AutismLivesHere

Winter Blahs... Not here yet!

2007-01-14T01:04:00.000-05:00

Usually in January we all get a shot of the winter blahs... this year it has hit some harder than others incredibly fast!
I do not have them yet this year.
Why?
I don't know...
I have alot of aromatherapy going on in the house. I have taken up some new hobbies and I guess I have just tried to make myself think POSITIVELY!
There has been alot going on lately. I am not working outside of the house so some days I think of this house as a prison LOL jk.... but even with THAT being said I am looking forward to my new ventures that were put on hold a while ago. Some friends have helped me get set up online with a website (coming soon) and more focused on what I really want to do with my life and for my kids.
2007 was supposed to be an amazing year yet, so far, in the past 12 days it could really move along FASTER lol Bring on 2008!

The kids are good, a little bored because of the rain and lack of snow to make snowmen and throw snowballs at each other. Leo is working his butt off again! 'Tis the season for trucks to break down and once the freeze hits it will be the season for hydraulic lines to snap! LOL Keeps him busy but he is happy working and I understand that to some degree as I miss working outside of my house.

I sacrficed my job for my kids again and NO I don't regret it. Instead I find other things to do. I have been baking more and sewing more and "designing" new sensory products to make and sell. The beauty of being a Mom to 3 ASD kids is I have live-in test subjects to whether something is a hit or miss lol... Cheap marketing!

I hope you are all well and happy this January and I am looking forward to the end of the seasonal depression in many people and the end of the winter season. The light is coming back! Thankfully!

If you wanna see something cool go here.... www.spaceweather.com
The Comet McNaught is in view during the daylight hours! It is truely fascinating!

I survived... Did you?

2006-12-27T00:35:00.000-05:00

I survived Christmas.
I do not like spending time with my family (outside of my 3 kids and husband) and I do not like explaining to the world no matter who it is why discipline will not work with my kids.
You can smack them (they like it rough) you can threaten (they love a challenge) you can yell....Trust me they can yell louder and longer...Pass the Advil!

So We ended up having a huge spat over the family time etc. and went anyways but for limited time.
Gemini was himself. Running, grabbing, throwing...you name it he did it... Plus he had wicked gas so he smelled sour stinky all day!
The King was Mr. Can we go now? Child after my heart... lol
Lucky was obnoxious and demanding and annoyed with us all.
So it was a typical holiday!

Now we get ready for 12 days before school starts and the boredom that comes with it!
I expect a lot of frustration from these guys. They love school. It is a social time for them more than anything. Now they have to wait to see their friends, they will be out of the thrill of Christmas toys by Saturday and we are sure to get a huge snow storm that means we don't go anywhere for a day or so... fun fun!

So how were your holidays?
Did you survive too?

2006-12-13T10:18:00.000-05:00

Wake me up when Christmas ends....
I hate this time of year.
People expect so much from you and for what? So THEY can say THEY had a good holiday?
THEY should TRY being an autistic child.

Autism is hard enough to deal with without adding strange people and strange places during an over stimulated month of flashing lights and chaos.

Christmas should be about family. My family consists of my 3 beautiful boys and my tired and hard working husband and our pets Amber and Prue. That is it. I do not consider the rest of my relatives "family" because they lack the understanding and knowledge of Autism and how hard it is for my kids this time of year.

They expect alot and as my youngest son gets older he has a HARDER time dealing with the noise and the confinement of not being able to touch anything in someone else's home. My two older sons get the standard questions of what grade are you in and do you have a girlfriend and how is school and you know, in a situation like that they have no idea how to act. That is a HUGE part of Autism. I wish someone would get a clue!

So this year we did not do the kid's christmas party at my husband's work. We did not do the christmas concert at the kid's school. We did not do the things we normally do. It has helped keep my youngest son more level headed and more relaxed. I think it is a good thing. So does my husband.

Why should we bend over backwards for people who only talk about us when we aren't there? and why should we change they way we do things to accomodate someone who does care the rest of the year? Because once upon a time someone put on a Hallmark card that Christmas was all about family?

I think not.

This year we will have a quiet and simple christmas at home and not have to worry if the boys break a dish or two or if the turkey was JUST right. It was heaven last year. This year should be bliss!

Vote Damn It!

2006-11-02T15:42:00.000-05:00

Vote!
It isn't hard.
It takes 3 minutes out of your already boring life and could make a world of difference.
You are NOT going to agree with every issue every politician has but pick an issue you are passionate about (like taxes or healthcare) and vote for the one who sees it YOUR WAY!

Damn... I am so sick and tired of hearing how people do not vote! WHY? It is a right! Don't think you will always live in a Democracy and someone else will do it! What happens if everyone develops your so what attitude? Then you no longer have a democracy.

If you like the fact you can wander within the borders of your country freely....VOTE!
If you like the fact you have choices at the grocery store and coupons...VOTE!
If you like the fact you have the oppourtunity to achieve the "American Dream"... VOTE!
If you like the fact you can practice whatever religion you want... VOTE!
If you like the fact you can have more than one child...VOTE!

There are no excuses.
Go to a website of your canidates and pick one. Then check that box on vote day. It isn't rocket science but it is important!

ROCK THE VOTE 2006!

Blessed Sahmain

2006-10-31T14:42:00.000-05:00

Sahmain (pronounced soween)

All Hallows Eve or

Halloween

Which ever way your pronounce it it is October 31st!

This is my Christmas!

This is my Easter

My New Years!

and I am just grateful that my kids enjoy it as much as I do!

Last night the boys were up 'til 10:30pm as we carved pumpkins and talked about history and holidays. They are excited and so am I!

Dressing up, Celebrating the start of the Celtic New Year and eating traditional foods are things we really look forward to today!

Our house is decorated, the pumpkins are ready, the costumes are good to go and now we await dark so we can trick or treat and watch a scary movie or two!

And tomorrow is a day off school so they can indulge in their treats and just be kids for a day!

After explaining to the boys about Sahmain I can hardly wait til Yule. They are looking forward to that as well!

Blessings!

And stay safe during this all hallows eve!

I need a...

2006-10-28T15:55:00.000-04:00

referee shirt, a whistle and a penalty box! Just to go to the store!
When my babies were younger shopping was a PITA when they came with me! Then it got better and about a year ago it got worse than A PITA!

I will probably NOT take them out together again for a long time.
We went looking for halloween costumes today and WHAT was I thinking???

It started with Lucky getting his head lodged in between the seats in the car (Not so Lucky I know), then The King's mouth went into high gear (nothing new) and then Gemini has re discovered his love of ripping off price tags!!!
UGH
We were looking for a black robe that ISNT $40 (good luck huh) and WHAMO!!!! The King punches Lucky in the back of the head (What was he thinking?) Lucky whips around and chokes him (again nothing new) so The King kicks Lucky...as Gemini cheers!

So that is over with... stern talking to and we continue on... But like I said the King's mouth is in overdrive (fun fun) so Lucky is now on guard... "let the whining begin" is what I hear in my mind and YUP it was right!

So with ONE costume (for his royal pain in the hiney) and nothing for me (it is ME who is going without a costume tonight at the party) we go to the checkout and head for home... well I will NOT be doing that at Christmas NO WAY!

One Letter....

2006-09-22T01:14:00.000-04:00

Well, we got a letter.
And it has changed our lives....

Last school year the local health unit wanted me to vaccinate Gemini with his 6 yr old shot. No. The King hadn't gotten this shot either. I stopped vaccinating my kids once I discovered what was in vaccines... (look here) I did a ton of research and told Leo we weren't doing it anymore. He agreed (somewhat he usually just mumbles) and I fought for exemption for three months. I finally got it last May. My kids are now vaccine free! Or so I thought.

The letter we got today was telling me how "neccessary" it is to vaccinate your child against the harmful and deadly Hepatitis B. Granted it probably is not a fun diease to get but lets get real here.
Only 25 people (under 18) in Canada were diagnosed with HepB in 2004. We live in a rural area and the chances of one of us getting it are SLIM!
The Hep B vaccine contains MERCURY. Mercury poisioning and Autism are extremely similar. The symptoms and the milestones are 90% indentical but, that is a whole other day.
You get my drift here right?
I will not have my son get this vaccine.
Or any vaccine.

Leo was not impressed. As I sat down with Lucky to tell him why he was NOT to get the shot Leo took over my computer.
Link after Link.... hours go by and about 100 sheets of paper later he is on a mission.
The chemicals in vaccines are bad. The viruses in vaccines are bad. He is now looking up every chemical he can find and he is doing his OWN research.
It took 10 yrs. & Hours of screaming, frustration, tears and heartaches but, today was the day Leo took an interest in the cause and the effects of Autism.
It was probably the proudest day I had as his wife. He just took a little longer to jump on board than expected.

I will keep you posted as this "Brockovich" style drama unfolds.
I just hope I have a similar affect she did.
Take 'em all on and WIN!

Sleep.... oh what I would do for a nap today!

2006-09-10T19:10:00.000-04:00

Sleep.
You either get too much of you don't get enough.
At some point in everyday of our lives we think "I am tired" even if we are dehydrated, hungry or just metally unstimulated.
When you have Autistic children.. you are tired. They suck energy out of you... why do you think they have so much? lol
Why?
Because we worry, we are constantly weighing options, ideas, opinions. We are mentally in overdrive and that exhausts anyone.
Then the fact that we are running around after our 7 yr old as if he was a toddler. 7 years of chasing Gemini I should be a size 2.... I am unfortunately FAR from it!

Then if you have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Children your already Sucked dry emotionally, under nourished and over caffinated body now must work or clean or just survive the day!
Add a few meltdowns, some wrestling matches and a water incident, you have very exhausted parents.

So us moms and dads are tired.

And the NASCAR Addiction is fed for the day lol

2006-09-06T14:03:00.000-04:00

Yes I know I know... he didn't make the Chase this year... So what!
He had a few killer races(Neighborhood Excellence 400 presented by Bank of America, Dover International Speedway, June 04, 2006...2nd Place finish and Man was I mad at Kenseth for passing Jamie!)
and I think once the pressure is off from this first year is gone, at Roush Racing Jamie will kick ass!

And let's not forget Elliot Sadler's big move to the 19 car at Evernham Racing! Sweet ride E! You have been doing awesome the past few races!

Along with other drivers like Hermie Sadler and Bobby Labonte, Elliot and Jamie are putting Autism awareness on the map!

Thank guys!
Us families that are affected by Autism appreciate it alot!
:)

School Glorious School...

2006-09-06T13:51:00.000-04:00

That was the name of my Junior High Musical we did in '87.
Well, I now know why the teachers were so set on that name.
School is just that... GLORIOUS... well to parents anyways.

The rundown of yesterday(According to Lucky and the King)...ready?
Lucky has a GREAT science teacher.
Lucky gets to go on a school trip next week.
Lucky has 5 binders and an organizer.
Lucky thinks he is the coolest!

King has a male teacher.
King has to get crayons but no meltdown when he told me.
King has an organizer.
King gets to take French this year.
King is happy!

Gemini...
Ohh no why would he start school on time?
Why would the school be prepared for his arrival? They only KNOW he is coming!
That would make sense and the system that the board here runs does not make sense.
It is twisted, backwards and tiring.
Gemini will start school in a week or so... you know whenever they get organized. Even though I have been organized for a week waiting for the 5th of September (Tuesday after Labour Day is the Parents Christmas you know ;) )
And yes I am raising hell over it. So.... we will wait and see and in the meantime I am losing my marbles!

We saw Airplanes.... Lots of them

2006-08-30T18:13:00.000-04:00

Today was the last day of the airshow so we went. Gemini wasn't too interested but, was ok with the whole 'I guess I will sit and be good' Lucky and King well, my car windows will never be the same. lol Nose and Breath prints.

LOOK! It's a plane!
LOOK! It's a plane!
LOOK! It's a plane!
LOOK! It's a plane!

No kidding lol!

And as I type this the Canadian Snowbirds just buzzed my house and scared the crap out of me.
Sheesh! 6 jets Mach 5 (or whatever speed) Damn that is loud!!!!!

We saw the US Navy Vintage Bombers (My fave out of all of them)
A WaterBomber
Some parachuters
CropDuster DareDevil
and Just a huge plane. No Idea what it was.
So after an hour and a half the boys had to pee and to eat. Well, you know the drill so home we came and they were happy.
Lucky said "This has been a cool summer. We went..." and listed off all of our mini holidays and excursions. He seemed content. Well, until someone at school says they went somewhere "cooler" then I will suck as a Mom again...lmao.
Here comes the snowbirds... round 2.
Sounds like a missle is gonna land in my house!

Some interesting stuff

2006-08-30T03:00:00.000-04:00

Research.
It is a joke sometimes.
What our government and some companies constitute as research baffles me completely.
Here are some links my friends & I have come across in our internet travels in the past few weeks...

PALMISTRY

The apparent link between the length of our fingers and Autism. Fascinating until you cover your kids hands in ink... then it is just messy.

GREAT_DISCOVERY!

Researchers Discover Brain Abnormality In Kids With Autism
No kidding what was their first clue?
It is insane... we have known this for years and years but what do we know.

ULTRASOUNDS

Apparently ultrasounds cause Autism?

Along with a BILLION other things.

I could go on but you get the drift.... These are 3 of the DOZENS of articles and emails we come across daily. Hard earned bucks at work any quack can get a study grant but we as parents struggle to feed and medicate our kids. No $$$.

Somedays....Most days....

2006-08-30T02:41:00.000-04:00

Somedays my head pounds so hard I am brought to tears.
Somedays I feel like if I talk to the wall I will get better results.
Somedays everything seems bigger than the day before.
Somedays I wonder what I am doing here.
Somedays life just hands me constant lemons and I don't like lemonade.

Most days I can handle this.
Most days everything goes one way and I adjust.
Most days nothing that is on my list gets done.
Most days my mind is on the kids... where do I go from here?
Most days I am Autismed OUT!

I know I am today.
Gemini wasn't feeling well.
He has a loose toooth and it frustrates him (He always tells me he has a loose tooth by putting my finger in his mouth on the tooth and then he bites down and grunts).
The King was once again the instigator! Surprise. I wish I had bought that referee shirt when I saw it in May. I really need it on days like this.
Lucky was moody and impossible to deal with. I would be too with King nattering me all day... oh wait he IS nattering me all day and I am in a mood...hmm go figure?!?!?!

And here I am just trying to get the house and the kids organized for school that starts in 6 days. I want to see what clothes fit and what doesn't. That means Gemini is in fashion show mode and wants to try everyone's clothes on. He is being cute but, frustrating, he wants to try on everything in the drawers.
King is having a hissy fit because his favorite pants look like flooders (about 6" too short but he says "THEY FITTTTTTT!!!!"), I say too small box....Look out meltdown a comin'!
And Lucky is hiding in his room he knows I am hitting there next so he is silent until clean up time. I didn't get there today, tomorrow should be fun.

Now why, oh why, is it that the child who is sick and can not talk can put toys away and dishes in the sink without pitching a fit? BUT... the 2 older kids well, lets just say the huffing and puffing could have melted a Glacier!

So today was a day I would love to forget but, here I am. It is 2:45 am and my frustration and anxiety about what tomorrow could be like are keeping me awake...Again!
So much to do and sooooo little time I guess SOMEDAY I will get it done... Most days I don't.

The Case of the Screaming King

2006-08-25T16:24:00.000-04:00

Gemini grunts and squeals... Some days I think it is just his way of communicating some days I think it is strictly to drive me insane.
Today it is communication excited his brothers want to play with him but, to the King, it is an opportunity to make me take more Advil that I already do.

(SCREAM)

Me: Stop it. (Stern voice...not yelling yet)
King: I didn't do it. ( in the whiny I am guilty as hell but YOU can't see me voice)

30 seconds later (scream)

Me: Stop it now. (A little louder but stern)
King: How do you know it was me?

**Ummm let me think only the KING could screeeeeech like THAT.**

Me: Don't play with me I know it is you.
King: It was Gemini.
Me: I said stop it. (Still not yelling but, shouldn't I be?)
King: I said it was Gemini.

The kid had the nerve to screech in my ear a minute later. Deep breath and....
Me: Stop it. Now. No more. (Almost yelling not quite honestly what's the point right?)
He laughs he knows I can't stop him.
He is still screaming and screeching....
OOOO How I miss nap time.
2 hours I leave for work.
Nothing like loud and obnoxious peace and quiet... lol

2006-08-23T14:08:00.000-04:00

Once Upon a time.....

We dreamed of 4 children... I wanted two girls two boys. I got 3 boys and one girl. My daughter lived only 15 minutes. She died. She was born premature.

So I got to keep just my 3 boys.
It wouldn't really matter if they weren't perfect. No one is. Those who feel they are or are better than someone else because their children are "normal" needs a shrink fast!
I guess there was always an understanding that my husband (I shall call him Leo) and I had towards special needs (what some say "challenged") people.

April 1995 the movie Forrest Gump came to video. Leo rented it. We watched and I said that night, "That will be our kid." Those words haunted me for 5 years after. That is my oldest son. He has what is considered "limited potential" only interested in Trains and Video Games but, he is brilliant! He will not re tread tires either. No he will be the one who re invents the train or new rail system. He is the one who is Lucky (that is what I will call him from now on). Lucky is the kid who seems to be at the right place at the right time. He wins everything he enters. Lucky was DX'd in 2001 as PDD~NOS, ADHD, OCD. He is now suspected of having Prader Willi Syndrome (as he will eat whatever is chewable). He was our first venture into Dx's and the lack of an Autism network that is non judgmental. He was the first to expose the negativity of the world to me... I am so glad he did.

Next is the King. I call my second child King because he is "above" the rest of the world and he knows it.
King was Dx'd in 2002. Borderline Asperger's/High Functioning Autism (HFA), ODD and ADHD.
My King could change the oil on a car at the age of five. He did not talk till 4 and a half but hasn't stopped since! He talks and talks and talks and then goes to sleep and talks in his sleep. He is opinionated, stubborn, always "right" and he is 100% me. He is what I wanted to be my whole life. Confident, cocky and self righteous. Nothing knocks him down for long. If the world thought I was a one woman wrecking crew just wait. King is on his way! He will redesign the worlds fastest cars and break records. Wanna know directions anywhere? Ask the King. Can't find a number in the phone book? Ask the King. He never forgets anything. Ever!

Last but not least there is Gemini. He is my baby. My Miracle. After my daughter died I was no supposed to be able to have any more children. Wrong. A year and 3 weeks later I had Gemini. DX'd with Severe Autism in December of 2002. I thought OMG here we go again... I was right here we went. I got this amazing kid still just with a label...again.
He is strong willed and a free thinker. Yet he does not talk, well he echoes.... Repeats what others have said. Oh well. He is very athletic for a seven year old, he is a danger to himself. He runs without thinking, takes off, climbs everything and anything and totally freaks me out daily.
He is my adventure, my life. I know this child will be with me till the day I die. He will be a mamma's boy for life. Doesn't like me leaving for a minute. If I go into the next room he is looking for me. He cracks me up all day long, says awkward things in the proper context (mostly echoing what someone else has said to him) but it is hilarious. Think of it as having a 7 yr old 18 month old. Together we will travel the world when he is finished school. When he is 18 the adventure will be us conquering the world together!

That is an overview of my boys.
More to come as days go by but that is essentially the Coles Notes version of my crew....
Autism really does live here.

2006-08-23T13:59:00.000-04:00

Welcome

I have no idea who will check this blog out or what your connection (or lack there of) is with Autism but let me tell you a little about us.

My husband and I have been together for almost 13 years and we have 3 boys. Only 3 boys and they are ALL Autistic. We have been through not knowing to knowing and then what? There is no manual for autism. NONE. every book and website tells you to do something different. I have been to the puppet show I have seen the strings. I know how hard it is to deal with ignorance, stupidity and misunderstanding from the outside world but, I believe it was my fate to fight this fight.
I stand down to no one and nothing. Very little I fear from mankind and I say bring it on. Especially when it comes to my kids... read on.
Comment (keep em clean please) and come back to find out what it is like to have 3 kids on the Autism Spectrum. Please remeber that 1 in 250 Canadians has some form of Autism so it can happen to you. Regardless of what you think you are doing right.

Indigo