Why is playing so hard?

Sorry it's been a while since I did a blog entry. On Jan 14th of this year, Doc was officially diagnosed ASD level 1 (equivalent of what they used to call Asperger's). She was evaluated for speech (social) and Early Intervention, but neither of them saw anything at the time. These evals are done one-on-one with an adult in a quiet room. She works well in this situation and will mask her ASD quite well. She did receive PT for Hypermobility Syndrome for a few months. We have been working on getting a case manager and a BHP in place for home.

Tonight during wrestling practice for our boys I saw a glimpse of how hard socializing is for Doc with her peers. There were two little girls a little older than Doc. All three were playing, running around. "Let's all do this! Ok, now we're going to do this." Doc tends to come off as bossy and rude. The girls followed her "rules" till they had had enough and walked off together leaving Doc alone. There were plenty of social cues that they were getting bored and annoyed, but Doc missed them. It was heart breaking to watch. She shut down and began to pout for 10 mins on the edge of the mat. By the time we got her off the mat with the help of Mr. Magnificent, she was in a full blown meltdown and unresponsive. We left wrestling practice early with a shoeless confused little girl. I'm dreading Kindergarten.

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 g...

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...

Autism Night Before Christmas

This poem was written in 2008 by Cindy Waeltermann, who is the founder of the organization Autism Link . I just discovered it today on facebook ... Though many of you might like it... Twas the Night Before Christmas And all through the house The creatures were stirring Yes, even the mouse We tried melatonin And gave a hot bath But the holiday jitters They always distract The children were finally All nestled in bed When nightmares of terror Ran through my OWN head Did I get the right gift The right color And style Would there be a tantrum Or even, maybe, a smile? Our relatives come But they don't understand The pleasure she gets Just from flapping her hands. “They need discipline,” they say “Just a well-needed smack, You must learn to parent…” And on goes the attack We smile and nod Because we know deep inside The argument is moot Let them all take a side We know what it’s like To live with the spectrum The struggles and t...

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