Read more about the article This a teachable moment for #Autism parents
Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

This a teachable moment for #Autism parents

I guess today was the first official day of summer vacation. It was a relatively uneventful day, as far as Autism parenting goes. I can actually put a check in the win column for this one.  Gavin had his IVIG infusion this morning, and it went really well. He spent the infusion in his room watching Netflix, but there wasn't anything that had him freaking out. ☺  He did spend a large portion of the day sleeping, after his infusion completed.  Elliott was feeling much better today and that's always a good thing. I hate when my kids are sick. Both he and Emmett had their ups and downs today, but in general, they got along.  As the afternoon began to cool off a little bit, I tackled the yard.…

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May 27, 2017
Read more about the article A chaotic last day of school
Emmett John / My thoughts

A chaotic last day of school

Yesterday was the last day of school, and it was a bit chaotic in the morning. I was up with Elliott all night, as he was sick and didn't want to be alone. I was fairly sure he wasn't going to be present on his last day of school.  Emmett on the other hand, should have been okay to go.  Unfortunately, he woke up not feeling well, wanting to go to school, but not wanting to go alone.  Both boys were under the weather, and clearly not in a place to go to school. I said fuck it, it's summer break a day early. Of course, I said that to myself, and not outloud...☺  I went to bed as soon as Lizze was up, because I hadn't yet been able…

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May 27, 2017
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 #Trumpcare and Special Needs families
#Autism Discussions / My thoughts

#Trumpcare and Special Needs families

This is a really quick post because I'm very much concerned about the repeal of a Obamacare. This has nothing to do with politics, and I frankly don't care who you voted for, because that's your personal business.  I know there are plenty of programs with the current health care system, but are we heading in the right direction?  Here's a side by side comparison by the LA Times.  What I want to know is, are you concerned about how the repeal of Obamacare, and implementation of the current form of Trumpcare?  Many special needs kids families are on some form of Medicaid, and with the proposed $834 billion cuts to Medicaid, Americans most vulnerable will be hit hard.  If you are on Medicaid, are you worried about this impacting…

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May 26, 2017
Read more about the article Who gets sick on the last day of school?
Who gets sick on the last day of school? Today is the last day of school for this school year. Unfortunately, I'm currently awake with Mr. Elliott, because he's feeling very nauseated, and can't sleep. I should have seen this coming because he went to bed with a relatively low grade fever. Lizze and I were going to see how he was doing in the morning before deciding on whether he would see his last day of school or not. Considering he's on the couch in the living room, hugging a laundry basket with a trash bag in it, I'm thinking he's going to miss the last day of school. What remains to be seen is how Emmett is feeling in the morning. He's beginning a fever cycle again, and he was almost sent home the other day because of a fever. This wouldn't be the first time that the boys have missed the last day of school, due to being sick...
Elliott / My thoughts / Photography

Who gets sick on the last day of school?

Today is the last day of school for this school year. Unfortunately, I'm currently awake with Mr. Elliott, because he's feeling very nauseated, and can't sleep. I should have seen this coming because he went to bed with a relatively low grade fever. Lizze and I were going to see how he was doing in the morning before deciding on whether he would see his last day of school or not. Considering he's on the couch in the living room, hugging a laundry basket with a trash bag in it, I'm thinking he's going to miss the last day of school. What remains to be seen is how Emmett is feeling in the morning. He's beginning a fever cycle again, and he was almost sent home the other day because…

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May 26, 2017
Read more about the article Shit….. School’s out for the summer and I’m sorta panicking 
My thoughts

Shit….. School’s out for the summer and I’m sorta panicking 

I'm laying in bed tonight, realizing that after 3 PM this afternoon, the boys will be home all day, everyday, for the rest of the summer. Truth be told, I'd much rather have the boys home, than at school. Some might call me a masochist, but I just love having the boys around.  Having said that, I want to be very clear. I have no idea what we're going to do this summer, and I know that my kids will be driving me crazy inside their first week home. I have no illusions about that.  With Lizze in intensive outpatient therapy (DBT classes) for the entire summer, the boys and I will have quite a bit of guy time on our hands. We haven't had this much guy time since…

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May 26, 2017
Read more about the article One of my favorite places in the world to visit
One of my favorite places in the world to be I've mentioned before that the boys and I frequently visit the Canton Garden Center. We. Go to get some exercise, look for painted rocks, catch some Pokémon, and take pictures. Sorta in the middle of the Garden Center is this giant metal butterfly. I'm not sure what it is that I like the most about this metal rhopalocera, but I just think it's really cool. I also appreciate the work that clearly went into creating this... #Autism, #Parenting,
My thoughts / Photography

One of my favorite places in the world to visit

One of my favorite places in the world to be I've mentioned before that the boys and I frequently visit the Canton Garden Center. We go to get some exercise, look for painted rocks, catch some Pokémon, and take pictures. Sorta in the middle of the Garden Center is this giant metal butterfly. I'm not sure what it is that I like the most about this metal rhopalocera, but I just think it's really cool. I also appreciate the work that clearly went into creating this...

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May 26, 2017
Read more about the article The train that got in my way again today
The train that got in my way again today I've been driving the exact same way, back and forth to the kids school for a decade or more. I've never been stopped by this train more times than I have this year. In fact, I've hit this exact same situation more times this year than in all previous years combined. Either I'm just unlucky, or perhaps the schedule changed this year. Either way, it's super frustrating to seemingly constantly run into a train here, even when I arrive at the tracks at different times each day. #Autism, #Parenting, #photo, #SpecialNeedsParenting, #AutismSpectrum,
Funny Things / Photography

The train that got in my way again today

The train that got in my way again today I've been driving the exact same way, back and forth to the kids school for a decade or more. I've never been stopped by this train more times than I have this year. In fact, I've hit this exact same situation more times this year than in all previous years combined. Either I'm just unlucky, or perhaps the schedule changed this year. Either way, it's super frustrating to seemingly constantly run into a train here, even when I arrive at the tracks at different times each day.

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May 25, 2017