Read more about the article My 19-year-old #Autistic son totally impressed me
Akron Children's Hospital / Autism Parenting Insight / Gavin / My thoughts / Psychiatry

My 19-year-old #Autistic son totally impressed me

When Gavin was younger, he was admitted to the psych unit at Akron Children's Hospital more times than I can remember. It was always a last resort but a necessary action when things got really bad, and he needed acute stabilization. Anyway, Gavin's doing so much better now, but he's beginning to struggle once again. Most of this struggle revolves around him, managing his frustration. It's not easy for him because he's very easily frustrated and often has unrealistic expectations of himself. The other day, Gavin came downstairs and wanted to show me something. He'd been straightening up his room and came across one of his old folders from a psych stay at Akron Children's. Inside it, he found some of the work he'd done while he was there. In…

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May 20, 2019
Read more about the article It feels awful to know I’m failing my wife and kids
Akron Children's Hospital / Autism Parenting Struggles / Elliott / Psychiatry

It feels awful to know I’m failing my wife and kids

We had Elliott to Akron Children's Hospital yesterday. It was a routine follow up in behavioral health. We discussed any concerns we had. We talwdat things are going well and what needs work. We also follow up on medications and make sure we're still on the right track with that as well. I personally feel like Elliott is making a serious effort in many areas, and I made sure to bring that up. I'm incredibly proud of him because I know that life in our house isn't easy. That said, there are still things that he needs to work on as well. That's not anything against him at all. He's a newly minted teenager, and that's never easy, especially when Autism factors in. One of the things that Elliott is…

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May 2, 2019
Read more about the article So far so good
Akron Children's Hospital / My thoughts / Pediatrics / Psychiatry

So far so good

We've made it halfway through the day, and things have actually gone smoothly. Emmett's back at school, and we're in the waiting room at Akron Children's Hospital for Elliott's appointment. A huge thank you goes out to Lizze's Mom because she was willing to hang out with Gavin after he was done with his blood work. This way we didn't have to drag him around with us all day. It wouldn't have been fun for him, and I needed a break from his constant updates about his new Keyblade. We'll get Elliott some lunch and then head back to pick up the kids when we're done here. We have family therapy at 5 PM, and then we're going to meet my family for dinner. That's a last minute thing, but…

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April 30, 2019
Read more about the article Just added a 3rd doctors appointment this week
Akron Children's Hospital / Emmett John / My thoughts / Pediatrics

Just added a 3rd doctors appointment this week

We already have two out of town doctors appointments this week. The first is for Elliott, and it's in Akron, and the second is in Cleveland for Mr. Gavin. This translates to a shitload of driving that will far exceed the actual time spent in each appointment. Now we're adding a third appointment. This one is for Emmett and is in regards to his leg pain. It sounds like it could be growing pains, but with all the crazy things we have going on, we'd feel better having him checked out. I'm a little concerned because he says it's his bones that hurt and that it's not muscle pain. Either way, he's struggling, and if there's something we can do to help him, we want to know what that something…

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April 29, 2019
Read more about the article Today’s Victory: The Good, The Concerning and The Cause for Celebration
ADHD / Akron Children's Hospital / Emmett John / Pediatrics / Today's Victory

Today’s Victory: The Good, The Concerning and The Cause for Celebration

Yesterday after picking the kids up from school, I dropped Elliott off at home before taking Emmett to an ADHD med-check. When a child is on ADHD medication, there are frequent medication checks for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it's about making sure the medication is still the correct medication for the child in question, the dose is still correct, the child is benefiting from the medication and updating the doctor of any changes in the child's life that should be noted. Secondly, med-checks occur because ADHD medications are usually highly controlled substances and you can't get refills without an appointment. That's just the way it is and while it can be a pain in the ass at times, it's the right approach. We're very careful with medications…

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March 14, 2019
Read more about the article Just a super quick note
Akron Children's Hospital / Gastroenterology / Gavin / My thoughts

Just a super quick note

So, I'm sorry that I've been absent from here recently or at least not writing as much as I normally do. I'm spread so thin right now and I'm having to puts some things down. I wanted to quickly post an update because Gavin is heading back to Akron Children's Hospital this morning. This is a follow-up with his gastro. He's having some problems and I need to try and find him some help. Lizze and I will have to divide and conquer today because she's has to not only be somewhere else during Gavin's appointment but she's also making sure the kids get picked up from school. I'm not feeling super enthusiastic about today but we need to get through it. I wish you all the best today and…

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February 22, 2019
Read more about the article I had to really prepare Emmett for his doctor appointment today
Akron Children's Hospital / Emmett John / My thoughts / Pediatrics

I had to really prepare Emmett for his doctor appointment today

Emmett did really well at his impromptu doctor appointment this morning. He needed to be seen because he's running a fever and presenting with what looks like strep throat. Poor Emmett won't talk because it hurts too much and Advil doesn't seem to help. Anyway, on the way to the appointment I prepped a nervous Emmett for what would most likely be a throat swab. He hates those and I don't blame him, No one likes those but in Emmett's case, it's a sensory challenge. I figured that would likely be the worst case scenario and I was right. He kept backing away from the nurse but ended up doing awesome. We immediately distracted him and got him giggling. Fun fact, Autism parents become masters in the art of redirection…

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February 4, 2019