Wow, it's working!

Well, we started using the tickets today. I was really expecting a lot of pushback when we limited Michael's computer time. But, he really surprised me by asking me what he could do to earn extra tickets! It was great.

One thing that we did was try to teach him how to vacuum. I never realized how much motor planning there is in such a 'simple' job. I think he's going to get it, but it's painful to watch. I know he learns his own way, so I don't want to step in too much. But wow.. it's hard. On the plus side, he was great at carrying the chairs in and out of the kitchen. His OT likes him doing heavy work, and this definitely counted!

My favorite moment of the night was right before bedtime. He had two ticket left, and he wanted to use both of them before bed. He was most of the way through the first half hour on the computer when he turned around and asked if he could change his mind and save the other ticket for tomorrow. It was so sweet! Of course we let him, and now he has a ticket to look forward to in the morning.

I think I'm going to like this program!

More Accountable Kid....

I'm really impressed with this program so far. Michael is really taking ownership of his board, and moving his tasks from one peg to the next. Today he actually asked me to help him with his music task.

I am thinking that maybe his routines weren't as obvious to him as they were to us. For me, it's just expected that you get up, get dressed, brush your teeth, etc., and then you get to play. For him, I am guessing that the list of things to do seemed arbitrary. Now, he knows exactly what we expect from him and he can do it mostly independently. Win for everyone!

And, tomorrow is the last day of summer school! Then we get to enjoy August and relax a bit. Between a family trip and day camp, it's going to be an exciting month!

Accountable Kids, Day One!

So, we started the Accountable Kids program with Michael this morning. He had seen the task board with his name on it over the weekend and was very curious about what it was and how it worked. Last night I walked him through all his reminder cards and showed him how he could flip over each card as he finished a task. I explained that this was a way for him to know exactly what he needed to do before he could play. He seemed curious and excited about it, so I had high hopes for this morning.

Michael had trouble sleeping last night, so he had a hard time waking up this morning. But, he came downstairs, looked at his board, saw which cards he could flip over right away, and gave me a big smile. Before I knew what was going on, he had rushed off to brush his teeth so he could flip that card, too. I didn't have to say a word! It still took him a little time to get through breakfast, but he ate it all and then asked if we could wait for the bus outside. This has to have been the smoothest morning we've had in ages!

I know it's only the first day of the program, and I'm not doing everything we're supposed to - I am at a complete loss for how to use the tickets with Michael. He sees all the pegs on the board and wants to know what they are all for. He did seem interested in finding out more about the date cards and the tickets, so I'll have to come up with something.

So, for day one, we're off to a great start. I can't wait to see what happens next!

How did it get to be summer?

We are getting ready to try a bunch of new things with Michael this summer, and I realized I haven't posted in a while. Life has been incredibly busy, but I really need to be able to get my thoughts out, so here goes operation blog reboot!

Michael is in summer school for the month of July. On one hand, I feel bad that he doesn't get to do all the typical kid summer things, but on the other, the consistency is so good for him. And, I'm hoping that I can use this month and next to try to introduce a little more structure in home life. I'm evaluating a couple different approaches, and will let you know what we decide!

For now, the biggest new thing is that we've signed Michael up for swimming lessons. He loves the water, but it scares me so much that he can't swim. I hear stories so often of kids on the spectrum wandering and drowning. We still participate with Project Lifesaver, but drowning can happen so fast.

So, there was a groupon for 4 classes, and the teacher has some experience with kids on the spectrum. I just hope it goes well! At the end of the four weeks, we'll have to decide if we want to continue or not, so I have my fingers crossed.

Big Wows and Book Bucks

It's hard to believe the changes we've been seeing in Michael lately. On Friday, he was able to go on a school field trip and fully participate, even though he didn't know everyone. He actually raised his hand and answered questions. Before, I would have been terrified that he would get overwhelmed by all the stimulation and get into trouble or run away. I never expect to get glowing reports on field trip days. I could get used to this!

Michael has been willing to read to me for a while now, but he has never expressed any interest in doing the 'book bucks' journal for school. Basically, he has to keep a log of what he reads, and write a one sentence summary for each entry. Today, we read the first chapter of 'The Mystery of the Stolen Sword'. When I gently broached the subject of filling out the journal entry, he was all excited and happy.

Admitedly, his sentence was not the most compelling summary of what he read, but it did indicate that he understood what he read, and who the characters are. He even told me that we'd fill in another line when we read the next chapter. What happened next is what floored me. He went to the table of contents to see that there were ten chapters. Then he told me we would need to read two books to fill out the whole form. I was shocked not at the math, but that he was looking ahead and tacitly agreeing to fill in the whole journal.

We've been seeing so many high days, the low ones still catch me off guard. But, thankfully, they are fewer and far between. Yes, I am grinning from ear to ear.

LDN and mB12

We started Michael on LDN right around the first of the year. Then, mid-March, we started mb12 shots. The changes we've seen in him since combining the two are amazing. His communication skills have really improved; in the complexity of language, but also in his understanding of conversation.

Even better than the language gains are the changes in behavior. He's so much more flexible than he ever has been. He understands that plans change, sometimes without anything we can do about it. He participated in one song at his school's spring concert (before he couldn't be in the room at all). He is enjoying playing with peers and talking on the phone. Some days I look at this sweet, flexible kid and wonder where he came from.

It's one thing for me to see the changes. I'm his Mom and will always pick out the best. But, we've gotten unsolicated comments from school about how he's more interactive and sociabile. He has had ONE 'incident' at school since he started the mB12. Prior to that, we were hearing from an administrator or behaviorist several times a week. It's almost like they've lost our number!

Even though there are a lot of 'big' changes, the ones that mean the most to me are small, day-to-day things. I was actually able to walk to the grocery store with Michael, buy what we needed, and walk back home. All without any fussing. Before, there would have been mandatory time staring at the doors open and close. We would have had to walk up and down all the aisles. There would be a melt-down where we had to abandon the cart and leave. I can't describe how liberating it was to do something so simple.

Not every day is perfect, but every day is slightly better than the one before. And, I can't ask for anything more than that!

Happy New Year!

I have a good feeling about 2011. I'm sure I've said it before, but this year just feels right. Maybe it has something to do with Kim mentioning that 11 is the Angel's number, or just a general optimism. No matter the reason, I'm going to run with it.

I'm sad to see winter break come to an end, but so excited at all the new beginnings. Michael has made such tremendous progress lately - he is expressing himself better, playing more, and just seems happier. All the things that I would wish for him.

So, I am going to be open to blessings from anywhere, and pray for a wonderful year!

Our very first chapter book!!

Michael actually read an entire chapter book to me! In two sittings, no less! He loves the kindle so much... I can bump up the font size so it's easy for him to read. So, we read the first book in the Magic Treehouse series. I'm hoping we can read the next one soon. It has to be his idea, but I'm hoping to drop a few hints.

When I was growing up, I always had my nose in a book. It was my way of escaping into my own little world. I really want Michael to be able to enjoy books as much as I always have. So, baby steps and maybe we'll get there. Who knows, maybe he'll need his own Kindle one day.

It was a Merry Christmas!

This was the best Christmas since Michael was diagnosed with autism. The first year he actually cared about opening presents, and was truly thankful for the ones he got. I was so happy for him and proud of him at the same time.

I constantly hear people talking about their kids only caring about Santa and presents, and I have to admit that I was jealous. Michael has always enjoyed spending time with family, and even understands all the players in the Nativity. I am grateful for that, since those truly are the most important aspects of Christmas. But, Santa and presents are such a part of being a kid that I hated him missing out.

He still got overwhelmed quickly with all the presents (my family is very generous!) and the activity associated with a family event. But, it was so great when he volunteered to 'be Santa' and pass out the presents. I was amazed when he was able to read names on packages and undersand that to Mom from me meant Grandma, and Joan meant Aunt Joan, etc. I was so happy, and so proud!

So, we ended up binging home a few unwrapped presents because he just couldn't handle opening them in PA, but they are all opened now. He has two big boxes left from Santa that came to our house. He wants to wait to open them until he's had time to play with some of the other toys. That counts as self-regulation, right? If only I had some of that!

Catching Up

There have been a few things I've been wanting to do for months now - post to the blog more often, buy a Kindle, and read Kim Stagliano's book, All I Can Handle : I'm No Mother Teresa: A Life Raising Three Daughters with Autism. So, I'm finally catching up!

My new kindle arrived late last night. Who knew UPS delivered until 9pm during the holidays? I had been anxiously awaiting it's arrival, so I have to admit I was a little less than happy to wait so long. I guess patience has never been a strong suit of mine.

Anyway, it arrived and I tore into it. Before I could even figure out how to turn it on, Michael was in my lap asking a ton of questions. Was it a computer? What's a book reader? Does it really have books inside? I told him I needed to buy a book and he scooched over an inch or two so I could move my hands.

The very first book I bought was Kim's. I'd been wanting to read it since it came out, but I really wanted to wait for the Kindle. Now I had it, and the book was downloading. I was finally happy and excited.

You might know that Michael hates to read out loud to us. Absoulutely refuses to do it unless it's forced homework. Last night, he read the first three pages of the book out loud to me and Steve. I was laughing at Kim and crying with joy to hear Michael read to us. (It was rather surreal to have him read a book to us about dealing with autism, but if I focus too much on that point, my head will explode.)

After he decided he had read enough he wanted to know what other books we could read on it. I told him I didn't know since I had just gotten it. I think he inherited that lack of patience from somewhere. This morning, the first thing he did was ask about the Kindle. I told him we could look at it more after school today. Who knows, maybe this can be the start of us reading together again. I can't tell you how happy that would make me.

As for Kim's book, it's everything I was expecting it to be - funny, charming, and right on point. It is so nice to read her book and 'get' every word on every page. I know her life is vastly more complicated than mine, but she makes me feel like I have a sister up north. If you haven't read the book, I'd highly recommend it.

Now, enough blogging, I have a book to finish!

Holiday Recipes

For Thanksgiving we decided to experiment with a new recipe for cornbread, and then cornbread stuffing. Both worked wonderfully! The cornbread actually tasted as good as any 'regular' cornbread I've ever had. Steve liked the stuffing so much that he wants to make more. That's never happened! So, here are the two recipes. If you try them, let me know how it works out?

Holiday Corn Bread
1 cup GF Flour - Baking Mix
1 cup corn meal
½ cup sugar
4 tsp baking powder
¾ tsp salt
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp honey
1 cup milk substitute w/ 1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp egg replacer with 1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup Earth Balance SF margarine

Whisk together all dry ingredients in mixer. Add remaining ingredients and blend together on low until combined. Beat 10-30 seconds on medium/high speed until smooth and fluffy. Do not overbeat. Pour into a greased 9 inch square baking pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.

Holiday Cornbread Stuffing
1 recipe cornbread, cut into small pieces
1 medium onion, diced
Olive Oil
2 lb loose sausage
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp celery salt
1 tsp onion powder
2 cups of all natural chicken or turkey broth

Sautee onions in olive oil, add sausage and cook until browned. Add in spices. Mix all ingredients with the croutons and bake at 375 until firm and beginning to brown, about 30 minutes.

The baking mix we use is from Cybele Pascal's Allergen Free Baker's Handbook. It's a wonderful book of recipes, but, better yet, the flour mix translates to almost any recipe. So, we are able to use her mix and create our own recipes.

Baking Mix:
4 cups superfine brown rice flour
1 1/3 cups potato starch
2/3 cup tapioca flour

Kinect Adventures

I've seen a story all over the web about how a two year old with autism was able to really enjoy playing with the Kinect, and thought I'd blog about our experience. We received (as a wonderful pre-Christmas present) the Kinect the day it came out. Steve set it up that day, and Michael was already playing before I came home from work.

It was so cool how he noticed the box and figured out it was a video game, before Steve even said what it was. He supervised the entire setup and couldn't wait to play. Michael is pretty technically savvy, and enjoys exploring different options on the typical game controller. At first, it was hard for him to understand that he didn't NEED a controller for this game. He caught on very quickly though.

At first, it was pretty intimidating for Michael to figure out how to track the screen, stay in the game space, and play the game all at once. Now, a week later, he can turn on the game, use the voice commands to start up Kinect, and has even scored a gold on a few levels.

But, even better, he wants to share the fun. He's invited his Grandmother over this afternoon to play. And, he called a friend of his from school to invited him over this weekend! He never calls to invited people over! I am so looking forward to watching him explain how to play to both his grandmother and his friend.

On the negative side, I don't think Grandma will be able to play with him. The game requires a lot of physical movement (jumping, stepping side to side, matching poses, etc.) The requirements are great for Michael who still has a lot of issues knowing where his body is in space, and gross motor movements. But, for someone who is a little older with occasional balance problems, the game really isn't appropriate. But, I am sure they will have a lot of fun together.

I'll have to report back on Monday how it goes. Anyone local want to set up a play date?

We have a trailer!

I am so excited and proud to announce that we finally have a trailer for our movie!! Please watch the trailer here and visit our facebook page here. We have put so much work into the movie, I really want as many people as possible to see it. Please watch the trailer and leave a comment? Thanks!!

Proud of my guy

These last couple weeks have been pretty busy, with lots of great days, and a few more difficult ones thrown in. But, overall, I am so proud of Michael. He really is turning into a nice little kid.

We have been taking him to KEEN, which is a group play/exercise time. They have one-on-one helpers, usually teen volunteers, to help them. Last week, his helper commented on what a polite kid he is. I was just beaming. It's so easy to focus on all the things we still need to work on, and the occasional temper tantrums, that I lose sight of the great kid I have most of the time.

So today, I am going to be happy that I have a kid who will happily help me unload the dishwasher, says please and thank you, and genuinely wants to help others be happy. That is what I choose to focus on today!

Finally...

Many years ago I was told that if we just got Michael's gut healed, he would be more willing to eat new foods. We started the diet and got out all the things he is allergic to over two years ago now. In the last couple weeks, I've noticed some startling things:

Michael is asking for new foods
He ate an almond butter and jelly sandwhich
He eats and LIKES broccoli and cauliflower
He nagged Steve to make him chocolate chip muffins

This is the child that never cared about food and hated to try anything new. Now, he's not exactly eating a full meal of new foods, but he's getting adventurous. He's actually mixing textures (daiya cheese sprinked on a burger!) and liking things.

I never thought this would happen. So, even if it takes a couple years, it IS possible for a picky eater to change!

KEEN

I have been meaning to write a post all week about KEEN. It's a wonderful group that provides one to one support for kids with all kinds of disabilities to have two play sessions a month. And, it's a drop off program.

Michael had his first session last weekend. I know he was mostly excited because he saw the elevator, but I believe he really enjoyed the session. He's been talking about it, and telling us that he gets to go back in October. It's great to see him so excited about something new. And, I have to admit, having an hour to myself once in a while is a very nice idea!

Seeing through Michael's Eyes (sortof)

Last night I woke up incredibly nauseous. It's such an unsettling feeling to know that you are about to run to the bathroom, and there is nothing you can do about it. Steve was still in his office working, so I asked him to keep me company while I waited.

I noticed that even though I really wanted his company, I had few words, and looking directly at him was nearly impossible. I guess when you are so focused on keeping yourself 'together', you just don't have any extra energy/focus for things that are normally easy.

At one point, Steve offered to make me a cup of ginger lemon tea. (What a wonderful man!) It took a few minutes for me to register what he was saying and to then get out a small 'yes to tea'.

Thankfully, there was only one episode and the tea was able to settle my stomach after. But wow, it's so hard to explain the feeling of revelation when I realized that sometimes you just CAN'T talk or make eye contact, or anything else. You just need to put all your energy into breathing.

I think I'll be a little more patient with Michael today!

Signs of maturity...

I know that Michael is 8 years old now, and he should be able to do many things independently. But, he just hasn't been able to. I've noticed in the last month or so, he really is making huge progress. It started out with him picking his own clothes for school, and just little things here and there.

Last night, he wanted a bath so he went to his room and got his nighttime clothes ready and brought them into the bathroom. If I give him a time when the bath is done, he can watch the clock and let me know when he's ready. He still can't dry himself off effectively, but he can dress himself after his bath and get back to playing. Baby steps, but it makes me happy!

PANDAS?!

It looks like Michael might have PANDAS. We've had him on antibiotics for a couple days now, and boy is it taking a toll on him. His tummy was so upset and he was so wiped out, he took himself to bed at 7 tonight! I sure hope the antibiotics help, and that he is back to himself soon. For now, I'm just a tad stressed.

So far, so good

This has been a pretty good week so far. Michael is settling into his school routines, I'm settling back into work, and Steve has been getting a lot of his work done. I loved vacation, but it really is nice to feel more settled.

I went to a TACA meeting last night. It was all about the GFCF diet. Even though we have been doing the diet for more than two years now, it was still nice to get a few tips and talk with other parents doing the same thing. It is just so relaxing to talk with people who 'get it' and really understand what you are doing with your child and why.