Monday, November 26, 2012

Mudslide

Sometimes I really wonder why people do the things they do ... seriously, I just don't get it somedays!

The other day, Austin was over at my in-laws place (they live next door).  Now, there is a path between our houses and it can get really muddy this time of year, so I always tell the kids to be careful so they do not fall.  While Austin was there, he decided to come back home to get his board game to play with Kaleigh and my mother in-law.  What does she send him back to the house wearing?  Not his running shoes, but her rubber boots, yes, HER rubber boots.  So an excited Austin went running through the path and BOOM!  He slipped in the rubber boots and fell down. He showed up at the door crying and screaming!

Austin HATES to get dirty ... seriously, he cannot stand it!  When he got in the house he was so upset it took a minute for me to understand what was wrong.  He turned around and he was covered in mud.  I asked why he was wearing rubber boots?  He had said my mother in-law told him to wear them ... sigh ... do not get me started.  I got Austin calmed down and sent him to the bathroom to get changed.  I got him all new clothes and told him not to worry, I would wash his coat right away so it would be ready by morning.  His mood turned around quickly and I put him in his other running shoes and sent him back to my mother in-law's with his board game.  I watched him through the windows (so I can see him to get to her door).  He ran, not fast but still he ran through the mud and he was fine.  I suppose the grips on those GEOX were well worth the money!

I do not understand why some people do what they do.  What would possess my mother in-law to put her rubber boots on Austin when he had perfectly good running shoes with him?  Don't get it but at least Austin realizes that Mama knows best!  This Mama that is! ;)

All the best!  *HUGS*

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Christmas Crazies!!!

Last year, a couple of weeks before Christmas, Austin's behaviour changed drastically and I do mean, d-r-a-s-t-i-c-a-l-l-y!  Initially I thought he was reacting to some kind of food or was regressing.  Neither of these were the issue.

Around the end of November, Austin really started to act differently.  He was very hyper, he screamed a lot, cried, could not calm down, was restless, did not sleep well, did not eat as he normally would, his focus was really off, he would throw things and kick on his wall or door, he also would meltdown at the drop of a hat over the smallest thing, it was SCARY!  I racked my brain trying to figure out what could be causing all of this commotion.  My husband and I were very concerned.  I contacted Tink and asked her, I figured she would have some insight.  What did she tell me?  It is because of Christmas.  I thought "No way!", it could not be that.  Christmas was weeks away.  I actually doubted Tink, that is rare.  So I tried all sorts of things, changing some foods, trying to get him to sleep at a different time, no iPad or videos to remove the stimulation factor.  I tried talking to him.  I tried timeouts for his behaviour ... I tried everything I could think of ... nothing worked ... nothing. :(  I thought, this is how he is changing and I am just going to have to cope and deal with it.  That seemed to be the only answer until he had a HUGE MELTDOWN and I started to suspect Tink was right.

The day we had decorated the house and put up the tree was the kicker.  Well, OMG!  The behaviours Austin was experiencing increased exponentially!  I am not kidding!  I was at a loss, I had no idea what to do because Christmas is everywhere, school, home, the stores, the streets ... everywhere!  I had contacted another friend of mine (she is such a lovable person I will call her "Annabelle") and told her what was happening.   She has a child on the spectrum too and she said something close to the following, "Oh yeah, my child went through that for weeks before Christmas.  They get so excited, just like typical kids but it is harder for them because they cannot deal with that kind of excitement the same way a typical child would."  Tink had said pretty much the same thing.  I got it.  (I was then, and still am, sorry for doubting you Tink!)  Once we knew that this was the reason Austin was so out of sorts, it was easier to talk to him and deal with the situation.  It did go on for weeks.

The thing that shocked me the most about the whole experience, was the day we took down the tree and decorations, Austin woke up the next day and all the behaviours seem to disappear overnight!  Unbelievable but true!

Thank you to Tink and Annabelle for all your help, advice, support and understanding! :) OX OX

All the best!  *HUGS*

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Upward and Onward

So, I asked for some feedback regarding Austin's privacy and this blog ... well, did I get it!  Thank you so much for all the people who gave me their input.  Now, I have decided to continue writing and have to say, that all my feedback was very supportive to do so.  No one thought that Austin's privacy was being compromised or anything was considered embarrassing.  I really do not normally care what people think, but this person is very close to me, so when they said it, it really hurt.  They know I would never do anything to hurt Austin.  When the feedback came back so negatively about this person, they wanted me to disclose who they were!  Can you imagine?  NO WAY!  Why?  Because they thought if people knew who it was, they would not be so harsh ... right ... it could very well go the other way ... anyways, I said "no".  This person's identity will remain undisclosed and if Austin asks me one day, I will tell him.

I am very happy to be continuing this blog.  I have a lot more stories to share that I think can give people insight and I am learning all the time too.  Austin is changing so much and there are always new challenges and new achievements as well.  I am so very PROUD of him.

Thank you once again for all your support and feedback!  I really appreciate all of you!

All the best!  *HUGS*!

To My Lovey

This post is for you, Austin, my lovey, my sweet boy! :)

Recently, I was questioned by someone very close to me about this blog.  I started it because I thought  it would help other people and also document your journey with autism.  I can assure you that my intentions are only good ones.  You know my heart and know that I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!  I would never embarrass or do anything to intentionally cause you any distress.

I am putting this post here so you may read and understand that I almost stopped writing because of something someone said to me.  I was being very foolish and have decided to continue on with the posts.  I can only say to you that I pray when you read this blog, when you are older, you do not feel anything negative and know that what I have documented are stories of how much I LOVE YOU and how PROUD I am of you!

You are the rainbow across my heart!  I ADORE and LOVE you more than anything!

LOTS N' LOTS N' LOTS OF LOVE,

Mommie OX