New changes..for the better.

In Dec my husband had surgery for reoccurring polyps and was diagnosed with Samter's triad. He was told to follow a salicylic acid free diet. At the same time our kids were very hyper (two on ADHD medication) and I was leaning toward trying the Feindgold diet. So on February 22nd we purged our cabinets and haven't looked back. At first shopping was overwhelming for us. - Searching through our new "bible" to see if a product was approved while Tink, Hulk and Doc were running up and down aisles. Cold lunches would soon be added to the daily routine as well.

Mr. Holland and I noticed a calmness come over us after about one weeks fully on it. As for the kiddos it took them about 3 weeks. I love spending my weekends with them now. - Normally our weekends would consist of shipping some of them to Horsey's house aka grandma. They are happier & calmer than I have seen them in a long time.

Last Friday I decided (with Doctors ok) to try and take Tink off her ADHD medication (Vyvance). - We suspect that she does not have ADHD, but may have SPD. We have tried this in the past, unsuccessfully. The weekend went very well (to my surprise), but Monday was what I was dreading. What would her journal say when she got home that afternoon?! - I had this on my mind all day. When she got home not only did her journal say "Great Day!", But her report card also had improvements since last quater. Yay! Happy day.

It's really scary! - the stuff they say is "OK" to put in foods and in cleaning & hygiene supplies these days. Artificial colors, flavors, fragrances and sweeteners. None of this NEEDS to be in what we consume or use, SO why is it? How many more children NEED to be diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, SPD and many other issues and problems till they stop adding it?! Just food for thought....

When It's More Than Just Squirrels.

Hulk being hulk! Hulk was a very lively baby, who hated to sleep alone. As he grew, he found a love for drawing. We would find his creations everywhere. On the walls, furniture, doors, and on any paper he could find. He has an amazing ability! He also has some uniquenesses. He loves dressing-up and being different characters, sometimes I think he'd rather be them than himself. Hulk has sensory processing disorder. The food on his plate can't touch. He occasionally has poor eye contact. Some noises, materials, and smells bother him. I noticed these things around the same time Tink was diagnosed with ASD, so of course the thought was in the back of my head. Once you have one child on the spectrum, you get this radar for other kids. Hulk started school, Kindergarten, First grade went well. Except at home he was very hyperactive, impulsive, and couldn't focus. He was diagnosed with ADHD. By the end of First grade he was falling behind in reading and his t

Preparing for the future

For the past week I have been trying to keep my mind off the results of Doc's evaluation, still waiting for the phone call. I have been working on some ideas for the new sensory/therapy room. S ensory bins are wonderful hands on fun for many ages including toddlers and preschoolers! Many skills can be learned and explored through sensory bin play including social and emotional communication, literacy, fine motor skills, and more! Sensory bins provide an outlet for children to engage in a meaningful way and also receive sensory input that their little minds and bodies crave. Exploring through touch and feel can be a positive experience for most children. Sensory input from sensory bins works with your child's nervous system. Some fillers may be preferable to others, so don't give up trying! Let your child be your guide! Use a sensory bin to talk with your child about what he or she is sensing! Great communication and self-awareness activity. What do

Before you judge, understand why.

I really wish there were no judgmental people in this world, but there are. Autism is a condition which is difficult for many to understand and, once again, our family has experienced ignorance. This post is to all of the people that have seen and judged my daughter lately - a six year old child sitting in a jogging stroller whining and crying, yelling and screaming, kicking her feet, repeatedly pulling the visor down and demanding things. This is what YOU see. You might think "What a spoiled brat!" or "She's too big for that stroller." She isn't doing it to get her way. This is Autism. Let me explain... She rides in a stroller because it's the safest place for her. Crowded, fast-paced and noisy environments cause her anxiety, which triggers a sensory overload and she tries to flee. She also has Joint Hypermobilty Syndrome that makes her to become very tired and causes pain in her joints. Although she tries very hard to conform anywhere sh

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