Today, my sons early education teacher found another teaching job closer to her home. She left without warning and didn't say goodbye to her class. My son took this quite hard. This is a break in his routine and now what he knows so well has suddenly changed.
His new teacher seems very nice. She also has experience dealing with special needs children and those especially on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In time, my son will learn to grow close to her as well as he did his last teacher.
This is a shock to my wife and I how his teacher left the way she did. I am sure she has her own reasons. Maybe she wanted to make a clean break and hold back her emotions? Maybe with this government bill with the teachers union she was afraid of a pink slip? I know she loved her class very much. My son adored her. She was a very good teacher and I will miss her and so will her students.
We have my sons class picture hanging up on the tack board with his old teacher on it. We told him that he can still look at her picture to remember her when he wants. We are still trying to figure out how to explain why she left. All we can tell him now is that he has a new teacher and that she will be good to him like the other teacher.
I hope he will deal with this issue. This is a big change that happened so fast. If I feel shocked and awed by this, how can he feel? Routines are very hard to break with a child of autism. I've dealt with small things such as toys. But a person who has brought him so much inspiration and admiration? That has to be a greater heart ache than moving one of his toy cars out of alignment.
This is my online diary about my son diagnosed with autism at age 2. His progress and regressions. His behavior and his sensory overloads. Therapy and picture schedules. Drama and humor to figure out how his mind works.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
"SENSORY STIMULATION"
Sensory stimulation is a vital role of sending information to the brain of the autistic child to help settle their nervous system. It is important to have sensory breaks to help the child be alert and focus on learning.
Sensory issues can involve how the child sees, hears, smells and how their bodies react to their environment. This can result in the child's mind as conflict, bringing overwhelming sensory information the brain cannot process. The child could appear fearful or clumsy. The textures of what they touch may irritate their skin and make them feel uncomfortable.
Spinning on a sit and spin, jumping on a trampoline, brushing the arms, deep pressure massage, being pressed between bean bag chairs, swaddling, squeezing stress balls and being covered with a weighted blanket are some examples used for a sensory break. Sensory techniques like these help increase alertness.
My son has to start his school day in his classroom and slowly be emerged in the lunchroom where all the other children start their mornings. Eating breakfast. To start him off in the cafe with all the loud children and smell of food sets off sensory over-load. To walk him into it helps his brain prepare for whats coming.
Our sons teachers send him off on sensory breaks about every two hours. Taking this time off from the classroom to help settle his nervous system. Sensory integration helps him come back and focus on learning with the other children.
With my son, when he goes into sensory over-load it's like he is full of energy. His body gets jittery. He clenches his fists. He makes moaning noises and bangs his head on me. He can't sit still. How can he sit and focus at school if he would act like that? He wouldn't be able to if he wasn't getting the sensory breaks.
I think the most effective sensory stimulation involves the playground. This is where they can run, jump, swing, slide and just be a child at play. It will also give you the chance to sit back and watch your special child enjoy being young and stimulate his/her brain to all the sensory needs that need to be filled.
Sensory issues can involve how the child sees, hears, smells and how their bodies react to their environment. This can result in the child's mind as conflict, bringing overwhelming sensory information the brain cannot process. The child could appear fearful or clumsy. The textures of what they touch may irritate their skin and make them feel uncomfortable.
Spinning on a sit and spin, jumping on a trampoline, brushing the arms, deep pressure massage, being pressed between bean bag chairs, swaddling, squeezing stress balls and being covered with a weighted blanket are some examples used for a sensory break. Sensory techniques like these help increase alertness.
My son has to start his school day in his classroom and slowly be emerged in the lunchroom where all the other children start their mornings. Eating breakfast. To start him off in the cafe with all the loud children and smell of food sets off sensory over-load. To walk him into it helps his brain prepare for whats coming.
Our sons teachers send him off on sensory breaks about every two hours. Taking this time off from the classroom to help settle his nervous system. Sensory integration helps him come back and focus on learning with the other children.
With my son, when he goes into sensory over-load it's like he is full of energy. His body gets jittery. He clenches his fists. He makes moaning noises and bangs his head on me. He can't sit still. How can he sit and focus at school if he would act like that? He wouldn't be able to if he wasn't getting the sensory breaks.
I think the most effective sensory stimulation involves the playground. This is where they can run, jump, swing, slide and just be a child at play. It will also give you the chance to sit back and watch your special child enjoy being young and stimulate his/her brain to all the sensory needs that need to be filled.
Friday, February 18, 2011
"OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY"
An Occupational Therapist is someone who promotes health by enabling people with disabilities to perform meaningful occupations with daily purpose. Occupation not only means "work related." This is the active process of taking care of ourselves and others, doing every day routines, and being socially and economically productive throughout our lives.
With Occupational Therapy, the therapist helps the disabled person learn how to do things to enhance their skills to get involved with their surroundings. This is the use of physical, environmental, psychosocial, mental, spiritual, political and cultural factors to identify things that disrupt their abilities.
While in therapy, the therapist will observe how well the child performs tasks and how they act when participating in age-appropriate activities or situations. Within their observations, the therapist will know what aspects of the disability to work on with the child.
My son right now has seen 2 of these occupational therapists dealing with his autism. I think there will be more to come. One of these therapists work with him at school. He is doing well learning new abilities to be accepted in a social environment. It is very important that he learns how to deal with life situations and be able to act responsibly for his actions.
The main goal of Occupational Therapy is to increase the individuals function and independence of life. We are very lucky to have people trained in these areas to help parents learn more what we can do to overcome stressful situations. They will teach you how to handle sensory meltdowns and give you advice on other topics troubling you. All you have to do is ask.
With Occupational Therapy, the therapist helps the disabled person learn how to do things to enhance their skills to get involved with their surroundings. This is the use of physical, environmental, psychosocial, mental, spiritual, political and cultural factors to identify things that disrupt their abilities.
While in therapy, the therapist will observe how well the child performs tasks and how they act when participating in age-appropriate activities or situations. Within their observations, the therapist will know what aspects of the disability to work on with the child.
My son right now has seen 2 of these occupational therapists dealing with his autism. I think there will be more to come. One of these therapists work with him at school. He is doing well learning new abilities to be accepted in a social environment. It is very important that he learns how to deal with life situations and be able to act responsibly for his actions.
The main goal of Occupational Therapy is to increase the individuals function and independence of life. We are very lucky to have people trained in these areas to help parents learn more what we can do to overcome stressful situations. They will teach you how to handle sensory meltdowns and give you advice on other topics troubling you. All you have to do is ask.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"EMOTIONS"
I try my best to keep my son with ASD happy. Some times it is virtually impossible. The slightest thing sets him off. Tonight it was a straw to drink his milk.
It all started when his sister was drinking her milk. Naturally, he woke up from his nap and wanted milk also. I get him a glass of milk. That's not good enough. He wants a straw to drink with. I try and explain that we are out of straws. This started off his temper. Now, to regain control over the situation.
He's sitting in my leather rocker recliner and starts rocking hard. Then, he goes and tips over his toys. He grabs other objects and gets ready to throw. He stomps his feet around the house. What do I do? Is this part of his autism or behavior?
I try and pick him up to give him a hug to settle him down. I tell him it's alright that we will have to get more straws. He's still really upset.
This goes on for a while. It seems like it will never end. When you least expect it, it's over. He's done with his tantrum. Wiping away tears from his eyes and taking deep breaths.
Parenting an autistic child you have to call the signs of a meltdown. One like this will strike out of no where. Remain calm. You have to try and control your temper as well. The child will feed off that emotion and things will get worse. Bite your lip and take a deep breath. We will get through another day. One day at a time. You have to have bad days to appreciate the good ones.
It all started when his sister was drinking her milk. Naturally, he woke up from his nap and wanted milk also. I get him a glass of milk. That's not good enough. He wants a straw to drink with. I try and explain that we are out of straws. This started off his temper. Now, to regain control over the situation.
He's sitting in my leather rocker recliner and starts rocking hard. Then, he goes and tips over his toys. He grabs other objects and gets ready to throw. He stomps his feet around the house. What do I do? Is this part of his autism or behavior?
I try and pick him up to give him a hug to settle him down. I tell him it's alright that we will have to get more straws. He's still really upset.
This goes on for a while. It seems like it will never end. When you least expect it, it's over. He's done with his tantrum. Wiping away tears from his eyes and taking deep breaths.
Parenting an autistic child you have to call the signs of a meltdown. One like this will strike out of no where. Remain calm. You have to try and control your temper as well. The child will feed off that emotion and things will get worse. Bite your lip and take a deep breath. We will get through another day. One day at a time. You have to have bad days to appreciate the good ones.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
IN SIMPLE TERMS
How do you explain to a visual thinker on the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) everything? Long story short basically. When it comes to a long explanation, narrow it down. Then, narrow it down further. Than it becomes, just because.
When the explanation is in progress of leaving your lips every word is blah blah blah. Except the words that they can visualize. Take for instance when you tell a visual thinker, "It's raining cats and dogs." That person will actually visualize cats and dogs falling from the sky.
With all the pun in the english language, one thing can mean another. Instead of telling the child about raining cats and dogs, they need to hear that it's raining hard outside. That they can understand.
You can actually see the confusion on their faces while you explain. Their minds are trying to piece that jigsaw puzzle together starting with the border. After that, pieces start falling into place. The more they hear and pictures to show, sentences become clearer.
Over time the more they picture words the easier it will become for my son to understand. It's a matter of how fast the words can be processed visually in his mind. For now, repeating sentences and shortening them up is helping him to learn faster. It helps him pick out the words he knows so he can visualize what I'm saying.
When the explanation is in progress of leaving your lips every word is blah blah blah. Except the words that they can visualize. Take for instance when you tell a visual thinker, "It's raining cats and dogs." That person will actually visualize cats and dogs falling from the sky.
With all the pun in the english language, one thing can mean another. Instead of telling the child about raining cats and dogs, they need to hear that it's raining hard outside. That they can understand.
You can actually see the confusion on their faces while you explain. Their minds are trying to piece that jigsaw puzzle together starting with the border. After that, pieces start falling into place. The more they hear and pictures to show, sentences become clearer.
Over time the more they picture words the easier it will become for my son to understand. It's a matter of how fast the words can be processed visually in his mind. For now, repeating sentences and shortening them up is helping him to learn faster. It helps him pick out the words he knows so he can visualize what I'm saying.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
"KEY SYMPTOMS OF ASD"
I have been telling so far my experience with my sons autism. The red flags, his signs of the autism spectrum disorder. No two children on the spectrum are alike. The spectrum can range from mild to very severe.
I have been studying on this topic going over 4 years. Every time there is a new idea about treatment, I have to watch or read that article. I want to know and understand what other parents, like myself, go through to teach and handle their child with autism. How to handle their sensory overloads. How to advert their attention away from their autistic traits. How to be more social.
As a new parent, you see your child as flawless. As baby's they are so beautiful and fragile. You want nothing other than the best care and security for them. As they grow and you see that child roll over for the first time, it brings tears of joy to your eyes. Then you see them take their first steps. You hear their first words. But then all of a sudden, they stop talking. What's that about? Does it make you think, or do you just go on to wait and hope it comes back?
These are more of the key symptoms of autism in infants:
I have been studying on this topic going over 4 years. Every time there is a new idea about treatment, I have to watch or read that article. I want to know and understand what other parents, like myself, go through to teach and handle their child with autism. How to handle their sensory overloads. How to advert their attention away from their autistic traits. How to be more social.
As a new parent, you see your child as flawless. As baby's they are so beautiful and fragile. You want nothing other than the best care and security for them. As they grow and you see that child roll over for the first time, it brings tears of joy to your eyes. Then you see them take their first steps. You hear their first words. But then all of a sudden, they stop talking. What's that about? Does it make you think, or do you just go on to wait and hope it comes back?
These are more of the key symptoms of autism in infants:
No joyful expressions or big smiles by 6 months
No sharing of sounds or facial expressions by 9 months
No baby babbling by 12 months
No showing of gestures such as pointing, waving, showing or reaching by 12 months
No 2 word meaningful sentences by 24 months (by not repeating)
Loss of speech, babbling or social skills at any age
I never understood how a child younger then the age of 2 could be diagnosed. The professionals know and can spot the signs as clear as you can read these words.
I waited to see if my sons routines would break themselves. That his speech would return and we could understand him. That his sensory overloads were just behavior that would change in time. I regret the wait. I should have taken him in to get him screened sooner.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
EARLY SIGNS OF AUTISM AND MY DENIAL
We were involved in a program called Birth To Three when Dane was 2 and a half. The county got us on this program because we let our family doctor know we were having troubles getting Dane to talk. The most he could do to communicate at the time was whine and cry while pointing. The trouble was: What is he pointing at? What does he want? The doctor made the call and referred us. If she had not I don't know where we would have started.
Christmas 2007 Dane received a toy dump truck for a present. The first and only thing he did was flip it over and spin the wheels. The same went for a toy wagon we had. You could put blocks in this wheel in the center and music would play. He would spin that wheel so fast sometimes he would get his fingers pinched. Anything that could spin, Dane would spin it. He would sit and examine what kinds of spins were resulting in. This came to saucers and spoons as well. Nothing else mattered.
I taught him how the light switch worked when he was little. It wasn't long until he had to always flip switches. Cries of anger and tantrums broke out unless he could turn the light on and off before leaving the room. We would visit friends and family and he would search the house for switches and flip every one. That was his main concern. Everyone in the room did not exist to him.
Many of these routines were going on. He started lining up blocks and matchbox cars. If you moved one out of line, you broke his routine. He threw a fit. Still, I did not know what was going on. "This is all part of being a kid. He will outgrow these weird routines." So I thought.
My denial seeing certain signs of autism and still not wanting to think anything was wrong. Birth to Three would use the term; (Red Flags). The doctor said it's a possibility of autism.
I was seeing billboards that had a young girl on it that said. "Autism Speaks. 1 out of 100 children are diagnosed with autism every day!" I would look at that billboard everyday for a year before turning on the road to go to my house. Still, I would shake my head and say, "No, that's not my son. He's fine." Funny how life was telling me but I just looked away. After he was tested, that sign turned into an Army sign. Just that fast. Strange?
If I could turn back the clock 1 year sooner to have him tested I would. It is a very long wait and have your child in line for testing. We had it set up the first time. They said it was a long wait. Over a year. One week later they called and said they had an opening. I couldn't believe this. "Yeah, long wait. We can get him in next week? This is some ploy to scare us into getting him tested. The hospital just wants our money!" We let it go. We were seeing improvements with Dane.
Time went by and he regressed. This is after my daughter Allyson was born. "He wants to be the baby." I thought. Still denying anything wrong.
When Dane started school, the teachers recommend we have him tested. That was the final moment for me to make my mind known that there are symptoms of autism. "We have to get him tested." We made the call.
Again the hospital said. "It's a long list." History repeated itself and we were luckily able to get him tested. This still boggles my mind. If there is such a long list of those to be tested, how were we lucky enough to get in within a couple weeks! Is that the scare tactic to get your child tested? Or, was it fate that helped us?
I just hope that if you have concerns over your child to not wait and see. This took a year off of early intervention and therapy that could have helped my son. Do not make the same mistake I did. Get your child tested ASAP!
Christmas 2007 Dane received a toy dump truck for a present. The first and only thing he did was flip it over and spin the wheels. The same went for a toy wagon we had. You could put blocks in this wheel in the center and music would play. He would spin that wheel so fast sometimes he would get his fingers pinched. Anything that could spin, Dane would spin it. He would sit and examine what kinds of spins were resulting in. This came to saucers and spoons as well. Nothing else mattered.
I taught him how the light switch worked when he was little. It wasn't long until he had to always flip switches. Cries of anger and tantrums broke out unless he could turn the light on and off before leaving the room. We would visit friends and family and he would search the house for switches and flip every one. That was his main concern. Everyone in the room did not exist to him.
Many of these routines were going on. He started lining up blocks and matchbox cars. If you moved one out of line, you broke his routine. He threw a fit. Still, I did not know what was going on. "This is all part of being a kid. He will outgrow these weird routines." So I thought.
My denial seeing certain signs of autism and still not wanting to think anything was wrong. Birth to Three would use the term; (Red Flags). The doctor said it's a possibility of autism.
I was seeing billboards that had a young girl on it that said. "Autism Speaks. 1 out of 100 children are diagnosed with autism every day!" I would look at that billboard everyday for a year before turning on the road to go to my house. Still, I would shake my head and say, "No, that's not my son. He's fine." Funny how life was telling me but I just looked away. After he was tested, that sign turned into an Army sign. Just that fast. Strange?
If I could turn back the clock 1 year sooner to have him tested I would. It is a very long wait and have your child in line for testing. We had it set up the first time. They said it was a long wait. Over a year. One week later they called and said they had an opening. I couldn't believe this. "Yeah, long wait. We can get him in next week? This is some ploy to scare us into getting him tested. The hospital just wants our money!" We let it go. We were seeing improvements with Dane.
Time went by and he regressed. This is after my daughter Allyson was born. "He wants to be the baby." I thought. Still denying anything wrong.
When Dane started school, the teachers recommend we have him tested. That was the final moment for me to make my mind known that there are symptoms of autism. "We have to get him tested." We made the call.
Again the hospital said. "It's a long list." History repeated itself and we were luckily able to get him tested. This still boggles my mind. If there is such a long list of those to be tested, how were we lucky enough to get in within a couple weeks! Is that the scare tactic to get your child tested? Or, was it fate that helped us?
I just hope that if you have concerns over your child to not wait and see. This took a year off of early intervention and therapy that could have helped my son. Do not make the same mistake I did. Get your child tested ASAP!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
"INTENSIVE THERAPY"
Today was to be the first of many intensive 3 hour treatments for my sons autism. We are expected to go 2 days a week. We were advised to get around 40 hours in home treatment for intensive therapy. That would complicate things further we thought. Not to mention they canceled his 1st appointment today. That was disappointing because I could have went with to meet the doctors and what they will do. The other times, I will be at work and miss out.
My wife and I work opposite shifts. We are practically 2 single parents raising our 2 children. We want to get top of the line specialists who know how to treat this. During these sessions he will see 4 different doctors who will work with different types of his social disorders.
We want to eliminate his sensory meltdowns. We want to break his routines without him getting so upset. He is very heartbroken over almost everything. The phone rings. I start talking. He will stand there and cry until he says hello on the phone. No matter who is on the other line. After he says hello, bingo, all better.
When I do laundry, he will be upstairs playing. As soon as I push the dryer button to start he runs downstairs and throws a fit. "Push start! Let me do it!" He tantrums just over the push of a button. This goes for starting the microwave and making toast. It's alright if he is there and I will let him do it. I should not have to go out of my way to get him just to push the button to advert a tantrum.
People look at him and see nothing wrong. He is a beautiful, sweet boy. They just don't see what it is like all day dealing with keeping him happy. He is very smart and he likes to sing along to music. He likes Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber.
Autism is known as the silent disease. On the outside, the person looks normal. On the inside, however, their brain is wired completely different. They see the world in a whole different way. This is why as parents we need to spread Autism Awareness. 1 in 100 children are diagnosed every day. It may affect you or someone you know.
My wife and I work opposite shifts. We are practically 2 single parents raising our 2 children. We want to get top of the line specialists who know how to treat this. During these sessions he will see 4 different doctors who will work with different types of his social disorders.
We want to eliminate his sensory meltdowns. We want to break his routines without him getting so upset. He is very heartbroken over almost everything. The phone rings. I start talking. He will stand there and cry until he says hello on the phone. No matter who is on the other line. After he says hello, bingo, all better.
When I do laundry, he will be upstairs playing. As soon as I push the dryer button to start he runs downstairs and throws a fit. "Push start! Let me do it!" He tantrums just over the push of a button. This goes for starting the microwave and making toast. It's alright if he is there and I will let him do it. I should not have to go out of my way to get him just to push the button to advert a tantrum.
People look at him and see nothing wrong. He is a beautiful, sweet boy. They just don't see what it is like all day dealing with keeping him happy. He is very smart and he likes to sing along to music. He likes Lady Gaga and Justin Beiber.
Autism is known as the silent disease. On the outside, the person looks normal. On the inside, however, their brain is wired completely different. They see the world in a whole different way. This is why as parents we need to spread Autism Awareness. 1 in 100 children are diagnosed every day. It may affect you or someone you know.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
COMMUNICATION - WHAT'S WRONG?
Something has been off with Dane the past several days. He has been getting back into the routine habits of taking all the pots and pans saucer lids and spinning them. He has been away from that for some time. This is all part of his autism.
After he came home from school Monday he was spinning around and finding all other things to spin. He will get a big saucer top and two other smaller tops and put them together to look like Mickey Mouse's head. That's pretty smart! Then, eventually, all of the saucer lids will be spinning around in our dining room. I guess routines, no matter how old are still hard to break at certain times.
We noticed a slight cough on him. He didn't feel feverish and he didn't say he felt sick. We sent him off to school after some decongestant cough syrup. His teacher said he had a good day
Tuesday he had daycare with his younger sister. Come home I thought he looked a little pale. Still, "How are you feeling?" No answer. *Coughs*
He really likes laying in front of the space heater. I remember when I was little that I used to lay on the forced air vents of my parents furnace. Something about the calm heat that everyone likes as kids. We made him a little bed on the floor so he can sleep by it. It has been so cold out lately and the air really cuts through the house.
Early this morning he really had a bad cough. He was curled in a tight ball in front of the heater. We felt his head and back. He was burning up! He has a 102 degree fever and still says nothing about how he feels.
A parent knows when their child is getting sick. Most times the signs are obvious as far as a fever, sneeze or cough. However, when the child has a stomach ache or a head ache, how can we as parents determine what is wrong then?
After he came home from school Monday he was spinning around and finding all other things to spin. He will get a big saucer top and two other smaller tops and put them together to look like Mickey Mouse's head. That's pretty smart! Then, eventually, all of the saucer lids will be spinning around in our dining room. I guess routines, no matter how old are still hard to break at certain times.
We noticed a slight cough on him. He didn't feel feverish and he didn't say he felt sick. We sent him off to school after some decongestant cough syrup. His teacher said he had a good day
Tuesday he had daycare with his younger sister. Come home I thought he looked a little pale. Still, "How are you feeling?" No answer. *Coughs*
He really likes laying in front of the space heater. I remember when I was little that I used to lay on the forced air vents of my parents furnace. Something about the calm heat that everyone likes as kids. We made him a little bed on the floor so he can sleep by it. It has been so cold out lately and the air really cuts through the house.
Early this morning he really had a bad cough. He was curled in a tight ball in front of the heater. We felt his head and back. He was burning up! He has a 102 degree fever and still says nothing about how he feels.
A parent knows when their child is getting sick. Most times the signs are obvious as far as a fever, sneeze or cough. However, when the child has a stomach ache or a head ache, how can we as parents determine what is wrong then?
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