Read more about the article Using everyday activities to work on important life skills
Using everyday activities that work on important life skills I wanted to show an example of how, as parents, we can use everyday activities to help teach our kids with Autism, valuable life skills. Life skills are important because they are necessary for independence. My oldest is very low functioning and I use every opportunity to work on life skills with him. Today happen to be grocery shopping and bagging groceries. This isn't nearly as easy as it sounds. It can take a great deal of repetition, patience and smashed bread. Lol The end result is worth it when he learns a new skill, even if it's not perfect, and it's never perfect. It's all about progress and moving forward. Seize every opportunity you can to help you kids learn important life skills, as early as possible. The sooner you start, the better, because it can take time...
Autism Parenting Advice / Gavin / My thoughts / Photography

Using everyday activities to work on important life skills

Using everyday activities that work on important life skills I wanted to show an example of how, as parents, we can use everyday activities to help teach our kids with Autism, valuable life skills. Life skills are important because they are necessary for independence. My oldest is very low functioning and I use every opportunity to work on life skills with him. Today Gavin was experiencing grocery shopping and bagging said groceries. This isn't nearly as easy as it sounds. It can take a great deal of repetition, patience and smashed bread. Lol The end result is worth it when he learns a new skill, even if it's not perfect, and it's never perfect. It's all about progress and moving forward. Seize every opportunity you can to help you kids…

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May 27, 2017
Read more about the article Gavin’s having health issues tonight
Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Gavin / Immunology / IVIG Infusion / My thoughts

Gavin’s having health issues tonight

You may recall that Gavin sorta refused his IVIG infusion this morning, because he had a mission to go on first (see Why I'm worried about Gavin today). We were simply going to do his infusion tonight, because it wasn't a huge deal. It was the fact he wanted to put it off, and the reasons why he wanted to put it off, that concerned me.  After dinner, he was getting ready to get his supplies together, and he got hit with some major reflux. It put him down for an hour or so because he wasn't feeling well.  I decided that we would put his infusion off until the morning, because he's already struggling and the infusion is pretty rough on his body.  Once the reflux subsided, he was hit…

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May 23, 2017
Read more about the article Why I’m worried about Gavin today
Gavin / IVIG Infusion / My thoughts / Schizophrenia

Why I’m worried about Gavin today

It started out like a typical Monday morning. It wasn't anything amazingly awesome, or horrifically terrible. The boys were tough to get moving but we got to school on time.  After dropping the boys off at school, I told Gavin to get his infusion supplies together. Every Monday and Friday morning, Gavin receives his IVIG infusion to treat his severely compromised immune system.  Typically, Gavin's very anxious to get this done because he he feels better once it's done.  Today however, Gavin essentially refused his IVIG infusion because he had a mission to go on, and he didn't want to go into battle with needles in his stomach. I can understand that, but he's never done that before.  I haven't yet learned the details of this particular mission or how…

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May 22, 2017
Read more about the article Gavin’s favorite place
Gavin's favorite place. I love the fact that Gavin has a favorite place to sit and enjoy nature. This is at the Canton Garden Center, and he sits here watching the fish swimming at the surface of the little pond. He also seems to enjoy the calming waterfall as well. Do you have a favorite place to just zen-out?
Awesome Stuff / Gavin / Photography

Gavin’s favorite place

I love the fact that Gavin has a favorite place to sit and enjoy nature. This is at the Canton Garden Center, and he sits here watching the fish swimming at the surface of the little pond. He also seems to enjoy the calming waterfall as well. Do you have a favorite place to just zen out?

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May 22, 2017
Read more about the article Why I’m having my son draw pictures
Artwork / Gavin / My thoughts

Why I’m having my son draw pictures

I asked Gavin to draw another picture today. I do this because I want to pull him away from his tablet, and have him work on something he used to really enjoy.  Gavin loves sketching, but has gotten away from it this year, for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is that he's spending too much time on his tablet, and that's something I can influence. Another reason is very likely the result of his tremors.  Gavin has tremors in his hands, and it's pretty significant.  I'm slowly working to get him back into drawing because if he doesn't practice, he's more likely to lose the skills.  Here's today's drawing from Mr. Gavin... ☺ 

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May 18, 2017
Read more about the article This was a big step forward
Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Gavin / IVIG Infusion / My thoughts

This was a big step forward

Gavin had his IVIG infusion this morning/afternoon. Everything finished up fine, but it took a really long time. What was different about this particular infusion was that Gavin wanted to hangout in his room during the procedure.  This is highly unusual because when he's undergoing this procedure, he hates to physically move. He's afraid that the needles will move.  This morning however, he said he wanted to move upstairs and watch a movie on his tablet.  We were happy to hear this because he needs to be able to walk around while receiving his IVIG. He doesn't have to move around, but it's a good thing that he's able to get up, and move around without being afraid.  This was a big step forward. ☺ 

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May 15, 2017
Read more about the article You might not believe this
Elliott / Emmett John / Gavin / My thoughts

You might not believe this

In what can only be called a miraculous turn of events, both boys are in school today. 😁  There was some struggle in regards to lunches, but we did finally get out the door. We even got to school a bit early, and I was able to speak with the principal, as well as Emmett's teachers.  We addressed the whole breaking pencils thing, and was comforted by hearing from several of the staff members that his non-uniform shirt was okay.  After dropping the boys off and dealing with each of their problems/concerns, Gavin and I went walking.  I'm feeling pretty amazing today and really enjoyed walking. 

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May 15, 2017