Through autistic eyes.....

Update on both of my chilren...

2009-09-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

Well another school year has begun and I have two children in school this year. A lot of big changes for bot the kids I will go over them both....

NICK....

Nick is progressing this summer better than in previous years. One monumental change was a change in his mental health. I have found a new therapist who in turn sent me to a new psychiatrist. These two people have literally changed Nicholas around. He is on new medication as the old ones just were not working for him. Trileptal a mood stablizer and Periactin to help him sleep at night. Nick is more socialable, he is able to recognize his needs and fill his own needs easier as opposed to relying on others to do them for him. He is more helpful and when asked to so something instead of groaning, wining or temper tantrums he say's "okay" or "sure" and then does the task he is asked to do. He was very excited for school. He has gotten taller this year and seemed to like all the teachers and students knowing all his changes. He is very concious of his looks. He has changed clothing styles we went from skater look and south pole and mark echo to now wearing levis and a nice shirt and a pair of vans. He likes the trucker shirts that Ashton Kutcher wears and he bought one for schol. His appearance has become something he realizes he has control on. He love the axe body sprays and deoderants. As far as developmetal changes his fine motor skills are still lacking. For instance tying shoe laces even though he is eleven is still a challenge he does get it done but slower. His maturity has increased this summer. I am hoping for a great school year this year.

MADISON...

Madison went to head start last year and they found auditory reception and speech delays in her. They have now put her in two programs. She attends a Early Childhood Developmental Delayed (ECDD) in the morning at nicks school and then head start in the afternoon. Her normal week will be Monday - Thursday 7:30-4 and Fridays from 7:30-10:55. She rides the bus in the morning and then in the afternoon and really likes that.
The teachers just love Madison she has warmed them right up. They have one aide directly working with her in the room. She outages most children in there by a year and half and is the only one with prior classroom experience. She is kind of a teachers helper and role model at circle time. She has a tendency to want to be the mother of the room always consoling the crying kids.
One new goal for her set this week is word sounds. Any word with an F for the first later has a "sh" sound for her. So fish sounds like sish. Or fork would sound like shork. Maddy has kind of started her own language and way of talking. Those around her can start to understand her more. Those in conversation with her and in subject can understand her words. But if she was to approach you and talk you would not know what she is saying.
It is unclear the severity of her condition. We see the doctor this month and will begin neurological testing on her since her birth was so high risk. We are also looking for any type of of palsy that may of effected her speech since she lost so much oxygen time when she was stuck being born.
I know that Madison is in the right programs. The first day of school was very hard for her she had severe anxiety problems. She has four melt downs and two sick to her stomach episodes. She finally did finish the day. I have noticed Madison is very emotional and sensitive lately and I am not sure if it is her age, life circumstances or more. She has a great team working with her and I am positive we will handle any obstacle in our way accordingly.

I will keep posting updates as I have them and as always thanks for reading my blog and sharing our story!

A much needed update on nicholas

2009-09-04T14:11:00.001-07:00

Well as you can tell I have been MIA lately. Main reason being their was not much to report for nicholas as his progress reversed. But I am glad to announce he is progressing very well. This summer has been a tremendous turn around in our lives. I have a new therapist for him that nick actually looks forward to seeing. In combination with the counselor comes a new psychiatrist and let me first say he is amazing. He specializes in the autism field. He has nicholas on mood stableizer medication. The change in nick is dramatic. The mood swings are gone. He is still a little anxious but that is calming down as well. The new diagnosis is autism still. But they have also added chronic post traumatic stress disorder in direct result of our house fire. They are using he counseling sessions to attack that issue directly. School starts in a few days so we will be better able to judge nicks scholastic progress after that. In all I am optimistic. Less stressed and in all a happy mommy again. I will be posting lots of new pics in the days and weeks to come. As always thanks for taking the time to read my blog and share in our journey!

And so we wait....

2009-01-09T14:37:00.000-08:00

It will be next week till pathology will look at the intestinal tissue biopsy slides so i won't know if he needs surgery till then update more later.

Ann Arbor here we come

2009-01-09T03:32:00.000-08:00

Today we go to ann arbor to the Univeristy Of Michigan Children's Hospital to see a specialist for nicks intestinal problems. This is the last resort for us In michigan other wise we will have to go out of state and that is not going to be good.
So please say a prayer for us today I am worried and just plain freaking out I will post more info when I have it thanks!

Paper, plastic or cloth? Let's do a challenge!

2009-01-04T19:08:00.000-08:00

For years we are use to being asked paper or plastic at the check out line. Then walmart made their super centers where plastic bags are automatically on their lil twirl devices for check out so their went that option of brown bagging it. To be honest I love brown grocery sacks but the plastic handle ones always were so much more convient.

When the craze began I started buying the recycle cloth bags about a year ago. I must say I prefer them over plastic grocery bags. Their more substantal they don't tear like the store plastic bags. Plus you can disguise you're purchases from nosey kids who break into the snack packs.

Don't let their shape fool you they can hold ALOT of food! Their especially great for larger jugs of sodas, juices and can goods that always split store grocery bags. Their are also rumors of stores offering small discounts if you bring you're own bags. I mean lets be honest can you imagine the cost of those cheap plastic bags anyhow?

I have a wonderful collection of bags from walmart, target, meijers, staples, office max and even macy's and pier 1 imports. It's kind of like the crem dela crem of what bags you're carrying. And at only a dollar their not that expensive. Some stores even offer a buy so many get one free offer.

I use my bags all the time for non grocery items, as a matter of fact my son used one for a sleep over saturday night to carry his p.j.'s, underwear, toliteries and change of clothes and everything fit perfect! Their light weight and easy to carry. I also purchased a few of the freezer bags from walmart so now I won't have the wilted boxes of frozen foods that melt and ice cream getting soggy. Even you're milk is ice cold when you get it home.

So I challenge you all to take the cloth bag challenge. Buy five and take them on you're next small shopping trip to pick up a few grocery items and if you are not convinced you're only out five bucks.

If you know of any store chains or local stores in you're area already giving disciounts for use of these bags or offering dicsounts on the purchase of them and free ones please post them.

Let's give this a shot! Who's in?!

I can almost bet you will love them!

To gift or not to gift?

2009-01-02T14:41:00.001-08:00

I am honestly trying to figure this one out. Since the school year began my son has had three birthday parties to attend. He has went to each and odviously buying a gift for the kid. Their has been on he was sick for but I sent the kid a gift card for walmart in a card.

So before the holiday break I gave only a few kids their birthday invites to my sons birthday party and the rest will go out sometime next week. I have received three confirms and two no's one of those being a child who's party nick attended.

Something like this happened last year and what blew my mind was that their were kids who's birthdays we went to that did not come and not even so much as a birthday card!

I am sorry but is it me or is that just RUDE! I mean for us it is if I can't send my son and you took the time to invite him I will send a small gift if you are a class mate and for best friends of his their getting hooked up regardless.

So why as parents don't we do this? Does anyone else send a gift if their kid can't make it or a card especially if the childs party is one who attended a kid of you're own. Just wondering if I am alone in this thought or not thanks!

Is it fate...destiny or insane karma?

2009-01-02T02:10:00.000-08:00

I can't help but wonder is life reliving itself right now......

Two years ago in February will mark that dreaded anniversary of our house fire and I feel like I am reliving my life from then.... allow me to explain my thought process here ....

It began before Christmas when I decided to start replacing specific items my children lost in the fire. I have bought a lot of "like" Items but nothing that was really really the real thing.

It started with a gaming system I hated the xbox 360 my mom & I got him for his birthday and for ages wanted a gaming system where my son was not sitting on his but all the time. The wii cam along and it was like an answered prayer. What i love most about the wii is it is a family system so even my three year old can play especially like sports easy for her to play. Along the same lines he had hand held game systems like the gameboy sp again games that really didn't bring anything to the table to teach and learn from...then came the didji from leap frog all games are learning games and to complete a level you have to complete math problems or spelling words. I honestly could not buy this thing fast enough yah it's a like item but much better of an improvement from power rangers and such.

So i bought the wii and the didji and I am very very pleased with my purchase....
I also was able to replace the shopping cart she use to push around and play with that was a huge suprise to her....the other big replacement was that glow in the dark football nick had lost he loves it and has not put it down since he got it christmas morning!

See at christmas before our fire and nicks birthday I went a lil over the top and bought really nice gifts like the game system...one of those fly pen top computers only to loose them in the fire. Again this year it is great to be able to buy these things and then this happens.....

Nick has a friends birthday coming up this weekend and so the other day I went out to toys r us to buy a gift for the friend. I always stop by their learning area especially leap frog since that is my favorite brand for my kids and besides toys r us is known for their insane clearances you can get a lot of great steals there.

And there it was!!!!!!!! The steal I never anticipated. On the bottom rack, last one there and almost out of sight was the fly pen ultimate homework pack. In it was a fly pen...the notebook.. five cartridges including the spanish *nick loves that class in school.... and the music game and a total of 13 built in games. The box said the original price was $99.00! But the sign said it was on clearance for $24.98 yet their was no clearance tag on the box and I assumed it to be wrong.

So I went to a scanner and it rings up for the $99 i was disappointed, I would have LOVED to replace that for nick. I continued my shopping regardless. I get to the check out and have my items and paid for them. And there sits the fly pen box in my cart still. I must admit that still is a great price and gosh that would be great to replace this for him. But did I really want to spent that much money on one birthday gift?

So I walk over to customer service and ask the guy why it was marked on a tag for that price and not ringing up at the price. So he scans the box and sure enough it ran up for the $99. I began to turn away when the sales guy says ma'am WAIT, apparently when he hit total it came up at the sale price for the $24.98 and without hesitation I said I WILL TAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG to think I almost passed that up and now I have yet again succeded in replacing something so amazing for nick. I literally FLEW with glee out the door just glowing like the cat who ate the canary lol!

But back to the title of this blog is this karma? Perhaps its meant to be. I must say it does have me really spooked out! Even my grandma went ooohhhh thats a little too much like the past.

I am just hoping it is life meant to be back to us in some small way a little more closure for kids who just didn't understand our circumstance and the magnitude of our loss, and bring back some joy to them. I guess this could be a means to an end.....

So I am thinking anniversary date of the fire....maybe maddy can run her shopping car through the house...I can do my wii fit and nick can play with his fly pen top computer,..... ahhhhhhhhhh yes fate it is!

Christmas memories

2008-12-27T12:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas With The Jones Family 2008

Madison & Nick At Grama's Christmas Eve

We began Christmas as we always do. This year was a little weird because a lot of Christmas Eve traditions got skipped. I had to use store bought cookies for Santa because all day I had a plumber here taking apart my toilet because madison put my hot roller clips down the toilet and flushed it! My mom ran late making dinner sooooo dinner was Yup Mc Donald's, double chees burgers, fries, chicken wraps and chicken nuggets with some jones soda....nummy!

We opened gifts there and the kids came home and got ready for mommy to play santa. Once all gifts were out I couldn't sleep for fear the would wake before me and open everything and I would miss it so I had a sleepless night.

Christmas morning they were over joyed and everything went off without a hitch

I wrapped the wii just as I had planned wrapped the wii box... put that in another box ... wrapped that box...then put THAT box in another box and then wrapped that one with ribbons and bows to boot haha it was great!
Nicks reaction was more than I could ask for he opened it seeing the wii sports and goes awesome wii sports he totally didnt get the fact it was a wii till I told him then he knocked me almost over with hugs!!

The next big gift suprise was the guitar hero for the wii! He literally wigged out lol~!

Then was on to the gift that I was so over joyed that I found...the football that glows in the dark he had lost in our house fire...boy was he ever stunned

At some point I lost madison amist all the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows....

We topped off the morning with a nice healthy breakfast minus grama as roads were really bad in Michigan.

So that was christmas at our house more to come from my gramas soon!

I have a terrorist in my house!!!

2008-12-22T12:13:00.000-08:00

My house has been taken over by a terrorist. It is small and vicious. Relentless to say the least. She is three years old and she has tipped this house upside down these past few weeks. Here are her crimes....

Destroying of property....
She climbs every where. First attack was the tub. Namely anything shampoo or body wash that she could run off with and dumb on her bedroom floor. Those bottles are in a high shelf out of reach.
Then we graduated to the drawers in the vanity and emptying them out dumpin all of mommy's bads in the toilet and watch them float! Another thing on top shelves.
Then we moved on up the criminal profile ladder to climbing up the toilet onto the vanity and into the big mirror medicine cabinet and clearning it out. Luckily she couldn't get into anything. I have not found a solution to locking that so all that has been moved.
We have a lock on the bathroom door but the know has a slice so the person needing to get in all they have to do is have something that can fit in that slot to turn the dial generally i use butterknives YUP she learned how to do that as well! I put an eye hook up she took a chair and unhooked it!

Refrigerator thief....
We have had and I am not countin here one bottle of surplus sized ketchup dumped on terrorists bedroom floor....a jar of miracle whip..two bottles of ranch and peanut butter! Their is now a child lock on the fridge. I am waiting to see how long it takes her to figure that out.

Damage to walls....
I have a new hiding place for my purse as she has now gotten into that took my lip stick and mascara and eyeliner and painted the bedroom wall!

Escaping captivity....
I now have a baby gate that blocks her from both sides of the house. YAH that took her a mira second to figure out if she takes her table and chairs set and uses the chairs puts one ont he opposite side of where she is standing and one on the side she is standing she can climb up and OVER the gate :D weeeeeeeeeee aren't we smart!

Destruction to self...
This was just friday.....preschool has been telling me let her pratice cutting paper with child scissors okay I did this. At the kitchen table. I had to go to the bathroom for a moment. I come back out she's gone. Nick comes down the hall saying mom maddy's hair looks different. YOU GUESSED IT she gave herself a hair cut! OH JOY the week befor xmas......christmas pics set for sunday have been cancelled.

Here mug shot.... the side view so you can see her hack job!

And finally today nick left the door unlcoked so she got into the bathroom and flushed a makeup compact down the toilet the plumber has come and fixed the issue.
To resolve this nick has those spy sets and one set has this alarm you put on the back side of you're door so you're parents can't see it and the alarm goes off when they enter....that is now on the bathroom door pending reinstilation of eyehooks at a much higher level!

I fear what is next! Say prayers please!

Looking back at the joy they brought this year

2008-12-22T08:12:00.001-08:00

Looking back at some good times this past year more to come soon....
This is Madison at the apple farm we go their every year usually a few weeks before Halloween. We began a new tradition this year and went on Halloween day. We bought fresh cider and donuts and cookies from their little bakery for that nights feast with all our trick or treating friends.

Out of all the photos I have taken this year this one tugs my heart strings. It reminds me of happy family moments. They are far and few as we are always swarmed with so much going on. It is nice to reflect back to a nice day of just having fun and enjoying a great day. We also went to the pumpkin patch that daey as well. We only go to one pumpkin farm very year. The pumpkin patch isn't that far from the apple farm which is why we go. This year we really did up the yard with hay stalks and even corn and squash to decorate we also bought our first scarecrow he is now part of our decoration family.

That little angel face just captures my heart. I am so lucky to even have her here she is truly a miracle. The mere fact she survived after birth is an honest blessing. This will be one of the photos I take to her nurses at the NICU on her birthday. She truely enjoyed that day.

This is our newest addition to our decorationg meat mister scarecrow. He is made of wind sock material so he is very pliable. I am very pleased with the way this scene turned out looks so festive and the leaves from our bushes set them off! Here is our halloween feast. I made sloppy joes mix in the crock pot. The kids put em on fritos its called an express taco they eat em at school all the time and now it is a staple in my home. Along with that are the cider, donuts, cookies and of course the apples we bought at the apple farm as well. We had such a great day that day.
These memories are some I will cherish going into the new year just love days like these......

It's breakfast time this year.....

2008-12-19T08:48:00.002-08:00

Each year I make a special Christmas morning breakfast for the kids. We plan the menu ahead and shop Christmas eve for the food. The kids like to go as they pick up a special something or other for that morning that we run past and is just fun. I also basically do that cause I love the rush of Christmas eve. I love shopping rushes I live for black Friday sales and 4 a.m. lines for the hottest toys! This year I did things a little extra early because our car is broke down and I am depending on rides till it is fixed. I picked up main ingredients and left off small easy to pick up items to get on our small trip. I also got a few things that are premade to save the time in the kitchen to spend more with the kids. For the first time ever my mom will be joining us Christmas morning and eating with us. The reason being is the kids have gotten a few toys this year like game systems that they can't open until Christmas morning because I do Christmas at my moms on christmas eve night so she would ruin their suprise by giving it to them then. Instead she will be bringing them chrismas morning. So we will have one more mouth to feed that is fine with me! Here is this years breakfast morning feast.
Scrambled eggs
Candadian bacon *usually I buy a small breakfast ham to cook however oscar mayer came out with the precooked candaian bacon slices just like their precooked bacon you get fourteen slices for under three dollars. I can pan sear them so they get that home made taste and save time!
Fresh fruit we will have apples, bananas and oranges to choose from
Pancakes with a maple butter and michigan syrup... I preorder that it tastes so good!
Home made breakfast bisquits i.e. the pillsbuyr ones in a can hehe
and for drinks we have milk, orange juice and I picked up a thing of that welch's sparkling white grape juice that looks like it's in a champagne bottle thought that be fun. I am picking up christmas plastic wine goblets for it to go in they will choose those christmas eve.
I am sure I will add to the menu or the kids will but it is a nice feast and I love to cook it for them! Anyone else got some breakfast treats?

Oh christmas tree...

2008-12-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

Finally figured out how to hook the christmas tree up. Barely a week before christmas and I am JUST starting to decorate the tree. The house on the inside and out have been done for weeks. I have just been swamped. I had the tree up and assembled. But my tree is prelit and the cords are so confusing. My ex was here last year so he did all that. DUH I shoulda watched him do it. But now I figured it out and the tree is lit and so is the angel. Garland tines are on a few bows and the kids home made ornaments have been put up top. We will do the rest tonight as a family I put on christmas music and we go to work! I can't wait! I got all my chirstmas shopping done including the wrapping stuff so I will be spending all weekend wrapping gifts. I even got those awesome round boxes from hobby lobby yesterday. I got the 16" ones so inside I am individually wrapping a pair of pajamas for each of the kids and a fleece blanket. I will then fill in the gaps of space with tissue paper. The boxes are so cute! Nicks is blue and has a bunch of christmas sayings with a burgandy top. Maddy's is green with santas aroudn the bottom and says ho ho ho. I love boxes i also got some cute lil gift bags just adds a lil bit of charm under the tree. I got nicer gift tags and ribbon and bows. I also got candy canes that are plastic ornaments made of red beads and will tie one to the ribbon of a gift for a family member and then they have an ornament from our tree. The kids were snowed out today so neither one of them had a christmas party at school. My feeling is the teachers knew all week the storm was coming that should of been done. I knew ahead so maddy gave her goody bags to all her classmates yesterday. Nicks room has commitees instead of parents having to send treats for every holiday you're child is on a specific holiday list and that is the only holiday you are "required" to send treats. You are always more than welcome to send them but you do not have to if you don't wish too. I like sending them on big holdidays for the kids but the smaller ones I will pass on. I did drop off the teachers gifts yesterday as well so I know they have thiers. Beyond that christmas is ready I am not doing any last minute shopping except for the baiscs for the christmas morning breakfast see upcoming post on that. And batteries of course! That's it I am ready for chrismtas. Cookie day is sunday so watch for pics of that!

What a difference!

2008-12-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

Last night was nicks first practice with his coach since the incident Saturday. What a difference in his coach. I don't know what the director said to him but he was so different with nick. He actually took the time to focus on nick during practice and teaching him defense, working on his shots even had his son working with nick. Nick responded well got four baskets in right off the jump. Now when I first walked in to practice the coach was waiting for the gym to be opened. He says to me I am going to try and get him more play time this week. I looked squarely at him and said their will be no more trying about it he gets it or you will get it! He looked at me and smiled and began talking to one of the refs. He knew I wasn't playing with him no more. So anyhow in practice was awesome it is the best practice yet and he really is working with nick well. Yes nick is ruff around the edges but after what I seen yesterday their should be no reason for him not to play or for the coach not to play him. As my aunt said this is a recreational and teaching program. I do know that is what the director told him. Getting to the game tomorrow shall be interesting to say the least. It is snowing cats and dogs in michigan. My car broke down yesterday hoping to have it back today but if not I will use my gramas car. We are expecting up to ten inches of snow by the end of this afternoon. Add to that we have an 8am game that i have to drag two kids out for. I dare him not to play my son fairly tomorrow. My last butt chewing of him will seem like a pep talk compared to the one he will get so I better see that same coach come out of him saturday in the game as I did last night in practice. I will post the update tomorrow!

Update on the situation with the basketball coach!

2008-12-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

I spoke to my aunt earlier and basically it boils down to this. The director will be having a talking to with him. If he complies with the rules the director will be attending our next few games to be assured that all children on this team are getting fair play.
If he does not comply with the rules then he will be removed as a coach PERIOD. Nothing will happen to my son. He will not be put on a new team no money will be refunded they will simply replace him with a coach that wants to coach children the proper way. Their is actually a list of names of people who WANT to coach but did not get a chance to which is amazing as their is a total of 72 teams this year amongst all the age groups.
So I am content and am awaiting to hear what happens. We have practice on Thur. so I guess we will see if his coach is there. If I hear anything more before then I will update. I don't know if the director is just waiting to see the coach there Thurs. but he does have it written down to call him according to my aunt.
Thankfully the staff there recognized my concerns and are taking action as they should. My son has legal rights as well and I will not hesitate to use these. But I am assured that will not be necessary. Regardless I have his advocate waiting in the wings to pounce if this kid has to be treated like this one more time! I am hopeful that will not be the case keep you're fingers crossed!

How to vote sorry for not saying lol!

2008-12-15T09:19:00.000-08:00

On the left margin of my page you will see two bubbles that say this site has been voted for such and such. Click on those you do need to make a account to vote though. However once you do you can vote for other blogs and also nominate a blog but I don't think you can nominate you're own blog. Anyhow that is how you vote for my blog ty!

If you thought soccer moms were protective you never met this basketball mom!

2008-12-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

One of my sons favorite sports is soccer. Hence the name of my blog. But the past year or two nick has wanted to dabble into other types of sports. He played basketball for the first time two years ago. He enjoyed it and would of played last year but he was wore out and wanted a break.

We started this fall out with flag football and boy did he ever get into that we will
certainly be doing it again next year. But this fall no soccer we are now doing soccer in spring. His regimen is fall football, winter is basketball and soccer in the spring. I must say I felt weird not playing soccer this fall. But I did enjoy the new sport and so did nick.
We went back to basketball this winter. Nick is doing much better in it. He is even getting baskets! But we hit a glitch. We have a coach this year that won the trophy last year and is on a high off it. The first game my son never played! Now let me first say this is recreational basketball. Their is a draft and the coaches pick their players. This coach picked my son we did not pick him. Secondly the rules state that each child must play for eight minutes total each game. The coach was aware of his mistake after the first game and apologized. I let it go.
So then came this past weeks game and he did it again. Nick played. If you want to call it that. For about a lil over a minute the first half and less than a minute the last half. This was completely unacceptable.
At both games I had parents yelling go over there and get after him and wanting me basically to tell the coach off. I had last week talked to the director and asked him what to do he advised me let the coach fix it. So I did but he did not fix it.
I went right over and told that coach after the game all about himself. I told him he was only trying to win and great we won so freakin what my son didn't win he didn't play! How dare you treat him this way I know he is not the best player but my son has to deal with enough scrutiny from people because of his differences how dare you treat him poorly too. What kind of role model do you find yourself to be. Do you have any idea what it entails to get a three year old and ten year old up and outta bed on a saturday morning dressed and ready for a game and arrive by 10 a.m.! I didn't sign up for this but we did not pick you .. you picked him so if you don't want him find a coach who does or tell pat (director) to give me my money back! I then stormed off and did not even give him the chance to explain! I was furious and out for blood and dang near wanted to sock this guy. He kept saying the thing is and i cut him off with the thing is what you want to win oh trust me we got that!
So basically after cooling off while the team pictures were being done I ran into the ref from our game. He also was the ref last week and had confronted the coach about it then. He also was not happy and told me that I need to see the director. So I went over and got pat.
Now see my aunt works for the rec department in fact she signs all the kids up... posts the standings the schedules and all that online. So I know these people. Pat knew I was ticked and we went into the rec office. I told him everything that had happened and what I said to the coach. I told him I felt bad because I did it in front of the kids and I was not trying to disrespect the coach but on the flip side my son needed to see me stand up for him and that is precisely what I did. I also told him you can't tell me if his precious mister future nba player was treated that way he wouldn't blow his stack too! Heck his son never sat out the whole game! Pat agreed and told me he would contact the coach.
Later that day I calmed down and thought okay if this guy is my sons coach we need to hash this out. So I sucked it up and nicely called him to talk he was nice and all we spoke for a meer second and he stated he was at the barber shop and he would call me back when he was done. Today is monday I have yet to hear from him I am not suprised lil chicken!
So I don't know what will happen here but I am furious over this and will not allow my kid to be treated this way. He may be six feet 200 some pounds but I am not afraid of him at all! So say prayers for me this all works out! I will say my son was rather proud of his mom and I am proud of him he handled it very well!

A little bit of closure was first on santas list today!

2008-12-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

Well today some closure came for my family. Specifically my son. As I mentioned in my previous post this christmas I am focusing on finding identical items my children lost in our house fire and bring them back for Christmas gifts. In this way I feel I can bring closure to this situation for all of us especially my son who was old enough to realize the magnitude of our loss.
His birthday had taken place just weeks before the fire. He had his first ever over night birthday party with three of his buddies. One of them was bobby who has now moved away. Bobby had gotten nick a glow in the dark football. Nick loved this gift so much and was yet another toy lost in the fire.
This past fall my son began playing flag football which brought back memories of his lost gift. Many a times he mentioned that football and his desire to have one. It was even on his list to santa.
And so began my search for that football. I have been to every store in this town and no football such as that one was around. Not even at toys r us. I gave up hope and stopped looking.
Today I had to go to target to get some extra Christmas gifts for a few of nicks friends. One of the gifts was a basketball. On just a whim I looked in the football section for just a basic football for nick as he has none.
And there it was! The glow in the dark football. Same size...same brand and same everything as the one lost in the house fire. Not one that was "like" something he had lost it was the actual item. I grabbed the football in pure glee and tears just came flooding out of my eyes. I cannot express the image that popped into my head of him opening that gift Christmas morning and finally be able to give back to him something that meant a lot to him.
I am finally feeling like I am giving my kids back a piece of what was lost to them. Of all the gifts I have bought for my son this one has the most meaning to me and I am ecstatic to see his reaction!

Favorite family holiday traditions share them please!

2008-12-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

Tis the season to share those special times that you and you're family share. It reminds us all of the season upon us and may inspire others to begin new traditions. Here is my special thing I do with my children.
We are a family who loves to bake and make home made candy. Yes the kids dip into the goodies along the way but they really love baking especially making chocolate dipped pretzels with sprinkles!
Each year we bake a cake and then on Christmas night when gifts are all unwrapped and bellies are filled we turn down the lights...light the birthday candles on our cake and sing happy birthday to baby Jesus. I think it brings the whole concept of the birth of Christ into light for my children and makes it feel more as a holiday that is more than getting the new hottest toys. I want to hear you're guys traditions! I would like to add a new one this year I look forward to reading them.

What goes around truely does come around.....

2008-12-08T03:31:00.000-08:00

As many of you know from reading my blogs in february will be the two year anniversary of the house fire my children and I survived. Unfortunately we lost everything we owned in the fire. I learned a lot of things after that fire. Main being whom to count on and whom not. A lot of community and local businesses stepped up to help my children and I replace what we had lost as we had no renters insurance. It has been a tough two years to rebuild but I am in a position where this holiday the children will receive christmas gifts that directly will replace what they lost in our home. This christmas will have a new meaning of rebilding and hope for what we have to come. I wanted this christmast to bring back the toys that once made my children happy. Madisons will again have her shopping cart she use to run thru the living room and kitchen that was melted into the carpeting of our burnt home. The baby doll that as soaken wet from the water from the fire hoses. A few dvds nick had enjoyed watching. A new game system to replace the ones he also lost and also a hand held video game system to replace the ones he lost as well. I spent more money on this christmas then in past years. Oddly enough the christmas before our fire I had done the same thing but bigger more expensive items and to that date was our biggest christmas ever. It is bitter sweet this year but my children will be so suprised at the gifts this year. They truely deserve it as they have gone through so much after that fire and current situations.
So during my shopping season I am reminded of the kindess that came from area stores. Two in particular stuck in my mind. Kohl's and Jc Penny. My sons school district had given us a gift card of a generous amount to replace things we needed from JC Penney. Kohls was contacted by family as I had worked there some years before to help our family.
I still remember the kindness of the empolyees and manager the day I went shopping at JC Penney. They went above and beyond to help us. I was able to replace the main room that brings my family together...the kitchen. I love cooking especially with my chidlren. And dinner time is the one time in a day we all get to sit and eat and sometimes be silly. I was able to replace my pots and pans, stock pots, knive set, dishes, flatware, kitchen towels, glasses, small electronics you know the toaster, can opener etc etc some storage items, mixing bowls, baking pans and sheets, meausring cups other gadgets and lots of other things that make a kitchen just that .. a kitchen. JC Penney made sure that the amount of money I had on that gift card covered the items I had needed. They made us tax exempt and also discounted many items to make things work. I felt so blessed that day and felt a piece of my life was put back in place. I couldn't wait to use new kitchen items in our soon to be new home.
So this past friday I had to go shopping for family members and also to get nicks basket ball shoes for his first game saturday. I went to JC Penney first to get his nike's as I knew they were on sale there. That's me always lookin for the bargain lol. I also knew kohl's had their bath towels on sale for $2.99 that evening that was the gift for my grandmother I planned to pick up as well. After getting my sons nikes I passed the bed and bath section at JC Penney. I noticed they had their towels for $3.88. Now knowing me I always go for the deal and kohl's was only across the street.
But then I remembered that time after my fire and all that JC Penney had done for us. I also remembered what kohl's didn't do for us in that they never contacted the family back to assist us. And in that moment I stepped away from my bargain antics and bought the five bath towels At JC Penney. I also bought cordinating hand towels, my grandmother a large fleece blanket with snowmen on it and my mother a fleece blanket as well with angels decorating it. I also purchased the shoes for my son there too. I spent a little more then I intended that day but to me I made the right choice. My mom questioned me when she learned where I had purchased my grandmother's gift. She knew I always loved kohl's towels. I explained to her my reasons and she smiled at me and said I am so proud of you. You really have learned so much and grown you amaze me.
I knew I had made the proper decison more than ever after that statement. You see sometimes it's not always about the bargains and deals it is about giving back and that day I gave bak to a store who gave so much to us. I plan to give back more this holidays and help out as much as I can in a small way giving back to also a community that took me and my childrens tramatic incident and turned into a blessing of little angels giving to help us. I just wanted to share this with you all in holiday spirit. Happy shopping and as always.... Happy Holidays!

Vote please!

2008-12-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

My page has been nominated for two awards and I am so honored for it. Please vote for the page if you wish to by clicking on the little icons on the left. You can also nominate me or any other blogger for a few categories. Thanks mom for the nomination you really have been a great support the past few months. I appreciate all the love thank you!

Hello everyone I am back!

2008-12-07T01:22:00.000-08:00

I have missed everyone so much thank you for all you're support in my sons journey. Alot has changed we did not have a computer for a very long time so I plan on updating you alot so please keep watching my page for all the new stuff!

Top ten things to do the day after christmas

2007-12-26T12:31:00.000-08:00

It's over. The shopping is done, the presents are given, received and all open. Now what?
1. Read the ManualThat nifty digital camera you just got has 72 different functions. If you take the thing out for a joy ride before knowing how to use it properly, you won't get the results you expect. It's okay to read the manual, that why it was so carefully written for you. Don't be afraid. You can do it.
2. Let Your Fingers Do the WalkingSit down behind your new (or trusted old) computer and cruise the web for after Christmas sales. No lines, no parking lots...
3. Stay Clear of the MallsUnless you are a glutton for punishment, do not by any means, venture out toward the malls. The day after Christmas is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year, with all the returns, (Aunt Maggie refuses to believe you are a size XL and insists on getting you medium, you got something from a Secret Santa that would clearly be better for someone else...) The parking lots will be jammed, the lines long, just don't do it.
4. Head Straight For the MallWell, some people LOVE this day because of the bargains. Christmas merchandise is half off and you can finally afford that centerpiece you've had your eye on. Be there first to get your hands on it before somebody else does. (But the caution about the parking lots and the lines in #3 above still hold true).
5. Get Creative With RecipesWhat to do with the leftover turkey? Mix it with a bunch of other stuff and call it a casserole!

6. Start Planning Your New Year's ResolutionsTake a hard look at where you are and where you would like to be. Start thinking about the steps needed to get there from here. But be sure to make your goals reasonable or you will be setting yourself up for failure.
More Info
7. Be Reminded of What the Season is All AboutThis season is about the big family. Jesus came as a brother to break down the walls that cut us off from our Father, from each other, and from what is best in us. He came to draw us together as we've never been together before, and to help us forge bonds that will be harder to break in the push and pull of everyday life.
More Info
8. Celebrate Boxing DayBoxing Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand the day after Christmas. Find out the different different ways there are to celebrate this holiday and how the holiday started.
More Info
9. Holiday Decorations Storage TipsFor many people, the day after Christmas is too soon to put everything away. But for those with a hectic lifestyle, taking advantage of one more day off of work to at least start putting things away could be a lifesaver. You don't want to be stumbling around those centerpieces in March. Here are some tips that will help preserve those beautiful decorations for years to come.
More Info
10. RelaxEnjoy the feeling that the rush is over. Sit on the couch with your new book and enjoy. Use some of the fragrant bubble bath crystals you got and bask in a hot bath. Or talk a relaxing stroll with your new outerwear.

Sorry for the lack of posts!

2007-12-26T12:08:00.001-08:00

Life has been SO crazy lately I will update soon but I am back needed an online break to get some things in life in order and spend the holidays with the kids and families I have alot of new info to share! Talk soon!

It begins this week

2007-12-10T11:40:00.001-08:00

As of thursday I will FINALLY have my life back as just being mom. HIs support specialist comes to our home thursday to begin his new plan as well of tons of resources for us.
No more doing all the stuff I was as far as my sons care goes his support specialist takes over all the aspects of his medical care and I just show up. No more calling places, setting appointments geting authorizations running around for release of information forms he covers it all.
I just get to be mom. I get to go and enjoy the services offered to us. I finally get a chance to sit back and soak it all in and use this time to help my son and our relationship get stronger because of it. If I need something done or a doctor recommends it I call him. He handles the rest I have to give up control of the situation somewhat and I am relieved and nervous generally because I have let it others hands before and they have failed us I won't tolerate that.
I will say it will be a switch for me I am so use to doing it all alone. And to be quite honest I am at my ropes end with it. It is way to much but I have always been that I won't wait around for someone else to do it I'll do it my damn self kind of person. I hate depending on people. But for myself and for nick I need to here. I was exhausted and bitchy I have been such an easier calmer person since things have slowed up. I am definately looking foward to giving this guy control of the situation.
I know I do more than I "have" to with nick but it's the extras that have really shown progress in him if I had been doing it and seen no change I of stopped long ago. He is in such a different place right now. Just typing this brings tears to my eyes. To think of where he is and just the changes I see it gives me hope that he will overcome this and he will he okay in life. He truly inspires me with all he has been thru he still holds strong he is so resiliant I mean at first it is hard for him but now he strikes it up with pride I am so proud to be that boy's mom.
He accepts so much responisblity for himself and even when he lacks it he acknowledges his own faults instead of blaming others. I boast that to all the staff that have been working with him and with me. I will say the break from mental health and pysch appts has been nice but he needs that follow up. He sees his family doc next month just to update him where we are at and what plan is in motion it is all falling in place.
Then the end of next month starts a new chapter we go down to hurley neuroscience to begin his neurological consulation and to start the testing which will include the formal autism testing. This added piece of information is going to be vital for nicks future as we have determined this is not a behavioral situation. This is involving the neuro transmissions or lack there of in his brain. The behavior is just a reflection of this but not the sole problem.
I am anxious and scared at the same time. I am afraid of what they will find I am even more afraid of if I will handle it or not. I am just scared in general but I always get this way when new things begin. I think it is normal as a mom. They will begin with brain scans and things like that. Perhaps the neurologist knows of better medication regimins for him. His is working okay but not enough for what I would aquire it too. Because my expecations with medication are high because we have seen strong success with it in the past. But right now he is leveled out on his meds and I am kinda concerend. All that with time will resolve itself.
Well here is to new beginnings and new found fears and a glisten of hope ill update soon! Wish us luck!

Even Our Greatest Days Have Their Challenges

2007-11-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a better day we had a spirit hockey game to go to a local OHL game. It was a cops vs fireman game nicely nick named guns vs. hoses. It went well we took along one of nicks friends and his mom they had never been to a game before. They moved here from florida a few years ago and are just getting new to the area. We have plans to do alot more things. The boys got to go into the blue line club room kind of a VIP thing. My friend julie works with cops n kids and got us the tickets for free. Cops n kids is a program by us that does alot of community events cops presence are there to put a good face on them to the kids to overcome prejudice kids hear alot about cops especially in poor and violent areas. They gave all the children books and they also had the k9 dog there. Anderson eye associates gave away aviator style glasses to everyone who came the boys liked that.
Here are some pics from last night

The Boys with their cops n kids poster to support the program

Nick by the streeet light kind of cool pic

My niece kayla and nick she was in the crowd

The boys geting autographs at the blue line club

Nich pregame in blue line club

We love jets pizza cute pic

Nick Signing the star spangled banner

Things went well during the game and afterwards they had fireworks set up. That is where nick lost it he began crying he cannot stand the sound. At first I got irriated but then I had to check myself once again reminding myself that this was one of many things I will miss out on doing because I have to put him first. I know it sounds selfish but there are alot of times I pass up doing things because of his fears. But he has to come first I know that so I calmed him down in the bathroom had a talk with him and we went to the post game party in the blue line club.

There the boys played air hockey and got to meet the players and get their programs signed by the hockey players. I got alot of pictures. It was just another day with a friendly reminder of what my life is like with him and the things we will have to continue to over come. It was a small obstacle but again a reminder. I felt bad for cameron he had to miss out but it was his choice to do so he understands nick and is a great friend. Not many kids understand nick so I feel very blessed to have the ones we do.

We had a wonderful time that night and I am so grateful to have the time share with him. I like doing these kinds of things. It gives me a sense of normalcy amonst the chaos that seems to surround our lives.

Progress is underway!

2007-11-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Well I got most of what I needed to done today as far as nick goes. I contacted the guy at scmha and he contacted his supervisor to inform her of the things that went on at our last place and that we do not need these downfalls. They have set us up with a support services cordinator that person will handle EVERYTHING for me that I need when it comes to dealing with them THANK GOD! I cannot tell you that in alone makes my life easier. I will be getting a call within the week to set something up so I just await that.

On a side note nicks meds are causing him side effects and he got sick at school again so they sent him home. Basically I am just going to get his family doc to sign a form that he is having these side effects what they should do and not to send him home. I am also going to send some pepto bismal tablets to the office for him they worked before so I am sure they will again.
I talked to the principal and basically told her he can't keep being sent home and she needs to figure out what the school needs. She went into this speal about how it's district policy when a child gets sick to their stomach to send them home. YES that is true HOWEVEr when you know darn and well this child has specific medical side effects it makes no sense then you complain about him missing figure out what you want. I took no missed step in reminding her nick is not "every" kid he is a special needs kid and the school needs to make the adjusments accordingly to do so (I swear one day I am going to tape record myself and just press play LOL ). I know the school is concerned about the fact of classmates going home and telling their parents a child is sick in the room alot and parents getting all alarmed. So I said well simple solution send a note home to parents letting them know that their is a child in the room that does on occasion get sick but it is not due to illness but to medication side effects and that no kids are in danger of becoming ill by him HELLO DUH! LOL I swear I am doing everyones jobs here and they are gettin the flippin paycheck.

Atleast I know someone else is stepping in to help I mean isn't that what is suppose to happen? I swear it's not rocket science here people but boy they make it seem like it I swear one day my life story will be a sitcom watch for it!

Three strikes WE ARE OUTTA THERE!

2007-11-08T01:16:00.000-08:00

Today was the day of I am not taking this crap anymore! Today I hit a boiling point. I was so exhausted this evening I cried to sleep I haven't done that in forever. Kind of like the emotional hang over I have been refering to that is how I feel. Parenting is never easy but when you have a special needs child it is draining to say the least. I am constantly at battle with doctors the school you name it I fight them and today I won my fight a little more.
It began last may when after our fire nick hit a hard depression and he had alot of needs as far as counseling goes medicaiton etc. Problem is our health insurance only allows so many visits per year and we had more than whiped those out. His counselor more than assured me comm mental health will step in. For a month I kept in constant contact trying to get more appoitment approval. On his psychiatrist visit in may they reput him on the only medication that worked. I walked to the front desk I had actually ran into his councelor the week before at walmart. He told me he was going on vacation for a few weeks so to please schedule something. When I requested to do so they informed me that the week prior he had walked in told them the next day was his last day and quit and went on to a different job. STRIKE ONE!

SO I was livid but what can you do I was assured he'd be given a new conselor that was in may it was july before I went over their heads and got comm mental health to cover his appts and august before we were assinged a new counselr that's three months no therapy and into september. Since may we have had 2 counselor appts four were scheduled. The counselor went home sick one day and it has taken me a month to get a return call to schedule a new appt for today. They never even called me to tell me he was out sick that day just when I showed up they told me I was a lil irritated.

After nicks insurance kicked back in I had Comm mental health authority (cmha) evaluate my son. He met their crietria for DD (developmentally disabled) Services and we will get respite (babysittting for nick while I get a break and they pay for it YAH), conseling, psych, summer camps and so many more things. But since his therapy was already in place where we were and I didn't see the need to uproot him again I declined those sevrvices but knew at any time I could change that and there would be a wait list on the psychiatrist though.

During our appts the new counselor brought my attention to the need of neurological testing for nick but he had to find out who did the referal to the neruologist our counselor thought was the best to do so. We needed to find out exactly where on the autisim spectrum he was but more importantly testing of the brain to see where the neurotransmissions were lacking. It would consist of eeg's maybe cat skans etc. After numerous attmepts to get this referall from our insurance and actually approaching the psychiatrist myself I took matters into my own hands a week ago. I called my sons legal advocate extremely irriated and fed up she advised me to go ahead call the neurologist schedule an appointment and inform them of it and put a push for the referall.

SO I called the neurologist that the counselor was referring to. THEY DO NOT TAKE OUR INSUARANCE and to make matters worse they do quesiton and answer testing no EEG's not what we needed and even more worse the psychiatrist that we see at this center WORKS THERE and KNOWS they don't take our insurance so why in the same blazing hell would they even waste time with this STRIKE TWO!!!!!!!!!

So now I am literally foaming at the mouth screaming at his advocate in apsolute flustration. I am so lucky to have her that is what she is there for she listenst to my bitch session and then helps me with the next step we work great together. But today I was fed up and she totally understood. I hung up with her and began phone call upon phone call I went online searching for pediatric neurologists in our area. Hurley popped up. Nicks gastronologist is there and I really like it there. So I called one office but they were for adults they gave me the number to patient services. They gave me two numbers. I called the first one but they required a referal from the family (not psych) doctor and it be six months before they had an appt. That won't work! I called the second place NO referal needed and we see them Jan 28th FINALLY we are getting somewhere.

In my phone talk with his so called counselor monday I informed him of this new appt. Today was a hell day nick had school till 10:50 I had parent teacher confrences at 12:20 his conselor at 3:00 and his psychiatrist at 4:10. His orgianl psych appt was at 5:20 but since we were there they would just work us in right after his counselor was done.
I had spent the day at my grams cause she was watching the kids and I don't take madison to his mental health appts that is our time to work together. So I arrive to the counselor appt and they inform me YET again he left early sick further more the psychiatrist was not even IN until 4:30 so the whole four o clock thing was bullshit anyhow. STRIKE DAMN THREE!
Well that was it, with the mishandling this summer, the neurology, no contact and now this I was done with this place. Nick was crying he can't handle this crap all the changes is just to much on him.

So I got in the car called his family doctor I informed the nurse I was done there and that CMHA could start counseling immediately but the psychiatrist was a wait list and that is who handles his meds. I wanted to know if the family doc would cover it until then. She brought us right into the office I stopped home grabbed all of nicks papers IEP's etc etc and current pill bottles. On my way there I called his advocate who is like ready to strangle this place informed her what was going on and what I was doing and also called his counselor at the school to see if she thought this was a good step she said it was and also gave me a few names of other places to handle his mental health if this don't work out.

I Went over to the appointment the doctor TOTALLY unerstood my flustration and was furious himself with them. This doc treats his kids like his own. When he gives them their immunization shots or any shots he hugs them after and during he tell them I love you I mean he is the sweetest damn thing. He talked with us for an hour and really feels that CMHA is the best place for nick because of his age. He also said we were on a good track with the neurlogoist and assured me I was doing the right thing. He filled his perscriptions plus gave us two refills to cover us and will see him back in a few weeks just to monitor him His family doctor doesn't really deal with this stuff but he refers out to good places so he is always so much I help I really REALLY like this doctor.

It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulder at that moment. I didn't have to deal with this place anymore. I contacted the center told them I was done sending my son there. The lady I deal with there said she seen it coming and was really sad to see us go. She also said that his counselor will get his file to close it and to expect him to contact us to try to talk us out of it UGH TO LATE. PLUS she is sending our file to the head of the center to bring attention to this crap. She wished us good luck and told me his file will be there for 7 years if I ever need it. Now I just need to contact the guy we deal with at CMHA tomorrrow to get him in to a counselor asap and get us on the wait list for the psych doctor.

When I got home I had a very sweet message from his advocate and I called her and told her what the family doc was doing. She was so happy for us and assured me that I am not the only one dealing with this and just to relax and know that atleast at CMHA she can attest that he is in good hands.

Here is my thing on all of this. These places these so called FAMILY SERVICES are suppose to be a support system FOR US! They are suppose to be helping me and guiding me on how to help my son. Not making matters worse for me and stressing me all to hell. I am doing all the damn work and they are getting the paycheck! It is a shame that a mother who doesn't know crap about any of this can get more done in two days than these nimrods with medical degrees!
I am just so fed up with inadequate people caring for my son and I will not tolerate it any longer. Time is of the essence with him a day missed is a three day down fall for him. Nick was out of it today he doesn't handle this crap and I am tryin to keep my cool not to uspet him but I know he sensed the flustration in me. If anything I want him to see I ain't puttin up with this shit. I hope he seen that today Even the nurse noticed his eyes were showing stress signs at the docs office and did a blood pressure on him to make sure he was alright.

Once I got home and calmed down I took nick aside and explained things with him. And spent a little extra time with him tonight. The good side is he was not attached to this new counselor, his old one he had for a year and a half so that was hard on him. I told him where we were gonna go he really likes the guy from CMHA and there are more programs there like tuturoing and mentoring programs just to name a couple. I told him it was a good step ahead and we need to do this so he can keep doing better in school.

This was the first postitive parent teacher confrence I have had in years. The staff working with him now is his best team yet and they really recognize his strengths. One big change is we are gonna stop focusing on what he can't do and more on what he can or could be doing instead. Nick will defeat himself before he tries becaues he fails so much. But they see that when he realizes how much he really CAN do the pride he holds is amazing! He will now get one on one with his math with the resource teacher. He will participate in more regular classroom learning but not be requried to be called upon and will be reassured of this and it will be up to him to raise his hand to participate. The staff really is working hard with him and it is so nice to see and I do believe alot of it has to do with the fact that they are seeing more of me in there and me pushing and doing more now then ever. I think it makes a huge difference. I don't really fight with them I basically tell them what I expect and do it or else! LOL so far it works.

Well that's what happened I know it's hard for my friends who don't have a kid with needslike this to even comprehend what I go thru DAILY I will say count you're blessings for what you got. I wish nick had the lifestyle their kids do but at this point the best thing I can do is keep him active as his family doctor said things like soccer will keep him motivated give him goals and things to look foward to. So for now I try to give him as "normal" of a life like other kids he can and just hope it all falls in place real soon thanks for listening to my rantings -rach

1/2 dozen cider donuts or a gallon of gas?

2007-10-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

Well it is offical my family traditions are causing me more headache at the cash register year upon year. Yesterday was our family day of pumpkin farm and apple farm visits. At the pumpkin farm we get a pumpkin for each child some popcorn and those lil apple shaped plastic cups with cider in them. The kids go on a hay ride go thru the jumping thing and feed the animals.
The high winds put a bash on most of that the kids never did find a pumpkin THANK GOD cause the prices are now 6 and 7 dollars A SINGLE PUMPKIN I remember when they were just a dollar or two maybe three at most a few years ago. So we got the apple cider and two popcorns the tab came to almost seven bucks WOW! But the kids ran thru the pupkin patch and had fun I got videos and pictures so I was pleased with that as well. They liked the baby pumpkins better so they bought those at two dollars a piece that was fine.
So on to the apple farm. First my tradition is the bakery in there sells these god's gift in the shape of a cookie. Oatmeal raisin with icing I ordered two the tab came to 3 dollars FOR two yes TWO cookies these suckers use to be 75 cents a piece as well. They are not gigantic just a normal sized cookie. So then we got cider and donuts another ten dollars later a half a dozen cider donuts are up to 3.75 almost the cost of a gallon of gas! A gallon of cider was 6.25 holy moly!
It is sad because the price of everything dampered a lil bit of our trip my mom was enraged sayin how outrageous it was even though I agreed I failed to let it bother me. What it boiled down to at the end of the day I was with my kids and we were a family doing our traditions ones I have done since I was a child and having a blast. The kids didn't see price tags all they seen was the normalcy of it all and even in spite of what we went thru as a family through our house fire we still will continue to do the things that makes us happy cost aside. It may be less and far and few between but it will be done. We finished the day by getting our trick or treat baskets, madison a costume and i got the kids their goody bags. We went to a magic show at my aunts work nick won some prizes including free ice skating passes at the ice arena, some free frosty's a slurpee, and alot of bowling passes. Only thing left is to get snacks for trick or treat night, and treats for nicks classroom. All in all it was a well day and I am so blessed, but I have to wonder how many families stopped their traditions or have limited them becaues of the cost?

Gingerbread Play Dough for kids

2007-10-28T10:02:00.001-07:00

Gingerbread Playdough1 cup flour1/2 cup salt2 tsp. cream of tartar1 cup water1 tsp. veg. oillots of cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, whatever!(the recipe called for food coloring, red and green to make brown, but Ididn't need any after I threw in my spices).DIRECTIONS:Mix the dry ingredients. Play with the spices till you get the scent youwant and the color. Mix water and oil together first and THEN add them tothe dry ingredients and stir. In a pot, cook the mixture for two to threeminutes, stirring frequently. The dough will start to pull away from thesides of the pan and clump together. Take the dough out of the pan and kneadthe dough until it becomes soft and smooth. Allow to cool and store in anair tight container.

Oreo Balls KIDS love these!

2007-10-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

Here's two recipes for Oreo balls. The first one is more difficult.
1 pkg. Oreos1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese1 pkg. almond bark
Twist Oreos and take apart.
Scrape cream from cookies and put into large bowl. Add cream cheese to bowl and cream together.
Put remainder of cookies into a Ziploc and seal. Use a rolling pin to finely crush.
Add finely crushed cookies to the creamed mixture and stir.
Roll into 1-inch balls and chill.
Melt almond bark.
Dip cookie balls into almond bark and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Let set and enjoy!
Makes about 3-4 doz
Here's the Easier method *Use same ingredients as above1. Crush oreos in food processor, until finely chopped2. Add Cream cheese to food processor and mix with oreos3. Roll into balls and chill (mixture will be dark-black)4. Melt white chocolate bark or almond bark5. Dip cookie balls into bark and place on wax paper covered cookie sheetSet and enjoy- Yummy. Makes 3-4 doz.

There's always more to it than you think....

2007-10-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

For some reason or another my son has aquired the art of throwing up....everyday at school...after lunch. Soon he shall tick the lunch ladies off and they will refuse to serve the child. We have yet to find the reason behind his sudden worship to the porcelin god. I have asked him if their is an issue on the play ground or maybe on the bus to where he wants a ride home as opposed to the bus.
Talking to his counselor today I pondered the thought is he "making" himself throw up. But then I thought no because he even sacrifices his earned reward of being a helper witht he three and four year olds cause he was sick.
My last resort could be this. His medication. What I am thinking of is the schedule of his eating. Breakfast I serve around 6:45 because he catches the bus at 7:08 he then takes his meds before leaving. I have been packin larger snacks like something with an apple tomorrow i am doing a yougurt and half a peanut butter sandwich. I add in apples things of that here and there snakc is about 10 am and lunch is not till 12:25 so lets base this he eats breakfast and his next full meal isnt for another six hours THAT is far too long.
Now the school says their is nothing they can do I beg to differ I will send xtra food for him I have a great reputation witht he kitchen staff because of a dietary need last year I can talk to them about storing things I purchase for him at school. That way it is on hand and accesible.
So I guess I have to determine whether or not this is medical or behavioral. Time will tell but it just one more lovely thing to deal with I love his voicemails he calls me form school witht his sound in his voice like hes dying...mom I just threw up! Thng is going to get him is out of the question since technically he is not ill. We will see what happens anyone have this problem before if so give m insight!

Angel Food Ministries....

2007-10-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with you all this program I found a few months ago. You buy groceries you pay only 25 dollars and you get 70 dollars worth of food these are fresh foods and frozen no outdated foods or breads etc or damaged food. There is no limit on how many of these boxes you can buy and they also have monthly meat specials that are REALLY good once you buy a box for 25 dollars you can get as many of these meat specials as you like. I am a single mom am always looking for a way to save on the grocery bills. Hope this helps below is octobers menu here is the website you can go there find you state the menu and host locations in you're area then you contact them for sign up dates they take all payments cash ebt foodstamps and I believe creit cards too. THERE IS NO APPLICATION and no INCOME requirements EVERYONE can get these foods! Most are distributed through the churches!
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

here is the menu let me know if you need help with this!

4) 5 oz. Ribeye Steaks
(1) 3 lbs. Breaded Frying Chicken
(1) 2 lbs. Salisbury Steak Entree w/ Gravy
(1) 24.5 oz. Supreme Pizza
(1) 2 lb. Chicken Chunks
(1) 24 oz. Pork Roast
(1) 16 oz. Chicken Breast Fajitas
(1) 12 ct. Corn Tortilla
(1) 15 oz. Pork & Beans
(1) 16 oz. Fresh Carrots
(1) 24 oz. Homestyle Hashbrowns
(1) 16 oz. Corn
(1) 16 oz. Bean Soup Mix
(1) 5.5 oz. Pancake Mix
(1) 7.5 oz. Mac & Cheese
(1) 7 oz. Lasagna Dinner
(1) Dessert Item
ALL THIS FOR THE LOW COST OF JUST $25
** One or more specials available only with the purchase of a regular unit. **
OCTOBER SPECIAL
#1Meat Combo Box - $18.00 (4 8-oz. T-Bones, 2 lb. Ribeye Roast)
OCTOBER SPECIAL
#2Strip Steak Special - $18.00 (4 8-oz. K.C. Strip Steaks, 4 8-oz. New York Strip Steaks)
OCTOBER SPECIAL
#3Family Convenience Meal Special from Golden Cuisine - $18.00 (Five Delicious Individual Dinner Entrees with 2 sides per meal: Cheese Manicotti, Macaroni & Beef, Beef Pattie & Gravy, Chicken & Noodle, Chicken Breast & Mushroom Sauce, Includes five breads, five milks, ten margarine cups, and five desserts.)

Long gone are the days

2007-10-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Tonight I decided to make a redvelvet bunt cake. No particular reason except my inner baker creeped out. I like the cupcakes but passed on the idea. And then it got me to thinking. Long gone are the days when you made these things and sent them to schoolf or the kids cupcakes for the class or a pie or cake for the office ladies. Long gone are the days of office ladies YOU WANT to bake for LOL perhapes thats where the concern lies. Mean office woman getting posioned LMFAO no im not thinkin that . Just thinkin what a nice thing it be to do that for the teachers longe or something. Now a days you gotta pay 9 bucks for six cupcakes I can knock out four dozen for that price! I miss the days when parents were able to come into school and read books or help the teacher whenver they had time. I have to call first and set up an appointment before I can even ask my sons teacher a question after school. The prinicpal guards the doors down to the classrooms with her life. It's like we will teach you're kids but don't bug us. We want you're tax dollars but you're not welcome here and you're input is not required. WOW thanks makes me really have SCHOOL spirit right? I only have my child at this school because of the programs they have so it puts me in a spot. My daughter will never enter that school once he is gone I assure you that! Anyone else feel this way?

This is EXACTLY why I shop there!

2007-10-20T11:32:00.001-07:00

So today began the search for a black spiderman 3 cosutme for nick. Madison has two play outfits ones a ballerina and the ohter is snow white. The ballerina has a too too a wand the shoe coves and a head band. The snow white has a slip on skirt and top , tiara, purse and those gosh for sakin plastic shoes. I will choose one of those probably the ballerina its SOOOO cute! She is only two and really doesn't get the concept of halloween so I can get away with it for now and enjoy doing so!
So back to spiderman I started callin first call was target they didnt have it but it was 24.99 when they did OMG! Meijer, walmart and kmart all were out or didn't have it. So I call halloween usa and they had it BUT it was 34.99 OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG AGAIN Nick yells rather loudly NO WAY tell them 9.99 is my final offer! Nice try nick! But he wanted it and he was very persistant on it so I let it be and asked the guy if I gave him my credit card number would he please hold it for me until I can drive out there NOPE they don't do that I was like GREATTTT. So I jump online and start searching stores for it.
Toys R Us Pops up and im like okay so I go there 9.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAH so I called the store and fabuloso willy (luv this guy) answers and he checks they have two sizes left one is my sons size so I ask the price he says 29.99 I said WILLIE WILLIE the internet of you're store has it for 9.99 he asked OH REALLY so he price checks it and its 14.99 on sale ILL TAKE IT! I figure with cost of shippin it be that anyhow online. So I ask him the million dollar question. Willie if I give you my credit card number or heck pay for it and then pick it up will you hold it for me pretty please! He resonds sweetie ill hold it for you just give me you're name. CHA CHING! AND THAT folks is why I shop @ toys r us! LOVE THAT STORE so we are off to get his costume and pumpkin buckets!

Monday is the big day for nick!

2007-10-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Monday will be his first day as a helper in the 3&4 yr old preschool room. He did all his work this week even homework and has no homework this weekend THAT MY FRIENDS IS A FIRST! I am so excited for him and he is so proud of his work bout time the school figured something out right? LOL Ill let you all know how it goes!

A day like this.....

2007-10-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

This was previously written on a blog on myspace but VERY much worth sharing here just a tip of the ice berg of my days!

So I am totally running late this morning. I missed my sons bus and had to be somewhere right away so I had to call in my back up plan. I get to his friends house he rides to school with them alot. I pull up front to walk him up but where I can keep an eye on madison she was just playing and eating her cheerios. I go to the door camerons mom greets me I say a quick hello and ty and tell nick ill see him at the bus stop this afternoon. I go back to the car and out of the corner of my eye I notice something wasn't right with madison shes ghostly white! I run over to the door freaking out and open it up and this lil SHIT had gotten ahold of her poweder bottle out of her bag and COVERED her face in it! She looked like a friggin powered donut. WHERE WAS MY CAMERA! OMG It was in her hair and every where what a mess! She is sitting there totally idle knowing she did something wrong and like she is waiting for the scolding I didn't even give her it. It was so precious as I am grabbing anything i can to whipe this off her she just sits there with this mommy im so sorry look in her eyes I just melted but damn she scared me I had been on the opposite side of the car when I noticed that something wasn't right. OMG I think my heart is still racing! This girl is gonna be the death of me! Needless to say I was late.....

The Reason I have ads on my page....

2007-10-19T16:11:00.000-07:00

I want everyone to undestand this as easy as possible. I am an affiliate for several companies I chose to apply to. These companies review my page and decide whether or not they want to let me advertise their companies. I have had two particular companies write me back and not in a computer generated way but a personal email from the person in charge saying how excited they were to be a part of a page supporting autism. That is why those ads are there please do support them it has nothing to do with compensaition for me to be honest I have found some really unique and different companies to share with you and the list will continue to grow. I personally like ELF makeup for a buck YAH I am there! I have had david's cookies before they are to die for. But along with those willing to let me advertise their products SOME wouldn't for generic reasons but these companies have denied advertising to a page that supports autisim awareness SHAME ON THEM soooooooooooo I will list them so you know what companies NOT to buy from!

Companies not willing to advertise are as follows...
As of 10/19/07
Lego shop at home
Fashion Bug
Linens N Things
Seabear smokehouse
Chicmystique.com
Carlson Hotels
Country Inn & Suites
Giggle

Truth VS Denial

2007-10-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

I do not know if anyone else has this happen but lately I am beginning to wonder if what I deem to be lies told by my son are that or are they simple denials due to his inability to process information correctly. Case in point the dreaded homework question. He will sit there look me square in the face and tell me no but when I request to see his folder it's like he is a catholic in confession and BOOM out comes well actually I got one page. Why in two seconds flat did a lie go to the confession mode. When I scold him about lying to me he exlaims I didn't lie I just forgot. Did he forget? Or has he gotten that good of decieving me? Has anyone else ever went thru this and if so how did it stop or some tips be nice! TY!

Our story.....

2007-10-18T21:19:00.000-07:00

Nicholas was my first child born. He was only five lbs one ounes at birth and had breathing troubles that later turned into chronic asthma. Nicholas always struggled to meet up to his peers. He was a happy baby though always silly and fun. But at age three something changed. He became almost unresponsive to redirection. I constantly struggled to keep him on track or to even get his attention. He was defiant and never followed directions. School was always a struggle and I always blamed the daycare for what was going on and sat in a pit of deinal. At only three years old he was kicked out of daycare because of his behavior. I knew that day something was seriously wrong. I began my struggle to understand what was going on with him and how to fix it. I started with simple reward systems, diet changes, herbal supplements and intense counseling it masked the problem but nothing seemed to work.
Things seemed okay for a while but they really began to change. He started to get aggresive and easily flustrated. He constantly talked back and could not handle social situations or changes. I made the gut wrenching decision to begin ritalin medication of concerta. It was a drastic mistake he had a very rare reaction to the drug. Within minutes of being in sunlight he had third degree burns across his his forhead and nose and cheecks the skin started peeling away from his face within mintues. He began acting sporatic and uncontrolable emotions emerged suddenly I recieved a panic call from his preschool.
Once I got him home it took myself and my granmother along with my mother to restrain him. He was screaming hysterical and crying I had never seen this behavior before. His eyes were glassy and his heart was racing out of control. I rushed him to the emergency room to seek medical assistance. They told me he had a reaction almost like being on speed the doctors could only watch the meds take their course and prepared me for a very long night. Their was nothing they could medically do.
It was the most frightful night of my life. I held him as he screamed and cryed and restrained him when his behavior became uncontrolable. I cried for hours watching him I felt so helpless and afraid I was going too loose him it was four thirty am before I was able to get him to sleep. That morning nicholas awoke around ten completley lathargic and his breath was slow. I called the family doctor but she was no help. I knew to never try these drugs again and it was years before I allowed doctors to try a then new drug out strattera which was a miracle drug finally he was controlled thru this medicine but it took alot more to get us there. But even that lasted a short time.
After our frightful bout with ridlun I kept pushing the counselors to search deeper but noone would listen but I never let up. One of the aides at his school quit because she was so stressed out by him and his behavior. He was juming off tables throwing toys and his behavior was borderline psychotic. I removed him from the program for a few weeks but nothing helped he returned and I began utilizing the school system.
When nicholas entered kindergarden I was blessed with the knowlede and wisdom of a what most would call seasoned teacher. She immediately recognized the signs of his problems and became the voice that would begin a process I as in no way prepared for but desprately needed. After months of fighting I finally got the school to do testing at kindergaden level for beahavoiral problmes and he was diagnosed ADHD. I knew this diagnosis was not accurate but with it he began to recieve resources through the school district that are still implemented today.
Since this diagnosis I have switched one family doctor and two counselors to the one we have now who is by far amazing but other diagnosis have been added include Bipolar and PDD (pervasive develemental disorader). Both of these conditions are serious conditions the PDD is on the autistic specrtrum (don't even get me started on that) but not condisered true autisim and the school to this day is non compliant with any diagnoses of ASD. Since I have not went through FORMAL testing for this condition he is still labeled specific learning disabled (sld) they may add cognitive later on but the emotional disabled is what I am fighting to have proven. His las IEP testing was done shortly after our home caught on fire last year. We lost everything including the home and all contents as you can imagine this was devestating for him. The rules state to emotinal disabled testing can be done within 6 months of a traumatic incident. We are now at six months so the push for that testing has begun.
Nicholas has been diagnosed symptomatic of autism particullary Asperger Syndrome and has been labeled high fuctioning autistic by both his family doctor and his psychiatrist. In fact everyone on the planet sees the autisim in him EXCEPT the school so to shut them up I will fix that. He can make eye contact and his behavior has been modified at times. He still cannot control his emotions and socal settings are still a complex situation for him. Processing is difficult for him he cannot move from one thing to the next quickly there has to be a complete break form one event for him to move on or he gets lost in the clouds.
For instance if he is writing with a pen and you ask to use his pen he cannot hand you the pen and move away to another task. Instead he will sit there requesting it back frequently and make subtle remarks to the fact he was using that pen for this or that reason. He will get disgruntal and if time enough passes he will meerly try to take the pen back himself as oppose to it being given back. He simply cannot break away in a timely matter from what is in front of him once he has interest in it.
He cannot handle suspense, loud noises or change. He gets fixations on specific things and goes with it as expressed in the ink pen situation. He is at a reading level of an fifth grader. He can udnerstand complex stories and books. He is currently writing the script for star wars 7 in which he plans on holding on to and directing when he gets older. His math skills are poor in fact he is repeating third grade this year because of the trauma of the house fire he was not able to recover and meet basic standards to move on. Yet he is still doing second grade math and cannot do cursive writtting.
After years of begging and counselor changes and moves here and there nicholas is finally getting the testing we need. I am happy to say that neurological testing will be done the date is to be set within the next few weeks. This testing will allow us to pinpoint what is going on with him and how he processes the world around him.
In the meantime he will conintue to recieve all the services he has. I have located an adovcate for him here in town.and also have him authorized for disablilty services through our local community mental health facility. I still let him play sports. Even though he is not the star of the team the acknowledgement alone makes him feel accepted. I will continue to put him in activities like this and the more I do so his ability to fit into social settins shall progress as they already have.
He has a good medicne regimen and he still sees his counselor and psychiatrist and family doctor. At school he has three hours a day in a resource center and the rest of the time he is in the regualar curriculm room. I do have him riding the bus this year to and from school which has added a good sense of responsiblity to his day. He recieves occupational therapy, physical therapy and counseling at the school.
We do various activities and I let him live as normal of a 9 year old boys life I possibly can NEVER treating him as a child with a disablilty. My method is simple push him far if I cripple him he will never get anywhere. I have seen a response form him with this and the harder I push him the harder he pushes himself. Always seeking recognition his prayer was answered when the school told him he was selected to be an aide in the 3-4 year old preschool. Because of his medication nicholas is much calmer he is a sweet loving boy who loves hugs. He is not afraid of touch and we use the brushing technique with him. He apsoluetly loves his baby sister. The school has seen his interatcion with her and thinks this technique of using the aide opportunity for compliance in the classroom is just what he will respond too. During his time as an aide he will assist with crafts and read books to children. It will give him the big brother status at school he misses when not at home. He is not a danger to himself or others which makes him and ideal canidate. He is also a reading buddy for a kindergardner.
I will continue to follow our plan we have in motion now and as I already know that can change. I am optomistic of this testing and YES I would love it to come back that he has NO signs of autism BELIEVE me I am okay with that but for the mean time i have already began falling into place as a mother of a child with this and even if he is not diagnosed with this disease I will continue to help other parents.
If you think you're child is autistic here is what you
Consult with doctors and the school
Find an advocate in you're area to asisst you with the process
Push for autisim testing through the school or counseling center
Make sure to keep you're child in with a counselor and a psyciatrist
Try to use as many resources in one place as you can for insatance his counesling center, advocate and DD services are all affiliated with one another so their is no lack of communication.
I hope this helps you and I will write more soon!

Why being a voice for autistic chilrdren is so important.....

2007-10-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Some people wonder why you have to be a voice for autism. That is because autism doesn't have one. If anyone spent five moments with an autistic child you would see it is not in them. What most brush of as behavorial or moderate retardation the fact of the matter is they don't have the abilites you and I do. Their senses and their repsones are seperately different from ours. I am a mother of an autistic son but he truly does not understand his disability. He believes he is dumber than the other kids at school. That was an impression I changed very fast! He is not dumb matter of fact when he applies himself he is extremely smart! Autism is Autism no matter what various degrees of the spectrum a child is on an autistic child has special needs and has a set amount of rights most don't understand. The one thing I tell parents the most is NEVER SHUT UP! Always be active. Don't worry about what the school thinks of you think of you're childs needs only. I push his school daily I lay the repsonisibilty of his education upon them because it IS their responsibility. You are a parent you have responisbilities to you're childs physical, medical, social, nutrition and so much more well being. A few hours of home work a week does not put you in charge of a child education. You are not a teacher or a speicalist These people were trained and are paid to provide the necessary tools for you're child succes SO YES it is their responibility you only need to make sure it is followed through. Speak out and be active become a pillar of strength for you're child. You are their main voice and you have to be heard. Noone can shut up a parent and noone should every try. I am not intimidated by doctors or legal or anything. He is my son! And as his mother it is my job to fight. Think of the irony in this...if I fight to hard I am a pain in the butt parent. If I do not fight at all I am neglective and uncaring a CPS caseworkers dream. I am neigher of the two I am a mother who cares and I will be respected for my fight for my son. I am not fighting for all autstic children in that school I am you're worst nightmare. Remember people I am a soccer mom as well and NOONE wants to mess with us suv drivin soccer moms!

Asperger's Syndrome

2007-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

This is what they are trying to rule out for my son

Written by Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.

Asperger's syndrome was first described by a German doctor, Hans Asperger, in 1944 (one year after Leo Kanner's first paper on autism). In his paper, Dr. Asperger discussed individuals who exhibited many idiosyncratic, odd-like behaviors (see description below).
Often individuals with Asperger's syndrome have many of the behaviors listed below:
Language:
lucid speech before age 4 years; grammar and vocabulary are usually very good
speech is sometimes stilted and repetitive
voice tends to be flat and emotionless
conversations revolve around self
Cognition
obsessed with complex topics, such as patterns, weather, music, history, etc.
often described as eccentric
I.Q.'s fall along the full spectrum, but many are in the above normal range in verbal ability and in the below average range in performance abilities.
many have dyslexia, writing problems, and difficulty with mathematics
lack common sense
concrete thinking (versus abstract)
Behavior
movements tend to be clumsy and awkward
odd forms of self-stimulatory behavior
sensory problems appear not to be as dramatic as those with other forms of autism
socially aware but displays inappropriate reciprocal interaction
Researchers feel that Asperger's syndrome is probably hereditary in nature because many families report having an "odd" relative or two. In addition, depression and bipolar disorder are often reported in those with Asperger's syndrome as well as in family members.
At this time, there is no prescribed treatment regimen for individuals with Asperger's syndrome. In adulthood, many lead productive lives, living independently, working effectively at a job (many are college professors, computer programmers, dentists), and raising a family.
Sometimes people assume everyone who has autism and is high-functioning has Asperger's syndrome. However, it appears that there are several forms of high-functioning autism, and Asperger's syndrome is one form.
The Autism Research Institute distributes an information packet on Asperger's Syndrome.

Plain Talk about PDD and the Diagnosis of Autism

2007-10-18T20:21:00.001-07:00

This is what they are currently diagnosing my son with!
Let's start with the obvious: the label PDD (Pervasive Developmental Disorder) is a poorly understood, uninformative, confusing, disliked, and should be abandoned. The sooner the better. In fact, it should never have been adopted in the first place.
Over the years I have talked and corresponded with thousands of parents who have told me their child "has PDD." I often respond by saying something like, "Your child doesn't have PDD. There is no such thing as PDD. Your child may be autistic, or have a condition like autism, or many characteristics of autism, but he doesn't have PDD because there is no such thing. PDD is a label concocted by psychiatrists to cover up the fact that they don't know what your child does have."
If any parents have been distressed by this blunt, unexpected harangue on my part, I would be surprised. The vast majority seem relieved to at last hear someone giving them straight talk about PDD. Parents live with their child 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These parents realize that their handicapped child will in all likelihood be the central focus of their lives for the rest of their lives. They want to know the truth, insofar as the truth is known. They don't want to be misled or misinformed by sugar-coated verbiage masquerading as informed fact. If we don't know the right label for their child, let's tell them that up front, rather than hide our ignorance behind the mystique of a pseudo-scientific label, presuming knowledge we don't have, like PDD.
I am very much aware that creating suitable names for "psychiatric" or "behavioral" disorders is a difficult and thankless task. Look at what we have now: Schizophrenia is Greek for "split mind." Mental retardation is a euphemism for low intelligence. Hyperactivity merely describes what everyone knows too well--the person is too active. Autistic means "day dreaming."
Until we know what causes these things we are stuck with using a somewhat descriptive term to characterize them. I'll agree to that, as a matter of necessity, but where does PDD come in?
The passage of time has led to widespread usage of the terms, schizophrenia, mental retardation and autism. There is little or no likelihood that PDD will be afforded similar acceptance.
In the Autism Research Review International (ARRI) (1991, Vol. 5, No. 2), we summarized an excellent statement, signed by 16 prominent European and U.S. professionals in the field of autism, titled "Autism is not necessarily a pervasive developmental disorder." The authors noted that although the term PDD was introduced well over a decade ago, it has not really caught on, and is unfamiliar not only to lay people, but to the politicians and administrators, most of whom--thanks probably to Rain Man--are aware of autism. The article observes that the term "pervasive" is particularly inappropriate, since severely retarded persons, many of whom have chromosomal defects which affect every cell in their bodies. Autism, they point out, rather than being a pervasive disorder, is in fact a specific one, characterized by deficits in social and cognitive functioning.
Quite apart from the misleading and inappropriate semantics of the term PDD is a practical matter: autistic children and adults unfortunate enough to have the PDD affixed to them have often been--and continue to be--excluded from programs and services designated for those with autism, and which would benefit them.
Clearly, the PDD designation, along with its cumbersome bureaucratic baggage (i.e., PDD-NOS: "Not Otherwise Specified") should be relegated to the Archives of Failed Attempts, where it will have plenty of company, while we go on about our business.
There are many more children with autistic-like disorders than there are children with autism itself. When I founded the Autism Society of America in 1965, I urged, and my recommendation was followed for many years, that all ASA stationery, brochures, and other printed materials carry the wording "Dedicated to the welfare of all children (later 'children and adults') with severe disorders of communication and behavior." The need for an encompassing title for this group was evident even then.
Of the various labels that have been suggested, the one I like best is "autistic spectrum disorder," which, I believe, was first suggested by Wing and Gould in 1979. The advantages of this term are obvious. For one, it acknowledges that there is a range of problems and of subtypes, and it does not pretentiously claim to be based on knowledge that is not yet available to us.
At the Autism Research Institute we have been working for over a quarter of a century on the development of more objective scientific means of diagnosing children with autism and related disorders.
When my book Infantile Autism was published in 1964, it contained, as an appendix, a checklist designated "Form E-1" (E for experimental). Within a year E-1 was replaced by the Form E-2. As of June 1993, the Autism Research Institute has collected over 16,800 E-2 forms, completed by parents of autistic and possibly-autistic children in over 50 countries. (Form E-2 is available in eight languages.)
Form E-2 is designed for completion by the child's parents, and asks questions about the child's early development and about language and behavior through age five an a half. (After age five an a half, autistic children begin to change in many ways, so it is better to rely on behavior prior to that age.) Once we receive a completed E-2 form from a parent or professional, we enter the data into our computer, derive a score which tells the child's position to the continuum ranging from "classical autistic" at one end to "not autistic" on the other, and mail a report to the sender. We have performed this service, free of charge, for well over a quarter of a century for thousands of parents and professionals world-wide. (Readers of the ARRI are invited to request E-2 forms and avail themselves of this free service.)
A major purpose of this effort is to collect data for statistical analysis. There is no doubt that the "spectrum of autistic disorders" contains numerous subtypes, some of which are large enough to be identified by as our database of almost 17,000 E-2 Forms. We are already aware of some of these types, such as classical--Kanner's Syndrome--autism, fragile X autism, Rett syndrome, and candida-caused autism. My colleague, Dr. Stephen Edelson and I are conducting factor analyses and cluster analyses of the E-2 database, in order to identify and characterize these and other subtypes. The database is large enough so that subtypes identified by cluster analysis within one segment of the database can be confirmed by cross-validation on E-2 data which was not used in the original identification of subtypes.
As this work advances we will report on progress in the ARRI, and in other places. Subtypes identified through this means of statistical analysis can be validated in a number of ways, independent of the E-2 database, including family history variables, clinical laboratory tests, and differential responses to drugs and other treatments. It is thus hoped to place the diagnosis--as well as the treatment--of "autistic" children and adults on a more scientific basis. I believe that progress in this field will proceed faster if we rely on the identification of subgroups through the analysis of statistical data, rather than on constructs based on speculation, conjecture, surmise and subjective impressions.
In the meantime, let's get rid of "PDD!"

Action Alert: Urge your Senator to Support Increased Autism Funding Senate to Take Up Health Funding Bill

2007-10-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

This week, the Senate will take up the FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. This important bill funds autism research, public education, early intervention, and education programs. The Autism Society of America is urging all Senators to support this important bill. The Senate Appropriations bill includes full funding for many of the programs authorized by the Combating Autism Act. It also increases other programs of importance to the disability community. Specifically, the bill includes:
$37 million for the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program. These University-based programs provide long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training, as well as services and care for infants, children, and adolescents with disabilities.
$16.5 million for the CDC’s autism programs. These programs include the Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Epidemiology (CADDRE), which studies potential causes of autism, and the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, which provides critical data on autism prevalence, growth, and causes.
An overall increase of $1 billion (3.5 percent) for the National Institutes of Health.
$11.24 billion for Special Education State Grants, a 4.2 percent increase over FY 2007. The legislation also provided $540 million to Special Education Grants for Infants and Families, a 3.1 percent increase over last year.
Click here to send an email to your Senator, urging him or her to support this important bill.

Scientists eye an enzyme as target in fighting autism

2007-10-18T11:03:00.000-07:00

CHICAGO (AFP) - US researchers have reversed the symptoms of mental retardation and autism in mice by inhibiting an enzyme that affects the connections between brain cells, researchers said Wednesday. ....
In a series of experiments on mice, the MIT investigators showed that they could undo the brain damage seen in a condition called Fragile X syndrome by inhibiting a key brain chemical called PAK.
In humans, Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading cause of mental retardation and the most common genetic cause of autism -- the complex and devastating developmental disorder that is now being diagnosed in increasing numbers of children.
The study raises the intriguing possibility that the brain damage seen in children with the condition can be rolled back and identifies a specific target for potential drug therapies.
"It opens up a new avenue for drug research to treat this condition," said Susumu Tonegawa, a neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and lead author of the paper.
MIT researchers began by creating a batch of mice that had been genetically modified to have Fragile X, a condition in which the neurons of the brain are structurally abnormal and functionally impaired compared to regular nerve cells.
These transgenic mice had many of the behavioral problems seen in kids with the condition: hyperactivity, attention deficits, repetitive behaviors and poor social skills.
The investigators then cross-bred these mice with another batch of mice that had been genetically modified to inhibit the activity of the PAK (p21-activated kinase) enzyme which is instrumental in shaping the formation of neuronal connections in the brain.
The researchers knew that when PAK was inactivated, the mice developed neurons that had short, fat dendritic spines, with a higher-than-usual capacity for relaying the electrical impulses that pass between brain cells.
In other words, the shape and function of the dendritic spines in the PAK mice was just the reverse of those seen in the brain cells of the mice with Fragile X syndrome.
The researchers gambled that the two abnormalities would cancel each other out, and that's exactly what the experiment showed.
The cross-bred mice had been genetically engineered so that the inactivation of the PAK enzyme began two weeks into the mouse's life cycle, which in human terms would be several years after birth.
Tests and autopsies showed that the PAK-blocking action restored electrical communication between neurons in the brains of the double mutant mice, correcting their behavioral abnormalities in the process.
"This is very exciting because it suggests that PAK inhibitors could be used for therapeutic purposes to reverse already established mental impairments in fragile X children," said Eric Klann, a professor at New York University's Center for Neural Science.
The study was conducted by Tonegawa and a postdoctoral student at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory and appears in this week's edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Things that make you go hmm

2007-10-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

We live in what most would call the suburbs. Their are always bike riders, dog walkers and joggers passing our home daily. Even the high school up the road's track team runs past our home daily. So I am not suprised when I seen these things. That was until I saw something that made me go what?! yesterday.
Two ladies came down the road walking. For no particular reason I took interest in watching them walk. They had their uniforms on they worked at the post office up the street odviously on their lunch break. They had their walking shoes and bobby socks on with their postal office shirts and athletic shorts.
That is not the suprising part though....they were walking rather vigirously and as they got closer I noticed something in their hands. They both were enjoying a double scoop waffle cone ice cream! NOW I am no health expert or excersice guru but this really seemed to defeat the point of their walk. I do not know why but it struck me funny and I walked back into my home barely able to control my laughter.

Choices.

2007-10-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

Nicholas was a very a happy boy. His favorite things were the statue of liberty, flags and fire engines. But sometimes nicholas made bad choices and his mommy didn't know what to do.
One of nicholas favorite things to do was to go to dinner with his mommy and get a big sundae for dessert. But nicholas stopped being good at the restaurant and his mommy had to fix the problem.
So one day nicholas and his mommy headed to the restaurant they liked to eat at. Nicholas was so excited because an ice cream sundae was on it's way to his mouth!.
Before they got out of the car nicholas mommy asked him a question. Nicholas she said " you havea choice to make before we go to eat. you can sit down and eat all you're supper and be a good boy and earna ice cream sundae dessert, or you can not be a good boy and not get an ice cream sundae dessert, which one do you choose nicholas?". Nicholas looked at his mommy with a big smile and said " I want ice cream mommy I will be very good". "Okay" she replied.
Nicholas and his mommy went to the restauraunt and ordered dinner. But nicholas kept getting up and jumping in the aisle. He would not use his inside voice and did not eat all his supper.
When dinner was over his mommy paid the waitress and took his hand to leave. "Mommy I didn't have my sundae yet" he shouted. " I know nicholas but you made the choice to be good but you were a bady boy and now you don't get you're reward" she replied.
Nicholas was very sad. He cried the whole way home. He did not understand what happened. That night nicholas cried in his bed. His mommy came into his room and explained what had happened. He promised his mommy he be a good boy but he wasn't. She l et him have the choice of his reward and it was his wrong choice he did not get his sundae dessert. Nicholas was very mad at himself.
The next week nicholas and his mommywent to their favorite restaurant and this time he knew what to do. He sat right down at the table. He used the coloring crayons and coloring book the nice waitress gave him and colored his mommy a pretty picture while they waited for their supper. He ate all his supper and when the waitress brought the bill his mommy said "no ma'am he earned his dessert".
That night nicholas got a BIG ice cream sundae. Ice cream tasted even better when he earned it. Everytime nicholas and his mommy go to eat now he sits and eats all his supper and each time he gets dessert. And Ice cream sundae!

The day I realized I was raising a man

2007-10-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

Pre written Sept 11th 2007

Did anyone cry today? Did you take a moment out of you're day to say a moment of remembrance to those who lost their lives that day and continue to do so in this war? Did you thank you're men and woman who serve this country fo giving you the rights you have? Whether you agree or disagree with what is going on now in this world did you just take a moment to remember. If you did God Bless you're heart. If you didn't you are not alone. Only 6% of americans recognize September 11th. SIX PERCENT that is sad. But I do not want to write a bunch of garbage I want to share this with you.
I watched the news recasts today and listned to the radio. I drove with my head lights on. I took a moment of silence on the side of the road at 8:46 a.m. in my car and held my daughters hand.I did my remembrance.
I hope this speaks louder than words to you what happened today. What my son did today makes me a proud mother.
In spite of my sons school not recognizing today or teaching my child what happened...he took a moment of his day at lunch and said a prayer. He said the prayer for the victims, for the children who lost their mommies and daddies and he said it for our men and woman in the service. He just bowed his head and said a small silent prayer for to himself. Noone asked him or told him to. And when he looked up three boys beside him and one little girl had done the same. None of them said why but they all knew what they were oding.
I cannot say to you how proud he made me today. I heard it thru my friend who works as a lunchaid at his school and it brought a tear to her eye.
I find this astounding....
My son does not see what has really happened since that day six years ago. He doesn't understand the various colors of alert. He does not watch the President give speaches. He doesn't judge the President. He does not comrpehend the full degree of this tragedy at all.
The only thing my son turly knows is he watched t.v. that day and days after....and seen all the firemen and police men and other rescue workers helping people and saving lives. He seen that and he admires that. He admires the people who helped others they did not know He admires our country for telling that bad man he can't do that to people.
So when this little boy oblivious to politics and why we should or should not be in this war. of the actual loss of life that day, takes a moment of his 3rd grade lunch time and says a prayer of remembrance to the victims and moment of gratitude to the men and woman who serve this county, I know I am raising a Man.

The sleeping child......

2007-10-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

Have you ever went into you're childs room at night and just watched them sleep? I do it all the time. I just sit there watching them so peaceful and content like little angels. Sometiems I pick madison up out of her crib and just hold her. The warmth she feels when she is sleeping is so soothing. It makes me feel closer to her. I use to do the same thing with nick he's too old and to heavy for that now. I feel so at peace when I do that I know it sounds crazy or weird but even at the end of the worst day I can sit there and watch them sleep and just feel good about life and everything elsc in my world. I guess it's my solitude and it brings me happiness. espceically when the sleep but yet they are smiling that is by far the most amazing sight for anyones eyes.

This is me......

2007-10-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my page I hope you enjoy what you see here. I am a sinlge mom a survivor of domestic vilonce a victim of a drunk driver, and a fire victim in which we lost our home. But most imporantly I am a mom and a strong and intellegant woman. I make no excuses for my life and how it has happened I only long for clarity in this world. I have a son who is going thru autism this is new and we are in the beginning of this process I hope you follow our journey. I look foward to sharing with you my life and I hope in turn you can see that we are all so much alike noone is that much different and we can all learn from our mistakes because that is what defines us as a human being!