Time FLIES!

Has it really been over two years since my last blog post??!!

A lot has happened since then:

• we moved to the country in July 2016
• we home-schooled the kids those last two years
• my ex lived in our basement for a few months
• we took care of my ex's daughter for a while when she was working and couldn't find a sitter
• we built a tiny home last year (still a work in progress)
• a beautiful German Shepherd adopted us
• five kittens got dropped off to add to our cat
• we went on a six-week cross-country trip in our tiny home visiting family and friends and fixing our house in Arizona
• While on that vacation, our neighbour stole our cat.  And since then three of the kittens disappeared.
• Just this week, one of those kittens, now over a year old, had four kittens of her own
• We converted the basement into a workshop for Heather
• And we're now expecting another baby, due in February!!!
• We're also gonna try putting him back in school starting this September!

Conlan has learned a LOT

• he chops vegetables (with close supervision for safety)
• he likes fresh peas
• he likes wild berries (we have wine berries, black raspberries, and blackberries growing in our back yard)
• he empties the dishwasher putting dishes in the proper places.  Sometimes though, he puts away the dirty dishes before we have a chance to finish filling and running the dishwasher. LOL
• He's a wonderful big brother.  He gives piggy-back rides, checks to make sure his brothers are okay.
• He continues to laugh a lot!  He's usually smiling.
• He's pre-pubescent (I'm not looking forward to that)
• He's a little obsessive about things being clean and in their place.  If my shoes are ever not where I left them, they're usually in the closet where I was supposed to put them, but he did for me.
• He continues to wet his bed at night.  I want to build him a composting toilet for his bedroom.

Rice?

A couple weeks ago, we decided to stop feeding Conlan rice.  It's so nutritionally poor and coverts to sugars too easily.  He started improving and had more focus.  A couple nights ago, I made pancakes with mainly rice flour as the base.  He loved them but couldn't control himself for the rest of the night.  His giggles really get in the way of him being able to focus.  So it just reaffirmed to us that maybe so much rice and potatoes, and other starches isn't such a good thing.  Hear, hear for a whole-food plant-based diet with lots of greens!

Movies and TV Shows

Since Conlan was diagnosed, we've read a lot, watched a lot, and learned a lot about autism. The other day as I was showering with him, I noticed that his posture was a lot like Jake's on the show Touch. He was standing there with his back to the water and arms at his side, slowly bringing his body into the stream of warm water. He held still and stood tall with his head pointing forward. Either he was impersonating Jake or the actor did an excellent job at portraying the posture of many autistic children.

Since it reminded me about Touch, I thought I'd write a post about various TV shows and movies that we have watched during the last three years that have really touched us or have been significant as we've learned more about autism.

To top any autism movie list, you have to begin with Temple Grandin. So here's the list, not in any particular order:

iPad, Pro Loquo

A few months ago, we were able to buy Conlan an iPad with the Proloquo application suite.  Normally we couldn't afford something like that, but the state granted us some money to help pay for therapy, technology, and even some utility bills.

It's an amazing application.  The school and his therapists use it a lot.  I worry about all the screen time he's getting, but it's worth it.  He is really getting a feel for how it works.  We use the iPad only for that one app and even screen-lock it so only that app can be accessed.

Enough?

I often find myself wondering if I'm doing enough for Conlan.  He doesn't get ABA therapy, because our insurance doesn't cover it, and we can't afford it.  All he gets is a couple speech therapy visits and a couple occupational therapy sessions per week. He's been on the county disability services and aid waiting list for over two years.  He struggles with learning his signs.  He doesn't always wipe.  We sometimes question if he even understands us.

 

We teach kids his same age at church.  As I watched them, it hit me hard, "he is so far behind".  Then this song came to mind.  I have done a lot for him.  I am there.  I kiss him. I hug him.  I laugh and play with him. That's what he needs, and apparently I do too.  The simple things.

 

 

Lately, he's really clung to me and has made it clear how much he misses and needs me.  One night after work, I headed towards the door to go teach my night class.  He stood in my way, clearly not wanting me to leave.  I had just barely gotten home, how dare I leave already!  Other times, he has stared longingly out the window as I drive away.  It breaks my heart, and how I wish I could be with him all day

Another School Year

About a month ago, Conlan finished second grade!  It was a long school year.  I can't believe the school district here has school go so late into June.  He learned a lot, his teacher and aides were wonderful, and he grew a lot physically too.


Conlan's and Heather's Art Work

He can now write his name and most of the alphabet.  In first grade, his primary goal was to get potty-trained.  In second grade, it was to recognize letters and write his name.  What will it be next year?  To read? To effectively use his AAC to communicate not only his needs but his wants and dreams and wishes and likes and dislikes and . . . To talk?  There are so many possibilities, and he is very capable and up to the challenge.

The past few days when I arrived home from work, he was so excited to have me home.  It makes it real hard to leave every morning.  And when I leave to teach my night class, he stands in front of the door blocking my way.  He may not be able to talk, but he sure can communicate his feelings and wants.


 

 

 

 

 

 





Using Starfall on the Screen in My Classroom

Winter

A few months ago, we bought Conlan a new coat, with a liner.  His old one was worn out and not warm enough for these cold winters that we've been having.  At first, it took some convincing to get him to wear it.  The liner also worked as an extra jacket and easily zipped in and out of the main coat.  Well, Conlan didn't like having both on at the same time and quickly learned how to remove the inner jacket.  That's all good, if we know about it.  Usually he just leaves it on the ground.  A couple weeks ago, we went on a small roadtrip for the day.  A couple days later, we noticed his inner jacket was missing.  We tried remembering everywhere that we had been and called the places we had visited.  So, for the rest of the winter, he goes without the lining.