Sunday, July 8, 2012

thelittlethingsjournal.blogspot.com/
  Jumping on board because I need all the inspiration I can get! I have never linked anything so I hope this works! The 2 links above are my friend's Fabulous Sunday Sayings 
 Here is my contribution for today:
If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step foward, you're  always in the same place.
- Nora Roberts

Monday, July 2, 2012

All over the Place!!!

      Hoooray for week 3! This post might be a bit manic, so forgive me in advance. The first thing I would like to talk about are the hard questions kids ask. There are  lots of things that Aiden pays no attention to that would normally hurt a kids feelings. This can be a blessing and curse.
       This week he noticed that Macie had been invited to 2 birthday parties. He said, "Mom, it's not fair, I have only been invited to one party since Kindergarten!"  "And family parties don't count, Mom!""So why don't I get invitations in the mail like Macie?" He had me there. I had no response. I still don't. I just said we would go do something fun while she was at the parties. This is heartbreaking for me but I cannot fix it. Aspergers to us has been such a social struggle. When you try to force things to happen or work it can be a disaster. Things need to happen naturally, at least I think so.
          So with that be said I went to my therapy, freeze pops and amazon.com and ordered some books  (self-help of course). I am thinking I can read myself out of this obstacle all while enjoying a yummy freeze pops! LOL! I will let you know how this turns out.
            Something else that I have been think about is... Why would anyone thrive on, wish for or want there to be something wrong with their child? We have encountered this lately. Is it an attention thing?
We are Super blessed that all 3 of our children are healthy! One of the reasons I did not talk about some of our struggles was because sudden comparisons are happening... or it's a monkey see monkey do situation! Even though I consider myself one of the luckiest moms in the world, I pray someday I will wake up without  some of the struggles we have as a family. I don't want attention for any of this! I did not ask for this, and I don't wish this upon anyone else. Misery does not love company in this case. I want to help others in the same situation of course. I hope to get some help from others as well.
            Hey, Guess what? I now how 11 fabulous people following my blog! When I reach 25 I will be doing a contest /give-a-way!
             Here is something else I have considered doing...... I am a complete book junkie!!! My Motto is, "you can never have too many books!"
               I am thinking about starting a lending library.... I have many resource books on Sensory prossessing disorder, autism/aspergers, social stories, and sooo much more!!! I would list all the books we have and lend them out. I am trying to even figure it out for out of towners!
               Now that I have emptied my brain... I will leave you to enjoy this fabulous week and your Families! Stay cool!

Until Next Time,

Amy

 

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Words for Wednesday!!

Post #2! I am proud of myself for making it to week 2! Still determined to reach as many people as possible.
      Here is what I have been thinking about this week:
It's not even July yet and I am beginning to get anxious about school. It will be quite a transition for Aiden and Macie. Going from public to private school, going from 25 to a class to possibly 12 or 14 to a class. Leaving friends, making new ones... pretty much a whole new world for all of us. I am excited yet nervous! Mostly for A, this is a fresh start! He is very happy about most of it. Even the uniforms =) But as parents we are having freak outs because we are removing all in school supports. He will navigate school for the first time in 5 years with no IEP. YIKES!!! (that's enough to send me through a package of oreos in no time!). I am confident he can do it! But a Mama still worries.

       So this worry wart's list has grown by leaps and bounds. Will his tics increase, decrease, or standout more? Will they see the potential we know he has and encourage him? Will his Social filter maintain when appropriate? Will he be able to manage a belt and keep his shirt tucked in? Do you want to hear more? I won't go on. But Here is all I want in a nutshell above all things, I want
to laugh and be a happy kid! inside and out!
     
        So have a wonderful week! Here is a question I leave you with: How has your life been touched by Aspergers/Autism? Please Share your stories.

Until Next Time,
Amy

Thursday, June 21, 2012

More than you EVER wanted to Know!.

     So it's been well over a year since  I gave this a shot... so here we go, one more time.  If you know me, you know I have a son with Asperger's. If you don't know me than maybe this will shed some light on some things for you.  My goal when this all started was to reach out and help families they may be struggling with some of the obstacles we are.
     I am just going to bare it all in no particular order, and not be afraid of being judged... Aiden is almost 11 years old, he was diagnosed  when he was 6 along with ADHD and Duane's refraction syndrome.  He is VERY high functioning, smart, creative, & loving. He is quirky to say the least and has no social filter at times.
He does not pick up on Social cues like most... But he has come quite a long way. He has no stranger danger. He wants to fit in so he tends to be a pleaser if it means he might be accepted. He is easily influenced. He is an incredible young man though who is sometimes misunderstood.
     Aiden loves computers, video games, legos, and inventing things. He has a few friends that are unconditional ... no matter what he does, they stick with him. He can be stubborn and rigid because he thinks everyone has the same interests as him so that is what they should talk about and play ALL the time. He has come a long way with this also.
     Our family tends to shy away from large social gatherings where people may not know us because it avoids stress anxiety for us. This is sometimes unfair to Macie (8) and Garrett (4). But we do the best we can. We would not trade our lives for anything! It's a gift and adventure. Bumpy as it can be, it's our path to make. We do not need fixing! As many people in our lives try and do.
      In the beginning we did not talk a lot about what was happening in our lives with many people.
We thought we had a handle on things. After all I had 10 years of  experience in Special education, I knew what to do, Right? WRONG. Being on the other side of the coin is a whole different ball game.
        We have tried our very best to give Aiden every intervention possible to help him learn coping skills as he navigates through every day life and school. He is currently in speech and sees a psychologist.  He is on 3 medications to help with symptoms. He has FABULOUS! days and okay days! Then there are the meltdown days (meltdowns are usually at home). He has not had a meltdown at school since Kindergarten. His behavior at school is really good. He has social and organizational struggles. Handwriting is a thorn in his side. He is good at flying under the radar most of the time. We call it falling through the cracks. He is so smart but is satisfied with the bare minimum when it comes to home work and turning in assignments. Our expectations are very high which he does not like because we PUSH him to be his best!
        So now here we are, it's summer. This week is awesome for Aiden! It's INVENTION CAMP! Everything Aiden loves all wrapped up in a week. Tomorrow will be the Inventor's showcase, where we get to see his imagination come to life. I am so excited, I can't wait!
         Let me know what you think!  Would you share my blog with others? Comment? share your  personal experiences? Once a week I have a goal to blog about some issues that come up with our family. I will share resources and books that have been helpful.  Please share this with anyone and everyone!
We are all in this together. If we can pay it forward and help each other things can only improve.

Until Next Time,


  Amy