If you have been following our story for awhile now, than you are aware of Emmett's struggles. Emmett was diagnosed with Autism this year and is severely speech and language delayed. However, along with the heartbreak of the Autism diagnosis comes the joy and elation of progress. Emmett is the poster child for progress. He has gone from no language ability to singing the ABC's and carrying on very simple conversations. I'm so incredibly proud of my little Emmett John as he defies all those, including myself, who were afraid he would never be able to speak. this video was like my 3rd or 4th take because prefers to take the video at times. So this is what I ended up with but I think it gets the point across. :-) [youtube…

I have decided to start reviewing Android apps,  in particular,  those that apply or will be useful to special needs parents. I have a whole catalog of apps that I use to help with this blog and keeping the Lost and Tired family moving forward.  I'm kinda excited about this because I truly believe Android is the way to go. I hope you will find this useful. If you have an Android app geared towards special needs families or Autism in general,  and would like it reviewed,  please contact me. I would like to review anything that could assist those with Autism and their families. As apps for the iPad / iPhone ect goes,  I would be happy to review them as well,  however you would have to provide the…

I wrote this morning about Gavin tripping Emmett. I have been trying to figure out what to do as far accountability goes. Nothing with Gavin is ever cut and dry. So we have to be very careful not to jump to conclusions or make assumptions. I decided to speak with Gavin about about what happened, because I wasn't present at the time of the incident.  Part of the reason this is so complicated is because when Lizze questioned him about what happened, he just freaked out. Traditionally,  that was a pretty good indicator of where he was coming from when he does something.  Right or wrong,  when it reacts in that manner,  it makes him look guilty. Upon picking up Gavin from school he was,  off a little bit.  I…

Gavin is not off to a good start today.  This morning,  according to eyewitness reports,  he purposefully tripped Emmett causing him to fall and hurt himself. Elliott says that Gavin stuck his leg out as soon as Emmett was running by him.  Typically,  Elliott is defending Gavin,  so I have little reason to suspect that Elliott is not telling the truth.  In fact,  even Emmett was trying to say that Gavin tripped him. Based on Gavin's reaction to being questioned,  he did it.  My question is why.  This time last year,  this behavior from Gavin wouldn't surprise me.  However, recently,  he has settled down a great deal and so this seems out of character for him. The other side of the coin is that it appears that Gavin has hit…

I was picking up some prescriptions at Walgreens tonight and I saw this.  It's an ear infection detector. How freakin' cool is that?  I wonder how accurate this is?  Has anyone tried one of these?  They're like $50 but if anyone has had to deal with frequent ear infections,  this could be invaluable. Thoughts? - Lost and Tired Posted by Wordpress for Android via Samsungs Epic Touch 4G (provided to me at no charge by Sprint) without the use of proper editing tools and disadvantages of a bastardized version of auto-correct. So please forgive the spelling ;-) Please Vote for Lost and Tired (just click the link) and help me spread Autism Awareness. Everyone can Vote once a day :)

I don't know how many of you out there are experiencing the same problem but my kids really have a rough time with the the whole time change thing. I understand the principle behind the time change but I have sneaking suspicion that whoever came up with the idea did not have an Autistic child. I hate the time change. It throws chaos in to the Lost and Tired family's otherwise, well oiled machine. Alright, that was sarcasm, but seriously, the time change just sucks. While my kids don't necessarily understand the concept,  they do feel the change and it disrupts their routine. It's like their internal clocks just won't adjust to the difference. Their bodies are telling them that it's 5pm and time to have dinner but the clock tells them it's only 4pm. Bedtime…

Every year our boys get their flu shots. I know some people don't agree with that but it's our choice.  Typically,  the boys received the nasomist instead of the actual shot.  It was less traumatic for them. However,  this year has brought with it new health complications that have changed our approach to flu shots.  In light of Elliott and Gavin's recent asthma diagnosis,  they can no longer receive the nasomist.  They now have to get the actual shot.  Because Emmett is allergic to eggs he has to receive the vaccine at the immunologist.  To make matters worse,  he can only receive a small amount at a time.  So he will need at least 2 injections that day.  He'll get the first one and then wait about 30 minutes and…

Elliott had his OT evaluation this afternoon.  I was expecting them to tell me that he was ok,  and didn't really need any help.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  As it turns out,  they said he has the worst muscle tone they have ever seen.  I literally,  had to fight back the tears.  It felt like I was kicked in the gut.  This also explains why Elliott is so fidgety at school.  His muscle tone is so low that he literally has a difficult time keeping himself upright.  Apparently,  that is why he's bouncy as well. How could I have possibly missed this? I don't know why I ask myself that question, because I already knew the answer.  The answer is as unpleasant as it is simple.  Elliott fell…