About a week ago I finished up a very long packet of information and mailed it back to SARRC. I was applying for a program they offer called Jump Start. The program is mainly for newly diagnosed children and families. In our case the program wasn't an option previously as it has a very high price tag, $3000. I recently found out that if we are receiving services from DDD and have an autism diagnosis we could apply and get in with a grant from the state paying for it. I was so excited to get the phone call this afternoon telling me that we got in a program to start on April 1st and ending on April 24th. We will go Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11:30am. Airen will have to miss school these days as its an hour drive to the center then an hour drive back. Luckily Airen is doing so well in school that I really don't think him missing some days is going to hurt him. Once I get the next packet of information in the mail I will be sitting down with the principal, school case worker and teacher. My thoughts are we will just get the work to do at home during home therapy sessions and all will be good. I am just so excited that I was able to get into this program before the funding is stopped.
A brief statement about the program from the website.
Teaches parents of newly diagnosed children about the characteristics of ASDs and how to begin improving communications, reducing problem behaviors, accessing state services and coordinating with service providers. Also supports skills development for children with ASDs in school and community settings.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Potty Success!!!
It has been ONE MONTH!!!! Airen has been using the potty and wearing his undies. At school and home he is using the potty with no issues. At night he will still wear a pull up but when he wakes he's dry. Our next step is him wearing undies to bed. My only concern with that is he tends to have night terrors and usually he wets himself during one of them. Its a step by step process and I am just thankful he's doign so well. Today daddy brought him home a small Star War Lego set in honor of him using the potty for a month. Airen was so excited!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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.......
If you made it to the end of this little posting, thank you!!! Many of the words written here are things I have felt many times during our trek with Airen and understanding autism. Many comments and looks have been given to us. Many tears have been shed in my house because someone just didn't get what I was going through or cared to take the time to ask about our life. I assure you I try my hardest to let those folks not know they get to me. There are times that I have snapped a rude comment or look and walked away from the situation. If you have questions please ask. A quick ''hello'' means the world to us. We do get excited over the little things and secretly cry at night for the challenges and successes. Know more then anything we need our friends and family to surround us with love and support and prayer. We love you!!!
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.......
If you made it to the end of this little posting, thank you!!! Many of the words written here are things I have felt many times during our trek with Airen and understanding autism. Many comments and looks have been given to us. Many tears have been shed in my house because someone just didn't get what I was going through or cared to take the time to ask about our life. I assure you I try my hardest to let those folks not know they get to me. There are times that I have snapped a rude comment or look and walked away from the situation. If you have questions please ask. A quick ''hello'' means the world to us. We do get excited over the little things and secretly cry at night for the challenges and successes. Know more then anything we need our friends and family to surround us with love and support and prayer. We love you!!!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Potty time
Happy 2009!!! Our holidays were very nice. Nothing too exciting and over the top around our house. Quiet and calm how I like things.
First off let me preface this by saying yes I get excited by the little things when they involve Airen. This is one of those excited times for me!! Many will think to themselves that its not normal for a 5 year old not to be potty trained. Others will comment that so and so is already doing the potty thing and they are 2. We are not the normal family. Read on!!
It has been two weeks now that Airen is going on the potty!!! Two weeks ago he got out of the shower and said he wanted to wear big boy undies!!! I jumped out of my skin and Doug was so excited. Airen did great and hasn't had any accidents since!! Of course he's been constipated a bit and we are hoping he starts to understand the other ''end'' of using the potty. That too will come so we will be patient.
Airen returned to school on January 5th. It was a really really rough day. Kicking and screaming getting to the van and driving to the school. I had to park and carry him across the parking lot. Luckily the principal and I are friends and he really understands what Airen goes through with a change in routine so he was all smiles and such. Once Airen got to his class he calmed down a bit but when his aide walked through the door he went running to her and was a lot calmer. I was able to slip out the door. When I got to the van and was driving away I saw Airen on the playground with some of the children.
This past Thursday was music therapy as usual. He hasn't had music for two weeks due to the holidays. (also why I haven't posted in forever--crazy holidays!) Let's just say if there was a hole big enough for me I would have liked to be there at that time. Airen screamed and tantrum the whole 45 minutes of music. Our therapist tried everything to get him to calm down and cooperate. While this is going on Miss Mara escaped baby jail. I figured she was in Airen's room on his bed. NOPE!!! She was in the bathroom and had unrolled the whole full roll of toilet paper. When I found her she was putting the toilet paper into the toilet. Not a good day for me. I will try to post a picture of Miss Mara.
I will also include some pictures over the next few days of our holidays and our fun activities we did.
First off let me preface this by saying yes I get excited by the little things when they involve Airen. This is one of those excited times for me!! Many will think to themselves that its not normal for a 5 year old not to be potty trained. Others will comment that so and so is already doing the potty thing and they are 2. We are not the normal family. Read on!!
It has been two weeks now that Airen is going on the potty!!! Two weeks ago he got out of the shower and said he wanted to wear big boy undies!!! I jumped out of my skin and Doug was so excited. Airen did great and hasn't had any accidents since!! Of course he's been constipated a bit and we are hoping he starts to understand the other ''end'' of using the potty. That too will come so we will be patient.
Airen returned to school on January 5th. It was a really really rough day. Kicking and screaming getting to the van and driving to the school. I had to park and carry him across the parking lot. Luckily the principal and I are friends and he really understands what Airen goes through with a change in routine so he was all smiles and such. Once Airen got to his class he calmed down a bit but when his aide walked through the door he went running to her and was a lot calmer. I was able to slip out the door. When I got to the van and was driving away I saw Airen on the playground with some of the children.
This past Thursday was music therapy as usual. He hasn't had music for two weeks due to the holidays. (also why I haven't posted in forever--crazy holidays!) Let's just say if there was a hole big enough for me I would have liked to be there at that time. Airen screamed and tantrum the whole 45 minutes of music. Our therapist tried everything to get him to calm down and cooperate. While this is going on Miss Mara escaped baby jail. I figured she was in Airen's room on his bed. NOPE!!! She was in the bathroom and had unrolled the whole full roll of toilet paper. When I found her she was putting the toilet paper into the toilet. Not a good day for me. I will try to post a picture of Miss Mara.
I will also include some pictures over the next few days of our holidays and our fun activities we did.
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