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

I write about this many times ready but I want to touch on this again. The reason is that I really think that it's important for people to see an accurate picture of what life as a special needs parent can be like. There are many,  many special needs parents out there,  each with their own unique set of circumstances. I'm not speaking for anyone but myself here.  Life in the Lost and Tired house is difficult on any given day.  Without sounding cliche,  any day that we physically survive, is considered a good day. So far we have survived the bad days as well but the bad days are really bad.  Now bad doesn't mean the same for everyone,  so let me clarify.  A bad day is a day…

Awhile ago,  I found this giant magnifying glass.  Emmett loves this thing and today he went around the house, exploring and discovering cool new things. He looked at the couch,  floor,  walls, his fingers, Elliott's face -which didn't go over well- and a few DS games. He is absolutely fascinated with how the magnifying glass makes everything bigger I happen to like how it has peaked his natural curiosity and desire to discover new things. Have you ever given you ASD child a magnifying glass?  If so,  what was their reaction?  If not,  what are you waiting for?  :-)      

Elliott has not has his Zoloft today.  Yesterday was his last dose. He is most certainly manic. He is all over the place.  He's not miserable,  in fact,  he's happy... Super,  super happy.  Hopefully,  this is just a reaction to the medication and the mania is not a sign of anything else. I think if he balances out in the next day or so,  that means he's okay. If he doesn't,  well,  we'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it.  I don't even want to pretend that bridge even exists at this point. For those wondering,  that other bridge would be bipolar disorder.  Gavin has bipolar disorder and has been very,  very difficult to keep stabilized. I can't imagine having to add that to the mix,  but…

Today has been one of those days.  You know,  the kind that just seems to go wrong at every turn.  The day began with Elliott having going nuts as a result of his new medication.  When I say going nuts, I mean going nuts. He was rapid cycling.  His mood was literally changing by the minute. One moment he was happy,  the next he was angry and freaking out.  Then he would be just start crying. Emmett was completely confused by Elliott's behavior today and didn't know how to respond to him.  The stress set him off many times today. On top of that,  Lizze was experiencing a major flare up today that had her in bed all afternoon.  Lizze's mom had to pick Gavin up front school today because…