tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80395713218997123332024-03-13T05:04:56.625-07:00Following JD's JourneyWelcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-89997369224668506952020-08-18T14:56:00.001-07:002020-08-18T14:56:10.881-07:00JD's Accomplishments!<p>One of my autism mom friends posted on Facebook the other day about how excited she was that her daughter ate a turkey sandwich for the first time. I could totally relate to that post - I remember a few years ago I paid JD $20 to eat an entire plain hamburger (which probably seems insane to parents of neurotypical children) but it was some of the best money I have ever spent because to this day he'll eat plain hamburgers! You do what works, right?</p><p>My friend's post also made me realize that I haven't blogged about JD's accomplishments in a long time! Things don't always come easy to people on the spectrum, so when they achieve something it should be celebrated - no matter if it seems small or insignificant to other people!</p><p>JD's actually made quite a few big accomplishments this year and as he's grown up, I've become so impressed by his increased maturity and patience. Things that I thought were impossible before are now happening and it's really exciting!</p><p><b>His Own Bedroom</b></p><p>I think one of the most exciting changes that happened this year was JD moving into a bedroom by himself! Since he was a toddler, he has shared a room with his little brother and I honestly thought they would share a room until Kyle left for college. But a few months ago I noticed both boys asking for a little more space so I mentioned moving into separate rooms and they took me up on it! I thought JD would have a really hard time sleeping without his brother right next to him but he didn't have any issues at all! (Of course, his brother's room is about 3 feet from his room so it's not THAT far away, but still - it's a change!) </p><p><b>Starting Orthodontia</b></p><p>JD has been a thumb sucker since he was a baby and never stopped. As he got older, he only sucked his thumb while he slept or when he was stressed, but it was still a habit that we had to stop. We took him into the orthodontist and they put a habit appliance on the roof of his mouth that keeps him from sucking his thumb. The first two weeks were not good - he couldn't sleep at all - but it's been about 6 weeks now and he's completely used to it and has stopped the habit for good! They will keep it in for another two months just to make sure he's completely stopped, and after that he'll get braces! I'm really excited because I didn't think he'd be able to handle any orthodontia in his mouth because of his sensory issues. But he's done REALLY well and managed it! I'm really proud of him for getting through this big change.</p><p><b>Winning Races</b></p><p>When JD was three he learned how to swim. When he was five we heard about a special needs swim instructor at our local YMCA that worked with kids on the autism spectrum. JD began stroke lessons and literally took off like a fish! He has won many gold medals in Special Olympics over the years, which has been a great experience. But in late 2019, he was invited to the Athletes Without Limits Short Course Invitational where he won 4 medals racing against other kids with autism. He's a fantastic swimmer and I love watching him race. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryZzJqtBoGQ/XzxEnSQq1eI/AAAAAAAAcb8/qGAlcqITpEUtYRzF2JeFIO7yappK-d0OwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/JD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryZzJqtBoGQ/XzxEnSQq1eI/AAAAAAAAcb8/qGAlcqITpEUtYRzF2JeFIO7yappK-d0OwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/JD.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Riding a Bike</b></p><p>Like everyone else, we've been in lock down since March because of covid-19. The good news is that we finally had the extra time to help JD accomplish one of his big goals - to ride a bike without training wheels! He's tried for years and years, but the balancing piece and coordinating the rotation of his legs has always been hard for him. But after many days of back-to-back practice at home, he finally got it! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nywd87CTCzA/XzxHDRnBD8I/AAAAAAAAccI/j32NjJJ-0Q4l8VWGNo_y1UN0eBYh1xsNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1205/Biking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nywd87CTCzA/XzxHDRnBD8I/AAAAAAAAccI/j32NjJJ-0Q4l8VWGNo_y1UN0eBYh1xsNgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Biking.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Student Council</b></p><p>Last school year JD was voted as a student council classroom representative! He worked with the other representatives to do food drives, school parties and more. To run for classroom representative he had to make a speech in front of his peers! He did a fantastic job!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QckgM5QPCIw/XzxIgme3UBI/AAAAAAAAccY/wZnQ6aNJca0re-0Sx0NrgmgYEh1kybdlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/Student%2BCouncil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QckgM5QPCIw/XzxIgme3UBI/AAAAAAAAccY/wZnQ6aNJca0re-0Sx0NrgmgYEh1kybdlwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Student%2BCouncil.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Distance Learning</b></p><p>The coronavirus sure did one thing... it made us all learn how to work remotely and that included the kids! I was really surprised by how well JD did with the transition to distance learning earlier this spring. With a lot of help and patience, he learned how to check his email, participate in Zoom meetings, complete and submit documents using Google Drive, and keep track of his daily calendar! I called him "My Little Coworker" because we'd sit across from each other at the kitchen table everyday. He didn't love it, but he made it through the end of the school year! I thought it was probably one of the best learning experiences he's had so far because he's never worked on a computer that much before!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNYllY5dZxM/XzxKwH7U2-I/AAAAAAAAcck/56LHCTQMQ8cfhxz8RSSB0AoUTpLagcJagCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/Distance%2BLearning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNYllY5dZxM/XzxKwH7U2-I/AAAAAAAAcck/56LHCTQMQ8cfhxz8RSSB0AoUTpLagcJagCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Distance%2BLearning.jpg" /></a></div><p><b>Loving Himself</b></p><p>I think the biggest accomplishment JD has made over the past year has been learning to love himself and accept his autism. He used to cry a lot about wanting to "be normal" like his siblings. But I feel like he's really embraced his individuality and is starting to see that his autism is just one piece of who he is. It doesn't define him. He works so hard to accomplish his goals and I think succeeding has really helped his self esteem. He still has tough days - don't get me wrong - but I would say that he's happier than he's ever been and that makes me happier for him!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oPrl3dCXCE/XzxNtK_mqeI/AAAAAAAAcc4/LhPXmfBwYAgveDplW95UAX_Jg6ZfoUwdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1261/Me%2Band%2BJD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1148" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oPrl3dCXCE/XzxNtK_mqeI/AAAAAAAAcc4/LhPXmfBwYAgveDplW95UAX_Jg6ZfoUwdgCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Me%2Band%2BJD.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-59402988272859612182020-08-13T09:56:00.003-07:002020-08-13T09:56:42.767-07:00What No One Tells You About Having a Child with Autism...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoSJQStGkz0/XzVbCAqOb9I/AAAAAAAAcbM/ZScu9n0J8BExV4fcib5lF1oPGOaCmOOigCNcBGAsYHQ/s960/JD%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NoSJQStGkz0/XzVbCAqOb9I/AAAAAAAAcbM/ZScu9n0J8BExV4fcib5lF1oPGOaCmOOigCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/JD%2B5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I remember the day JD was diagnosed with autism. It was his two-year well check and he was hiding under a chair at the doctor's office. He was non-verbal, still couldn't walk independently, and had pretty severe behavior issues. We had just moved across town so we had switched pediatricians and this was the first time the doctor had ever met JD. His old pediatrician kept telling us that "some kids just take longer to develop", but this doctor recognized it from the start and I'm thankful that he did because it gave us the much-needed direction to get JD on a positive path. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fast forward a decade and we're still on that path! We have all learned so much over the years and I can honestly say there was a lot that no one told me when he was diagnosed that would have helped me feel better. So if you're new to the autism journey I want to share these tidbits with you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>1. Life gets easier (then harder), then easier again.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When JD was little, autism was a HUGE struggle. We spent hours every day in therapy - speech, occupational, behavior, music, etc. My life was completely dedicated to helping him grow in every way. As the years progressed, things got much easier. He made huge progress and his communication skills improved dramatically, his behaviors decreased, and his happiness increased. But autism is a life-long journey. It's not a straight line of progression. While you're working on one area, another area may lag behind and that's perfectly ok. As much as we want growth in all areas at the same time, sometimes that's just not possible. Be happy with the growth your child is making, and don't stress too much about the areas where they are currently behind. Once they master a new skill, then start working on that area. Remember - it's a marathon, not a sprint. It will all come in time. That brings me to my next point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>2. Throw out the milestone timelines.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">JD learned how to ride a bike independently only a few months ago - he is 12. Yes, most kids learn this skill when they are 4 or 5, but it took him much longer. But he kept trying and trying and he finally accomplished it! Give your child the space and time to reach their goals. Kids on the spectrum do not follow the "typical" milestone timelines and that is just fine! They accomplish things when they are ready, and I promise you, you'll be so excited when they do. Just keep trying and don't give up hope!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>3. Study your child!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you really want to connect with your autistic child, don't try to force them to be typical - learn to connect with them through their world. This means you have to learn what it's like to have autism. I constantly read about autism because I want to understand my son like no one else can. But the best way to do this is by listening to your child. Feelings are expressed by much more than words. Look at their behavior, their emotions, their reactions to situations. Try to put yourself in their shoes and understand what it's like from their point of view. I'm fortunate because JD has language and we have worked really hard over the years to express his feelings. When he is overwhelmed he comes to me and we talk about it. I learn more about autism from him than from any book or doctor. The best part is that he feels that he's not alone. He knows I am right there with him on this journey.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>4. Your patience level will expand exponentially. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have never been a patient person but over the years I have learned to keep my cool during even the most difficult moments. Autism will teach you many things, and patience is one of them. You will see that your child has BIG emotions, and expressing them can be very difficult. But if you keep calm during their storms, it makes it much easier on everyone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>5. People WANT to help - they aren't judging.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When JD was little and we would go out to eat or go shopping, I always felt like all eyes were on us. And guess what - they probably were. But I always felt like we were being judged by others. Maybe some people felt that way, but what I've realized over the years is that most people just want to help or they want to learn. Autism awareness has come SO far over the last decade and that is amazing. When I tell people that JD is on the spectrum, they ask me questions to learn more about him. JD has many neurotypical friends now and even they want to help in any way possible. Not because they know he needs help - but because they care about his well being. I appreciate that so much. It's not just a positive experience for JD, but also for the person helping him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>6. Don't stress too much about the future and be flexible. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one thing I have to tell myself ALL the time. I am a Virgo, so I'm a planner. I like making a plan and having it fall perfectly into place! Well autism definitely makes that a little more difficult because what your child may need this year may completely change next year and you have to learn to roll with it. I know future planning is important because independence is always our goal, but I try to focus more on the here and now and appreciate the things he's succeeding in. Right now JD is doing an amazing job in executive functioning. (If you don't know what that is, don't worry you will eventually!) He's learning to organize his school work, his homework, his schedules, etc. I'm so proud of him. He's become so much more flexible - again that is huge. The other day he made it through 2.5 hours of "Meet the Teacher" (we have 3 kids so it takes a while). In past years he would have melted down crying, wanting to leave. But this year he was as patient as can be. I'm focusing on there here and now and recognizing that that's a big win!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>7. Being "normal" is overrated.</b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used to struggle with wanting to have a "normal" life - one where we weren't going to therapy sessions or doing IEPs; one where I wasn't worried all the time about how JD might offend some complete stranger with his brutal honesty. But I've learned that normal - whatever that is - is overrated. I can't imagine JD not having autism. It's who he is and I love it. Yes, it can make things a little more difficult, but his personality is so unique. He makes me laugh like no one else can. He an I have such a special relationship and I wouldn't give it up for anything. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-34784831648027102212020-08-13T07:58:00.003-07:002020-08-13T07:58:44.000-07:007th Grade Begins!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13rmJyilQjk/XzVS6nqlnQI/AAAAAAAAcaw/4gZfMD-A0B47HVR7vehmYlORxejJITiuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s2016/JD%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-13rmJyilQjk/XzVS6nqlnQI/AAAAAAAAcaw/4gZfMD-A0B47HVR7vehmYlORxejJITiuwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/JD%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yesterday was an exciting day - we went back to school after 5 months at home thanks to the coronavirus. The kids were so excited to see their friends again. I was really impressed by how well JD did during the time off. He likes his routines a LOT, so having everything up in the air for so long was a little nerve wracking. But yesterday went off without a hitch - he started 7th grade with a big smile! I'm so proud of this boy, he had a great day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyOynp0PLOU/XzVVCVSRtlI/AAAAAAAAca8/-uVQM9e4IVE9YRn0fDP5vCSBuveXPWa2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1512/JD.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lyOynp0PLOU/XzVVCVSRtlI/AAAAAAAAca8/-uVQM9e4IVE9YRn0fDP5vCSBuveXPWa2gCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/JD.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-2115168273176674232019-09-11T06:36:00.002-07:002019-09-11T06:36:49.146-07:00The Written Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a professional writer, sometimes I take for granted the way that words just come naturally to my mind. I've always loved writing since I was very young and even to this day it's something I do daily. One thing that I learned very early on in our autism journey was that expressive language is very difficult for people on the spectrum. They have the feelings and the thoughts but the words to express those things aren't easy to communicate to others. I can only imagine how that must feel because it's hard enough feeling stressed or upset, but not being able to explain those feelings to others adds an additional element of stress. Because of this issue, I think a lot of people on the autism spectrum just learn to bottle up their feelings - it's too hard for them to try to share them.<br />
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For the most part, JD is quite a happy kid. He's very social and funny. But we're moving into those fun pre-teen years and I know that he's feeling a lot of changes in his moods. Some days he's very grumpy or angry. I've always encouraged him to write down his feelings when he's upset because it seems to help him get those feeling across. Sometimes he'll go to his room and write and then bring it to me to read. I love that he practices this skill. I'll read it and then we'll talk about it and I can tell he feels much better in the end, like we all normally do once we talk about our feelings.<br />
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The other night he wrote me this letter to explain some of the anger inside that he feels. It can be hard to see that he struggles with such intense feelings, but as an emotional person myself, I completely understand. I know he doesn't always feel this way, but when he does I'm glad that he has found a way to share it with me. After he read it, he asked if I could share it on Facebook for all of my friends to read which I thought was really sweet. He wants people to understand him and what his autism feels like and he knows I have friends who read my stories about him online. I explain to him that sharing our stories about autism helps people understand it better so they can appreciate people who aren't considered "neurotypical" (whatever that means!). It also helps other families of children with autism think of ways to help their kids with the same issues.<br />
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So he's my post sharing his letter to me about his anger. Don't worry - it has passed and he's back to his happy JD self again, talking about his favorite subjects like video games. I love this boy with all of my heart and I am so proud of him and the strong and talented young man he's becoming. The autism journey is not easy by any means, no matter where someone lands on the spectrum, but living or befriending someone with autism will change your life in a positive way. It helps you to look for the good in even the hardest moments. Without the challenges there wouldn't be the successes. JD reminds me of that daily and I'm thankful for that.Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-49323118504205318142019-08-15T09:26:00.001-07:002019-08-15T09:26:13.188-07:00We're at the Half Way Mark!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday was JD's first day of 6th grade. Where has time gone? I made this picture collage of his first days of school since he started VPK when he was almost four. I vividly remember taking that photo of him in his classroom - he was so nervous - I was so nervous! Those were REALLY hard days. Developmentally and academically he was so behind. He had really difficult behavior problems and limited communication skills. I wish I knew then what I knew now.<br />
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Fast forward to 6th grade and we are light years ahead. JD is a math whiz. He also loves writing creative stories and drawing. He at grade level on most subjects except reading comprehension, but that's mainly a matter of the topic of the story and whether or not he's interested in learning about it!<br />
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I remember when he was first diagnosed scouring the interest looking for blogs or videos from parents with kids who had autism to get an idea of what the future for JD looked like. There wasn't a lot there though - usually people would blog or take videos and then eventually there posts would go away as time went on. I get it - life gets in the way and you get busy. But I don't want to be one of those parents who only focused on the journey in the beginning because it DOES get easier. At least for us it did. And if that inspires one other parent out there whose child just got diagnosed then it's worth it!<br />
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If I could say anything it would be: your child will make progress. It may not be as quickly as you'd like, or as much as you'd hope, but if you're working with them and providing as much support at home and school as you can, they WILL grow. And you'll be surprised - they'll probably exceed all of your expectations so keep them high! Don't worry too much about the future. Focus on the right now. (I say that in hindsight because I constantly worried about the future when JD was little!) I still worry, but not nearly as much. I know he will continue to grow and become more independent.<br />
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So we're half way to 12th grade. I don't know how it happened so quickly. Like they always say, the days go slowly but the years go by fast. Next thing I know he'll be a senior and (hopefully!) looking at higher level education!<br />
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Here's to those of you out there who are just starting your journey. Don't get discouraged. If you fall down, fight to get back up. Listen to your gut. You know your child better than anyone. Their needs will change every year. What works great now might not work then and vice versa. Just keep moving forward and loving your child because that's the best therapy of all!<br />
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-78768277604668377402018-01-10T19:14:00.001-08:002018-01-10T19:14:13.078-08:00Standing Out or Outstanding? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My kids are at that prime age where "fitting in" is of utmost importance. When you're growing up, no one wants to be the person that stands out. Do what the group does, say what the group says, wear what the the group wears... that's the safe bet. Kids with autism are no different and I've heard JD tell me many times that he feels like he has no friends even though I know that's not the case. But it's extremely hard for him to blend in with the crowd because of his quirks. His conversations are typically one-sided (based on his topic of interest/obsession), his bluntness can be taken as rude, and his difficulty understanding and using humor makes for some interesting jokes! But what I've tried to tell him time and time again is, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" (Thank you Dr. Seuss for these wise words!) Being different is awesome, it's what makes you YOU. <b><span style="color: magenta;">Standing out is really outstanding</span></b> when you think of it. Of course convincing a 10-year-old of this fact is easier said than done. Even as adults we all struggle with this desire to fit in with the crowd but God made each of us different for a reason and that's because <b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">diversity is beautiful - even neurodiversity! </span></b>Everyone brings something important to the table.<br />
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When JD was younger and first diagnosed with autism we thought a lot about the things he couldn't do and worked very hard to make him as "typical" as possible. Even to this day I think I have a tendency to do this - of course the intention is to help him become as independent as possible. But some days I have to remind myself embrace his differences and the gifts he's been given and focus on his abilities rather than his disabilities. He's so creative and can build beautiful creations with Legos or in Minecraft that I could never dream of making. He genuinely cares about people and is the first to offer me a hug and kiss when I've had a bad day. He's funny and makes me laugh and some of the things that come out of his mouth are priceless. I really should keep a journal of them. But if my focus is always to make him "normal" (whatever the heck that is?) then I miss out on those things that make him special.<br />
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So as the years go on, my mindset as an autism mom has really changed - love and embrace the child that he is, not who I think he should be. Never stop working for independence, but don't trade in the uniqueness just to be accepted. And of course, continue to love unconditionally as we all want to be loved. :)<br />
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-53738153110970209222018-01-08T13:47:00.002-08:002018-01-08T13:47:42.015-08:00Always Searching for Answers<i><b>Searching - adj - thoroughly scrutinizing, especially in a disconcerting way. </b></i><br />
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If there's one universal truth about autism moms it's that they are in constant search for answers or information. Today I received an email from a mom in the Czech Republic who found my blog and recognized something her son does that is similar to what JD used to do, called visual stimming. I wrote <a href="http://followingjdsjourney.blogspot.com/2010/05/visual-stimming-why-does-he-do-it.html" target="_blank">a post</a> about it long ago in 2010. It was one of the first signs of JD's autism, but I had no idea what it was. I just knew that he would play with cars in a very specific way - rolling them past his eyes very closely while he laid on the ground, played at a table, or waved them by his face as he sat in the high chair. I did the exact same thing she did - search the internet for videos or blogs that might be able to provide some explanation. </div>
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That's your life when your child is first diagnosed with autism - searching for answers. I remember spending hours at the computer in the middle of the night watching YouTube videos searching for mannerisms in other autistic children that looked like JD. I was thankful that the videos were there because they would provide some evidence to support what I was telling his doctors, but at the same time tears would roll from my eyes because the evidence is hard to accept. What amazes me though is that this isn't the first time I've received messages from other autism moms searching for help; I actually get a few messages a year from people all over the country. It never even occurred to me when I started writing about JD, I was also providing insight into our experiences and autistic world that other parents could relate to. They are even so sweet as to ask about the progress of JD, since as you can see, I don't post nearly as often as I did when he was little!</div>
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The good thing is that it's a miracle to be able to say that things have gotten easier, or maybe autism is just the norm for us now. I was so worried when he was diagnosed about his future and his life - you have no idea what to expect. <b>But what you don't realize at the time is that you don't change the autism, autism changes you</b>. JD's autism has made me a better person. It opened my eyes up to a world outside of my bubble which consisted of mostly the neurotypical and non-disabled. It gave me such empathy for others, it forced me to learn patience I never thought I could have, and stretched my heart to encompass not only wanting to help my son with special needs, but so many others. But that's exactly what autism parents do - we become an unwavering support system for each other, we become tour guides for the parents whose children are just being diagnosed, and we become stronger as each day passes and each small achievement is made. </div>
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I'm thankful that this parent reached out to me today. It made me stop and think about JD's journey and progress and be thankful for how far he's come. I think a great resolution for 2018 is to get back into my blogging because autism doesn't stop when your child turns 3 or 4. It's a lifetime journey and I'm happy to be the person who documents it!</div>
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(Me and JD from Christmas - he's almost 10 years old now and in 4th grade. He's now considered "high-functioning" and is academically on grade level. His challenges now are mostly social and emotional, but we are lucky that he has a wonderful group of friends and a fantastic school to support him!)<br />
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-66262994824359698472017-01-25T21:24:00.007-08:002017-01-25T21:25:59.644-08:00Limitless!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I opened my Facebook app and was greeted with a memory from January of 2012. It was a blog post I wrote called, "<a href="http://followingjdsjourney.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-jd-was-diagnosed-almosttwo-years.html" target="_blank">JD's Top 10 Accomplishments in 2011</a>." Reading it brought back so many memories, good and bad. But what it really did was remind me just how thankful I am that I started this blog so long ago. It's given me the chance to document his autism journey and allows me to look back and see just how far we've come. I'm not nearly as good about blogging regularly as I was when this just started, but I actually see that as a good thing. When it began in 2010 I used writing to deal with so many issues we were dealing with and now things are easier and that need just isn't that intense. But I still think it's important to do it because I know that in years to come I will look back on this day and be amazed by his progress! And since it's January, 5 years later, I thought it would be the perfect time to list JD's Top 5 Accomplishments for 2016!<br />
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<b>Friends and Someone Special</b><br />
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The first few years after JD's diagnosis was filled with therapy to learn motor skills, speech and sensory regulation. We started with Playtime and worked our way through OT, Speech, ABA and more. He still gets weekly therapy for OT and Speech but something I've learned about autism is that at some point the focus changes. Now it's more of a social skills problem. We are so fortunate in that JD caught up on almost all of his developmental milestones through therapy, but sometimes I think the social and emotional difficulties are even harder to deal with. One thing that JD has made huge strides in is friendship. For parents of neurotypical kids this is usually a no-brainer, it's just a skill they are born with. But when your child has autism it's a whole new world. JD's obsessive interests (can anyone say Legos, Mario or Minecraft?!) that can make him stand out in a crowd of fellow 3rd graders. He's blunt, or honest if you'd like to use the PC term. I can't tell you how many times a day he tells me he loves me because I'm "squishy" lol. I never know what's going to come out of his mouth when he talks to someone. It can be really great, or really horrible. But we've learned to laugh most of the time because sometimes we all wish we could be so honest! But JD has made some really good friends in the past two years and he's very attached to them. Some of them are friends from our time in Sarasota, and some are from Orlando. They understand JD and accept him for who he is, challenges and all. Some of his friends are also on the autism spectrum and others are not. Just a few weeks ago he was invited to his friend Asher's birthday! It really makes me happy when I see him texting his friends or talking to them on FaceTime. Thank goodness for technology! But one person is special, his very best friend. Her name is Adeline and her and JD have a connection like no other. She lives back in Sarasota and it's been hard for him to be away from her, but we try to see her every single month. He talks about her almost daily. He tells me he loves her because she "treats him like a normal person." Addie also has some developmental delays, but when they are together they are a perfect pair. She laughs at his jokes and he holds her hand. He talks about how one day they will get married at Legoland and they will live with us forever. I tell him nothing on earth would make me happier. Seeing him connect with Addie, and his friends, is the best gift I could ever ask for!<br />
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<img alt="Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, stripes and indoor" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/15871685_10154881544754715_3619275569821172985_n.jpg?oh=cd339bcd7fd5ec9e1a7554c4a64329eb&oe=591F5BAD" width="320" /><br />
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<b>Academics</b><br />
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It's hard to believe that JD's in 3rd grade now. Three days a week he's in a special-needs classroom and two days a week he's in a typical classroom with an aide. He makes amazing grades, never anything less than a B on his report card and loves to come home to quiz me on math facts, grammar and science. He wants to be a scientist when he grows up, or a video game designer.... he hasn't narrowed it down yet but I'm sure he'll accomplish whatever he sets his mind on. He wants to work at GameStop when he goes to high school and most of the time is pretty responsible. He's an amazing speller, which is funny because I'm horrible at spelling. I'm proud of him because he keeps pushing onward. School is getting harder and he's dog tired at the end of the day but he keeps on keeping on!<br />
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<img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, sitting and child" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14937454_10154659287714715_2806358332173720117_n.jpg?oh=d3b3d2e6981c6778a07e119b6b364baa&oe=591A05C0" width="320" /> <br />
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<b>Shoes, Buttons, Self Care</b><br />
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Another area that JD has made progress in is self-care and independence. He just learned how to tie his shoes! That was a BIG deal for us and I'm thankful for his OT at school who taught him! He can get himself dressed, button shirts and zip up jackets, brush his teeth (although not well enough because he's had 10 cavities) and wash his own hair. He's starting to do chores around the house like folding laundry, and I say folding in a very loose term! He unloads the dishwasher for me and has even learned how to make himself some foods. Again, that's probably something most parents don't think about but it's a big deal to us. Our entire goal as his parents is to make him as independent as possible.<br />
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<b>Sports</b><br />
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I can't believe I almost forgot this one! Last year JD played on his first sports team - soccer, and he participated and dominated in Special Olympics swimming! This was another dream to see come true. We learned that he's an amazing swimmer and we'll start up again in May. He won two first place ribbons in the Central Florida games and we're hoping this summer he'll make it to the State games. He has such drive and passion for swimming and when he's in the water it's like he's in his element. I love watching him swim and I hope he keeps it up for years to come!<br />
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<b>Masterbuilder</b><br />
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Earlier I mentioned one of JD's obsessions - Legos. Our house is covered in Legos and I have a love/hate relationship with them. I currently have probably 8-10 Lego sets sitting on my kitchen counter and kitchen table. JD builds them and plays with them every day. I love them because of a few reasons: 1. because he can build the sets by himself now, which is pretty difficult, and 2. when he plays with them his imagination is in full-force. He has all sorts of battles with his Lego figurines and normally takes at a rubbermaid container of at least 10 of them everywhere we go. The hate part is picking them up on a daily basis. You think I'd give us by now and just leave them all over the table and floor, but I can't. My OCD kicks in and I have to put them away. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again knowing the result will always be the same. That's me with Legos!<br />
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There's a quick recap of just a few of the things JD's accomplished in the last year! I love him so much I could burst even when there are times where I think I can't take another second of listening him talk about whatever topic he's into that week. He makes me so proud in so many ways. These accomplishments didn't happen overnight, more like over years. That's why I liked the quote in the photo above so much - "little by little, one travels far." Keep traveling JD!<br />
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-53736208305330502792016-11-06T13:33:00.002-08:002016-11-06T13:35:23.902-08:00Ugly Tears of Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow. I'm not sure even where to begin. I've been crying for a good hour because I just found out that my son can do pre-algebra. We were sitting at the kitchen table doing some makeup work from class that he missed and sure enough he gets to a section of his math homework that says "N+6=14+5." He asked me if I knew how to do the question and I kind of laughed because math is not my thing, so then he went ahead and "taught" me how to solve for N. At first I was so excited but my eyes were quickly filled with tears. I'm not talking like little tears, I'm talking like the UGLY uncontrollable sobbing tears that give you a headache afterwards. He saw me crying and asked me if they were tears of joy and I said YES! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!! But really he has no idea just how proud I am.</div>
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JD is 8 and a half now. He was diagnosed with autism 6.5 years ago. When he was diagnosed he couldn't talk, couldn't walk and really had no connection with the world other than through his Thomas the Tank Engine trains and videos. The feeling I felt on the day of his diagnosis was complete fear and sadness. We didn't know if he'd be able to communicate or connect with us, what his future held or how far he would grow. We just jumped into therapy and hoped for the best but honestly expected the worse.</div>
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His autism journey has been really hard. If you didn't know him when he was 2, then it can be really hard see how far he's come. He had severe sensory, behavior and social/emotional issues. We did 30 hours a week of therapy - OT, Speech, ABA. Our world was 100% autism focused. Each year has gotten a little better and even though he still struggles with social issues, he has really overcome the majority of the other problems. Now we deal with his obsessive tendencies, rigidness and difficulties fitting in, but to see him succeed at something makes all of the hard times seem worth it. </div>
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So while I really don't want to share this horrible picture of me and my ugly tears, this is what it looks like to be an autism parent... losing it when your child who struggles every single day succeed at something. Maybe it's not pre-algebra, maybe it's just saying their first word, or sliding down a slide for the first time unassisted (I remember those days), maybe it's playing side-by-side with a friend instead of alone, or being invited to a birthday party. Maybe it's learning to swim or ride a bike. <b>Whatever it is, each accomplishment is so amazing! </b></div>
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So let the ugly tears flow!... better yet, share the ugly tears with the world so they can feel it too! Because for every accomplishment JD makes, there are millions of other kids on the autism spectrum that are making BIG accomplishments today too and we shouldn't be ashamed to show how happy we are for them!</div>
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I love you JD! You have made me a better person and my life is better because I have you in it!</div>
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<span id="goog_687862142"></span><span id="goog_687862143"></span><br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-31240904706483721732015-07-21T16:00:00.002-07:002015-07-21T16:01:20.216-07:00You Have Something Called Autism...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"JD, you have something called autism." </div>
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<b>Whew, I said it. I did it. </b></div>
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Today was the day we told JD that he is on the autism spectrum. </div>
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I should rewind a bit and explain why today. Jason and I have been talking about it a lot lately, about telling JD. He's seven years old and lately when he gets in trouble, he says he has "something wrong with his brain" or "his brain is broken" - I can see the frustration and confusion on his face as he struggles to understand why he does what he does. We struggled with what to say, how to do it, and if he'd even understand. But I knew it was coming. </div>
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This afternoon I took the kids to the bounce house place to burn off some energy and while I was taking Kyle, my youngest, to the bathroom, JD bit a boy (and I mean like a full-on Jaws-sized bite). In full-blown tantrum - crying, screaming, throwing things - I managed to get JD to apologize to the boy and his mother, and get the heck out of dodge. 15 minutes of bouncing and $20 later, I was one ticked mom. On the way home I called Jason and said - this is it. We have to tell him. </div>
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We got home and took JD into his room and told him we needed to have a talk. I just looked at him and said, "JD, you know when you get upset and you can't control your feelings and you get really, really mad? Well, that's because you have something called autism."</div>
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Jason and I tried our best to explain to him what autism is but it's not the easiest concept to walk through with a child. We told him that his brain works differently and that's why he has a hard time controlling his emotions or understanding how to play with friends. Amazingly enough he seemed to understand but it was heart wrenching to see him go through three distinct emotions - confusion, sadness and then relief. </div>
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He was confused at first, but then seemed to grasp the concept, then sad when he realized he was different. Then he seemed to have this sense of relief that there was a reason he has a hard time with things. I can't really explain it, but it was just this weight had been taken off his shoulders. I explained to him that he isn't broken, or "evil" as he sometimes says, but that he has autism and we love him just the way he is.</div>
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The whole conversation probably lasted ten minutes and when we were done, JD went and told Kyle, "Kyle, I have something called autism and sometimes it makes me really, really mad." It was cute. He got it. </div>
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I'm sure we'll have to keep having the conversation, but at least it's a start. The cat is officially out of the bag and I have to say it's a relief. </div>
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-51926891543370012752015-04-26T15:15:00.001-07:002015-04-26T15:18:11.067-07:00The Needs of the Many vs. the Need of the Few or One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you're a Star Trek fan like me, then you may remember the phrase Spock says in The Wrath of Khan. <strong><span style="color: blue;">“Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Captain Kirk answers then answers, “Or the one.”</span></strong> Who knew this movie quote would swirl in my head so many times as a parent of a child with autism. I've found it to be a struggle to decide if the needs of the many (Jason, Ashley, Kyle and myself) truly outweigh the needs of the few or one (JD). I have to confess that in our family, the needs of the one, outweigh the needs of the many. Case in point, staying in Sarasota, where JD is thriving in this school, versus moving back to Orlando where the rest of us feel at home. <br />
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When we moved to Sarasota, JD made it into one of the best autism programs in the country. It's called Pinnacle Academy and so far it's really lived up to its reputation. JD has flourished at school - learning to read, write, do math, history, science... with project based learning or PLB. He has occupational and speech therapy there, he's made great friends there and his maturity level is really at an all-time high (even though he still has a ways to go!). I couldn't be happier with Pinnacle. We've made great friends there and it's really a great community. But I'll be honest - even with as great as his school is, I miss Orlando. <br />
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I miss my friends and family. Even just 2 hours aways, I don't see them enough and by the time the day is over at 9:00 p.m., I'm so exhausted that I can't always make that call that I should. I miss my old job, I was great at my old job, and in a building of 700 people I always felt like I knew everyone. I miss my best friends there and the happy hours and the lunch dates. It's not the same here at my new job. Luckily, I'm starting a new position in a few weeks and I hope that I can have an easier time adjusting. <br />
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But most of all I miss our church and The First Academy, where Ashley went to school and Kyle would have gone. We had such a sense of family there and it's not easily replaceable. We enrolled Ashley into an A-rated public school this year and she's done really well academically. I just don't really have any connection to the families that go there because it's so large. I thought being the room mom would help, but it's just not the same as TFA where "everybody knows your name" lol. We're looking into a smaller private school for fall because Kyle goes to kindergarten, but I struggle with moving them again. There are moments when I think it would just be easier to go back to Orlando and put everyone back where they were, but that option as great as it seems, comes with a $35,000 ANNUAL price tag in tuition that we have a very hard time affording. <br />
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So back to my question - what's more important, the needs of the many or the needs of the few or the one? Right now I'm focusing on the one, because everyone else can adjust easier (I didn't say easily, but easier)... and even though my other two kids may have a hard time understanding my decisions now, later in life I hope they see the struggle it was to make decisions when JD has a whole different set of needs. Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-25316682944511540482014-11-10T19:48:00.000-08:002014-11-10T19:48:18.102-08:00The Space Where Our Minds Meet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a writer, I find it quite interesting that my son has a communication disorder. You see, my mind works in words - I can hear them flowing in my brain, I can even see me typing them in my mind as I speak. It's hard to shut them off and some days I feel like my head will burst if I don't put pen to paper. This week has been one of those weeks. I've just had this intense need to write, this urge that won't be fulfilled until I sit down and do just this - type. It's hard to organize my thoughts as they ebb and flow in all directions, swirling and racing.<b> But these words that I love so much, I know they come so hard for JD.</b> His autism makes it difficult for him to express himself.<br />
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Much of the time JD lives in his own world - seeming to be deep in thought. Sucking his thumb, staring into space as his rubs the edge of his monkey blanket back and forth; he leaves me to wonder what he's thinking about. But luckily there are moments when JD lets me into his world.<br />
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Like tonight...I was putting JD to bed and he wanted to tell me a story. Something about a Lego Ninjago warrior that he's worried will lose his power and be destroyed. After trying to explain to him that the ninja wasn't real, he went into great detail to dispute my claims and explained this warrior and what had happened to him. He was truly worried about this warrior and didn't want to go to sleep until we discussed it. It was at that moment that I realized - although JD has a difficult time communicating with his words, his mind races just like mine. He thinks of stories and lives in this universe where it's hard to concentrate on reality. His mind is also like a dam that's about to break but unlike me, he doesn't have a way to get it out.<br />
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I can't imagine how frustrating that must be. Now thinking back I realize I've heard it many, many times in his speech. He stumbles and hesitates, gets excited looking for the right words to explain what he's trying to say. <b>But when left uninterrupted, unrushed, he can tell long stories with extreme detail and precision - it's like once he begins, it all flows.</b><br />
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That's the place I love. <b>It's the space where our minds meet.</b> I understand the need he has to tell his story, whether or not it makes any sense to anyone else. It's in those stories that he makes sense of the world, tries to connect to other people and makes room in his brain for new information. His rambling stories are like my ramblings blog posts - they clear the mind and give our bodies a sense of ease that can't be found anywhere else.<br />
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<b>I'm thankful for those stories, those words, because I know so many kids like him don't have them. </b>It's easy to get frustrated by the repetition, the rambling and the crazy sound effects that accompany his stories (and if you know JD you know what I'm talking about), but it's moments like tonight that remind me that it's his way of sharing his world with me. :)Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-83245925805542872262014-03-22T17:51:00.000-07:002014-03-22T17:51:04.010-07:00Happy 6th birthday JD! It was SUPERHERO-tastic!What a great week! JD turned 6 years old on Thursday, March 20th. I can't believe how big he is... and what I REALLY can't believe is that I started this blog FOUR years ago! It was right after his 2nd birthday! WOW how time goes by fast! JD has changed so much, and come SO far. Each birthday really gives me the opportunity to look back and thank God for all that he's learned and accomplished and for all of the people in our lives that have been there to help support and love him!<br />
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This was another year filled with amazing feats! JD's almost finished with his first year of Kindergarten at First Hope and I could not be happier with his progress! He's learning to read, he can do addition and subtraction facts, his comprehension skills are fantastic and he's made a lot of strides with social skills. First Hope has been such a blessing in our life and I'm very excited to say that he will be moving up for first grade there in the fall! <br />
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Another big event for this year was having JD's first true birthday party with friends. In the past, we've done birthday parties, but it's been family or friends of the family, not really JD's friends. Mainly because he didn't really have any. One of the big benefits of being at First Hope is that he's surrounded by REAL friends! Both in his special needs classroom and his inclusion classroom. He was extremely excited about his birthday this year and really understood that we were having a party for HIM! We invited all of the boys in the class to a superhero-themed party at a place called Hukoo's. There were trampolines, bumper cars and games. It was loud and crazy and fun! It turned out really well and JD had a great time. I was so thankful that so many of his friends came; and even with a group of boys just like him (on the autism spectrum), they all were amazing! <br />
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I have to share a bunch of pictures from today because I'm such a proud mama bear! Enjoy!<br />
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JD with mommy and daddy, my favorite picture of the day!</div>
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Superheroes!</div>
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A vist from Iron Man!!</div>
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Group picture!</div>
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JD playing dodgeball on the trampolines</div>
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Superhero cake and cupcakes!</div>
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All of the friends! :)</div>
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Blowing out the candles</div>
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Pirate ship air shooting game - JD wasn't up for it, but Kyle LOVED it!</div>
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Kyle and Griffith</div>
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Kyle and his best friend Jordon on the motorcycles</div>
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Family Party Time!</div>
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Cousin Love!</div>
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-11388491045938675942014-02-10T17:51:00.001-08:002014-02-10T17:51:52.348-08:00The Bond of BrothersIf you know me, you know I'm the first one to admit that I was absolutely certain my third child was going to be a girl. From the moment I found out we were expecting I could just feel it... her name was going to be Savannah Kaitlyn Graham and I even bought her the perfect yellow and blue toile bedding just weeks into my pregnancy. The only problem was Savannah wasn't a quite the girl my heart was set on... At my 20-week sonogram the doctor told me (and many members of my family who were in the room) that we were having another BOY. I hate to admit it, but after I told him to "check again", I sat there and cried. <br />
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Of course we were blessed with my beautiful baby, Kyle Logan Graham, more than 4 years ago. He's quite the crazy little man and has the funniest little facial expressions. I can't imagine my life without him. But every now and then, Savannah creeps into my mind... I often think - I wonder why God gave me a second boy when I felt so strongly that I was having another girl? It's an easy answer though, one that I've known for a long time.<br />
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See I've come to determine that boys need brothers, especially my boys. Ashley on the other hand is perfectly content being the only "princess" in the house. But JD and Kyle, they were meant to be together. Together they are wild, crazy, messy boys. They drive me absolutely MAD, but they love every moment of being together. You can't have one without the other.<br />
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But God knew what he was doing when he gave me Kyle because he knew more than I yearned for another girl, JD would need a brother in his life. Kyle never judges JD. He only admires him as the perfect big brother. JD can do no wrong in Kyle's eyes. I know one day Kyle will realize that JD has special needs, but what I also know is that the moment he does, he will stand fearlessly against anyone who may treat him any less than normal. That's exactly why Kyle has the personality that he does. He's not only the amazing little baby in our family, but one day, he'll actually play the big brother role for JD since there's a good chance that his developmental age will be older than JD in just a few years. <br />
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Having boys is not for the weary, and I don't know how many time I want to pull out my hair and scream from the shenanigans, but I love them. And most of all, I love that they have a bond that can never be taken away. Brothers for life... oh I'm in for it!<br />
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-84755448804350814792014-01-16T15:56:00.002-08:002014-01-16T15:56:31.694-08:00Autism is like living Groundhogs Day the movieI never actually saw the movie Groundhogs Days, but from what I've heard of it, it's a lot like having a child with autism. If it were up to JD, every single day of his life would be exactly the same. Same food, same tv shows, same clothes, you hear me. And most of the time I'm ok with that, but tonight when I was asked (aka yelled at) for "popcorn and popsicle" after his bath I just had to scream "I'M COMING!.... ERRRRR!" Trust me JD, I know the routine, you don't have to remind me. Those reminders just wear me out. <br />
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I know that you have to have three cut up cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and for lunch you have five slices of Boarshead oven gold turkey with strawberries (also cut up), a bag of goldfish, two RED bags of fruits snacks and of course the juice box which you MUST drink before you can eat anything else. Then for dinner you have chicken tenders (again cut up), more strawberries, goldfish and fruit snacks. And finally, once you're done with your bath you immediately require an ORANGE popsicle and popcorn. <u>I don't know how you eat the same thing every single day.</u> Not only do you have to eat the same thing, but in the same order. Well at least we made three different foods onto one plate - that was a huge accomplishment since you used to freak out if they were next to each other. <br />
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Maybe it's because I've been sick this week, or because it's just dawning on me that there's a possibility that I could be feeding my child "popcorn and a popsicle" every night after bath for the rest of his life, but I'm just worn out. Autism can do that to you. It's not easy, even on the good days. The only thing I know for sure is that tomorrow will be just the same...<br />
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-38550736738724522232013-12-23T08:54:00.001-08:002013-12-23T08:54:08.473-08:00Merry Christmas!!Wow - I can't believe another year has flown by. Here we are one day away from Christmas! It's been a really busy day for our family, but 2013 has been a wonderful year for the Graham Crackers, especially JD. I was just telling Jason (my husband) that lately I've had this sense of peace and ease and I couldn't figure out why. But then I realized... JD is finally in the right school for him and I no longer have to fight for his well-being. Ever since the day he was diagnosed, I've had to fight for more services (OT, Speech, ABA, etc.), fight insurance companies for payments, and fight the public school system for the best IEP possible. But ever since the day we got his Matrix score and enrolled him at First Hope, I've been able to let my guard down. His teachers are AMAZING. Everyone at the school is like family, and JD has never been happier. He is learning so much.... he loves to practice his math facts, has made straight A's on his spelling tests and is beginning to read! I couldn't ask for more! Here are some pictures of my little man growing up. He's half way to 1st grade already!!<br />
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Here's JD with his best friend :) </div>
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Here's JD with Mrs. Laura, his teacher. He LOVES her!</div>
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And here's JD making a Christmas tree "treat" at the First Hope holiday party!</div>
<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-46998099798796268392013-11-10T19:43:00.002-08:002013-11-10T19:43:28.546-08:00The Things They Don't Tell You Before You Have Kids...Ok so normally my blog posts are upbeat and glowing with positive remarks.... today isn't one of those days. It's 10pm on a Sunday night and I'm exhausted. I've been in the process of getting three kids to sleep for the past 2.5 hours. And while I laid in bed, singing the same songs over and over again, like I've done every single night for the past seven years, it occurred to me. No one tells you the truth about parenting. Sure you can see all the cute baby commercials, or photos from your friend's Facebook page, or flip through the latest issue of Parenting magazine. But they leave a LOT out. So to make myself feel better, I am writing a list of my own entitled, "The Things They Don't Tell You Before You Have Kids." Hope you enjoy... (ps. these are in no particular order)<br />
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1. You will NEVER sleep in again. Sure, you think it will be bad the first couple of months while the baby is waking up for feedings at night. But what you don't realize is that the sleep you know of is GONE for ETERNITY. Never again will you roll over in bed and enjoy the nice quiet mornings on the weekend. Or, wake up and get dressed for work with only yourself to worry about. Once you have kids you're done. Oh, and once they climb out of the crib, I hope you enjoy having someone sleep at your feet cause that's what they do. Forget restful, wonderful sleep. It's over.<br />
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2. You will watch the same cartoons OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. It starts off with Disney Jr., PBS Kids... then you make your way to Nick Jr. (thanks to Dora and Diego) and finally to Nickelodeon. Spongebob becomes a pillar in your home and all of a sudden your kids have this gross cartoon humor about butts. It's at home, in the car (thanks to mobile dvd players), on your ipad... it follows you around. You can even tell when they switch the voiceovers for the characters... come'on moms, you know that original Diego wasn't the same two years later... OMG please let me watch normal tv! Oh and yeah, those grown up shows your DVR, you're too tired to watch them after the kids go to bed so forget keeping up with the latest tv gossip.<br />
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3. There is no such thing as alone time after having kids. The best bet you can have is locking yourself in your bathroom and blaring music hoping they will stop pounding on the door crying. And, while you're trying to squeeze in some "mommy time" taking a nice bath, you get to enjoy rubber kid toys staring at you. I have about 10 minions in my bathtub at this very moment. Oh and yea, the kids have their own bathtub but insist on using mine because it's a big one.<br />
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4. Eating out is never enjoyable with kids. From the moment they're born, all the way through toddlerhood and to "big kids" eating at a restaurant becomes nothing but ordering at light speed - hoping they don't screw up the meals because the kids will FLIP, carrying around an endless supply of gold fish to hold off the hunger as they take a 1/2 hr to make chicken nuggets and wolfing down the meal as you cut as fast as you can. You pay the bill before they even bring the food cause you know one of your kids inevitably will have a meltdown and your worst fear is being stuck waiting for the check while all eyes STARE at you with hatred.<br />
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5. Forget about owning anything nice for ten years. That nice car you have... they trash it. That nice furniture - yeah they write on it, or poke things through it, or better yet, they pee on it. Everything becomes a canvas for them. My kitchen table has been drawn on, my walls, the carpet, the cabinets. Nothing is off limits to them. The sad thing is that you just get used to living that way and you realize that buying new stuff is just stupid. Oh and no matter if you try to hide the markers, they WILL find them. It's like a sixth sense they have.<br />
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6. The laundry never stops. How can little kids were more clothes in a week than a I do in an entire month?! OMG, I never stop doing laundry. I hear it only gets worse too...<br />
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7. Forget ever having extra money. If you do have an extra $100 then it goes to their school because there is ALWAYS something they need money for. And if it's not school, then it's new shoes (cause their feet grow like a weed), clothes, toys, birthday party gifts, their OWN birthday parties (which run a cool $400 nowadays and that's without the present)... the list goes on and on. Doctor's appointments!!!!!! I almost forgot those. HA. Extra money... I wish.<br />
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8. You forget what it's like to hang out with your spouse. Dinner dates?! HA!!! Yeah if you have an extra $60 to pay for babysitting on top of the $40 meal. (See #7) The only way you can keep your sanity is if one of you goes out and the other stays behind to watch the kids and then you switch. It's the only way to successfully go out, and NOT end up fighting about how much the night cost. If you're lucky you might be able to talk at home, but that's only if you can hear over the screaming, whining and wrestling of the kids.<br />
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9. You become a short-order cook. Kid 1 will eat this, but Kid 2 will not. Kid 2 wants this, and Kid 3 wants that. My sister gave me great advice a long time ago. She said, "Lindsay - you have to serve it on a plate before you can throw it in the trash." Isn't that the truth! Forget trying to get them to eat what you want them to - it doesn't work.<br />
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10. Most likely (at least in my case) you will not be the mom/dad you thought you'd be. I know for me, I grew up thinking I'd be this wonderful stay-at-home mom with four boys and I'd spend days making crafts and driving them to soccer practice. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I spent three years at home with my kids and I thought I was going to lose my mind (for all the reasons above). I ran (if not SPRINTED) back to work when I had the chance and I soon realized that staying home was harder than ANY job I have experienced. I didn't quite live up to my own expectations, and it eats at me a lot, but you know, that's real life. I think if I knew what to expect, not just the fake reality they make up on tv, then I wouldn't have been so hard on myself. Being a parent is WAY harder than I ever expected. And of course it's totally "worth it in the end" (I had to put the positive lining in somewhere), but MAN, I had NO clue what was in store for me.<br />
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Well, if you're still reading, thanks for reading my rant. I don't mean to be "wah-wah-wah" girl from Saturday Night Live, but it's the truth! I'd love to hear other stories - what did people forget to tell you about parenthood?!<br />
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Keepin' it real.... LindsayWelcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-39486522313534217322013-10-31T08:13:00.004-07:002013-10-31T08:13:57.306-07:00Celebrating Great Progress!Where has the time gone? My goodness, I can't believe we're already running full speed into the holidays! Earlier this week, Jason and I had JD's first parent/teacher conference at First Hope. All I can say is WOW - what a difference from last year... I can't believe how much progress he's made! We have so much to celebrate this year, not just with JD but with all of our munchins! It's just extra sweet when we see JD making big strides because I know he has to work extra hard to get there. <br />
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Academically, JD is doing AMAZING. He's learned how to write, he is starting to do math (he LOVES his addition tables) and his reading comprehension is testing quite well. These are all things he learned in the first 9 week of the school year! I'm truly amazed. His teachers and therapists are wonderful and we couldn't be more thankful to have them in our lives!<br />
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Also this quarter, JD went on his first field trip. Here's a picture of him and Ashley at Kennedy Space Center. He enjoyed seeing the space stuff but what he really loved what the Angry Birds Space exhibit. </div>
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And finally this past week we've been celebrating Halloween. This is a holiday that I'm always a little anxious over because I never know if JD is going to want to dress up or not, and I also worry about if some of the scarier costumes will scare him. But this year he was great. He was Darth Vadar (no mask of course) and he walked around with all the kids during our neighborhood's halloween party. It's was cute because he did one lap around the neighborhood and then wanted to go back inside to have goldfish and a juice box... not at all interested in the candy he just collected. But I am proud of him because he did try out some Nerds! <br />
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I really just can't believe how big all the kids are getting... Kyle and Ashley's birthday is coming up in a few weeks and then it will be Christmas! Where does the time go? <br />
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I'm so proud of JD. It's been a big transition for him to go to First Hope and to really learn what it's like to be in school. He really, really loves it and asks me every day if he can go back. I know he has to grow up, but sometimes I just want him to stay exactly the age his is now... my bubby love. :)<br />
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-66512202630375580752013-10-03T11:59:00.000-07:002013-10-03T11:59:00.392-07:00"He Doesn't Seem Like He Has Autism..."The other day we ran into a balloon artist at dinner and JD was going bonkers trying to explain to him that he wanted an "alien space shuttle". The guy kept telling JD over and over again that he couldn't make an alien space shuttle but JD just kept going into great detail about what it should look like (in his jibberish speak of course). "It has hands like this... onnggg!" He said... and it goes like this... ahhhh!" lol. I try not to interfere because I want him to feel a sense of independence like the other kids who ask for dog, or a dolphin. But finally I had to intervene.<div>
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"He is on the autism spectrum," I said to the balloon guy. "That's why he's having trouble understanding why you can't make him an alien spaceship." The guy looked at me and looked at JD and said, "What makes you think he has autism? He doesn't seem like he has autism."</div>
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I kind of stood there taken back. Was this guy really arguing with me about my son's autism status? Really? Deep breath... time to use this moment as a learning opportunity... "Yes, he does have autism, he's just high-functioning. He can speak and might look like a normal kid on the outside, but mentally he's about 3." The guy stood there looking at me like I was crazy. Time to give up...</div>
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One of my biggest pet peeves as an autism mom are people who make stupid comments like "he doesn't look like he has autism, or he doesn't act like he has autism." OH THAT'S RIGHT... you've seen him for about TWO WHOLE MINUTES. My bad... you're right. The last three years of therapy were not needed and that developmental pediatrician that I pay for fortune for, she's just a dumbass. lol. </div>
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I know that when people say this, they are probably trying to be nice. I get that - telling me he doesn't "look autistic" is supposed to make me feel better. I just find it irritating that people actually make that comment when they've only spent a few minutes with my child. If he had down syndrome, no one would say, "well he doesn't seem to have down syndrome". It's so annoying! Autism is an invisible disability people!!!!! </div>
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Anyway, I just had to rant for a minute! :) Thanks for listening!</div>
Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-39009396629171732722013-09-25T07:48:00.002-07:002013-09-25T07:48:34.038-07:00The Most Exciting Thing Ever!If you easily get grossed out, then this post isn't for you. Cause what I'm talking about today is gross, but nothing short of a miracle at the Graham House!<br />
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Not to jinx it, but for the last FOUR days JD has pooped in the potty! He's almost six and this has been something we've been working on for two years. He's been peeing in the potty for a while now, but for some reason he was absolutely terrified of pooping. I mean so terrified that if I made him sit on the toilet he would scream and cry until his nose would bleed. He would hit me, pinch me, spit on me, scream... you name it, he did it. And that was just asking him to SIT on the potty. It's been a true nightmare - one that always ended up with us giving up after an hour of screaming, putting him in a pullup and dealing with the massive mess in the morning. It was causing major stress in our lives.<br />
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But then something clicked. Somehow I got him on the potty last weekend (using the iphone, toys, pepsi, etc. as a reinforcer) and he actually went! Of course we drove straight to Target to get him a "poopy toy". Then the next day he went again, and then next day and the next! I'm not completely holding my breath yet that we're 100% there, but we're REALLY close. I can almost imagine a day without diapers or wipes and that's huge for us. Especially since we were getting to the point where we'd have to order special-sized pullups online because JD has outgrown the ones from stores.<br />
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Here's a picture of JD proudly showing off his poop! Completely gross, I know, but a MAJOR accomplishment in the Graham household!<br />
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In addition to the pooping, JD has made major development leaps recently. One is the consistent use of holding his pencil/crayon/marker correctly. Again, another skill we've been working on for close to two years!<br />
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The next is learning math. Recently he got an award at school for completing extra math during class. I'm glad to see that he found a subject that he enjoys and is good at!<br />
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This year as been a big one for JD and I'm so proud of him! He learned to write his name, ride a bike, swim on his own, boggie board in the ocean, and so much more! I love my 'trouble graham!"<br />
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-49172712697600494962013-09-03T18:22:00.003-07:002013-09-03T18:22:31.509-07:00The Difference a Positive Note Makes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One thing you immediately inherit when you have kid with autism is the almost<u> daily </u>negative feedback. Whether it's from a teacher, a therapist, a neighbor, or a "friend" of theirs at school that the beat up that day... you hear it. It can be really hard to focus on the positive when all you hear about is the negative. "JD hit this child, JD slapped this teacher, JD bit his friend..." the list goes on and on. </div>
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JD spent the last year and a half in a public school prek program for kids with autism and I can tell you that in that year and a half he probably only got TWO good notes home from his teacher in his daily communication. TWO. Every day I'd read about his "melts" (the term of which now sounds like nails down a chalk board to me). JD would have 3-5 "melts" in a day. This included kicking, screaming, biting, hitting, slapping, throwing things, etc. They normally last about 10 minutes each. His teacher (in his autism classroom) would call me to even come get him sometimes because he was "uncontrollable." It makes my stomach churn to know that he was dealing with such stress during that time. </div>
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But we're on week three at First Hope and I'm so thankful that he's received a few POSITIVE messages from his kindergarten teacher. Here's the one I got today:</div>
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Now, I know that JD has his good days and bad - and the vast majority are not in the "good" category. BUT, the difference to me so far this year has been nothing short of amazing. His teachers share with me the areas where he needs work, but they also share the GOOD things.<br />
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As a parent I can't say thank you enough when I get these emails. It completely makes my day! Hearing something positive from another adult or child really gives me hope. It reminds me that JD is working hard, his teachers love and respect him, and best of all - he's in the right school.<br />
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I am really looking forward to this year, I have a feeling that JD is going to flourish at First Hope!<br />
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-12237120362095449762013-08-22T14:20:00.003-07:002013-08-22T14:20:58.801-07:00I Admit it, I get Jealous.I know that "normal" is only a setting a on dryer, but sometimes I wish that my life was just that... a little more normal. When you have a child with special needs your life is turned upside down. Sometimes, on bad days, you feel like you're living in a prison. You can't do things that other people can do, you can't go places other people go. It can be very lonely because you feel like no one else can understand what you're going through.<br />
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The past two months have been very emotional for me. JD started kindergarten at First Hope and while I'm so excited he's finally started his journey there, it also makes me realize that his autism is for life. I drop him off everyday with kids his age as well as those that are much older than him and it's hard. It makes me think about the future and stress about where he'll go in life. When he was first diagnosed I always felt that we could do enough therapy to make it go away, it was kind of my mission, and lately I've realized it just doesn't go away. I'm reminded of that daily and it makes me sad and worried and then back to sad.<br />
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Sadness quickly turns to jealousy. And I'll admit it - <b>I'm jealous of everyone else having a normal life.</b> I'm jealous of my friends who can go out to eat with their spouses because they either don't have kids or have no problem finding a babysitter because their kids are "normal". I'm jealous of the money they save by not having to pay for therapy, special schools, doctor appointments, etc. I'm jealous because I had to go back to work after being a stay-at-home mom to pay for all of those things. I'm jealous of my friends having fun on the weekends when I'm stuck at home, a prisoner of JD's routine. I'm just jealous... I wish I wasn't but I am. Some days I can deal with it, others I can't. I wish people knew that.<br />
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But then there are moments like today, when I picked up JD from school and he turned and said to me, <b>"Mommy, I always love you."</b> Those moments make me realize that I'm just being selfish. I love him more than words can explain, more than going out to eat in peace, more than going shopping with friends on the weekend, more than the money I could save by putting him a regular school... more than my desire a "normal" life.<br />
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Jealousy is a crappy thing. The grass is always greener on the other side. But sometimes my grass looks pretty green, I just forget to look at it long enough to appreciate it.<br />
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-31601202711650241352013-08-15T09:59:00.002-07:002013-08-15T09:59:34.400-07:00JD's 1st Day of Inclusion!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the main reasons we chose First Hope was because of their inclusion program. Even though it's a special-need program, two days a week, JD is "mainstreamed" into a regular kindergarten class with his First Hope teacher by his side as an aide. </div>
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Today was his first day in his inclusion class and he was doing great at drop off. I'm so excited that First Hope has this practice in place - I think it will really give him a balance of what he needs: very small group instruction on M/W/F and inclusion on T/TH. Here are some pictures from the morning!</div>
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-89370965094818667982013-08-07T08:43:00.000-07:002013-08-07T08:43:01.971-07:00A Perfect Moment in Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On May 5, 2010, I started this blog, Following JD's Journey, with my first post, "<a href="http://www.followingjdsjourney.blogspot.com/2010/05/our-new-beginning.html" target="_blank">Our New Beginning</a>." A month prior, in April of 2010, we learned that our 2-year-old son was diagnosed with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder and Apraxia (speech delay). When you're a parent, and you hear those words, your life is turned upside down. You realize what you thought your life was going to be like is no longer the case, and your mind starts wandering all over the place trying to determine what your new life is going to be like. It's a scary place to be.<br />
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Fast forward three years, and JD is now 5 and a half. He's come so far, learned so much, and I am SO proud of him for everything he's accomplished. When he diagnosed he had 5 words, could hardly walk, was unable to jump, swing, slide, climb (all motor skill problems), hardly ate solid foods, and was OBSESSED with trains to the point that he would not interact with anyone, only play at his train table.<br />
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Three years of intense therapy (speech, occupational/sensory, behavior) and here we are. Today JD started KINDERGARTEN at <a href="http://www.thefirstacademy.org/school_life/the_classical_school/first_hope/first_hope" target="_blank">First Hope</a>, a special-needs program at The First Academy! There are few days when I sit back and think to myself - this is a perfect moment. But this morning, as JD proudly showed off his new uniform (complete with a Batman backpack!), and grinned from ear-to-ear with his big sister as we took "first day" pictures, I couldn't have been happier.<br />
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For the last three years, we've been working for THIS DAY. I've wanted him to go to First Hope since I stumbled upon their ad in the Bright Feats magazine shortly after his diagnosis. I truly believe that this is the best place for him. Small classrooms (there's only 4 kids in his class and 2 teachers!), inclusion<u> with an aide</u> two days a week in a regular kindergarten classroom, individual speech and occupational therapy for 45 minutes each day, and ongoing behavior and sensory support around the clock with teachers and staff who love their children and display the word of God in their teachings and actions every day!<br />
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Today is sort of another "New Beginning" because this is the beginning of the rest of his school life. First Hope and The First Academy are where we call home. Our entire family fits there - not just our two "regular" kids. Ashley was SO proud of her little brother today, walking him into his classroom and telling him not to worry. I am SO glad she will be there with him each step of the way, like siblings should be. And next year, when Kyle starts school at The First Academy, Ashley and JD can walk HIM in as his older siblings. We are ONE family and we do things TOGETHER!<br />
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On a closing note, I just want to say thank you to my husband, who has been my rock for the last 13 years. Jason isn't the dad who sits on the sidelines... just the opposite. He's right there next to me, fighting this fight against autism. Thank you boo :)<br />
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And thanks everyone for taking the time to read this. Each of you have played a significant role in JD's Journey. We appreciate your support, "likes" and kind words every day. Thank you!!<br />
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<br />Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039571321899712333.post-54941797412278072842013-07-05T08:24:00.001-07:002013-07-05T08:26:55.167-07:00$19,457.00!!!! The Next Step in Our Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I remember the call so vividly - the day JD was diagnosed with autism there was ONE person in my life who could understand what I was going through. Her name is Amy and her middle son Harrison has autism. We had met a few months earlier through what I can only describe now as divine intervention. I called Amy the night we found out about JD, sobbing hysterically because she was that knew how I was feeling. I had no clue what my future held. When someone tells you your child has a major disability you<b> instantaneously</b> realize that what you thought your life was going to be like is thrown out the door for some massive unknown space. But back to the call...</div>
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Amy listened as I cried, and let me talk through my range of emotions. But at the end of the call she got real. She said - "Lindsay, you are JD's advocate. He NEEDS you to be strong because the next few years will define so much of his life." She wasn't talking about therapy, sure that would be a major part of the my life and I would have to fight with insurance companies to pay their fair share. What she was talking about <b>funding. </b></div>
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Amy told me - "Listen Lindsay, from this day forward, until JD gets into Kindergarten you will have to fight for him. Don't get me wrong - you'll still have to fight for him after he goes into Kindergarten, but these next few years will define so much." Amy went into great detail about something called the <b><a href="http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/" target="_blank">McKay Scholarship</a>.</b> A state-funded program that allows your child to take money that would otherwise go to their public school and use it for a private school of your choice. There was a matrix... 251 to 255. And my whole goal as a special-needs parent was to get a 255 because that meant the most funding. </div>
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Amy told me - "Lindsay, as a mom you will naturally want to focus on what JD CAN do, but you have to change your mindset. You have to focus now on what he CANNOT do. You're going to go to meetings, lots and lots of meetings, and people will ask you all these questions about his development. Don't lie to make his case look better! If he can't say 5 words, don't say he can because you wish he could - this will only hurt you in the long run! His funding is determined by what he CANNOT do, so take that mommy mindset and flip it upside down. You want the most for him, so you have to focus on the bad for a few years."</div>
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She was dead on. As a mom, my natural instinct was to "brag" about my kids... Ashley walked by this month... JD rolled over on x date. We ALL do it. But what I had to realize is that now I had to completely switch my mindset and focus on what my child <b>couldn't</b> do. </div>
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For the last three years I have been to so many meetings, so many therapies, so many schools discussing the things that my son cannot do. And the fight is now officially over. Last month we found out that JD got a 255 matrix score - the highest you can get! We were hoping, fighting and praying to get a 254 and when 255 came in I cried. Then this week we found out that his funding is $19,457! I feel like I'm still in shock, but what's even stranger is that I feel a weird let down from it all being over. </div>
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I feel like McKay has been my goal for so many years now, and it's over. I keep staring at the screenshot in disbelief. I'm kind of lost in a way. For the first time in three year I can breathe. No more IEP meetings. He starts at <a href="http://www.thefirstacademy.org/school_life/the_classical_school/first_hope/first_hope" target="_blank"><b>First Hope</b></a> in August and we'll be on the next phase in his life! Without the McKay Scholarship there would be no way that he could go to this school (as you can see from the picture, the tuition is extremely expensive!) but we know it's the best place for him!!</div>
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I know this is just the next step in his journey. One door closed and another one opens. I'm a little nervous for what the future holds, but I feel SO amazing in our accomplishment! I'm also excited because we can finally begin focusing on the GOOD rather than the BAD!!! Thank you Amy for giving me the first direction from day ONE! And thanks to everyone reading this for being there for us along the journey!</div>
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Welcome!http://www.blogger.com/profile/00823431281032443836noreply@blogger.com0