SPD MOM: What do you mean you don't have email???

Yes, well, that will be me, as of tommarrow, and honestly, I am okay with that..We are unplugging for a week or two due to the move, so this is my sign off, unless I can steal a laptop from someone for about 5 minutes or so.  My husband bought me one last year for my birthday, and I made him take it back.. I felt bad not accepting the gift, but I couldn't accept a gift for that amount of money.. and honestly, we already have a computer, so why waste the money?  He took it in stride, along with throwing away the horrible Victoria Secret underware, WITH THE STUPID SEEM IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR BACKSIDE, (you get the drift).  If I wanted to wear a thong, I would have asked for one.. Who can wear those things anyway?? Definetly not some Mom's chasing after SPD kids and such.. But the Christmas thought was sweet, all the less.  After I explained it was kind-of like him having to wear a "bannana hammock," he REALLY understood. I mean really, who wants to be picking a wedgy all day?? (not to be gross or anything, but its true!)  Okay, enough, enough...  We did have a nice holiday, and have been taking stuff to storage all day today.. We close on Tues.. Hard to believe this is IT! The kids have been great, aside from crazy sleeping, but, its all part of the insane journey we are embarking upon.  I am not going to miss where we live.  I love what we did to the house, over the years, but (not to be mean), we find NY really depressing in the Winter, and are fed up with the cost of living.. mainly taxes, property taxes, surcharges, etc.. this state STINKS for that.. so, we are leaving for hopefully greener pastures.. It will be an adventure.  Tom and I had our last CPSE meeting with the school, and have an updated IEP for the next district.. Picked up school records, tying up loose ends, and trying to remember to breathe.. just breathe.. and enjoy the actual moment we are in.  Tom's Special Ed teacher was amazed that we were going to the library last week, (since we were moving, packing, Christmas, etc.) And I said, "Well, what else is there to do?" Like I guess for me, I spent a good deal of my early adulthood, basically freaking out about everything.  My head was always spinning, I was rushing around, lists upon lists for to do, etc.. And I was unable to sit still, by myself, with no tv, noise, nothing.. it felt weird, and I didn't like it.. But now, after having kids who need help, it has slowed me down, because if I don't, I know I will not make it mentally and physically.  I also didn't like who I was, and why was I not living in the present anyway??? Why was it always into the future?  That is dangerous to live that way, and you could argue, (in a sense), its not really living..  Like planning a vacation say in April, is the future, but you have to plan for that.. But only living for that vacation, and not taking your time to Get to April, is a waste of life, really... or at least for me, it is.  Have a Happy New Year... and forget those "New Year Resolutions."  They seem to make people feel guilty when not honnored..

SPD MOM: SPD Definitions & Early Intervention

Every once in awhile, I like to see if there is any news on Sensory Processing Disorder.  Today I came across and interesting article on it, published in "The Hindu". It goes into different types of SPD, and what the behaviors look like, and stresses that early intervention is the key to success with this diagnosis.  I am a big proponent of early intervention, because I was not, many years ago.  It wasn't that I wasn't, it was more that I didn't know about SPD at all, let alone Autism, and who knew about Early Intervention? Shoot, we were living up in the ADK Mountains, in a tiny town of 500.  That was the last place I was going to learn about that.  I have to say that Tommy is doing so well, thanks to his therapies.  Our lives are so different from what they were, even 6 months ago, although he has been getting assistance since he was 21 months I think. Toms inability to communicate, or communicate poorly, was the biggest hurdle for us, as well as his distracting and disruptive SPD behaviors.  There was a little boy in there, with a lot to say, and finally, we are at the point, where we can all understand him.  He can tell me when he feels, "fuzzy," and we can do something about it.  He can tell me when he is in pain, we can do something about it, he can tell me when something is too loud, and we can do something about it.  That is huge in this family.  My stress level has gone down tremendously in the past few months, as far as managing his behaviors.  I can see 1st hand what a difference intervention accomplished for Tom, vs. his older brother, who never had the benefit of intervention.  Chris is more tightly ridged, particulalry with sensory issues, and Tom has become more mellow with help.  It is interesting watching how the two of them handle situations, which coping methods they use, etc.. There are times I feel so guilty for not having Chris' diagnosed when he was a toddler, but I honestly thought he was just "unique" and special, and the autism label didn't fit him, or at least what I percieved the Autism label to be.  I was very wrong about that. But, it is what it is, and I can only move forward with the knowledge I have gained, and use that to both boys' best advantage.  That's what a Mom does, right?

SPD MOM: Cancer causing Milk courtesy of Monsanto....

Wow! All you need to do is Google this company, Monsanto, and you won't believe what you will find.  It is scary how much this corporation controls, foodwise, chemicals, and others. I am starting to really analyze what this family eats, where it comes from, who produces it, etc., in hopes it will make a difference with regard to SPD and Autism.  The newest rates for Autism came out today, one in every 100! WHY WHY WHY??? Yes, maybe it and SPD are more understood, hence diagnosis, but what about the sh@t we are putting into our bodies when pregnant? After pregnancy? I am not using the word conspiracy, but geez, if a corn worm eats a kernel of corn, made by Monsanto, it dies.. DIES.. And WE eat that corn, and cows eat that corn, and on and on.. That corn is in food products, etc.. This genetically altered seed and food was not around when our parents were born.. and neither was the great amount of cancers either.  I don't know about you, but something has to change..  Those soybeans in soymilk? Genetically altered to be able to handle being sprayed by Roundup courtesy of Monsanto, who owns the patent on the seed, and patent on Roundup.  Many parents have their children on gluten free, and casein free diets.. but is it  really the wheat or milk protein causing the allergy, or WHAT IS IN the wheat and milk protein?  Things like this kind-of make you think.. and if your a parent of a special needs child, diet is definetely something you need to think about.

SPD MOM: Managing SPD behaviors over the Holidays

Well, getting down to that time of year.  Moving and Christmas. I don't know where the month of December went.. but next week is THE day.. Haven't finished the shopping.. feel really unmovtivated to do it this year.  I am not sure if its the lack of unique toys, or just the same old stuff we see throughout the year, that is somehow suppossed to be more interesting to purchase, now that its Christmas.  I am just really sick of crappy made junk.  Toys used to last forever, and were interesting... now we are laden with cheap plastics, and lead paint.  Its almost like toys have been "dumbed down."  So, this post is suppossed to be about managing behaviors.. and I gotta tell ya, I don't have a clue.. No, just kidding.. We have made great progress in this household with "modulation and sensory defensiveness." Traveling to family parties will actually be enjoyable this year.. Tom has come a long way in a year.  I guess for us, what we do, is make sure the sleep beast has been fed. That for us is key.. Then there are adaptive measures we take, like certain toys to a family members home, (bowling pins with small medicine balls work well), and fit in a small bag. I let everyone know what to expect with my kids, so there are no surprises, like Tom may need to climb the stairs 3 times to "chill out with the motor thing."  Or, if the holiday music is too loud, "Hey Dad, can you turn that down a little?"  And keep it really simple.  Its okay if gravy tastes, "too fuzzy." Or the kids hate to be hugged because it "feels yucky."  I keep with me a little bag stashed w/emergency items; gum, a whistle, heavy ball, certain Dvd's, and blanket.  I have given up trying to get others to understand what we go through on a daily basis around here, and many of my family members don't try to understand it anyway, kind of stick their heads in the sand.. So now, I just come forward and say how it needs to be, without worrying about offending or hurting somebody's feelings.. There is no reason someone who doesn't have to deal with your certain "behavior" situation, can't handle it for 8 hours or so.  Besides, they get to walk away from it.  I try to educate my family members on why we do what we do.. I hate hearing the, "oh he'll be fine if you don't..." (do so and so.)  Yes, maybe, and maybe he'll do the tantrum thing on the living room floor infront of "Uncle Larry." But, whether we are in the store, or at Aunt Margret's house, a time out always is my saving grace for SPD holidays, especially when the situation becomes out of control. Usually just counting to two works.. but if I get to three, Tom is out of commission until he gets it together.. SPD kids don't like to be out of control either... and they seek out grounding, whether its jumping up and down , sticking fingers in their mouths, making crazy sounds, or rolling on the floor.. The temper tantrums around here really have become ALMOST non-existent, the more Tom is able to communicate his wants and needs through speech. We have been making great strides in that arena, thanks to his therapist(s), and repetative mirroring of appropriate behaviors.

SPD MOM: Melatonin for child sleep problems & "FOOD INC" - must see

So, we took both boys off their medications for Autism.. Chris was waking up all night long, on both drugs, as was Tom.. NO MORE MEDS FOR THEM.... So for the past few weeks, Christopher has not been sleeping very well, either from nightmares, hyperness, cannot calm down the brain, whatever.. It has been taking its toll, as this squeeky house notices every footstep on the second floor. So, per the Dr.'s agreement, we have started him on 3mg of Melatonin, every night, and it seems to be working well.. Doesn't wake up, or if he does, can go right back to sleep.  It works well for me during the monthly thing..But, it takes about a week to get into the system, in order to see any results. I am really realizing, well something I have always known really, that sleep, the quality of it, is so important to the functioning of my kids, particulalry modulation and SPD.  Tom's attitude, and functioning is so different, when he wakes up early, or had a crummy nights sleep. Most of the time, a nap will put him back in sync, and he HAS TO take one, even if it takes 20 minutes for him to get acclimated. He becomes a better listener, is not as sensory seeking, calmer, etc.. Its not rocket science, I mean when we as adults have a poor nights sleep, our days are not so great either.  We just have more mature coping methods in place.. (like coffee ha ha).

This past week we rented "Food Inc"., from the video store. For the past few times we have bought hamburger meat at Wegmans, it has been bad, real bad... just smelly.. and weird smelling, but not "off".. I wanted to start to buy organic steaks from them, but their brand has meat from Uruguay!!! Is it really that fresh from the time it is killed, shippped over on the plane, etc...? And who makes sure it is really organic? So anyway, this "smelly meat" prompted us to get this movie.. IF YOU EAT ANY MEAT AT ALL, you need to watch it, so you know WHERE your meat comes from, and how it is raised. Every wonder HOW Mcdonald's hamburgers ALL TASTE THE SAME, every time?  Watch the movie. Ever wonder why corn is in every food product? Watch the movie. Do you know what a meat "filler" is? Watch the movie.  It really will change how you view your selections in the grocery store.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love hamburgers, steak, etc.. but will be limiting them as far as quantity and QUALITY at this house.

SPD MOM: H1N1 + Pneumonia = Good Drugs!!.. mmmmmmm

That about sums up Thanksgiving 2009.. man it was fast and painful! On Monday, I felt fine, except for like a runny nose and dry sneazing.. no big deal, I thought.. Then Monday afternoon, aching lower legs.. Went to bed.. Tuesday, felt a little off, went shopping.. then came home and couldn't get warm, body aches, and now a little cough.. Wednesday, wake up, full blown coughing, tired, chills, and slight headache. My temp ranges from 99.9 to only 101.5 tops.. chills go on and on, I am coughing like a madman at night.. (husband very tired).. So Thanksgiving Day comes and goes, with me on the couch.. I felt like crap.. but not like flu crap, just lousy.. I have had really bad flu in the past, and this was different.. What was different, was the coughing, wheezing, and pain in the chest, not like a crushing pain, but a squeezing pain.. as if rubber bands were around my lungs everytime I took a deep breath.  So, I send the family to Mom in laws, and I hang out at home, watching old classic films on PBS.. a really nice evening, honestly.. So, Thursday night, coughing all night, and when Friday rolls around, and I am still unable to breathe easy, hubby demands I go to my Doctor, which, I did.. I get there, wear a mask, and wait.. After hearing me breathe, he decides a chest x-ray is in order.. So I do it, and it comes back with Pneumonia, in my right lung.. I get to see the picture, and lungs should be black, but my right one was white half-way up.. No wonder I can't breathe.. So, I am on some antibiotic, pretty strong stuff, and a cough suppresant w/codine, although I don't care for how I feel on the cough stuff... but man, the stuff I am hacking up is GROSS!!!! And it still is hanging out.. So, come to learn it was H1N1 and one of the complications from this flu, is an Pneumonia, but I cannot believe it happened in like 4 days! That was so fast, and why did I have a complication? And what would have happened had I not done anything? Uh, don't really like to think about that one... Very grateful to have healthcare on Friday...