Who knew that there were other bloggers out there that are living with autism? I sure didn't. However, this week I happened to run across some. I am finding out so much information that I think my brain is about to explode! I am really finding strength in reading other people's advice and how far they have come.
Today I am researching the GFCF diet and how it can really work for some kids. The trouble is, I am a very inconsistent person (ADHD) and I just don't know how I can keep it up. I so want to do this for Riley, but I have many questions! He is such a picky eater that I will bet he will hold out for as long as I can. He is already off milk and milk products because they gross him out. So, I would be making him give up wheat and all the things he loves! What about his Juicy Juice that he can't live without? What do I give him then? Are McDonalds fries safe? I heard they were...then they weren't. Where do I find these answers?
I need some feedback from all you pro's out there! Who knows something???
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
BEANS!!
Today is alot better than the first of the week. Riles is not as clingy to me and whiny. The kids and I miss Alan and can't wait until he gets back from Mexico tonight. Also, Big Brother is on. Enough about me.
Anyways, it took Riley a little longer to get out of his room this morning. I don't know why he has trouble opening his door from the inside. He has just started opening every door in every room from the outside. The best is when he opens the bathroom and washes his hands for hours. He DOES leave on the water, too.
His big thing this week is playing with the beans. He can actually say "beans" and he said it many times when I was playing with him last night. It makes me very happy because "beans" is actually one of the first words that I tried to get him to say at 15 months. He LOVED jelly beans and so I tried my hardest to teach him that word. He would seriously look up at me and try to make a sound but couldn't. This is the first time that I thought that something was wrong. Of course, you always want to blame it on hearing issues. That's what I was hoping it would be.
So, back to playing with the beans. We have beans and little cups in a plastic container and he loves to scoop the cups with beans and listen to them falling back into the container. The only problem is that he is not confident with his scoops. He would rather me do it every time. So I make him do it, maybe some hand over hand and we have a great time playing together.
Then, I put him to bed, read his favorite book, "Goodnight Moon" and turned on his music. When I started to leave the room, he would whimper, so I sat in bed with him. He was so happy to have me there and would just look up at me and giggle. I got him to say, "mommy" a couple of times and sang to him. He didn't want to sing tonight, he just wanted to stare at me. It was one of those moments that I just couldn't walk away so I stayed until Kylie was screaming at me for one reason or another. Plus I had bearly showed her any attention.
It's just the little moments that I want to hold onto for forever. Like when he stares at me like, "you're my mommy and I love you!" or when he really wants something but can't get any words out. I know that I want him to grow up so he can start to understand and may actually be able to have a conversation in a couple of years, but right now is what I am going to miss. He is my sweet little boy and as different as he is, he is still loved and given to me for awhile to enjoy. I hope I can remember that and give him all the love, patience and kindness I can instead of thinking about the things he NEEDS to be able to do. Why did I EVER pray for patience????
Anyways, it took Riley a little longer to get out of his room this morning. I don't know why he has trouble opening his door from the inside. He has just started opening every door in every room from the outside. The best is when he opens the bathroom and washes his hands for hours. He DOES leave on the water, too.
His big thing this week is playing with the beans. He can actually say "beans" and he said it many times when I was playing with him last night. It makes me very happy because "beans" is actually one of the first words that I tried to get him to say at 15 months. He LOVED jelly beans and so I tried my hardest to teach him that word. He would seriously look up at me and try to make a sound but couldn't. This is the first time that I thought that something was wrong. Of course, you always want to blame it on hearing issues. That's what I was hoping it would be.
So, back to playing with the beans. We have beans and little cups in a plastic container and he loves to scoop the cups with beans and listen to them falling back into the container. The only problem is that he is not confident with his scoops. He would rather me do it every time. So I make him do it, maybe some hand over hand and we have a great time playing together.
Then, I put him to bed, read his favorite book, "Goodnight Moon" and turned on his music. When I started to leave the room, he would whimper, so I sat in bed with him. He was so happy to have me there and would just look up at me and giggle. I got him to say, "mommy" a couple of times and sang to him. He didn't want to sing tonight, he just wanted to stare at me. It was one of those moments that I just couldn't walk away so I stayed until Kylie was screaming at me for one reason or another. Plus I had bearly showed her any attention.
It's just the little moments that I want to hold onto for forever. Like when he stares at me like, "you're my mommy and I love you!" or when he really wants something but can't get any words out. I know that I want him to grow up so he can start to understand and may actually be able to have a conversation in a couple of years, but right now is what I am going to miss. He is my sweet little boy and as different as he is, he is still loved and given to me for awhile to enjoy. I hope I can remember that and give him all the love, patience and kindness I can instead of thinking about the things he NEEDS to be able to do. Why did I EVER pray for patience????
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Seeing The Bigger Picture
Okay, so I started this blog so that I could document what Riley is doing and what he isn't doing. Also, I can be negative and no one has to know! There are only a couple of days a month where I just want to give up and don't want any part of this autism thing. Other days I am so proud of my special little boy for how far he has come. But there isn't one day that I don't want to be his mommy. For some reason, God picked me and Alan to parent him and there is no way that I can let Him or Riley down!
Some days are great! He is repeating things that I want him to and sometimes repeating, (echolia) things like, "What do you want?" I am having a hard time wondering why he stims and doesn't want to talk some days, as well.
Yesterday, we went to Nana and Poppy's house and he was determined to make me push him in that car that they bought for him! He would pull me and scream and would NOT take "No" for an answer. Also he didn't want one of his favorite people, Poppy, to push him. Finally I had enough so me and the kids packed up and left. So much for a free meal at Nana and Poppys!
Alan went to Mexico but will be back Thursday night. It's just me and the kids until then and I have so much on my mind. Here are some things that are weighing me down:
Some days are great! He is repeating things that I want him to and sometimes repeating, (echolia) things like, "What do you want?" I am having a hard time wondering why he stims and doesn't want to talk some days, as well.
Yesterday, we went to Nana and Poppy's house and he was determined to make me push him in that car that they bought for him! He would pull me and scream and would NOT take "No" for an answer. Also he didn't want one of his favorite people, Poppy, to push him. Finally I had enough so me and the kids packed up and left. So much for a free meal at Nana and Poppys!
Alan went to Mexico but will be back Thursday night. It's just me and the kids until then and I have so much on my mind. Here are some things that are weighing me down:
1. I had to call MHMR today and get Riley on "the list". This is a ten year waiting list for kids to be able to get almost any service paid for by the govt. I think. Also, when it kicks in, we may or may not need it. Who knows? All I know is that MR means mentally retarded and I really wanted to stay as far away from "the list" as possible. Brooke the therapist talked me into it.
2. Alan and I have a chance to go to a Conference for Parents of Autistic Children in September. The keynote speaker is a 25 year old guy who had severe autism as a child. I am encouraged by stories such as these. I am also a little apprehensive about going but I know that we will learn alot of information.
3. Riley has to get evaluated by the public school down the street so that he can go every day for a couple of hours, free. I really wish we had the money to put him in a private school. But, I know that the school may be able to help him. I am praying that I can get child care for him on two days so that Kylie and I may go to Sunshine School. It is really important to both of us.
I guess that is all that worries me today. On a side note, Riley is no longer taking off his poopy diaper, therefore getting poop everywhere! Yea!! He now comes and tells me in some way.
Lord, Please help me to see the progress and all the milestones that have been reached from this incredible little boy! Let me strive towards serving you and all the rest will fall into place. I know that you have my interests at heart and I pray that you will help me be patient in seeing the bigger picture. Thank you for allowing me to spend time with someone so unique that can actually teach me a thing or two. You are a great and awesome God!
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