My Family's Experience with Autism: My New Routine

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

My New Routine

Yesterday was our MPAC home visit for Simon -- we were trying to determine how to make Simon's progress in school translate to home and other locations. Overall, the visit went well. Another bit of proof that I've been lazy. You would think that now that I'm not CONSTANTLY being pulled in 3 different directions for the 3 kids, I'd have the energy to deal with things when they came up -- especially since I can often focus on one kid at a time, at least for part of the time. But Simon has, yet again, gotten lost in the shuffle.

Simon needs direct stimulation. I've been letting him relax a bit when he gets home from school -- he works so hard there and the directed tasks are exhausting for everyone -- especially for him. But letting him take it easy isn't the right thing to do. So, starting today (well, tomorrow I suppose [have to take Daniel to the doctor since he was sent home from school which will take that available time]), when Simon comes home from school, we're going to be a bit more regimented until we head upstairs to wait for Rachel to come home. I can give him "time off" after Rachel gets home (and finishes her snack) so I can continue this work with her. I haven't been doing it for her either, but she hasn't seemed to need it as much. But, if it will help Simon, I'm sure it will help her too, and after she gets home, it will be her turn. And Daniel will still have my focused attention from the time he gets home until Simon gets home.

Hopefully, this will work for everyone. My time is the morning. Not long ago, I didn't even have that. Mornings are enough for me. Yes, they are. And as I keep saying it, I'll realize it's true.....

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A Little Bit About Me and My Family

Every once in a while, something happens to a family that seems to change everything, whether that change is positive, negative, or in an uncertain direction. One such thing happened to us in March 2009, when we were informed our 26 month old twins (girl/boy) were BOTH on the autism spectrum. Their older brother (nearly 4 at the time) had always been ahead of the curve for most developmental milestones, so we had never really considered that some of the delays the twins were having had anything to do with autism. Well, we were wrong. Since then we have been learning about learning techniques and doing everything we can to make sure they get any and all help they need so that they can live normal lives. This blog chronicles that journey.

The Autism Pizza

I don't know where this came from originally, but I found it on a post on Circle of Moms. It's a good explanation of how things line up on the spectrum.

1. The Crust: Lack of Social Interaction (poor eye contact, not sharing interests with you, no pointing/gesturing)

2. The Sauce: Impaired Communication (possibly no speech, poor conversation skills, repetitive language, echolalia, no make-believe play)

3. The Cheese: Stereotypical Activities & Interests (extreme routine, strong interest in certain things, stimming [flapping, atypical play, etc.] -- like spinning wheels, lining toys up, stacking, etc.)

If you have all of those things: crust, sauce, cheese, you made an Autism pizza. It might have different toppings, but you can look at it and know it's still a pizza. If your pizza doesn't have sauce, that's Aspergers's. If your pizza is missing more than that but still kind of looks like a pizza, that's PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified)