Today the real work begins.  I have to make a huge amount of phone calls,  ranging from potential funding sources, doctors to actual facilities.  I'm not looking forward to any of this but it has to be done.  We are supposed to have school orientation this afternoon but that is never going to happen.  Lizze is a mess and honestly,  so am I.  The really challenging part is to experience all we are feeling without letting them pick up on what's going on.  I would wish this one anyone.  :-( This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please join our Autism Help Forums Look for "Autism Help" app at the…

We have arrived home and I'm waiting for Elliott and Emmett to return. I was going to do a quick video blog but I just don't have the energy. We went over everything with two different doctors,  one being in charge of the entire clinic. I've mentioned before that we are suspecting reactive attachment disorder.  That is what they believe is the case,  rather part of the case. They said that because of the extreme trauma and abuse that Gavin endured at hands of his biological father and paternal grandmother/family at such an early age,  he never developed the neurological connections needed for things like a conscience (spelling?),  emotional connections etc. He gave us this analogy.  "If you took a baby that was just born and covered one eye with…

We have arrived to the Cleveland Clinic and Gavin didn't get sick. :-) He is however,  being difficult and a bit on the uncooperative side.  I'm not sure why he's doing this but he's never nervous about these appointments, so I'm not sure what's going on. We are filling out the intake information,  well,  Lizze is filling out the intake as she likes to do that. :-) I have more idea what this appointment will entail or what we will figure out,  if anything at all.  This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please join our Autism Help Forums Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

30 minutes into Madagascar 3,  Emmett decided that he wanted to go do something else.  Thank God it was only $1 per ticket.  :-) He wasn't overstimulated, at least I don't think he was.  He just wanted to do to Best Buy and walk around.  How awesome is that...... :-) Best Buy has become his favorite store,  just like his Daddy. We never actually made it there because it began to storm and he nor I,  wanted to get wet.  So we came home early and hung out in the van for awhile until the rain slowed down enough that I could pick him up and run into the house.  :-) Incidentally,  I discovered that the van leaks when it raise.  Bummer :-( This was posted via WordPress for Android,…

In a few hours, we will be heading off to the Cleveland Clinic. This time for a psychiatric consult. I'm not looking forward to 3+  hours in the car with a child that is very likely to puke. Of course I'm hoping it doesn't come to that, however, with Gavin's autonomic issues, it's very likely to happen. :( Wish us luck as I think we are going to need it. Also please keep Gavin in your thoughts today because he's miserable on these car rides. This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please join our Autism Help Forums Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

I wrote a post yesterday about Emmett lining up his cars.  Later that afternoon,  I found what you see below.  Emmett had taken every shoe in the house and lied then all up.  When he ran out of available shoes,  he started talking them off my feet,  literally.  :-) He added a few toys to the mix and maybe a book or two as well.  This path,  when completed,  ventured through three rooms.  When he was down creating it,  he called them stones or rocks and proceeded to walk the line. I would be lying if I said I completely understand why he does this.  I can say,  however, that I completely support this.  I mean,  who's he hurting?  He's enjoying himself and no harm,  no foul,  right? Right! I…

Today we begin a new journey.  Well,  it's more like a different direction as opposed to a new journey.  We will be venturing up to the Cleveland Clinic, puke bucket in tow, for a meeting with a new psychiatrist.  We are exploring our options because so much of Gavin's care is at the Cleveland Clinic already,  it might simplify things to make the switch. However,  at this point,  I think we are just looking for a consultation.  We don't question our current doctor at all,  but if we have reached the point of residential placement,  we want to make damn sure that we are doing the right thing.  This will be a second set of eyes if you will.  They've already confirmed his diagnoses last year.  However,  our go to…

We decided at the last minute today that we were going to cancel Gavin's OT session today.  Elliott still had his but we just didn't send Gavin. The reason is because he has to survive 3+ hours in the car tomorrow.  The last time that he did therapy and a car ride the next day,  he got really,  really sick.  We are trying to avoid that situation.  Gavin was very much disappointed but took it in stride.  He could have very easily freaked out but he didn't.  That was awesome that he made good choices.  To reward him for his positive behavior,  I took both him and Emmett outside to play.  Both boys played with the dogs and had fun wearing Bella out.  I was also careful to make sure…