Elliott hasn't been back a full day yet and is already incredibly anxious.  He endured Gavin's tantrum this morning and has been in edge ever since.  I absolutely hate that our home life is in shambles. The only thing that we can do is cracked down on the problematic behavior that is contributing to most of the stress. However,  that is a lose lose situation.  If we cracked down on the behavior,  we will be increasing the number of tantrums,  which in turn adds to the stress. If we don't,  than the behaviors that are not addressed will add to the stress anyway. We have to make a major push for medical stabilization.  At this point,  I don't know that medically speaking,  Gavin would be at any increased risk in…

I'm currently writing a post for my new job about the new school year.  I think it would be a great topic to discuss locally here as well. We can all trade tips and tricks on preparing out very special children for the upcoming school year. My kids start back next week.  What kinds of things do you do to ease the transition? This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please join our Autism Help Forums Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

Gavin just had another huge tantrum.  He was very self-injurious once again.  I don't know what to do because taking him to Akron Children's Hospital for 3 days doesn't really do anyone,  any good. We will have to drive back and forth to attend more pointless meetings and ineffective family sessions.  There has to be some way to meet halfway between a diagnosis and medically stability, as far as residential placement is concerned. I mean, it can't be good for him to continue having these violent and vigorous tantrums.  Especially considering that he is supposed to refrain from vigorous activities. Something has to give and do so very soon.  I don't think that anyone can take anymore of this. I think that because of his health related issues,  our hands…

After a day and a half without Emmett,  we were reunited.  He was so cute as he went around the house announcing his return. I snuggled with him for a little bit tonight before he went to bed. Bella decided that she didn't want to be left out of the snuggling. :-) This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please join our Autism Help Forums Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

Elliott just arrived home after a 15 hours car ride.  I got the biggest hug in the history of hugs.  We have squishy couched and he is fast asleep with a big smile on his face.  I'm soooooooo happy to see him.  I don't do well away from by kids,  especially Elliott. These past four days have been killing me but I'm glad he was able to go and I'm even more glad that he's home once again. :-) This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please join our Autism Help Forums Look for "Autism Help" app at the Google Play Store

In my last post,  I mentioned that Gavin was beginning to have a tantrum.  Well,  he definitely had a tantrum. Tonight,  he actually banged his head so hard into the wall that he left a friggin hole. You heard me right.  He made a whole in the wall with his head. This has never happened before. He's sleeping now but we'll have to do something about this in the morning.  Luckily,  he didn't seriously hurt himself. With the news that Gavin will not be medically cleared for placement, anytime soon,  I'm not sure what it is that we are supposed to do. This was posted via WordPress for Android, courtesy of Samsung’s Galaxy S III. Please forgive any typos. I do know how to spell but auto-correct hate me. Please…

I just got a phone call from a very,  very homesick Elliott Richard. He will be arriving home,  sometime shortly after midnight. My mom said that all of a sudden he became really upset and she wanted him to talk to me so that he might feel better. Truthfully,  I couldn't understand a word he was saying but I knew he was very clearly distraught. I'm pretty sure he's physically exhausted and emotionally drained from the 13+ hours he's been in the car today so far.  They encountered very heavy traffic leaving New York this morning.  So much so that as of 4pm this afternoon,  they had only made it to New Jersey. All I can say is I'm really,  really excited to get Elliott back tonight.  I promised him…

We just arrived home and I'm taking a short break to touch base with all of you.  Don't you feel lucky.  :-P We received the results all the testing that has been done,  with the exception of today's biopsies.  Basically, everything has come back normal or within normal ranges. The chromosomal microaray came back negative on all 2000+ genetic disorders. This is great news and I should be happy, right?  Well,  yes and no. The truth is that while it's great that everything came back negative,  at the same time it's beyond frustrating. I say that because we still don't have any answers. The only things that was confirmed today is that Gavin has marked autonomic dysfunction. That translates to significant autonomic dysfunction.  The reason for all the tests was…