special needs Archives - Page 325 of 521

I’m so close to getting the boys to school

I'm thinking that I'll be able to get both boys to school today. I'm being met with some resistance from Emmett, but it's more anxiety related. He hasn't been back to school in well over a week, and he's nervous about going back. Unfortunately, their clothes didn't dry and we're having to wait on the dryer before leaving. Lizze is already at class for the day, so Gavin and I are on our own. I think we will be walking the track and then visiting my grandfather around lunchtime. I'm hoping to get some writing done and then maybe some house work. I really, really need to get our routine back on track. It's been thrown off since Emmett began his latest flare. Even neurotypical Dad's need routine.. ☺

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May 9, 2017

Vivint Gives Back

How the Vivint Smart Home app works

I want to take a minute and share a video I put together to show how I use the Vivint Smart Home app to manage my home. Please understand that I have limited resources in which to make this video with, so forgive me there. It's also important to understand that while this will work for any family out there, I'm directing this more to the Autism community. As Autism parents, we need to take advantage of any tools available to help us raise our kids and keep them safe. Life is always going to be tough, but at least we can leverage technology to help us make some areas more manageable. Perhaps even gain some peace of mind. The video below shows how the Vivint Smart…

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May 9, 2017

My thoughts

Good News – Painful News

Both boys are home from school today, but they are doing better. I'm feeling pretty optimistic that they will be returning to school tomorrow. Emmett been working in his makeup work and Elliott has been resting. Gavin is doing good and currently sleeping off his morning meds. The only thing on the agenda today is getting Gavin's bloodwork done. We decided to wait until this afternoon, because Lizze needs bloodwork done as well and this way, we can kill two birds with one stone. As for me, I'm feeling much better. My only real limitation today is my back. I just have slept funny or something because my back is out. For the Lost part, I'm okay if I'm standing perfectly straight. Sitting or lying down really hurts. Trying to…

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May 8, 2017

General Update / My thoughts

I’m ready to quit the school year and here’s why

Here's a super quick update before I go to bed. As of midnight, I haven't a clue as to whether or not either of the boys will be in school. I've got Elliott with a fever and Emmett with worsening mouth sores, but no fever. When I say his mouth sores are getting worse, I'm referring to the fact that they have gone from being on his tongue and throat, to his cheeks, lips and gums. He may not be running a fever but he's in a great deal of pain. To make things worse for poor Emmett, some of these sores are constantly brushing up against his teeth. Gavin went to bed not feeling well. He has a low grade fever, and an upset stomach. Lizze's Mom pointed out…

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May 8, 2017

My thoughts

We’re dropping like flies

I woke up this morning with a fever. It wasn't too bad but it was 102°F and that usually means I'm fighting something off. I still had my headache from last night, and on the only day I was able to sleep in, my headache woke me up at 6 AM. Fast forward to this afternoon, and the boys came home. Elliott want feeling well and sure enough, he has a fever now as well. On a positive note, Emmett seems to be fever free. He's 99.5°F,which isn't a fever medically speaking, but that is the temperature the school sends them home from school. We're so close to getting Emmett back to school, I can taste it. Elliott on the other hand, will be home tomorrow. I'm not sure about…

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May 7, 2017

Emmett John / My thoughts / PFAPA

What’s less than running on fumes

Emmett is in such a foul mood today. His fever is back up to almost 102°F and he's a nightmare to deal with this morning. Lizze and I are completely spent. We're so far beyond running on fumes, I don't know how to put this into words. All I want to do is go to bed and sleep forever at this point. Fat chance that's going to happen anytime soon.. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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May 6, 2017

Autism Parenting Insight / My thoughts

Generalization is a b!tch

One of the most frustrating things for me as an Autism Dad, in regards to my kids with Autism is generalization. Merriam-Webster defines generalization as the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus. In layman's terms it means that if something happens once, it always happen again. Kids with Autism tend to apply this concept to just about everything in their lives. My kids are no exception. In fact, my kids are the poster children for generalization. Let me give you a few examples from recent history, most of which center around Emmett. If something tastes funny this time, it will always taste funny. Even if the reason it tastes funny is because you just brushed…

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May 5, 2017

Emmett John / My thoughts / Partners

I’ll give you one guess

I spoke with Emmett's dentist this morning, explained what we were dealing with and apologized for the late notice. He said that it's best to keep him home and reschedule, and not to worry about it because he understood. I hate canceling at the last minute for anything. I fucking hate it, but sometimes it can't be avoided. As for Emmett's status today, he's running a fever. I'm sure you're all as shocked and surprised as I am, but it is what it is. He's in a good mood for the most part today, and that's a good thing. I'm not the one physically going through this fever flare, but goddam if it hasn't completely worn me out. Emmett was up at 5:00 AM this morning and wouldn't go back…

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May 5, 2017