Rogers' Rollercoaster

So, yesterday we had an IEP meeting at our base school.  So..yes, our son goes to our Church school but the Church school (most the counselor from how things seem to be done) is requested more testing.  That said, I knew from the meeting at the 12.5 days into the school year that her purpose was to push him into the public school so they could deal with Bitty. 

Amazing, enough though his Teacher is becoming more comfortable with him.  It really appeared she was working with him in fear of the unexpected.  Wondering when he would meltdown or as she wrote in an email, “Since we need to use our instructional time wisely, we do not create a show down with Logan.” That is just what every Parent wants to hear.  That said, we are also told that she is afraid to discipline him. 

Thankfully, the magic of the behavior chart (giving Bitty guidelines) his RDI therapist made has been beautiful and we have gone from nothing but negative chats with the teacher with no constructive information to constructive, helpful information with a few positive notes!

In the IEP meeting the Church school counselor told the base school IEP staff that they wanted to make sure we (Andrew and I) knew of the support the base school can offer so we know how the base school can help when we would need to move him over there because the Church school can’t do what the base school can.  Funny, enough the base school states he would be in the same situation and getting the same help that the Church school is giving him. 

The school psychologist was wonderful in asking exactly what is that we (Andrew and I) are wanting out of these tests.  I had already informed the base schools Head EC Teacher that this is not a need for us but us complying the Church school’s request. 

So, the Head EC Teacher stated that it wasn’t for us it was the request of the Church school.  So, the psychologist directed the question to them. 

Then stated that some of their requests versus testing she could do.  She pointed out that the educational testing is best done in the student’s school by the school staff.   People, that Bitty is comfortable with because if we pull him into a different environment and with a stranger he more than likely will shut down and it will skew and corrupt the results.  So again, the observations they have of him in class.  That said I would request the RDI therapist be the one to offer more information due to she is a non-biased observer. 

I feel the school counselor is doing her best to push him to someone else so she can go back to not having to work as much.  Just my opinion due to other interactions with her.  For example, telling me to contact the base school for to request the reeval.  The staff at the base school tells me that is not something they do.  I go and ping my Special Needs online groups and get the actual contact person with our public schools.  I call her, she answers in 2 rings.  She asks what Church school and then easily states, OH --- --- (counselor’s name) I have worked with her before!  Here’s what you do..and she in a 5 minute phone call tells me what I need to do, asks if I have any other questions, and within two minutes of the phone call sends me the promised email.  I was floored…that said the process with the base school went much easier. 

So, I very kindly (a tad bit on sarcasm dripping there) contacted the school counselor via email with the entire support staff on the email letting her know the difficulty I had with the base school and for her to better help others in the future give her the contact person and proper route to take.  Then did also throw in the information that the contact has said she has worked with you before. 

So..yeah..I threw a low ball but as classy and business like as possible. 

If this is your job, you know the process then please give proper information.  We were thrown into a last minute invite to a meeting that we were blindsided in. 

At a next meeting the counselor stated that it was the “unexpected meeting” that caught her off guard.  We have written proof that it was a planned staff meeting and we were only invited to it 36 hours before it began.  Unexpected my booty.  But..kill them with kindness, right?!  Well..that sounds terrible..treat others the way you want to be treated.  So, we smile, thank them but do speak simple and clear to make sure nothing is misunderstood. 

Anyways, back to the good day yesterday.  J  Every negative thing the Church school staff had written and pointed out about what Bitty was doing.  The lead EC Teacher, the base school typical Kindergarten teacher and the school psychologist would say, “Well, that is a typical Kindergartener action.” “Very normal for any Kindergartener to do that.”

I also made sure I added the 2 cent detail of their requests after 12.5 days of school.  All of the base school staff said, that is too soon for any Kindergarten child to adjust! 

I REALLY appreciate all they did. 

We then went on to giving them background on Bitty as they asked and looked at prior IEP and testing.  Stating he never had any academic goals it was all behavioral.  Again they pointed out the pointlessness of education testing and that again all of his behavior things are indeed pretty typical for a Kindergartener and a child on the Spectrum.  And that the issues he is having with multi-step directions are pretty darn typical (as typical as it can be) for a child on the Spectrum and again share they would be doing what the Church school is doing and that actually the Church school may have 5 more kids in a class but they have more consistent TA help than the public school does.  The base school has a much larger setting.  5 Kindergarten classes versus 2 and shared TA’s between classes.  In our school they have TA support full up through 3^rd grade and then shared part time TA’s after that. 

The school psychologist listed testing that could be done and the quickly listed why many of the choices would offer minimal to no help with what they (Church school) are seeking.  So, truly only one thing may be beneficial however, it is forms filled out by Andrew and I and one by the teacher and depending on how we answer it may not be a score able questionnaire.

Andrew and I shared our Bitty’s story with where he started and where is he now.  We listed the gains we have seen since Kindergarten started.  We shared our concerns of the Church school’s requests and mention what is doable and what is not for us.  As in the Church school telling us he needs a small class size which at any schools that have that is $2,000 a month minimum.   

We shared all we do for him and how we work with him. 

We then get the wide eyed shock look and told that we do more than most Parents of kids on the Spectrum and they are amazed by what we do.  People tell us that a lot.  We don’t understand that. 

As a Parent isn’t our job to help our Children grow and thrive?!  That said every day passes we feel like failures.  We did not handle something as we hoped to, we did not get to do something we hope to.  We ran out of time on a promise to our kids, we ended up yelling and screaming and throwing a tantrum like the kids did.  We feel we were too critical.  The list can continue.  We are just Parents doing our job.  We are not Olympians, we are not exceeding at anything but perhaps feeling crazy.  Isn’t that one other thing all Parents do?  Feel crazy?!  We have that one in the bag. 

Crazy wonderful, crazy crazy, crazy mad, crazy concerned, crazy hopeful, crazy frustrated.  Perhaps we are just awesome at crazy.  That is about it though. 

We left the meeting with a good feeling dates in place for appointments and more meetings.  It was good meeting but I left with my chest on fire and sweating.  That all is how my body handles stress and that was after I spent 45 minutes before the meeting speed walking to try to burn off some stress. 

During the meeting while the base school staff collaborated we gave the school staff a heads up of Andrew’s work wanting him to travel but just giving him a window of next week or the week after.  That said, he had went into the meeting with the message from someone higher up to call him when Andrew has a moment.  We told them we will prep Bitty but it will change our morning routine at home and Bitty may or may not respond well.  I feel if we don’t give them a heads up it would be used against Bitty as an excuse to push him out.  Any child has a hard time if a home routine changes, Bitty just has a little bit tougher time than the average kid.  Andrew left the meeting and made his needed work calls only to be told he needs to leave in a few days, the sooner the better.    So, our crazy wonderful life continues. 

Truly it is never dull and there is always the curve, hill or dip coming out of nowhere in our rollercoaster of life. 

Perhaps we just need to learn the safety dance, yeah..maybe that will help.  

Life Marches On..

Too much time has passed since the last post.

I have a few entries saved however,

they need some editing.

This will be a post that is not edited,

so I am preemptively apologizing for the

possible lack of flow.

Summer was fun and quick.

We found an awesome pool to join.

Biggun' did swim and tennis

and had a blast.

As always you meet nice and people

and a

few who don't seem so nice.

Overall, we are pleased and happy to join again this year.

Biggun' started first grade

and

has 2 amazing teachers who he adores.

They have blow our minds with

all they do.

Bitty enjoyed the pool over the Summer too.

He was always done by about 1.5 hours at the pool though.

He saw a few big kids he knew there.

OK, well the big kids recognized him.

Thanks to the awesome set up that

the Elementary school

he did Pre-K at had.

He got to eat lunch and spend parts of his day

with the 5^th graders.

We met some really sweet ones at the pool.

It melted our hearts.

Bitty is now doing Transitional Kindergarten

at a great developmental based preschool

that we have eye balled for a few years.

Now since we live so close to it,

it was a simple and easy choice.

He is thriving so well there

and

soon will have his Kindergarten

Screening to see if Aidan's Elementary school

can accommodate his current needs.

D loves all things water.

He begs to go to the pool still.

D began his second year of preschool

and is thoroughly enjoying it.

He really loves it there.

He is in a class of all Boys!!

They are a sweet bunch with

two teachers who are amazing too.

We really have been blessed with amazing teachers

all around for all Boys so far.

D is growing so fast

and

at times we realize

we are forgetting what a typical developing child he is.

From where our “standards” were with Bitty at this age

we are floored

and

blinded sided by

what D does.

He is like his big brother's LOVES numbers, letters and puzzles.

I don't know how many random people comment on how

engineer-like our Boys are.

I smile and nod.

They are like their Daddy.

Funny, how the last post was on the topic of Heaven.

On October 1 our Sweet Goofy Cooper

went to Heaven.

Cooper is January 2009

He had been out of sorts for a while.

I was always afraid I would find him eternally sleeping.

His last month or two on Earth was

going to the Vet

and

me sounding like the crazy lady

who did not agree with what the Vet said.

Things just did not add up.

Needless to say, Andrew talked to the vet office

and

took Cooper in.

It was at a time we both cold not go

so he came home form work.

I did the typical Tuesday rounds of carpool

and

Bitty's appointments with therapists.

The vet did a blood draw on our Sweet older 9 year old Cooper.

The blood draw was a drastic difference than a few months before.

Andrew was by himself

and

got to hear some rough news regarding our precious

Cooper.

Acute Lymphatic Leukemia.

His blood was showing signs of the terrible downhill move.

As in what typically happens is horrible, bleeding out from the lungs.

Our Cooper was also no longer eating.

He was refusing even his most favorite foods.

I went into crazy Dog Mommy mode of cooking

chicken and rice to try and get him to eat.

We always talked about our Pups

and

said we would never worry about Cooper

until he did not eat.

We were there.

He started vomiting.

We had a choice to make.

So, we kept our routine normal the next

day

and

got our Boys to school.

We tried to get a last photo of our two pups but

Roxy wouldn't go near Cooper

and

Cooper wouldn't go near her.

We then took Cooper to the vet for the final time.

We said Good Bye for now.

Then life keeps moving.

Andrew had to go to work

and

I had to go get the Boys from school.

Then we had to have the Heaven

talk with the Boys.

Needless to say, they still ask about our Cooper.

They want us to go get him from Heaven and bring him home

since Cooper is all better now.

Yup.

I hope to post a quick Biggun' and D Birthdays, Christmas and New Years blurb to get some version of caught up.

I then hope to add a few entries of writing I have been sitting on for a while.

6 year olds Heaven and Faith Conversation

A conversation I had with Aidan in mid June. 

Laying with Aidan at bedtime tonight,

I talked of my Great Uncle and Aunt who

we visited with today.

My Uncle is my Maternal Grandmother's

youngest brother.

He and my Aunt are my Godparent's.

They are also Logan's.

This brought on Aidan's need
to list who everyone's

Godparent's are.

Then I got asked how were my siblings and I

brother's and sisters.

I stated that we all have the same Mom and Dad.

I listed the birth order and stated how it was

like his brothers and him.

He then told me how his oldest cousin and him

are the oldest children.

I listed out that actually all 4 of his Grandparent's

are the oldest Children.

I listed all the Children in each of their families.

It came down to listing my Dad's siblings.

In that list is my Aunt Luanne, my Aunt Carol

and

of course I had to

mention there was also Tommy.

I never met Tommy.

I guess I should say, Uncle Tommy.

But he never got to grow up on Earth.

My Grandma, one of my Great Aunts,

Dad, Aunt Luanne and Tommy were in a bad car accident.

Tommy did not survive.

Aidan asked how Tommy died.

Biggun' is detail oriented.

So, the basic and general explanation is below:

I began with, it was before seat belts.

(at least back seat ones)

In this accident people were hurt.

His Great Grandma

broke her neck,

a Sister of his Great Grandpa's broke both thighs,

Grandpa had a cut on his face,

Aunt Luanne got knocked out of the car

and

Tommy (2 years old) hit the windshield

and

went to Heaven.

This of course brought on the Heaven talk.

He quickly asked, How did Uncle Larry die?

*My Aunt Luanne's Husband, Larry

went to Heaven in December of 2012. *

I said, he had something called an

aneurysm.

Aidan asked, what is that?

I said, it is when a blood vessel (he knows about arteries and veins)

get a bubble that pops.

I said, it could be anywhere in a body.

It happens to some people.

He then says:
My Kinderbuddy, Jack's Little Sister Ella

went to Heaven.

She had a bad spot in her brain,

they couldn't do anything for her

and

it made her go to Heaven.

Insert me being grateful for the darkened room

due to the tears in my eyes.

(My fear he may ask me a question regarding my “bad spot”)

I agreed with him.

I said, but all of those people are in Heaven with Jesus now.

They are healthy and happy and will live with Him forever.

I said, you know, Ella could have played with Tommy

or even Uncle Larry.

I then get asked,where is Heaven?

I counter, Where do you think?

He says, in outerspace.

I said, that sounds like a good place.

He says, I guess I will find out when I go there.

I told him that in Heaven,

everyone is healed and happy.

They are living with God, Jesus, the Saints

and Everyone.

He then tells me, you know animals go to Heaven too.

I bet Ella has played with Bacchus (one of my Sister's dogs).

I said, I bet she has.

I then listed the dogs of his Grandparent's.

I said, She has probably also played with Buddy, Jenny, Gracie and Dixie.

I then layed there overwhelmed and teary.

I gave him his kisses and blessings

then closed his door.

What a moment.

I came straight downstairs to record it as freshly as I could.

I did not want to forget details.

I do not want to forget the memories/moments.

I want to have things documented to keep for myself or at times to share.

A story is never ending, things may seem meaningless

and
at other times not.

This blog is my journal, our Family story,

shared with the most possible honesty of

our moments to share.

Also, with the stories of our Children

I want to capture the Beauty, Faith, Honesty

and non-biased view of the world they see.

I hope this post has reached some people's hearts.

As one day, a conversation like this may even be more close

to home.

As I hope it is not, but know at some point these things will happen.

I only hope a solid and hopeful base

fills our Boys.

Just a typical Frantic Friday..

Thank goodness it is Friday.

Not a bad day, really.

Troublesome?

Yes, at times.

Good?

Yes,a times.

It is just the waves of life.

Nothing bad.

Frustrating?

Yes, at times.

You see a pattern here?

I really like to be organized.

It is much easier for me to function

when things are organized.

The Kids do better also.

So, I haven't vacuumed

the entire downstairs in..

I don't know how long.

OK, well the other weekend..I think..

it seems like an eternity to me.

Dog hair, dirt..bleh.

I had a list I really needed but

just could not find it.

That is how the morning started.

We really even encroaching 8 months

of being here haven't fully unpacked.

( A HUGE peeve of mine.)

Anyways, I was irked at myself this morning.

I found it

and

got a few things thrown away while searching.

So I got he boys fruit for breakfast

, cut coupons I have piled up for months.

OK, well threw some out and cut the rest.

I moved laundry around..I am behind on that too.

Prior to moving I was on top of it for 5 months.

Then I got the dishwasher unloaded

and

breakfast cleaned up.

I then began the deep vacuum.

Head phones in and popped up all recliners

to make sure I got under the couches good,

moved tables, used the swiffer to get dust off of the

floors that the vacuum can't get.

That takes some time.

Also, sorting through stashes under the couches.

A snack bowl, lego pieces, rainbow loom pieces, crayons,

pencils etc.

I climbed under recliners

and

tried to make sure children were

not climbing on them so I did not get

folded up under the couch.

I bumped into the coffee table and end tables.

Tried to make myself remember when I

have random bruises on my lower back or shoulders

I know it was from that.

I see Logan touching his backside.

(A sign he needs to use the potty.)

He will refuse to try at times

or

you ask

and

he takes a while to respond

or

he is in 'Loganland'

and

just truly did not hear you.

I usually do OK with patience.

See, just OK..no Saint here.

Other days he does so well in other

things I find myself

getting too easily frustrated with him.

I did good today.

I repeated it about 6 times over 5 minutes.

Random kid distractions

I keep the vacuuming running

or

at times stop it to handle something.

One of the times I stop it.

I hear Logan yell, “I Poop in the potty!!”
He listened!!

Yaay!

This may seem TMI, but

lately we have reverted back to

when he uses the potty ..

(Just stopped typing here, due to hearing a glass sound upstairs...)

we have a pair of underpants that need

to be rinsed out in the toilet

prior to running it in the rinse cycle

in the washer with borax

and

THEN we wash it with our dirty laundry.

Trust me, sounds crazy, but if I don't do that

then I have had to clean chunks of feces from the inside of

our washing machine after the rinse cycle.

So, it may not sound so crazy now, huh?

:)

Today, I caught his signs early enough that the underpants

had only tiny marks that don't need any extra wash or rinse.

Yaay!!!

I was stoked.

At some point after that

Daniel and Aidan got dressed

to go out back.

I thought about going out back

to do a quick dog poo scooping

but REALLY wanted to finish the vacuuming

and picking up.

I am not sure how much time passes.

I hear the back door open and close.

Then I get a Daniel approaching me

with a wet Croc with ?mud? on it

and

some “dirt” on his shirt.

I leave the vacuum running

and

then I smell dog poo.

So, I lead him back outside to

strip him down

and

asked where he other shoe is.

I get no answer.

I walk around the back yard

(vacuum still on inside)

looking for the shoe

and

puddle that

must have wet the other one.

I keep an eye for dog poo too.

I keep asking but get no answers from D

and

no help from Big Brother Aidan.

I come back in, t

ell D to head upstairs for a bath.

The child wreaks of dog poo.

I turn off the vacuum

and

go upstairs.

I get the water adjusted, let it run,

take off my head phones.

Send Andrew a text about the dog poo.

I then tell myself to take off my headphones so they don't

drop in the tub.

I lean over to touch the water

and

one headphone

dangled into the water.

I then realize the cold water was turned off.

EEP!

The water was not too hot

but

3 year olds and knobs/buttons/doors

always get messed with.

I start adding nothing but cold water.

Headphone are now hanging to dry out.

I washed the kid well.

Get him out of the tub

and

he doesn't want clothes.

So, underwear it is.

I go back down to finish my vacuuming.

Just even hours later I don't know what happened

but that last 10 feet of dining room took at least

another hour to vacuum.

Got the washer set up to rinse D's clothes.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention his shirt and especially shorts

had dog poo smeared all over it.

We get lunch.

Not easily.

I eat.

Logan actually uses a lidless cup with a straw ( big feat!)

no spilling!!

Then finished it off without the straw!

He HATES cups touching his lips.

I take a photo

and

send it to Andrew and posted it to FB.

(a little time passes)

I walk into the kitchen

and

see D in the toy

room

with green kid scissors

and

he has his little pogo squeaker toy in hand too.

I request the scissors.

He walks them to me

saying, “Uh oh.”

He used the scissors to cut through part of the tubing.

That toy goes in the trash.

I make him do it.

I don't fuss.

He is 3, he is exploring.

I apparently was not aware he had scissors.

Curiosity killed the pogo squeaker.

I go back to the backyard to search for the missing Croc.

I find a pile of poo under our toy room window

then a smeared pile right next to one of D's many little

piles of trucks in a bare spot of our yard.

I also realize,we have no puddles out back.

I also verify that they hose it not attached in the back.

Only hours later, (that's all)

this Mom's detective gears are working..

I come back in ask D where he other Croc is.

He leads me into the power room downstairs.

Yep, there is the other Croc.

The Little's potty seat is laid out on the floor.

Ask the right questions and you get the answers..

I ask: Did your other Croc get wet in the bathroom?

He said, “Yes.”

I ask: In the sink or the toilet?

He said, “The toilet.”

Connections being made.

Yup, it seems he was aware he stepped in dog poo.

He got it on his hands which would explains

the size/shape/location of the poo on his clothing

(wiping unwanted stuff from hands)

and

the lingering of the poo odor when the clothing was removed.

Since it is poo, we clean poo covered things in the toilets.

Yup..

our three year old stepped in dog poo

and tried to clean himself in our powder room.

Entertained yet?!

I was a tad nervous to run my few errands after this.

Nothing bad but definitely not a boring day!

We survived Wal-Mart.
Harris Teeter wasn’t' boring.

D threw some fits.

Then Daniel and Aidan ran like fools.

Aidan climbed on the cart as I walked away and told him

not to.

He went to get down and clocked his elbow on the cart

and

was pretty upset.

A man in a suit walked by smiling..

D was requested for me to hold his

dead weight 35 lb self

as I look for the two items I forgot to put on my list.

My brain was getting scrambled.

I was ready for home!

Would we make it there?!

Of course, but it really does feel questionable.

We made it home.

Had some meltdowns over somethings,

another tantrum bout,

just another day.

And don't worry the glass sound I heard.
Everthing was OK.

It was just Logan standing on his bed
swatting the fan chains

trying to turn his light on

and

the other chain wrapped around

the fan light.

Nothing broken, so we are good.

Really, truly, a lot of good in today

and

a lot of silly

with a tad of chaos.

How was your Friday??

Bitty's Turned 5!

Bitty turned 5 this month.

As all Children are, he is truly amazing.

We are so grateful that we were given Bitty.

A blessing and a true gift as Children are.

I spent some time re-reading the posts from

my pregnancy with Bitty.

I cannot believe 5 years have

gone so quickly.

Our Little Bitty has grown so much

and

he has helped us to grow.

Grow in Faith, Love,

Learning, Patience

and so much more that I know

we have not realized yet.

Bitty's words are coming a long.

The are honest and some times brutal.

It is not easy, he uses them well

at times not always flattering though.

He is able to tell us when he is done

and

had enough.

He has told many kids to,

“Go Home! Leave!”

In a forceful tone,

we are working on being polite

but he has used his words

instead of going into

full fledged screaming fits of

frustration.

This is a big step,

now granted if they extra stimulation

does not end

then he will go into screaming mode

but

he has gained the ability to use words

before that point.

He is still full out in love with

numbers

and

letters.

His Teacher was working on numbers

with his class the other week.

They all got to come up and circle a number

on their board.

She said he asked for the number 100.

She said it took some effort but she finally stumped

him with numbers once she tried out 1000.

He still likes his lines for visual stimulation

and

signs of all kinds.

He still does some stacking and patterns through out the house.

Not as much as before and

we think it was due to the other home being so wide open.

He now only begins it after some rough bouts.

He has adjusted well to moving,

we are now 6 months into being here.

He had a delayed reaction to the move

and

doesn't like for

any seasonal decoration change to be done.

Heck, he fits if he sees me add the Boys new art work to the toy room.

That said, I do not do it when he is able to watch.

He accepts the change so much better

to see the end result instead of the work.

This Birthday is the first one that when we

asked, “What would you like?”

That he had an answer.

The first answer was, “A Dusty cake.”

He loves Disney's Planes.

I then asked if he what flavor of cake,

I had to offer two choices.

**This is a typical aspect that he

works with in Speech, ask a question,

if an answer is not generated, we offer choices. **

He answered, “A vanilla.”

So, a vanilla Dusty cake it was!

He pings our heart on a daily basis

(as all Children do)

and

he sang with us, “Happy Birthday!”

He did not try to grab the candles, he focused on them,

and without being told blew them out!

We had not been practicing at all, he blew them all out

and

then cheered for himself.

It was beautiful.

Of course, I started the video late

and stopped it early

but am pretty sure even without a

video that this moment will forever

be etched in my memory.

He was excited on his decorations.

Of course we always did this in the past

in hopes of some recognition of his day

by him.

A way to denote it was a different

than typical day.

This year we went into his room,

he did his routine, “Good Morning.” response

and

we told him it was his Birthday.

He perked up and ran downstairs

as fast as he could,

went straight to his chair

and

started “Oo-ing and ah-ing” over

a birthday hat, and decorations.

It was a wonderful change.

He had also requested for weeks,

a red present.

So, yes we obliged and made sure

we had red wrapping paper.

One lesson we learned with our new found

potty trained Bitty, that he truly needed to go

potty before we said, “Happy Birthday!”

Needless to say, I realized he had not gone

and

we were not able to break his focus.

I was afraid an accident would happen.

I finally convinced him to go but

about 2 seconds too late.

Lesson learned by me for any other

event.

He is rocking the potty training by the way.

He has come so far.

He is doing much better on the hardest part

for him, the dreaded BM.

His signs of going are very hard to catch,

once we finally learned them,

then the next hill

was to catch the signs at their first appearance.

We have definitely gotten better at noticing

and

he now is beginning to notice at times on his own.

I know this seems like too much information,

I promise no descriptors will be listed

but

this is a known issue,

their bowels function

differently than the Neuro-Typical.

As to why Autism is not a “label.”
It is a neurological disorder

in which their body is wired differently than most.

Now the “why” no one gets

but to us that is not a concern.

We don't need “why”

we have what is a Beautiful Little Man,

that views the world in a way

the majority does not.

I truly believe they are here to

teach us to keep our eyes open.

He only helps to teach us to

try to understand others,

be considerate, not judging,

to be accepting, and so much more.

He just his week had is best yet time at the Dentist.

His Dentist had a surgery come up

so we had a change to Logan's expectations.

He rocked it out!

This office is so understanding

of working with any kids,

but also with children with Autism.

I always found it funny when

his Dentist would explain

what he was doing and why

to me.

Try to explain the sensory aspect

Logan was battling with the appointment.

I would smile and say I understood.

The Dentist he saw this week,

just did the blunt asking the questions

of the exact diagnosis

and

when Bitty was diagnosed.

He sighed, a big sigh of relief

and said ( in summary):

Thank God, so many Parents

fight it, they wait so long

to seek help.

Kids are usually 4-5 by the time the diagnosis

is made.

I just smiled.

He stated about the difference Early Intervention makes.

I am aware.

I just smiled again.

He could not stop saying how amazed

he was with Bitty.

And that his teeth looked so great.

He gave us tips on how they will help

handle loose teeth.

(A concern of ours..)

They are a kind and understanding place

and

while he was talking to me,

all the women in the office

who were done with patients were playing with Bitty.

YES! A group of people he doesn't know

and

he was willing to interact with them.

What is funny, is Bitty seems to be able

to tell who is comfortable

with him

and

will open up to them.

Oh even last night, we were making a return

at a store

and the staff barely looked up

as she helped,

Bitty approached the counter

looked directly at her,

and clear and audible say, “Hello!”

(which sounds like

Hel-whoa)

He surprised us and her.

Then she opened up.

To us it is the power of a Child.

They are so much more than sometimes people give them

credit for.

They are our Hope and Future.

Our Sweet Bitty is growing

on his own curve

as the Pediatrician even said that.

I did my typical smile and say, “I know.”

He also rocked out his 5 year check up!

This was the first time he ever

responded to the eye and hearing test!

Yaaaaay!! 2 less appointments with Specialist.

*There was more I wanted to say but my memory fails me*

So our Little Bitty

weighed in at 32.5 lbs

as the pediatrician wrote “less than 5%"

and 

in the room said he is hanging 

at the 3^rd percentile for weight

but he has gained weight since last year 

and 

that is what said

he is growing on his own curve.

Bitty measured up to 41 inches (15%)

he has grown 4 inches (I think that is what the ped said)

since last year.

Our Supremely Sweet and Perfect Little Bitty.

I sure hope the next 5 years slow down a little.

April already?!

April showers, bring May flowers.

How are we already in the fourth month of this year?

A third of the way into 2014!

April is Autism Awareness Month,

now I know as I have been told in the past

every month as multiple things

that the goal is raising awareness

of.

I like to share

ones that are a big part of our

every day life.

And yes, with Autism

my goal is to ping it also

in preparation for the

local 5K fundraiser event.

For this month it also brings

our Bitty's Birthday.

This time has gone so fast

and

he has grown so much.

He also teaches us things on a

daily basis.

Some of the big ones are indeed

helping us maintain patience,

understanding

and

not passing judgment.

Not only for ourselves but towards others.

This is a big thing in our society

for sure.

It sure seems (trying to not be judging)

that everyone is in a hurry,

expects they are owed everything or anything,

mad if they don't get it

and

quick to add their two cents to anyone.

Just think of the days when

you are in your car.

Going the speed limit or maybe a tad over

but this doesn't stop people

from being behind you

way too close

or

throwing their hands up (while tail gating also)

when someone doesn't punch the gas

the moment the light turns green.

(And you will see someone blowing through the most recent light that turned red.)

I used to always be in a hurry

and

some days are later than I want to be

and

it does bug me.

We have appointments to get to,

if you are late you get charged,

if you are late you don't get

as much time.

This is big when you look at it in the eyes

of therapy appointments.

If I am late Logan gets less time

with the wonderful people

who help bring him out of

Loganland.

I don't want to do that to him.

Some days we are just late,

I try to take deep breaths,

I give them a heads up,

I let them know I understand

he will have less time

and

apologize for being late.

Some days it's because

getting myself and others ready is hard.

No matter how early I try,

we still run late.

It could be due to shoes not being what they want,

clothes,

potty battles,

or just

an all around

fit-tastic morning

where one of the kiddos

or

heck some days

me,

having trouble regulating ourselves.

Everyone has an off day on patience

or

focusing to complete a task/goal.

That said for others it is even harder

and

it is fierce.

On those days or moments when things are rough,

a lot of times it is Bitty and his Autism.

He can be really put up a fight.

That said, we are glad he is so small.

We work on helping him grow

and

keep weight on.

He is so small, heck the other day

someone asked if he was 2!!

But, I say if he was the size of our other 2

and

he goes into full meltdown mode

it would be even more difficult to work with.

He has a time limit of being in a crowd/busy playground/outside in bright sun..the list goes on.

He did really well at the 5k the other weekend.

He is almost 5 and we brought the jog stroller.

That is another topic of judgment, we see.

People thinking you are encouraging your Children to be lazy.

When I see or hear people say that I step up

and say, “Things aren't always what they seem.”

That doesn't usually pan out well

but with the goal of

making people aware it should be said.

Not rudely, just matter of factly.

We all at times find ourselves thinking things

the biggest is telling yourself that

it may not be what it seems.

Be kind.

We bring a stroller because Logan

gets over stimulated.

The noise, the crowd,

the idea of mass chaos.

To him he doesn't see the organization,

he needs clear cut lines and boundaries.

Then add anxiety of being near people.

Will they touch me?

Will they be too loud?

Will they smell funny?

The lights are too bright?

And he goes into meltdown mode but that stroller

offers him comfort, seclusion,

it is like blinders for a horse.

The stroller helps him tune out that he is a crowd.

He will shut down

into a blank stare,

he doesn't feel safe in a crowd

but that stroller offers him security to

stay a bit longer (so our other 2 can keep enjoying it)

but we soon

leave just out of respect and kindness of his struggle.

Our Bitty will snuggle,

when he wants to

and his

snuggle is different from most kids.

He will handle crowds

but heck, like at Church

or

even last night watching a movie with us.

He has to sit being only near

one person.

He prefers to be on an end.

End of a pew where he doesn't feel trapped,

or like last

night he sat next to me on the end of the couch.

*Actually, particular enough he prefers to sits only on a far right end *

As in the below image:

Bitty is the star.

He will move around but always comes back to the star location.

It was the first time we all ever have sat down

and

watched a movie together.

Usually our Boys can't sit still and most movies

are watched while on feet,

rocking,

or

literally running around from room to room.

When they do sit,

some are on the floor,

some on the love seat,

some on the couch,

they don't sit and are just in the room

standing.

Last night all 5 of us were on our couch.

Bitty next to an arm rest and me.

We were amazed and snapped photo

but to get all of us in it

I had to move Bitty to my lap.

He did not scream

but in the photo he was not happy

being that close.

And that is just fine.

We got a photo

and

it captured the moment in it's entirety.

We will cherish it forever.

Just a little rambling insight of

what is is like for us

on a few tiny aspects of the

Spectrum.

And how about a "typical" chat with him

that is not started by him.