It has been a while since a time warp post; I thought this one would be interesting.
Austin has always had sleep issues. Mostly problems falling asleep when he was little but now he sticks to a fairly typical routine, most of the time. The way he sleeps has brought about some concern, when the position he likes to sleep in was witnessed at his preschool a few years ago. He got sick at school and fell asleep while I was on my way to get him. His teacher said she had never seen a child do this and thought it was odd. He used to sleep this way a lot and I really did not find it strange since he was so big this is how he slept in my stomach, which the nurse who used to measure me, thought was very funny. I figured, well, it is because that what he did while I was pregnant with him. I dismissed it earlier on, but not after the teacher talked to me about it.
Now, the position I am referring to can best described as a pretzel. Austin will sleep folded over his legs with his knees bent to the sides and his hands under his stomach or stretched past his feet. He did this so much when he was little, and if you moved him, he would go right back to that position. He still does it now. When I see him like that at night, I wake him up and move him so he is on his side and in my opinion, more comfortable. He got a laugh about it when we were talking about it the other day. He insists that he enjoys sleeping "like a pretzel".
All the best! *HUGS*
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Calm Christmas
I have blogged before about how Austin is affected by Christmas. The excitement factor is exponential for him compared to any typical children I have ever met. This year, we did things differently. I am not sure how well it was received but Austin being the priority, peoples' reactions were something I would take in stride. I wanted to him be happy and calm, and we succeeded. YIPPEE!
This year, I did not decorate or put up the tree until three days before Christmas. It helped keep Austin from being excited and anxious. We decided we would have a very quiet Christmas, only the four of us for the day and for dinner. Austin had asked if there was going to be a lot of people at our house for Christmas and if he could have a "safe zone" if that was the case. I told him "no" it was just us this year. He seemed very relieved and Christmas was calmer and quieter than ever. Austin did have some small bouts of excitability but nothing compared to years prior. It was nice to see him so content and not anxious. We did go next door for a short visit to open some gifts and that seem to stimulate Austin more than opening gifts Christmas morning.
Yesterday, we went to see my parents, Austin did very well. He is always a little more excited to see my parents since he does not get to see them as much as his other Grandparents and they have a Border Collie that Austin adores! Austin needs to be reminded to sit and not bounce off my parents furniture but other than that, I was amazed at how calm he was and did not think that the quiet Christmas would still be working its magic. He seems very happy and has not mentioned any kind of anxiety about Christmas. It is very nice to see and even if it was hard for some of our family not to see us, it has been worth it to see Austin so content!
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you all a Healthy and Happy New Year!
All the best! *HUGS*
Sunday, December 15, 2013
The Noise Maker
Austin is a very happy boy. He loves to laugh loud, talk and whistle ... A LOT! The last few months, if Austin is awake, there is noise. He gets up in the morning for school and whistles until we leave for school. OH MY! I have to say, it is a little nerve racking. Do not get me wrong, I am happy that Austin is in such a good mood all the time but it is kind of like living with a character from a Disney movie. This is a phase too .... right? :D
A Little Less Restriction, A Little More Freedom ... Please!
Austin is now 8 years old. He has changed a lot since he was first diagnosed at 4. He craves his independence and wants to go off and do things without me attached at his hip, not an easy transition for this Mama! I am, you will be happy to hear, letting him do more things on his own and allowing him the freedom he requests, within reason of course.
It started with Austin at his cross country run in October. This was extremely stressful for me. A 2 km run (that is 1.2 miles for my friends in the U.S.) in the woods on a mountain! OMG! I thought I was going to have a heart attack! My baby, on his own, running through the mountains. Granted the course was taped and marked but still, I had terrible thoughts of him getting off course and we would have to start a search party. His running coach ensured me Austin was doing great and there were no concerns. Rrrriiiight ... There were many schools involved and Austin's team took off from the starting line and I cheered a screamed for him! RUN!!! RUN!!! GO AUSTIN!!! I told him it did not matter if he finished 1st or last, as long as he tried his best and he did! I saw him head into the woods and I swear I stopped breathing, praying he would come out the other side of the markers. Low and behold, just a few minutes later, there he was, running out of the woods! Red faced and in the middle of the pack, I could not tell you how PROUD and EXCITED I was to see him! Not to mention, very relieved! He crossed the line and got his oranges and water. I was so happy and proud, hugging and kissing him (embarrassed the poor guy I am certain, but hey, what do you want, I love that boy!). Austin could not figure out why I was making such a fuss. I explained to him, not so long ago, he would not have followed that trail and we would have had to search the woods for him! He thought I was crazy! He thought that idea of that was very unrealistic. At that moment, I realized, I am still protecting him like he was 4, and, he is not. I needed to let him have a little more room but still be close by. I am a bit overprotective! ;)
The Halloween Dance was the next time we had to go somewhere and he wanted to go and get his drink and ice cream, alone! I was in the gym talking to my friend (Kit) and explained to her that Austin had been out to get his own glow in the dark bands and drink and I was nervous but allowing him to go and do it himself. He returned multiple times from going out in the hallway to get drinks and snacks. It was very stressful for me but after he returned the second time, I was okay. I thought, he really can do this himself and I should not place doubt where it does not belong. He is aware of how the social game is played and having me hovering over him is perceived by classmates. I did not want to embarrass him by my presence and he had a lot of fun, so did I!
In the morning, I have to drive Austin to school, every morning I would park my car and walk him to the school yard. I started to notice the way some of the kids looked at me and Austin and very few parents do this because it is a senior campus, grades 3 to 6 only. I asked Austin one morning, if he would like me just to pull up to the side of the school and he could get out of the car by himself and go to the playground on his own? (I can see him running to the playground from where my car is stopped right next the the school yard.) Of course he wanted to, so each morning this is his new routine. He is always smiling and happy in the morning and loves the fact that he is getting to do more things without his Mama right beside him.
Even though letting Austin have more freedom is not easy for me, it is really helping him feel more confident, that is very important for him as he develops ... I think anyway.
All the best! *HUGS*
It started with Austin at his cross country run in October. This was extremely stressful for me. A 2 km run (that is 1.2 miles for my friends in the U.S.) in the woods on a mountain! OMG! I thought I was going to have a heart attack! My baby, on his own, running through the mountains. Granted the course was taped and marked but still, I had terrible thoughts of him getting off course and we would have to start a search party. His running coach ensured me Austin was doing great and there were no concerns. Rrrriiiight ... There were many schools involved and Austin's team took off from the starting line and I cheered a screamed for him! RUN!!! RUN!!! GO AUSTIN!!! I told him it did not matter if he finished 1st or last, as long as he tried his best and he did! I saw him head into the woods and I swear I stopped breathing, praying he would come out the other side of the markers. Low and behold, just a few minutes later, there he was, running out of the woods! Red faced and in the middle of the pack, I could not tell you how PROUD and EXCITED I was to see him! Not to mention, very relieved! He crossed the line and got his oranges and water. I was so happy and proud, hugging and kissing him (embarrassed the poor guy I am certain, but hey, what do you want, I love that boy!). Austin could not figure out why I was making such a fuss. I explained to him, not so long ago, he would not have followed that trail and we would have had to search the woods for him! He thought I was crazy! He thought that idea of that was very unrealistic. At that moment, I realized, I am still protecting him like he was 4, and, he is not. I needed to let him have a little more room but still be close by. I am a bit overprotective! ;)
The Halloween Dance was the next time we had to go somewhere and he wanted to go and get his drink and ice cream, alone! I was in the gym talking to my friend (Kit) and explained to her that Austin had been out to get his own glow in the dark bands and drink and I was nervous but allowing him to go and do it himself. He returned multiple times from going out in the hallway to get drinks and snacks. It was very stressful for me but after he returned the second time, I was okay. I thought, he really can do this himself and I should not place doubt where it does not belong. He is aware of how the social game is played and having me hovering over him is perceived by classmates. I did not want to embarrass him by my presence and he had a lot of fun, so did I!
In the morning, I have to drive Austin to school, every morning I would park my car and walk him to the school yard. I started to notice the way some of the kids looked at me and Austin and very few parents do this because it is a senior campus, grades 3 to 6 only. I asked Austin one morning, if he would like me just to pull up to the side of the school and he could get out of the car by himself and go to the playground on his own? (I can see him running to the playground from where my car is stopped right next the the school yard.) Of course he wanted to, so each morning this is his new routine. He is always smiling and happy in the morning and loves the fact that he is getting to do more things without his Mama right beside him.
Even though letting Austin have more freedom is not easy for me, it is really helping him feel more confident, that is very important for him as he develops ... I think anyway.
All the best! *HUGS*
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Social Qs
It is interesting to see the changes that occur over time. Austin has always struggled with social cues. His little sister gets these cues easily. She actually uses her awareness to protect Austin from situations she may consider risky. My husband and I watched her push Austin back one day at the park when he tried to go to the swings where some preteens were hanging out and talking. There was no real danger, since we were right there, but she knew the potential. Sometimes it is hard to see a 5 year old looking out for an 8 year old but I am glad she does, she is very protective of Austin. They love each other and care for one another, they do fight like all siblings but their connection is special. I am very grateful they have each other.
I had the chance to go to Kaleigh's school the other day to carve pumpkins. I got to meet all her little friends, and her little "boyfriend" (she has a Kindergarten crush ... so cute! My husband doesn't share my opinion on that one!). She chats back and forth and introduces me to all of them. It is very different with Austin, he has people come up to me and tell me they are his friend and when I ask him who they are, most of the time he responds "I don't know". He has never put a lot of interest in other people. There are kids at school that do really like him and he is starting to change. The social game is tricky, as we all know, and Austin has decided, he wants to play.
Austin likes girls and expresses this to me and his Dad. One girl in particular, he has liked for quite some time. He told this girl that he likes her, not exactly a predictable move when it comes to Austin, but I guess he felt he really needed to tell her. This was his first real encounter with rejection, since she does not feel the same way. "That is alright", I told him. My Dad always told me "There are plenty of fish in the sea." and he was right, he is right a lot of the time. (He isn't going to read this blog post, right?) There are girls always smiling at Austin and hugging him. I am shocked at how these girls actually jump on him and knock him to the ground! Kaleigh and were stunned one day when a little girl at school did this to him. She still really likes Austin. He is a very cute boy, not that I am biased or anything. ;) There is a problem, Austin still likes this other girl. (School day crushes. I had a crush on Elvis when I was 5!) He believes you can make someone like you if you are sweet to them by buying them flowers and candy. I try to explain to him that it does not work like that. You cannot "make" someone like you. He read somewhere that if you are nice to someone, they will like you. He does take things literally. Oh boy ...
We got an email a couple of weeks ago from his teacher saying that Austin was behaving very inappropriately. A few emails back and forth and figured out that Austin was copying what the other boys were doing to try and fit in at school. We did have a discussion and the behaviours stopped. We decided to get another classmates to help Austin with social situations and help understand what is acceptable and what is not. He is really becoming aware of things that may cause him to be embarrassed. For example, I accompanied him to his school dance the other night (parents have to be there with the child) and I sat down in a chair on the side and watched him while I chatted with a friend of mine. Usually, he would go in and dance all night, not this time. He and a friend he was hanging out with met up with a girl and they went off together. I could tell Austin did not want to dance alone and I was not going to suggest to dance with him since I know that would not go over well at this age by his peers. I told him to go ask one of the girls to dance, he said "no". (I think because the girl he really likes was not there.) He told me he had wanted to go home and he was tired. I asked him twice if he was sure and he said he was and off we went. Once outside, he told me he did not want to dance alone and had no one to dance with. I said "Well, I did not think you would want to dance with me now that you are 8!" "Oh Mom! I would be so embarrassed! No, I do not want to dance with you! The kids would think that was not cool!" I think my eyeballs shot out of my head! To hear him say this to me and realize that he is starting to take the social part of life very seriously, just blew me away! I am happy, excited and scared all at the same time.
For Austin to finally take rejection or social acceptance seriously means he can get his feelings hurt. I know we all do and it happens to everyone but for him, he usually does not care, so this has me worried. I think it is great he wants to make friends and be part of the group but he cannot read people well and that is the scary part. All I can do is advise him when I can about what to do and continue to communicate with him as much as possible. I have told him over and over, he can tell me anything. This morning, he was to wear his costume to school for Halloween, he asked me right before he had to get dressed if he could tell me something, of course he could and he did. He told me he was "too nervous" to wear his costume to school (it is a surgeon). I told him he did not have to wear it if he did not want to. He did not want to risk being embarrassed. No problem. He went to school dressed like a regular day. This made him comfortable and happy. I am so glad that he feels he can talk to me. I can only pray that he will continue to do so and that way, I can help him as much as he needs me to!
Wishing you all a very safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
All the best! *HUGS*
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Sad for Sibling
I am trying to cope with some major Mommie guilt after yesterday morning. Kaleigh started Kindergarten Friday of last week. Austin and I waited with her at the bus stop, she got on the bus and we drove to her school to meet her. (She would not let me follow the bus, out of the question!) She is so BRAVE! She got on no problem and followed all the rules. WELL DONE! So PROUD, can you tell? ;)
Yesterday morning, I explained to Kaleigh that I would be driving Austin to school (they go to two separate schools) and I would not be able to meet her at school, was she okay with that? I told her the teacher would be waiting for her and she could line up just like the other day only Mommie and Austin would not be there. She said she was fine. Alright, I thought, she really is a trooper! I admit, I was still kind of unsure but I had to take Austin to school (he does not get a bus) then take him to his appointment later. Everything was going well, Kaleigh and I were waiting for the bus and it arrived, just before she got on she said, "Mommie you are coming to meet me at school, right?" OMG! My heart fell out of my chest and hit the ground! My reply "Uh, no baby, remember I told you I cannot meet you this morning because I have to take Austin." I have this image that flies through my head, remember the Brady Bunch and Jan said "Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!" Sometimes I think Kaleigh must feel that way about Austin because she does question why I have to take him to speech, tutors and appointments. Sigh ... this makes me so sad! I spend a lot of time with her, but I was really not prepared for how this situation made me feel.
When I go to appointments, I can always have Kaleigh with me. She has always been able to be with me. Yesterday, there was just no way I could be in two places at once. After she boarded the bus, it was all I could do to fight back the tears. I kept thinking, she is just a baby! She is only 5! SHE NEEDS ME! I was always there for Austin. I am always there for Austin now. I felt like a bad Momma! I felt so sad for Kaleigh. She did not cry or anything and followed the routine no problem and had a great day but I still could not shake that sad feeling.
Am I being crazy? (Alright, try to resist people okay?) I spend probably more time with Kaleigh than I do Austin (he likes his alone time) and comes and tells you when he wants a cuddle or will just pop up and chat with you, or help in the kitchen. I feel like somehow Austin's needs and my attention to them is going to backfire. I reassure both my children how much I love them. They know, of that I am sure. Is Austin's autism going to drive a wedge between them? Is Kaleigh going to resent me, her Dad or Austin? She questions a lot of things about Austin. I answer them very simply and say, it is who he is, just like you are who you are. She never questions that answer. She is a bright girl. They are both very smart children. I am blessed. :)
This morning, Kaleigh did not ask me if I was going to meet her at school as she boarded the bus. She gave me a kiss, a wave and smile for Grandpa's camera. It is hard to watch my baby walk up those steps all alone and be so independent. It is hard to let go! OH MY! I had no idea it would be this HARD! I am so pleased for Kaleigh though, she is starting her own journey and I am grateful to be her Mother! I LOVE YOU Kaleigh! Momma is SO PROUD of YOU!
All the best! *HUGS*
Yesterday morning, I explained to Kaleigh that I would be driving Austin to school (they go to two separate schools) and I would not be able to meet her at school, was she okay with that? I told her the teacher would be waiting for her and she could line up just like the other day only Mommie and Austin would not be there. She said she was fine. Alright, I thought, she really is a trooper! I admit, I was still kind of unsure but I had to take Austin to school (he does not get a bus) then take him to his appointment later. Everything was going well, Kaleigh and I were waiting for the bus and it arrived, just before she got on she said, "Mommie you are coming to meet me at school, right?" OMG! My heart fell out of my chest and hit the ground! My reply "Uh, no baby, remember I told you I cannot meet you this morning because I have to take Austin." I have this image that flies through my head, remember the Brady Bunch and Jan said "Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!" Sometimes I think Kaleigh must feel that way about Austin because she does question why I have to take him to speech, tutors and appointments. Sigh ... this makes me so sad! I spend a lot of time with her, but I was really not prepared for how this situation made me feel.
When I go to appointments, I can always have Kaleigh with me. She has always been able to be with me. Yesterday, there was just no way I could be in two places at once. After she boarded the bus, it was all I could do to fight back the tears. I kept thinking, she is just a baby! She is only 5! SHE NEEDS ME! I was always there for Austin. I am always there for Austin now. I felt like a bad Momma! I felt so sad for Kaleigh. She did not cry or anything and followed the routine no problem and had a great day but I still could not shake that sad feeling.
Am I being crazy? (Alright, try to resist people okay?) I spend probably more time with Kaleigh than I do Austin (he likes his alone time) and comes and tells you when he wants a cuddle or will just pop up and chat with you, or help in the kitchen. I feel like somehow Austin's needs and my attention to them is going to backfire. I reassure both my children how much I love them. They know, of that I am sure. Is Austin's autism going to drive a wedge between them? Is Kaleigh going to resent me, her Dad or Austin? She questions a lot of things about Austin. I answer them very simply and say, it is who he is, just like you are who you are. She never questions that answer. She is a bright girl. They are both very smart children. I am blessed. :)
This morning, Kaleigh did not ask me if I was going to meet her at school as she boarded the bus. She gave me a kiss, a wave and smile for Grandpa's camera. It is hard to watch my baby walk up those steps all alone and be so independent. It is hard to let go! OH MY! I had no idea it would be this HARD! I am so pleased for Kaleigh though, she is starting her own journey and I am grateful to be her Mother! I LOVE YOU Kaleigh! Momma is SO PROUD of YOU!
All the best! *HUGS*
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Reassurance Brings Relief
Austin went to his appointment this morning. I am relieved to say that the psychologist does not think there is anything to worry about at this time. I am very happy to hear that news!
All the best! *HUGS*
All the best! *HUGS*
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)