him he was being rude,with him telling me,"They are being rude!!!" It was one of those times it is hard to explain it to him. He was right, but she is a little girl, she was whispering, and her mother was trying to keep it to a minimum, but it is just another example of the concrete thinking of Aspergers. Black and white, you are NOT supposed to talk in the theater, PERIOD!! He was so stressed about it he twisted his hair into one of the biggest knots yet!! The biggest surprise to me was Jeremiah, Mr. "I don't like being in plays, and I don't like going to plays" asked me if he could try out for Flat Stanley!! Just when you think you have them figured out the throw a curveball at ya!!!
I don't know if its the heat or what, but Liam has not been eating to much lately, he is actually surviving on Frosted Flakes. I used to freak out about stuff like that before, I have learned to just ride it out, none of my kids are going to starve. I used to be very envious of people whos kids will eat anything, Jeremiah still only eats about 8 things, with Liam not much more, and then we have Maura. She is our carnivore, and it cracks me up!! People have said to me "wait until they're teenagers, those boys will eat you out of house and home" Personally I'm thinking Mauras already doing that, she loves her steak, pork and chicken, and if I put cheese on it she will even eat broccoli, I NEVER thought I would have a "normal" eating child!!
Well I'm sure you're sick of my ramblings, so go and have a GREAT Monday!!
Dawn
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Good Morning,
I have decided to take a page from a friend from High school that blogs about her "Ride on the Autism spectrum" I am starting with a disclaimer, I misspell sometimes, have run on sentences, don't use proper grammer, so if you anal about those things, stop reading now. Now some words why I started this blog,
A very good friend of mine inboxed me the other day to thank me for writing my notes on facebook. I admit, I was purely selfish posting my challanges with Liam, I needed to vent. It never occured to me that the people reading it were being educated about Aspergers/ Autism. I loved the analogy she used,"seeing a McDonalds burger on t.v. looks great, but not so good when its in your hand" She told me everything she knew about Aspergers/Autism were things she has seen on t.v., I am happy that there are people that don't have experiences with it, I do believe that is going away quickly, with 1 in 88 children being diagnosed. I decided to start this blog to also show the fun side of my family, I have just posted notes in very difficult times, when I am at my breaking point. We do have great days too, everyday is a learning experience for everyone involved, what worked yesterday, might not work today, or even within the next hour .
Liam is learning how to articulate his feelings, why he is melting down, I am learning that while he is melting down, he can't tell us why, he just needs to get away, and I need to stop asking questions, he is trying to process and more questions get inside his brain and clutter it even more. If possiable go for a ride in the car, just him and me, but that is not always able to happen because of Jeremiah and Maura. Those damn kids get in the way all the time, LOL Liam asks me if we can give Maura away, he even asked me why we adopted her. When I told him we didn't adopt her, she is actually his full blooded sister he asked "Why I didn't just stop at 2 kids?" LOL
Well Liam has found one of his nitches, theater. A friend of mine helped get us started at McAuley theater camp, a week late, and he is loving it.(Thanks Julie Schuberth!!!) He has been in 2 other plays, but didn't seem to enjoy it as well as he does this. Jeremiah is having a hard time with Liam going, He told me he is bored when Liam is gone, and I do know one of the reasons he doesn't like it is because Jer has to go see the plays, and I quote " I don't like being in plays, and I really don't like going to see plays" so as classic Jeremiah, its all about him,LOL.
Well I don't want to bore you, I could go on and on (shocking, I know) I hope I can fiqure out this blog thing and get back here and post them, if not, at least I can wrrite it down and that does really seem to help me get through tough times, Please comment if you feel like it!! I love feedback!!
Dawn
I have decided to take a page from a friend from High school that blogs about her "Ride on the Autism spectrum" I am starting with a disclaimer, I misspell sometimes, have run on sentences, don't use proper grammer, so if you anal about those things, stop reading now. Now some words why I started this blog,
A very good friend of mine inboxed me the other day to thank me for writing my notes on facebook. I admit, I was purely selfish posting my challanges with Liam, I needed to vent. It never occured to me that the people reading it were being educated about Aspergers/ Autism. I loved the analogy she used,"seeing a McDonalds burger on t.v. looks great, but not so good when its in your hand" She told me everything she knew about Aspergers/Autism were things she has seen on t.v., I am happy that there are people that don't have experiences with it, I do believe that is going away quickly, with 1 in 88 children being diagnosed. I decided to start this blog to also show the fun side of my family, I have just posted notes in very difficult times, when I am at my breaking point. We do have great days too, everyday is a learning experience for everyone involved, what worked yesterday, might not work today, or even within the next hour .
Liam is learning how to articulate his feelings, why he is melting down, I am learning that while he is melting down, he can't tell us why, he just needs to get away, and I need to stop asking questions, he is trying to process and more questions get inside his brain and clutter it even more. If possiable go for a ride in the car, just him and me, but that is not always able to happen because of Jeremiah and Maura. Those damn kids get in the way all the time, LOL Liam asks me if we can give Maura away, he even asked me why we adopted her. When I told him we didn't adopt her, she is actually his full blooded sister he asked "Why I didn't just stop at 2 kids?" LOL
Well Liam has found one of his nitches, theater. A friend of mine helped get us started at McAuley theater camp, a week late, and he is loving it.(Thanks Julie Schuberth!!!) He has been in 2 other plays, but didn't seem to enjoy it as well as he does this. Jeremiah is having a hard time with Liam going, He told me he is bored when Liam is gone, and I do know one of the reasons he doesn't like it is because Jer has to go see the plays, and I quote " I don't like being in plays, and I really don't like going to see plays" so as classic Jeremiah, its all about him,LOL.
Well I don't want to bore you, I could go on and on (shocking, I know) I hope I can fiqure out this blog thing and get back here and post them, if not, at least I can wrrite it down and that does really seem to help me get through tough times, Please comment if you feel like it!! I love feedback!!
Dawn
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