Skip to main content

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. 
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

The Proprioceptive System

Proprioception is the process by which the body can vary muscle contraction in immediate response to incoming information regarding external forces, by utilizing stretch receptors in the muscles to keep track of the joint position in the body. SIGNS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE DYSFUNCTION: 1. SENSORY SEEKING BEHAVIORS: __ seeks out jumping, bumping, and crashing activities __ stomps feet when walking __ kicks his/her feet on floor or chair while sitting at desk/table __ bites or sucks on fingers and/or frequently cracks his/her knuckles __ loves to be tightly wrapped in many or weighted blankets, especially at bedtime __ prefers clothes (and belts, hoods, shoelaces) to be as tight as possible __ loves/seeks out “squishing” activities __ enjoys bear hugs __ excessive banging on/with toys and objects 2. DIFFICULTY WITH “GRADING OF MOVEMENT” __ misjudges how much to flex and extend muscles during tasks/activities (i.e., putting arms into sleeves or climbing) __ di...
Read more

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...
Read more

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...
Read more