Elliott – Page 12 – The Autism Dad

So Proud

I want to take a second and share how proud of Elliott I am right now. I'm always proud of my kids but sometimes they even surprise me and I find myself even more deeply impressed. Today is one such day.. ☺ On the way home from school today, Elliott was upset because he was given homework over the weekend. The whole class was given homework, not just Elliott, but he's still upset. Anyway, without having to be asked, bribed, chased after, fought or otherwise forced, he came home, and began his homework. I'm not sure I've ever seen this from him. I'm absolutely impressed and frankly, quite relieved. I was dreading the homework battle this weekend and now I don't have to worry about it.. ☺ Elliott, I'm super…

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March 9, 2018

Elliott / Happy Birthday / My thoughts

Happy Birthday 12th Elliott

It was twelve years ago today, that I experienced the most amazing and most terrifying moments of my life, at least up to that point. Mr. Elliott was born on March 4, 2008 after a very difficult pregnancy. Lizze was nothing less than a hero for how hard she fought to bring him into this world. I remember the moment he took his very first breath, as well as the moment I heard his lung burst. What followed was the scariest seven days in my life. Elliott fought though bilateral pneumothorax and bacterial pneumonia, to become one of the strongest, sweetest and most compassionate people I've ever known. We have our struggles but I love him to the moon and back. I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world…

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March 4, 2018

Elliott / Meltdowns / My thoughts

We had a massive, massive meltdown

It's not been a good morning so far. To start things off on the wrong foot, I stepped funny coming down the stairs and jarred my back. You may recall that I suffered a major back injury many years ago. Most of the time I'm okay and I've adapted to the pain however, it doesn't take much to aggravate it again. I totally succeeded in doing that this morning. I'm in so much pain right now, I feel like I'm going to puke. Once I lay down for a little while, this will hopefully start to improve. To make matters that much more stressful, Elliott had a massive, massive meltdown this morning. He's really struggling emotionally and today was in regards to not wanting to take his morning meds. He…

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February 22, 2018

Elliott / My thoughts

#Autism + Haircut = MAJOR SUCKAGE

Elliott was feeling better this afternoon and I took advantage of that. He was desperately in need of a haircut and he was actually willing to get one. These opportunities don't come around very often because he hates getting his hair cut. Normally haircuts are a rather nightmarish event that leaves everyone stressed out and exhausted. It's a total sensory thing and a strong dislike of change. I wasn't sure how things were going to go but I'm pleased to say that Elliott did awesome. ☺ He never complained about having to get is hair cut short. His long hair was proving too much for him to maintain and we told him that we would have to cut it short if he couldn't maintain it. This is all typical teenage…

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January 31, 2018

Elliott / My thoughts

Elliott is too distressed to sleep

Elliott and I are having a campout in the living room tonight. He's been unable to sleep, and so I thought maybe spending some time together would help me get to the bottom of what's been causing him so much distress. I hate seeing him struggling, and Elliott doesn't always like to open up. He's much like Emmett in the sense that he doesn't do well when it comes to expressing how he's feeling. Anyway, we spent quite some time playing in our Minecraft Realm together. He didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but much of his distress is related to school. I know that much, but I'm not sure how to help him figure this out. Lizze and I will be meeting with Dr. Pattie next week…

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January 27, 2018

Elliott / My thoughts

He’s afraid to go back to school

Elliott is not able to sleep tonight because he too afraid to go back to school tomorrow. I've tried to reassure him but he's really stressed out after the day he had yesterday. I'm hoping he'll fall asleep because I want to go to sleep. I'm hoping that he'll feel better after some sleep and school won't be an issue today. He will be going to school with Adderall on board because we now know he's struggling without it. I'll be praying for my little man today.

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January 26, 2018

Elliott / My thoughts / School Related Issues

Elliott came home from school sobbing

Elliott had what could only be classified as a bad day at school today. At dismissal, Elliott was escorted to the car by one of his teachers. Elliott was apparently upset and had clearly been crying. I don't like seeing that, and I immediately kick into protective mode, as most parents would. I also understand that things aren't always as they appear. The teacher was frustrated with Elliott, and I can understand that, as I find myself there on occasion as well. What I heard from the teacher sounded like Elliott but what I didn't like was the way it was presented to me in a public place, in front of Emmett and everyone else being dismissed. There was a tone that I didn't feel was appropriate when discussing the…

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January 25, 2018

Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts / School

We’re giving serious thought to homeschooling at least 1 of our 2 kids with #Autism, that are still in school

Full disclosure. I'm exhausted and having a hard time putting thoughts together tonight. I'm going to try and make this as coherent as possible but no promises. Lizze and I are seriously talking about the logistics of homeschooling the boys. Between Emmett's inability to wear clothes and Elliott's emotional struggles that are the result of several things related to school and severe anxiety. The main concern is Emmett though because his struggles physically prevent his attendance. Things with Elliott could be corrected with proper intervention within the school. The idea of homeschooling the boys is not something we take lightly, even in the it's just a possibility phase of talking. There are so many potential downfalls to homeschooling but at the same time, there is a substantial upside as well.…

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January 23, 2018