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