Elliott Archives - Page 45 of 46

I’m frustrated with Gavin tonight

I'm frustrated with Gavin for a couple of reasons. Elliott informed me that the boys were picking out snacks while they were at their overnight visit. Gavin picked out some hazelnut cookie stick things. Elliott didn't realize that they were Gavin's at the time and asked if he could have one. He was told that they were Gavin's and he would have to ask him. Apparently, when Elliott asked Gavin if he could have one, Gavin told his Grandma that Elliott was allergic to hazelnut and couldn't have one or some thing like that. That was simply not true. Elliott is not allergic to hazelnut and never has been. He's only been allergic to almonds but for awhile, we had to avoid tree nuts all together. That restriction though, has…

15 Comments

August 22, 2015

Elliott / My thoughts

My son with #Autism wrote a note and it brought me to tears

I was going through the left over papers from last school year and I stumbled across this. It was written by Elliott about himself. The circumstances in which he wrote this are unknown to me at the moment. I really felt a surge of pride for him when I read it. He spends so much time feeling down, anxious, overwhelmed, angry and just generally freaked out, that reading what he wrote about himself feels so good. I'm not gonna lie, I teared up a bit because when you have a child that's struggling, seeing any sign of positivity breathes new hope into your life.. I realize that the note is from earlier in the year but that doesn't matter because sometimes you just need a little reminder for hope…

1 Comment

August 17, 2015

Elliott / Lego Creations

Lego creations by Elliott: The Ferret

Elliott and Emmett are both consumed with the idea of getting a ferret. For the record, that's not happening anytime soon, if ever. Yesterday afternoon, Elliott created a ferret out of Legos and gave it to me as a present. I was telling the boys about the pet ferret I had when I was in college and Elliott thought he would make me something to remind of my one time pet.

0 Comments

August 13, 2015

Anxiety / Elliott

Anxiety has been a major challenge today

Elliott is really struggling with anxiety today. The loss of the two baby squirrels really sorta made ripples in his pond. As the day has worn on, those ripples have grown into waves. Waves are actually a really good way to describe how anxiety hits him because it just sorta pours over him. You can see it as it's happening.. 😟 When he was crying this morning after the loss of the second baby squirrel, he kept saying, First I lost Mom. Then I lost Bella and now these babies. I have nothing left to lose.. That just broke my heart but clearly he's struggling with loss on multiple levels and it's impacting him quite profoundly. For the latter half of the day, he's been trying to get me to…

0 Comments

August 12, 2015

Elliott / Thoughts and Prayers

Elliott cried himself to sleep tonight :(

Poor Elliott's heart was broken again tonight. 😔 The boys had therapy tonight with Dr. Pattie. When we got home, Elliott found what would turn out to be a baby squirrel. In fact, there would be a total of 4 newborn baby squirrels found. Apparently, they had fallen about 40 feet out of the nest and landed on the sidewalk. Frankly, it's pretty miraculous that they survived in the first place. These little guys are way to young for me to try and take on myself but we got them wrapped up in a warm blanket and safely stored in the house for the night. I'm raising my kids to cherish all life and that includes helpless baby squirrels. In the morning, they will be going to the…

2 Comments

August 11, 2015

Elliott / Lost a Tooth

Guess who lost another tooth?

I forgot to tell you folks that Elliott lost another tooth the other day. He's missing his two front teeth and now two on the bottom. 😁 He's been handling this really well. He normally panics at the sight of blood but he pulled the tooth out when it was ready, all by himself. 👍

0 Comments

August 11, 2015

Elliott / Today's Victory

Today’s Autism Victory: Walking a mile in his shoes

I want to take a few minutes and share a pretty big victory we celebrated tonight. The world at large probably won't understand the significance of something like this but I know at least some of you will. Elliott struggles with extreme anxiety. He takes medication to improve his quality of life but it doesn't really help. The boys and I walked the track tonight. Elliott wanted to explore the banks of the creek but I had to tell him no because we were racing the weather and I didn't want to be caught in the rain. Elliott wasn't happy with that and kept pushing and pushing to be allowed to go. My answer didn't change and he was getting really frustrated. I stood my ground because I knew…

2 Comments

August 11, 2015

Anxiety / Elliott / Parenting Advice

Working off anxiety by exploring nature

I find myself once again working outside with Elliott. I'm helping him to deal with his anxiety in a healthier way. Right now I'm just sitting on the porch watching him do his thing. He's collecting bugs to feed his toads. There's something about flipping over the rocks and being outside that just provides him with instantaneous relief from his worries. I do have to be cautious because we are in a not so good neighborhood and it's prone to outbreaks violence. I'm elated about this though, because it's free, accessible, healthy and in many ways, educational. So far it's working but I don't know for how long or what I'll do in the winter. Either way, I'm doing my best to help my son through a very difficult time…

0 Comments

August 7, 2015