The Lost and Tired family has its hands full raising three boys on the #Autism Spectrum. We experience many, many struggle and setbacks. Unfortunately, for our family, the difficulties often out weigh the positives. Having said that, we do, on occasion, have what I consider to be major victories. This is one such moment. Gavin is easily our most complex and challenging child. As a result of his health/mental health issues, he has frequent blood work done. For years and years, this was a complete nightmare. We would have to call ahead in order to make arrangements to have enough staff on hand to successfully draw his blood. That may sound like overkill but you would have to see it to believe it. Even our parents didn't understand until we…

Someone please tell me what is so goddamn interesting about flushing things down the toilet.  My things I'm referring to toys,  toilet paper rolls ect. I realize the insanity of asking this question in the first place but I just spent the better part of the day uncloging the only toilet in the house because Emmett decided to flush several toilet paper rolls down the toilet.  I went through two plunger to fix it.  I know why he finds it interesting,  but I wish he didn't.  He likes watching the things "zoom down the potty",  his words,  not mine. I don't know how typical kids would react to this but when I explained that if he had to go potty,  he would have to use an alternative location,  he refused.…

The Lost and Tired family is no stranger to medications. Gavin has been medicated for a very long time. In all the years Gavin has had to take medications,  we have only ever had one major problem.  That one problem was a very,  very serious and life threatening one,  but we made it through. Medications,  while not something we take lightly,  have become a necessary evil.  They have become a fundamental part of our lives and for the most part,  they have brought about positive change. Over the past few months,  we have been discussing the possibility of having to put Elliott,  our 5 year old,  on medication for his anxiety. Elliott has been struggling with anxiety for awhile now.  It really began to get out of control last year…

I don't know what else to say but screw you Zoloft.  I suppose I could say fuck you Zoloft. Either way,  I have another sleepless night ahead of me as Elliott's is still pretty messed up from his recent experience with low dose Zoloft to treat his anxiety. For the second night in a row,  Elliott won't go to sleep.  He can't even sit still or stop talking.  Right now he's just making weird noises with his hands and his mouth. We have to call the doctor in the morning because this shouldn't be happening. I'm not sure what they can do but something needs to happen.  At this point it looks like he will miss school on Monday as well. He's barely sleeping and just won't make it at…

We have found ourselves once again dealing with inappropriate touching.  It's been a little while since this has been an issue but today it has returned. Long story short,  Elliott came downstairs and told me that when he was trying to come downstairs,  Gavin grabbed him and wouldn't let him go down the steps. Elliott then explained that Gavin kissed him twice,  without asking Elliott's permission. According to Elliott,  Gavin kissed him on the side of the head,  both sides actually. While that may not seem like a big deal,  it really is.  Gavin either has no concept or no respect for other people's boundaries. Sometimes it seems like a simple boundary issue and other times his behavior is clearly predatory in nature. I don't know what today falls into…

My kids are on complete sensory overload. Gavin doesn't even have a fuse anymore.  He's like a really old and very unstable stick of dynamite.  Anything and everything can set him off. When he goes off to the land of the meltdown,  it's very intense,  loud and terrifying for his little brother's. Elliott is still in a manic state from the reaction to his anti-anxiety meds.  He beyond a handful right now.  His mood is swinging back and forth faster then anyone can react to it.  He took about 6 hours to fall asleep last night and that was with melatonin. Emmett is bullying Gavin and Elliott both.  He is stealing toys, blankets and even kicking people.  He has even been stripping Elliott's bed and running away with his sheets.…

All of my boys are in different places on the Autism Spectrum. Much of the time they are fighting or screaming at each other. Typically,  this is because these guys are set off by different things. They push each other's buttons without even realizing it.  Once they get started,  the madness just cycles until we find some way to break it. This morning was one of those rare moments where all three of the boys worked together towards a common goal. Gavin,  Elliott and Emmett spent some time this morning build this giant contraption out of a marble track,  a race track and some of Emmett's blocks. The peace was short lived because the fighting began when they began trying to name it. However,  they deserve credit for the time…

Today's Victory is brought to you by Elliott and Emmett.  While this moment was short lived,  it did occur and so I wanted to share it with everyone.  There was a small break in the chaos today while Emmett and Elliott snuggled together on the couch and played there DS's.  The peace was short lived as I said already but it was nice to see this nonetheless.  I love seeing moments like this,  when my kids are getting along and not screaming and fighting.  Great job boys :-) Posted from WordPress for Android