It's been a while since we checked in with Mr. Lizard, Elliott's bearded dragon. He was only 4 inches long when we first got him. Now he's about 16 inches long.. Mr. Lizard was a "relatively" successful attempt at teaching Elliott about responsibility. Kids on the spectrum learn by doing. So I try to include him in everyday tasks and encourage him to take responsibility for the things in his life. Elliott does quite well with this type of "Hands on" learning.   Posted using my Sprint Epic 4G on the fly and without the use of proper editing tools.  

We are out picking Lizze's new cane up. Elliott was asking what we doing there. I explained we were getting something to help mommy walk. He asked why mommy needed help walking. I said her legs hurt and the cane helps her to keep from falling and makes it easier to walk. He looked at me perplexed and said, how does the cane help her walk? I thought about it a second and said it's like a walking stick Elliott (he knows what that is or so I thought). He looks at me like I'm an idiot an says, daddy, here's the thing. I understand how it helps mommy. I don't understand how the stick walks by itself?  - Lost and Tired Posted using my Epic 4G on the fly…

Yesterday Elliott went with me to take Emmett to school. For a little while we hung out in the "family room" so he could play. Emmett attends EastGate, a school for kids with developmental disabilities. He seems to be doing very well there. It's actually right next door to my old high school. - Lost and Tired Posted using my Epic 4G on the fly and without the use of proper editing tools.

As special needs parents we need to take everyday opportunities and use them as a means with which to teach our Autistic kids. Everyday lessons can help our kids to be better prepared for life's everyday challenges. I try each day to teach my kids at least one thing each day. Maybe it's a new skill or just practicing a current skill. I try to include them in activities around the house in order to show the how things are done. Regardless of my approach, my kids benefit from our time spent together.....as do I. Yesterday I was cleaning up my computer. We use it for EVERYTHING and so it's important to properly maintain it. Our house is old and dusty so I regularly hookup the compressor and blow all…

Elliott was along for the ride today. He did really well so while we were waiting for Emmett I took him for ice cream cone. While we were there Elliott began playing the games McDonalds has. He was tearing it up on the memory game. It was a pleasant break to an otherwise difficult day. - Lost and Tired Posted using my Epic 4G on the fly and without the use of proper editing tools.

I don't think it's any secret that we are struggling. I have been pretty open about our financial issues as well as other physical health issues. While I have shared them here on this blog with you I do my very best to shield the boys from them. I don't want them to know just how bad things are. Lizze and I go to great lengths to ensure the kids are blissfully ignorant of these issues. Autistics kids can be VERY sensitive and prone to anxiety so we don't want them worrying about grownup things. Despite our best effort to shield them from these topics we clearly are missing the mark. Elliott told me something today that tells me just how perceptive he can be. He was asking about the van and why we aren't…