aMAZEing Play

One of Michael's Christmas presents was a marble maze. We'd actually had it for a while, but he just wasn't ready for it. Or, we weren't ready to have marbles all over the house.

I have never seen him so excited over a present. As soon as we took everything out of the box and started assembling it, he wanted to help. He wanted to put things together, to build the track, everything. Once we had it all together, he was fascinated. In all, he probably had over 3 hours of appropriate play with a toy. I am totally amazed!

Really Yummy Pancakes

We made these pancakes for breakfast today and they turned out really well. They actually rose, and tasted yummy. Michael ate 3!!

1 cup Tom Sawyer Flour
1 1/2 tbsp Dari Free Powder
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
3 tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp EnerG egg Replacer w/ 1/4 cup very hot water
3/4 cup Water
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil

Mix wet ingredients in medium bowl.

Whisk dry ingredients together in larger bowl.

Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until smooth.

Pour onto heated griddle, flip when pancakes bubble on top.

Best Christmas EVER!!!!!!!!!

As you know from my pre-Christmas posts, I was dreading the holidays this year. Michael has been so unpredictable lately; I was just convinced it would be terrible. Boy was I wrong! This has to be the very best Christmas ever.

We went to PA to visit my side of the family – my parents, brother, and aunt. Michael was genuinely happy to see everyone, and had absolutely wonderful behavior the whole time we were there. A couple grumps when he was hungry, but not one meltdown. I was so proud of him!

When it was time to open presents, I expected him to run and hide. Last year, he didn't want anything to do with unwrapping, and got very upset when anyone suggested opening his packages. We ended up unwrapping his presents when he was asleep and doling them out over a few weeks. This year, he helped pass out presents, and was excited when one had his name on it. He opened all his presents happily, and was really excited over several toys. It was wonderful to see him so gracious and fully engaged in the whole process.

We had a mini Christmas with Steve's family today, and it went equally well. He was really excited to hear that his 'other favorite family members' were coming over. He was bouncing all over the place while we opened presents, but he did manage to open his with the same amount of grace and fun as he did at my parents. The best part was he invited everyone into the family room, which is 'his' room. And, he asked if they could come back tomorrow. It's the most social I've ever seen him.

Oh! And an even better part. We gave his cousins little jelly belly ice cream cones. They looked and sounded just like maracas. Michael wanted to go downstairs and bring up his percussion box. He handed out different percussion instruments for everyone to play. He was actually happy to be sharing his 'toys'!!! And he didn't care that other people were playing with them and making noise. Then, he switched the instruments around and did it again. It was absolutely amazing.

One last thing – we've been working on cleaning up before bedtime forever. Tonight, he cleaned up all his toys when I reminded him. Then, completely on his own, he went and put his kitchen stool away and turned out the lights in the dining room. I was completely floored. I don't know what has gotten into him, but I couldn't be more thrilled.

Needless to say, I am crying with happiness as I type this. I'd write more, but I am having trouble seeing the screen.

Merry Christmas Everyone

I'll be away from the blog for a few days for the holiday, so I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas now. I received this poem in my email today and it was just so fitting I had to repost it!


Autism Night Before Christmas
by Cindy Waeltermann

Twas the Night Before Christmas
And all through the house
The creatures were stirring
Yes, even the mouse

We tried melatonin
And gave a hot bath
But the holiday jitters
They always distract

The children were finally
All nestled in bed
When nightmares of terror
Ran through my OWN head

Did I get the right gift
The right color
And style
Would there be a tantrum
Or even, maybe, a smile?

Our relatives come
But they don't understand
The pleasure he gets
Just from flapping his hands.

"He needs discipline," they say
"Just a well-needed smack,
You must learn to parent..."
And on goes the attack

We smile and nod
Because we know deep inside
The argument is moot
Let them all take a side

We know what it's like
To live with the spectrum
The struggles and triumphs
Achievements, regressions...

But what they don't know
And what they don't see
Is the joy that we feel
Over simplicity

He said "hello"
He ate something green!
He told his first lie!
He did not cause a scene!

He peed on the potty
Who cares if he's ten,
He stopped saying the same thing
Again and again!

Others don't realize
Just how we can cope
How we bravely hang on
At the end of our rope

But what they don't see
Is the joy we can't hide
When our children with autism
Make the tiniest stride

We may look at others
Without the problems we face
With jealousy, hatred
Or even distaste,

But what they don't know
Nor sometimes do we
Is that children with autism
Bring simplicity.

We don't get excited
Over expensive things
We jump for joy
With the progress work brings

Children with autism
Try hard every day
That they make us proud
More than words can say.

They work even harder
Than you or I
To achieve something small
To reach a star in the sky

So to those who don't get it
Or can't get a clue
Take a walk in my shoes
And I'll assure you

That even 10 minutes
Into the walk
You'll look at me
With respect, even shock.

You will realize
What it is I go through
And the next time you judge
I can assure you

That you won't say a thing
You'll be quiet and learn,
Like the years that I did
When the tables were turned.......

A great day, but...

Michael had a fantastic day today – he had his best day ever at school, he received his Project Lifesaver transmitter after school with no fussing, and he had a great time at his auditory integration therapy. So why am I so depressed? I feel so fortunate that we were able to get the transmitter, but depressed that we still really need it. I guess part of it is that we work so hard to get him all the biomedical interventions he needs, and we still have so far to go.

I keep reading stories of children who do biomed for a few months and have miraculous recoveries. Even if they aren't able to lose their diagnosis, they can mainstream at school and participate in family functions. I'm struggling so hard to find an appropriate placement for Michael, and he still has really bad days as often as good ones. I know I shouldn't complain, and I am truly grateful for all the progress we've seen.

It's so hard to read about children enjoying the holidays and knowing that I am dreading this holiday more than any other. Kids are supposed to like this time of year. And there are things that Michael loves – the winter lights, baking cookies, and spending time with family. But, he doesn't really 'get' the whole gift exchange thing, and is just as likely to melt down over a present being opened as enjoy it. And, even though he had a lot of fun decorating the tree, he won't let me turn the lights on to enjoy it. But, we take one day at a time, and it will eventually get better, right?

Michael's Sugar Cutouts

Michael's Sugar Cutouts

1 Cup Spectrum Shortening

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Beat 1 Tbsp Egg Replacer w/ 1/4 cup Hot Water

Add together in large bowl and beat until light and fluffy

In separate bowl, sift together:

2 1/4 Cups Tom Sawyer Gluten Free Flour

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Xanthum Gum

Gradually add flour mixture to main mix until well blended. Dough will be crumbly but sticks together when compressed (hard).

Divide dough into pieces about the size of a large burger patty. Roll out between two pieces of parchment paper. (It's more of a press than a roll.) The dough is oily enough that it does not need to be floured.

Press out shapes and gently remove excess dough. Leave on the parchment paper and transfer sheet to cookie tray. If you try to remove them to a tray for baking, they will fall apart.

Bake at 350 for 11-12 minutes. Let cool on tray for several minutes. Again, transfer cookies on the parchment paper to a cooling rack. Cookies will be more sturdy once cooled.

The cookies would frost really easily. We don't really like them frosted, so we didn't decorate them. (I don't know how I would have kept Michael away from them long enough to decorate!)

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Great Day!

Today was a really, really good day. Michael tried really hard to amuse himself until 7:30, letting me sleep in a bit. The morning was pretty standard, with very little fussing. Once Steve had done the things he needed to do in the morning, he, Michael and Dan went out to the park to play and throw airplanes. It was cold, but Michael had a lot of fun, and great behavior!

While they were gone, I started cleaning the kitchen. It was a big job! When they got home, Michael played with Uncle Dan while Steve and I finished working in the kitchen. Of course, as soon as we finished, Michael wanted to make Christmas cookies. They turned out really well, and we all had a great time making them. I'll attach the recipe as a separate post.

I really like using the Tom Sawyer Gluten Free flour. It has a nice mix of flours, and doesn't leave an aftertaste. When we got to the cookie eating part of the evening, I tried really hard to tell the difference between these cookies and those made with wheat flour. I couldn't. I'm really sold of this flour!

So, I'm probably jinxing myself, but it really was a wonderful day!