Read more about the article Do you know the differences between an IEP and a 504? Which is best for your child? 
My thoughts / PSA

Do you know the differences between an IEP and a 504? Which is best for your child? 

One of the big things that parents of kids with Autism have to deal with in regards to school, is this little thing called an IEP. An IEP is vital for our kids education but they're also extremely confusing. There's also something called a 504 and while it's similar in nature to an IEP, there are some major differences. I wanted to share some information that I learned during my recent IEP and 504 meeting for my two youngest in grade school. I hope this helps to answer your questions and decide which is best for your child. [embeddoc url="https://www.theautismdad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IEP-v-504-1.pdf" download="all"] Brought to you by understood.org

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article Back to real life cause the break is over
My thoughts

Back to real life cause the break is over

The boys just got home from my parents house. They had a really good time and aside from Elliott, everyone actually slept through the night. Elliott struggled a bit but Emmett was good to go on my parents spare queen mattress.  Lizze and I both were able to sleep in this morning and that was really nice.   We don't really have anywhere to be today. I have to hit the grocery store but that's about the extent of it for now. We need a few things for school lunches.   There's a ton of laundry to get caught up and a few other odds and ends that need some attention.  At this point, the house is quite. Gavin's sleeping off his morning meds. Elliott and Emmett are spending sometime…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article Gavin broke his glasses
Gavin

Gavin broke his glasses

The other day, Gavin broke the arm off his glasses. It was an accident but he's pretty upset with himself. Frankly, he's had these glasses for well over a year and I'm amazed that they've lasted this long.   I'm pretty sure he can get a free replacement pair but if not, he's do for a check up and that will bring with it, a new script.   One way or another, they will get replaced.  I was able to superglue them back together and the arm still opened and closed. Yesterday, Gavin took his glasses off and was hyper-flexing the arms. This broke them once again.  This was only meant to be a temporary fix. My dad was going to try replacing them while the boys were visiting.  On…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article We had to take Emmett to the doctor on Friday
Emmett John / My thoughts

We had to take Emmett to the doctor on Friday

I realize this is a bit late but life has had me otherwise occupied. Better late than never.  Thursday night, Emmett decided to clean out his ears, using q-tips we had thought were out of reach. He ended us hurting himself and so we got him into the pediatrician the next morning.  He wasn't seriously hurt but we needed to make sure he was okay.  As it turns out, he actually scratched the inside of his ear canal. Nothing too bad but painful nonetheless. The other thing he did was pack the wax in his ears, all the way back toward his eardrum. Emmett was checked out by the doctor and she found the scratch. She also found that his ears were completely blocked and she couldn't see his eardrum.…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article This #Autism Dad took care of himself today and I hope you will do the same
My thoughts

This #Autism Dad took care of himself today and I hope you will do the same

I took today off to take care of me. I should probably back track just a little bit. Elliott woke up at midnight Saturday morning and never went back to bed. That meant a really broken, restless night for me because I had to be at least half awake all night. I'm not sure what the deal was but Elliott just couldn't fall asleep, despite really trying. I don't know the how's or why's but I know he was really frustrated that he couldn't find sleep. Anyway, the boys all were delivered to my parents house this morning because they were going to spend the whole day with their Grandparents. They're also spending the night and going to church before returning home on Sunday. As soon as Lizze and I…

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September 18, 2016
Read more about the article Gavin’s side effects are getting worse
Gavin / General Update / My thoughts / Psychotic Episode / Schizoaffective Disorder

Gavin’s side effects are getting worse

After four days of being on his increased dose of Clozapine, it's pretty clear that his side effects are getting worse. The side effects in question revolve around the bladder control issues, extreme dry mouth and weird mouth movements (that could just be the result of dry mouth). Gavin and I had to get our blood work done this morning after dropping Elliott off at school. Emmett stayed home but that's another post. On the way home from bloodwork, we got an appointment for Emmett with the pediatrician. We got home, picked up Emmett and Lizze before heading right back to where we had our bloodwork done. In the afternoon, Gavin and I picked up Elliott from school before parking the car for the day. My point is, we made…

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September 17, 2016
Read more about the article This morning was all about the bloodwork
Blood Work / Gavin / General Medical Stuff

This morning was all about the bloodwork

After taking the Elliott to school this morning, Gavin and I had to both have bloodwork done.  Gavin's bloodwork was related to his meds and other various health issues. Mine was just a followup cholesterol check before my next check up in a couple weeks.   Both of us had to fast and by the time we had the blood drawn, we'd fasted for 14+ hours. That really sucked but you gotta do what you gotta do.   I'm excited to get my new numbers because my cholesterol went from 217 down to 160 per my last doctor's visit.  I'm hoping it's even lower now.  ☺️ Gavin is having his cholesterol, Lithium and complete CBC checked from this blood draw. He needs this in order to continue receiving his next…

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September 16, 2016