Overall Update

Behavior has become more trying recently. The other day I turned a movie on for Christopher but I apparently did not do it correctly so he decided to "beat me up". He was hitting, kicking and yelling. At this point I was in disbelief at his behavior. We have not had to deal with aggression very often. When he would have a tantrum it was typically very short and he would quickly move on to something else. However, the behavior has crossed into the classroom and he is hitting the students and staff. This is a behavior that has to stopped now. We know the reason for the behavior. He isn't getting his way or is frustrated with something. Even though this is typical for small children we have to be on high alert because I know what it can lead to. Things that other parents can correct or know the child will grow out of can not be handled haphazardly for us.

I have constantly tried to stop behaviors that were a higher risk for him. I try to keep him from getting into too many routines or rituals. We are fortunate to not have to deal with meltdowns as often as others. However, when in the car, Christopher thinks he should be navigating. There are so many times he yells "that way" and it isn't the way we are going. This is often followed by some kicking and screaming. Christopher may get into a routine of stepping on certain blocks on the sidewalk or having to use a particular interest. I have been able to move past some of the ritualistic behaviors.

We are noticing more of the "autistic" behaviors recently and the school reports they see them consistently too. This behaviors include: spinning, flapping, and elusive eye contact. There are probably more but those are the biggest ones. Christopher has some good strengths too. He has a friend at school that he will play with but still prefers to play alone. He also shows affection and emotions. At home, hugs are usually prompted by a request; kisses are much harder to get and to give.

His verbal skills continue to improve but I'm questioning my decision to slack off on his alternative communication. The other day he wanted something and I had no clue. We finally got him to use his PECs to say "red" and he was saying a number that I can't recall now, but we never figured it out. I may need to consider purchasing the communication device for the Kindle Fire after all.

Another Sunday

We had another Sunday thrown out of routine and had to make adjustments.  A lot of times Autism is a very routine oriented disorder.  We are fortunate to not be a very routine family.  We actually make efforts to avoid routines because of the risk for it to become ritualistic.

We left for church a little early because I knew I had to get gas along the way.  This in itself is out of routine because Mammaw was out of town and we were not leaving in her car.  Christopher did pretty well understanding that "Mammaw was all gone" and we were going in Mommy's car.  I chose to go to the Flying J because the gas was nine cents cheaper per gallon and I had a huge fill-up to do.  I guess it only saved me a couple of dollars to wait the 10-15 minutes but when the bill is going to hit over $50 the couple of dollars is worth it.  So even though we left early, we was late getting to church.  (Let me also say it took a little bit of chasing to get Christopher to put on clothes, Oh the phase we are in).

I took Christopher to class and he didn't want to go in.  I took him into service with me to get through music.  The awesome thing was, even before Christopher started to clap after the first song ended, others were clapping.  Apparently, Christopher started a trend a couple of weeks ago for people to clap when a song was particularly moving.  I felt a whole lot better about having him in service today.  He still clapped and made some noise but I didn't fret over it.  And amazingly, after the singing I carried him to class and he went in without incident.

Christopher was down for his nap when Mammaw came home so after he came in to see me upon waking I said Mammaw was home.  He didn't believe me initially but when he checked the window he got SOOOO excited.  We got ready and headed down to Mammaw's.  He RAN to her door and RAN to give her a huge hug. Then he was done, but we stayed for a while anyways. 

Overall, it was a pretty good day.  Allison is doing well in her cartwheel class.  Christopher stayed partially dressed most of the time.  And I felt good having him at church and not as anxious as last time.  He even settled down after a little while and let me hold him without wrestling.

Ahhhhh.......life is good......

Let's Get NAKED!

Since my mom is out of town visiting the new grand-baby, I had to pick Christopher up from his after school sitter and bring him home.  Within minutes he decided he didn't want to wear clothes. (I think his goal was a bath but he didn't mention that until I said it was not bath time).  He has been on this kick taking off his socks and shoes.  Well, today it started with the shirt.  He managed to get the 2 buttons undone and pull the shirt off over his head.  It wasn't smooth like someone who has been doing it a while but he did pretty good.  (Mental note- let Christopher dress and undress himself).    Next came the socks and shoes.  He's gotten pretty good at that one.  But no stopping there, down came the pants.  At this point I tell him "no bath" in hopes that the diaper stays on.  The diaper stays but he heads back the hallway saying bath so I use this as an opportune time to get him to go potty.  He uses the potty and on goes a pull-up.  (Whew- no meltdown about not getting a bath right now)  Christopher spent the afternoon running around the house in a pull-up. 

It's innocent today, and I'm hoping it doesn't cross environments and become a trend that turns into a problem.  His IEP is next week so wouldn't it be great to have to address "Christopher has started stripping in class...."

Back on the Wagon

It has been back to real life this week.  We survived the rest of the Easter Weekend and had to get back into the routine of things.  Allison headed back to school on Monday and Christopher back on Tuesday.  Where have the days gone when I could sleep until the kids started to move?  I started a second job this week.  It will normally be a every other weekend over night gig but this week and the next couple are about training.  I had to be in Hagerstown by 7:45 on Monday morning!  Oh My! I'm barely functional by then and had to plan for an hour drive.  I left before the kids were up that morning.  The rest of the week hasn't been as rough but I got into the habit of gettin up and getting ready.

On Sunday I realized our AC wasn't acting quite right and it was definately messed up by Monday.  So we had a couple of nights without AC.  It wasn't horrible but Christopher didn't sleep well and Allison complained the first night.  We got it fixed yesterday with the push of a magic button and a warning from the AC guy to replace the filter MONTHLY!  Unfortunately with the the extra heat, Christopher started coming in our room to sleep at night.  I hoped and prayed he would sleep through the night last night since the AC was fixed and the house was comfortable but Oh No, at 4 am here comes the pitter patter.  That's not so bad but he was awake and wiggly.  He didn't go back to sleep right away like usual.  He finally nodded off and I had to wake him this morning for school.

We have had a break-through with bath time.  The last couple of baths I gave him, he has been able to follow the direction to put his head back.  He still isn't the easiest but it is a whole lot easier.  He's also hit this barefoot thing.  Within minutes of walking in the door, he's got his shoes and socks off.  It started on the van when he had to wait for his turn to get off when they got to the school.  He's done it a couple of times when we were sitting in the car waiting.  I'm not sure why. I have been thinking he's probably coming due for some new shoes.

Lots of different thoughts are rushing as I watch him play and interact but I'll save those for another time.

Take it for granted

Perhaps one of the most difficult things to come to terms with are the delays that Christopher exhibits when I see other kids his age or younger doing things he can't.  His biggest barrier continues to be communication.  We have come a very long way and the progress is what keeps us going.  As a mom, my frustration comes from my three year old not being able to say "I'm hungry" or make other simple requests.  We don't have screaming fits very often but when we do and we don't know why it can be frustrating, for us and him.  It usually ends in some tears and questioning but then I pick myself up and get ready for another day.

Another thing parents take for granted that are small blessings for us include hugs and kisses.  Every so often we can ask for a hug and get one.  Sometimes a hug comes in the form of some needed sensory input.  (Christopher loves squeezes) But we get a hug in the end.

We can also have difficulty with changes in routine but does well overall.  Christopher has his own agenda and when we disagree there may be a fit involved.  We are blessed in that his fits are typically short lived and Christopher is an overall happy child.  It also goes the opposite direction, when we say its time for bed (at night, not so much for naps) Christopher goes right to his bed lays down and goes to sleep (typically).  I have a picture calendar on the fridge that we use to show him where he is going that day.  He is cute when he looks at it, says no, and tries to change the picture.  He wants to go to Mee-Maw's and not to school.  It took a while to figure out why he wanted to go to church all of the time until I realized that the siding on the church kinda looked like mom's trailer.  I have new pictures to print but haven't gotten to that yet.

We have had problems in the past when I've had to leave someplace because of behaviors.  Halloween was difficult last year when I took both kids on my own to the mall and it was super crowded.  The long, slow moving line wasn't a help but when other kids were holding Thomas Trains or we neared the end of the mall where a little train ride was located it was dreadful.  I was able to let a few people move ahead of us to get some distance between us and Thomas-boy but when we neared the riding toy, it was time to go.  Unfortunately, Allison was on the losing end that night.  We were all tired but if not for Christopher's behavior we would have stayed longer.  She got plenty of candy but it was the need to get out of the mall RIGHT NOW that was negative for her.

I do tend to avoid doing things with both kids on my own.  Usually I can talk mom into going along if it isn't something Danny would be interested in. We're debating a trip to the zoo over spring break.  There is no way I'm taking that adventure on my own.