Concrete Calendar

Austin has the entire calendar memorized.  You name it ... Birthdays, Anniversaries, holidays, PD days, special events at school ... anything that is on the calendar, he knows.

The other day, Austin and I were working on a homework assignment together.  It was a small problem where you had to determine the date of Mother's Day.  The exercise gave you some information like Mother's Day takes place on the second Sunday in May and the teacher provided a calender with the first couple of days already included.  Okay ... all is well so far.  Austin writes in the numbers and goes past the second Sunday until he reaches the 13th (on this calendar it fell on a Wednesday, the Sunday on the 10th).  I ask him, "If Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday, what is the date?"  Austin replies "The 13th."  Uh, "no".  Let's try again, same response.  I tried over and over to explain, no luck.  I told Austin to take a break and go play in his room.  We went through this three times with the same result.  I could not get why it kept happening.  I called him out of his room again and explained that Mother's Day is the 10th on the calendar, he was adamant it was the 13th.  I decided to show him the calendar in the kitchen to prove my point ... LOL!  Mother's Day is on the 13th of May!  LOL!  I guess he showed me!

It took me a few minutes to explain that the calendar was merely an example and was not the same as the calendar of this year.  Oh my, he is strict when it comes to the calendar ... do not deviate from it!

Now I really have no excuse to forget anyone's Birthday or Anniversary!  :D

All the best!  *HUGS*

Flying High

The other day, the city came around to trim some trees.  Austin could not see what they were cutting on the other side of our hedge (it is really tall) so he got on his swing and started to move his legs back and forth to make it go.  This is HUGE for Austin!  We have been trying for a long time to get him to do this, it has been really, really tough for him to master that coordination.  I was so PROUD of him and I almost started to cry!  I know that sounds really silly but seriously, it really touched my heart.

I asked him later how he figured it out and he said he just wanted to see the men cut the trees and that was the only way he could.  It doesn't really matter why really, I was only curious to know why all of sudden he could swing by himself.  He LOVES to play on the swing and it is nice to see a big smile on his face.

*HUGS* to all! :)

Promote the Positive

Tink contacted me after she read my blog post from yesterday.  She said to make a chart that would focus on the positive, and not to use xs because they are negative.  Instead, she suggested stickers for achieving a realistic goal.  Kaleigh LOVES stickers!  So today I am going to do up a chart that will have goals for the kids.  Nothing too complicated.  Thanks for the advice Tink!  Once again, I appreciate your input!  LOVE YA' TONS!

*HUGS*

Titanic Tantrums!

I usually write about Austin, well this time it is about Kaleigh ... boy is she a handful!  You see, Austin never really had tantrums.  He did get over excited and stimulated but never, ever made a scene like my sweet little girl did yesterday at the doctor's office ... OH MY!  It was outrageous!  This is not the first time either. :(

When I got home, I called my dear friend Tink (I value her opinion and she always gives me great advice ... I just love her), she told me to take things away, rewards and things Kaleigh really wants.  This made sense to me, since nothing else is working and these tantrums always take place in public.  Yesterday, it was at the doctor's office and waiting room.  She spent more time on the floor than in a chair!  Needless to say, you cannot imagine the looks (well, you probably can) ... a couple with their first newborn ... they had that look like I used to "My child is never going to behave that way!"  "Yes, your child too!"  It is flu season here so seeing my daughter face down on the doctor's bare floor, well, let's just say she had a bath when she got home and I washed her clothes ... sigh ...

I decided to take Tink's advice and made Kaleigh a little chart, like I do for Austin.  It is the ü and x system.  For good behaviour, Austin earns a ü and for not so nice behaviour, an x.  These go towards rewards and if he accumulates more xs than üs he does not get his reward.  Now, there is one time that I gave in because I felt bad, big mistake!  So I decided, if they get too many xs, no reward.  Tink told me that she knows that it is tough, but I have no idea what else to do.  :(


Friday is a sliding trip with the little preschool that Kaleigh attends.  I told her yesterday if the tantrum did not stop, she would not be going.  Sure enough, that didn't faze her at all.  I have decided to keep her from the outing which I know will upset her but I feel like I need to do something to get her to understand that this type of behaviour is just not acceptable.  Even if I do feel really badly about it.

*HUGS*

Party Pooper

Austin received an invitation to a party from a girl in his class.  The party is to take place March 3rd and the dreaded words "Lunch Will be Served" are written in the card.  Sigh ... what to do?  These parents do not know Austin and have no idea he is on the spectrum.  Do I tell them that Austin is on the spectrum and to expect maybe some behaviour if he gets bored or overstimulated?  He is such a picky eater, which is getting better but I cannot ask "What are you planning to serve?"  That is just not me ... I just don't want them to be taken of guard ... am I being a party pooper or what?

Austin was at a party last Saturday, I attended with him.  It was different though because these parents know Austin is on the spectrum and have known him a long time.  They are also very supportive and accept Austin for who he is and do not judge.  I am very grateful to have them as friends and Austin has a great friend in their son too!

Any suggestions?  I would really appreciate the input.  Thanks everyone!

All the best!  *HUGS*

Super Successes!

So, it has been a while since my last post, I do apologize.  Lots of big changes for Austin and we are SO PROUD of him!

First, Austin's speech has improved so much that we were given the green light to stop therapy for a while and check in again some time in March!  His comprehension, social and communication skills are getting better and better!  :)  YAY!

Austin's report card was nothing less than WONDERFUL!  His marks were above the class average for most of his classes.  He is AWESOME in English!  He can read pretty much anything (I have been hiding my novels!  LOL!).  His lowest mark was in French but still quite good at 70!  I cannot express how PLEASED and PROUD we are of him ... I just cried and cried!  :)

Austin is doing very well at swimming.  He is getting better all the time.  He also tried skating.  He did pretty well ... he wants to do things on his own and has quite the determination (I think he gets it from me ... lol).  What a character!  Just LOVE him to bits!

Austin LOVES to dance!  I have taken him to two dances at school.  The first one he kept me on the dance floor for 2 1/2 hours!!!  LOL!  I could not participate in the second dance a few weeks ago since I broke some toes a while back ... sigh ... but Austin had a blast!!!  His favourite song is "Just the Way You Are" and loves to dance to the "Cha Cha Slide".  :)

PROUD Mama again ... he won another Principal's Award the other day for French for his "listening and good behaviour".  Cannot believe how far he has come and how many wonderful accomplishments he has achieved over the last few months!  YAY Austin! :)

Oh yes, Austin, is girl crazy!!!  LOL!

Hope all is well and HUGS to everyone!

To Victoria - thanks hon! ox

Awesome at the Awards

Austin did so well at the awards assembly other day!  Very PROUD of him!  There were quite a few children receiving awards for different achievements.  Everyone clapped and all the proud and happy parents were there to cheer on and support their children.  It was really quite a great sight to see! :)

Austin received an award for "For always following the Tribes Agreement!".  He attends a school that follows certain rules and standards that make it a "Tribes School".  It is a wonderful program and we are so glad Austin is part of this excellent school!

WELL DONE BUDDY!  WE ALL LOVE YOU SO MUCH! :) OXOXOXOXOXOX

All the best! *HUGS* to all! :)