"Flap-jumping"

Let's time warp shall we ...

"Flap-jumping" ... you might be wondering what I mean by this, or maybe not.  "Flap-jumping" is  what I use to describe what Austin used to do when he would get excited.  He would jump up and down and flap his hands (up and down from the wrist only).  Now, from what I knew at the time (Austin started this around 1 year of age), this was not "hand flapping" or at least that is what the doctor told me when I questioned if it was anything of concern.  You see, I was a very overprotective and nervous Mother when Austin was young ... not much has changed ... right Maven?  ;)  Well, okay, I am not as nervous.  Anyway, I was told he was just excited and I was worrying too much because I knew a child on the autism spectrum and well, I was overreacting.  Gotcha!  Okay, on we went, thinking all is well.  Right ... we know what it meant now, don't we?

I see children doing things like this everywhere.  At the pool, at gymnastics, at the store, at the park ... everywhere.  I flashback to Austin when he was a toddler and think of how he used to do this.  Sometimes he still jumps when he is excited, but he has to be really wound up to start jumping.  It is a rare occurrence. 

There is a reason I did this time warp post first ... stayed tuned for "Second Screening" coming up next!

*HUGS* to all! :)

Happy Birthday Baby!

I cannot believe it has been 6 years since I held you in my arms for the very first time.  I am writing this post just for you my lovely boy.  I adore you, I adore you, I adore you!  I am so very proud of you and Mommie is by your side to continue to help you achieve all the things you want out of life.  I will always be there for you no matter what, that's a promise!  I LOVE YOU so very, very much!  I am so blessed to have you and very grateful for you everyday.  BIG, BIG KISSES & HUGS my sweet boy!  Lots n' Lots of Love, Mommie  OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Problematic Printing

Yesterday I started working with Austin to help prepare him for school in September.  He will be entering Grade 1 and his academic skills are quite good; he can read, add and spell.  The challenge is writing, or printing I should say.  His capital letters are not too bad but the lower case letters, well, there is much work to be done.  I want help him as much as possible so his frustration levels will not skyrocket, and therefore, he less likely to become upset.

I got a notebook and wrote out "A" "a" "B" "b" all on separate lines so he could practice his letters.  Well, the "A" went well but when we got to the "a", he did struggle a bit so I helped him along.  We got through the "A" and "a" and moved on to the "B" and "b".  The "B" was not too challenging for him but the "b" gave a reaction I never expected.  It took all my might not to breakdown in tears!  This poor little boy, my heart just broke for him!  "I CAN'T DO IT!!!"  "I CAN'T DO IT!!!"  Over and over, he yelled and cried as tears streamed down his face.  I stopped and waited and started again, and again, and again.  I held his hand and helped him form the little letter but he still continued to get upset.  I could not get him to do one line on his own ... it seemed like it was mental torture for him; that is the only way I can explain it.  I don't want him to give up but I don't want him frustrated or crying his eyes out either.  My heart fell to my feet.  I told him he needed to take a break and we would try again later.  I gave him a little kiss on the cheek and my beautiful little boy grabbed a hold of me as he sobbed.  Oh my goodness, I could barely hold back my tears as my eyes flooded.  I held and cuddled him and told him it would all be okay.  Mommie was here to help.  He did go back later and finish with my help, without tears I am happy to report.

To me, this seemed like such a minor thing, learning to print.  I did not think Austin would have reacted the way he did and it was heartbreaking to see.  I felt so badly for him.  I know it sounds silly but I wish I could go to school for him, so he wouldn't have to endure this pain.  Of course I want him to succeed and be independent but sometimes reality hits me very hard and I wish I had the power to make it all better ...

*HUGS*

The Hummingbird

My husband had a great idea a few weeks ago.  I was getting the hummingbird feeder ready to put outside for the summer and he suggested we put it up near Austin's window.  Awesome result!  Austin is enjoying watching the two hummingbirds that visit immensely.

There is a story to tell about one of the hummingbirds.  Austin LOVES Mario as you well know and he wears a red Montreal Canadiens ball cap due to the resemblance of Mario's hat.  The Canadiens are a big favourite when it comes to hockey teams here in Quebec, of course.  Anyway, Austin was outside playing near his window one day when a hummingbird came swooping down at his head!  The red ball cap attracting the hungry little bird.  Austin saw it coming and dodged it.  Surprisingly, he got a real kick out of the hummingbird thinking his hat was a feeder or flower.  He laughed when he said "Mommie, the bird tried to eat my head!".

I love to see the amazement on Austin's face when the hummingbirds hover to eat.  We stand together quitely to enjoy the site of these tiny flying jewels.  I consider it such a gift to experience the elation that crosses Austin's face when he sees these birds.  Truly wonderful!  :)

All the best!  *HUGS* to all!

Remembering

The other day I asked Austin a question.  He told me the answer and a few minutes later I asked him the same question.  (I do this, I call it "Mommie Brain"! lol!)  Anyway, when he answered me the second time he said the answer and then "I just told you that Mom!".  I almost fell off my seat!  I was recounting the story to my husband when I asked Austin another question that we had previously discussed.  Again he said "I told you the other day that ... " and proceeded to give the answer.  This is a HUGE accomplishment for Austin!  Normally he would just give the same answer over and over.  Never let you know that he is aware he has been asked whether it was minutes, hours or days ago.  I am so pleased for him!  YAY for you buddy!  Mommie LOVES YOU! OX

*HUGS* and all the best!

A note to Jacquie:

I was so ready to write this post the other day.  I was so happy and excited for Austin.  I went and checked my blogs that I follow, most of them about Autism, and I came upon yours and read the latest post.  It took the wind right out of my sails.  You are a wonderful person and Mother and I just wanted to send you my best and let you know I am thinking of you and was so saddened to hear your news.  You always offer support and share your experiences with me, I am truly grateful to you.  I had to tell you how much I was affected by your post and how it touched my heart.  Sending you *HUGS*!

Tough Acts to Follow

I just got home from Austin's preschool graduation (he will be entering Grade 1 in September).  I am still trying to adjust to the fact that my baby will be 6 and in elementary school, it has all happened so fast ... sniff ... :(  On the other hand, I am very happy for Austin because he is so excited to go to "big school".  I hope that he gets as lucky with teachers there as he did in preschool.  I have to say, they are going to be tough acts to follow ... period!  I just adore these two teachers and consider Austin so blessed to have had them in his life for the last two years.

I will always highly recommend this preschool to parents; it is a great school!  (Kaleigh will be attending in September and she is so excited!)  I cannot say enough good things about Austin's two teachers and the preschool.  They have provided support, understanding, caring, guidance, patience and have given their own time to attend meetings that included Austin's team involved in his treatment.  They could have turned Austin away; they certainly did not have to take on the responsibility of a second year with Austin.  (There are plenty of "typical" children on their waiting list.) They could have said "no" but they didn't.  Words cannot express how grateful I am to these two wonderful women.  Austin's first experience with school could not have been better and I feel so lucky that they offered their hands to help in a time that was so crucial to Austin; to our family ...  They are forever in my heart.  They are the reason Austin was flagged which led to his diagnosis.  They stood by him and helped in every way possible.  It is to both of you that I would like to say, I am so very grateful and appreciate so much what you have done for Austin and for us ... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!  *BIG, BIG HUGS*

All the best!  :)  *HUGS* to all!

FANscination!

A "time-warp" post!

When Austin was around a year old, he discovered fans!  We had them in our house, family members' houses had them, the hairdresser had ceiling fans, the stores ... everywhere there were fans and Austin LOVED them!  As soon as he saw one, he would run to it "FAN"!  It was almost like he was hypnotized by them.  I never thought this was odd, truly.  Just a bit worrisome if he started to touch the buttons and he may get hurt or break someone's fan.  No one else found this odd except Tink ... Tink picked up on a lot of Austin's behaviours and she was the only one who said that this indicated a problem ... I did not believe it at the time.  I just thought, he loves the motion of the fan.  Wrong ... again ... :(

Austin's fascination with fans lasted over two years.  We recently went to the hairdresser's (he has not really been there in a long time) and the hairdresser said, "Hey Austin, there is the fan you loved so much.".  Austin did not even bat an eyelash.  So I told Austin, "You used to LOVE fans!".  "Don't you remember?"  Austin barely acknowledged my question.  He did not remember.  Holy!  I could not believe it!  Hours and hours this child spent in front of fans and now, he couldn't even remember being so fascinated by them?  Completely blows my mind!  How something so significant for so long is now insignificant.

I guess if Mario needed a fan to get him to World 9, it would be a completely different story!  ;)

All the best!  *HUGS* to all! :)