Read more about the article This shit isn’t easy
Autism Parenting Insight / Emmett John / My thoughts

This shit isn’t easy

I've had a longer day than normal today. I already shared that I was up with Emmett last night because his nose was really stuffy. You might be saying to yourself, everyone's nose gets stuffy, why is that a big deal? To put it simply, it's a sensory thing.  Emmett has never done well with a stuffy nose.  I don't know what he experiences when his nose is stuffy, but if it's in line with the way his brain perceives many other stimuli, it's a nightmare for him.  Last night, he finally fell asleep while snuggling on the couch. He had found a position he was comfortable enough in to fall asleep. Unfortunately for me, that position was partly on the couch and partly across my chest.  I was pinned…

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May 17, 2017
Read more about the article Jamming pencils in my ears
Autism Parenting Insight / Autism Parenting Struggles / Gavin / My thoughts

Jamming pencils in my ears

I try to provide insight and inspiration to my readers, by sharing my thoughts and experiences. Sometimes though, the best I can do is share what I'm feeling after a long day of being an Autism and Special Needs parent.  We weren't without our struggles yesterday, but it was a good day.  One of the things I struggled with was Gavin's behaviors. There wasn't anything violent or majorly inappropriate, but that doesn't make it any less exhausting.  If you have ever spent any time with Gavin, you will very quickly learn that he loves playing games on his tablet. You would learn this quickly because it's all he will talk about.  I have listened to him talk about his games to the point I want to jam pencils in my…

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May 10, 2017
Read more about the article Generalization is a b!tch
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

Generalization is a b!tch

One of the most frustrating things for me as an Autism Dad, in regards to my kids with Autism is generalization.  Merriam-Webster defines generalization as the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus.  In layman's terms it means that if something happens once, it always happen again. Kids with Autism tend to apply this concept to just about everything in their lives. My kids are no exception. In fact, my kids are the poster children for generalization.  Let me give you a few examples from recent history, most of which center around Emmett.  If something tastes funny this time, it will always taste funny. Even if the reason it tastes funny is because you just brushed…

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May 5, 2017
Read more about the article These are just words – Imagine having to live it
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

These are just words – Imagine having to live it

Today's been okay in some ways and a complete disaster in others.  Lizze got off to class this morning without a problem. That's good because after the mixup yesterday, she was worried.  Emmett was running a high fever again and let's just say, he's not in a good place. Everything is amplified for him right now, and he has a less than zero frustration threshold. That's proven to be challenging.  Elliott went to school however, he wasn't comfortable being the only Gorski in the school, but that's something he just has to get over. Shortly after noon, I received a call from the school because Elliott had a blister on his foot that had recently burst and it hurt really bad.  At the very same time, I'm texting with Lizze…

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May 2, 2017
Read more about the article Sometimes we just need a break from each other
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

Sometimes we just need a break from each other

At the time of writing (10:30 PM), there's a really good chance that both Elliott and Emmett will be going to school in the morning. This would be a hugely positive thing for us, because we need a fricking break already.  The boys have been trapped in the house for most of Easter break because they've been sick.  It's safe to say that we are all getting on each other's nerves a little bit and could use our routine back. With everyone being fever free at this point, it looks like our routine is on its way... ☺  We love our kids and we know our kids love us. That doesn't mean we couldn't use a small, school day sized break from each other... ☺ 💙 

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April 17, 2017
Read more about the article This is what #Autism Parenting is like for me today and it’s not fun
Autism Parenting Insight / Autism Parenting Woes / Gavin

This is what #Autism Parenting is like for me today and it’s not fun

Tensions seem pretty high right now because people are sick and we're trapped in the house. Lizze and I are both extremely stressed out today and that makes for a fun afternoon.  When my resources are as low as they are at the moment, I'm far less tolerant of everything Gavin does.  Normally, I doing well with the amount of patience I seem to have. I don't know of where it comes from but it always seems to be there. Today however, I'm running on fumes and things are getting to me that normally wouldn't.  Gavin's level of functionality is probably the lowest it's ever been, and as a result, I'm essentially having to micromanage his life at this point and it's absolutely exhausting. I know it's not his fault…

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April 17, 2017
Read more about the article Holiday’s can be really tough for #Autism Parents and here’s why
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

Holiday’s can be really tough for #Autism Parents and here’s why

Easter, as with pretty much any freaking holiday that we celebrate, puts my wife and I into a position where we need to decide whether we go to see family or stay at home.  At its most basic level, this is the choice between dealing with major fallout, or limiting the amount of fallout we have to deal with.  When we go to holiday functions with family, we all have a good time while we're there. The problem arises when the boys become overstimulated and right about the time we get home, the meltdowns begin. I'm not sure there's ever been a holiday for us, where this wasn't an issue,  As for this Easter, we will be going to celebrate with my family. The boys will have an Easter Egg…

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April 16, 2017