Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Another Day in the Life of Justin
Justin spent most of his day doing his favorite things. Swinging in his swing and listening to music.
He has started something new, at least once or twice a day he will run, and run, and run around the living room as fast as he can. He usually has one of his music toys with him as he's running.
He has started pulling himself up onto the counter, and getting into the drawers in the kitchen. Once he starts he gets himself all worked up, and won't stop.
He usually ends up having to go into his room because he becomes fixated, and won't stop.
He has started something new, at least once or twice a day he will run, and run, and run around the living room as fast as he can. He usually has one of his music toys with him as he's running.
He has started pulling himself up onto the counter, and getting into the drawers in the kitchen. Once he starts he gets himself all worked up, and won't stop.
He usually ends up having to go into his room because he becomes fixated, and won't stop.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Meltdowns Have Stopped
Justin's evening meltdowns have stopped. I've noticed he's become very attached to me (his mom.) If he sees me leaving the room, he'll run to me yelling "Mommy !" He'll pull my shirt to get me to stay in the room he is in.
At night time, he will come lay with me on the couch. This is his newest routine.
Justin is a very affectionate child. Some children on the spectrum do not like to be hugged or touched. This is due to the sensory issues that all autistic children possess in one form or another.
At night time, he will come lay with me on the couch. This is his newest routine.
Justin is a very affectionate child. Some children on the spectrum do not like to be hugged or touched. This is due to the sensory issues that all autistic children possess in one form or another.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Justin Has a Twin Sister
Justin has a twin sister named Rebecca. She does not exhibit any autistic symptoms. They are very close, and Rebecca tries to play and communicate with Justin.
You can tell it gets frustrating for her sometimes, because his vocabulary is extremely limited. Their play usually involves running around chasing each other, swinging together in the sensory swing, and dancing together.
Justin will go up to Rebecca, and lay his head on her and hug her. He likes to get close to her face and smile at her, and she smiles back at him.
There is definitely a strong bond between them even with their differences.
You can tell it gets frustrating for her sometimes, because his vocabulary is extremely limited. Their play usually involves running around chasing each other, swinging together in the sensory swing, and dancing together.
Justin will go up to Rebecca, and lay his head on her and hug her. He likes to get close to her face and smile at her, and she smiles back at him.
There is definitely a strong bond between them even with their differences.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
More Music
Justin's been continuing to show his love of music. He spent about an hour on his favorite piano. Listening to different pre-programed songs, and adjusting the beat faster and slower.
As he was doing this, he would get in his sensory swing and swing until the song stopped. Than he would get up, push another song and swing again.
After he got tired of doing that, he went to his other toys that play music and continued on. This went on and off for most of the day.
It was a pretty content laid back day for him with no meltdowns.
At the end of the day he found his glow worm, and it needed batteries. After we changed his batteries, he listened to it and sang with it for about 45 minutes while being held.
As he was doing this, he would get in his sensory swing and swing until the song stopped. Than he would get up, push another song and swing again.
After he got tired of doing that, he went to his other toys that play music and continued on. This went on and off for most of the day.
It was a pretty content laid back day for him with no meltdowns.
At the end of the day he found his glow worm, and it needed batteries. After we changed his batteries, he listened to it and sang with it for about 45 minutes while being held.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Justin's New Sensory Swing
In one of Justin's therapy sessions, his occupational therapist suggested getting a sensory swing for home. He loves swinging in it in therapy. So we got him one for only $38.00 on Amazon.
It is mounted to our ceiling and he absolutely loves it. It does have a calming effect on him.
His therapist told me that swinging him back and forth helps relax him. Being autistic children struggle with sensory overload, this is an extremely important tool for him.
Watch for a video soon of Justin in his swing !
It is mounted to our ceiling and he absolutely loves it. It does have a calming effect on him.
His therapist told me that swinging him back and forth helps relax him. Being autistic children struggle with sensory overload, this is an extremely important tool for him.
Watch for a video soon of Justin in his swing !
Friday, January 23, 2015
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Therapies
Justin has speech and occupational therapy on Wednesday's. He really enjoys these times ! He started these therapies in October of 2014. The difference has been amazing !
He went from being almost non-verbal in October, to now putting 2 and 3 words together to make sentences.
He also has a behavior specialist come over to the house bi-weekly. This helps specifically with things like transitioning from task to task. Pretty much any behaviors that need development.
He went from being almost non-verbal in October, to now putting 2 and 3 words together to make sentences.
He also has a behavior specialist come over to the house bi-weekly. This helps specifically with things like transitioning from task to task. Pretty much any behaviors that need development.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Art
Yesterday was a very artsy day for Justin. He played playdoh, and created about 10 pages of art. Most of it was him writing his ABC's, which are one of his very favorite things ! He absolutely loves letters !
His other love is shapes. He draws houses and trains out of shapes that he's learned. He teaches himself this from his computers.
#autism #autism in children #symptoms of autism #autism symptoms #autistic child playing #autistic spectrum disorder #children with autism #videos of autistic children
His other love is shapes. He draws houses and trains out of shapes that he's learned. He teaches himself this from his computers.
#autism #autism in children #symptoms of autism #autism symptoms #autistic child playing #autistic spectrum disorder #children with autism #videos of autistic children
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
More meltdowns
Every evening Justin has began having a meltdown. This has been going on for the last 3 nights. I'm not for sure what prompts these meltdowns. Other than he seems to be trying to find something.
Last nights meltdown lasted about half an hr. He calmed down by swinging in his indoor swing while listening to a toy that plays classical music.
Last nights meltdown lasted about half an hr. He calmed down by swinging in his indoor swing while listening to a toy that plays classical music.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Happiness
Justin is so incredibly happy all the time ! He's such a blessing to our family. He's very easy going.
There are times when he gets into a "non-listening" phase. When he does, he intentionally does stuff he knows is a "no-no."
Usually, he won't stop until he has a time out in his room.
Check him out on YouTube !
There are times when he gets into a "non-listening" phase. When he does, he intentionally does stuff he knows is a "no-no."
Usually, he won't stop until he has a time out in his room.
Check him out on YouTube !
Sunday, January 18, 2015
What is an Autistic Meltdown ?
Some people view a meltdown as a tantrum or just acting out. Actually, this is the furthest thing from the truth.
Each child with autism is uniquely and wonderfully individual. So there's not any one specific thing that universally causes a meltdown.
Generally, a meltdown is caused by a sensory overload of some sort. These overloads are of the senses touch, sound, and sight.
It's hard to know how to handle these meltdowns. It takes trial and error. Talking with the specialists involved in your child's life is what I've found to be the most helpful.
Each child with autism is uniquely and wonderfully individual. So there's not any one specific thing that universally causes a meltdown.
Generally, a meltdown is caused by a sensory overload of some sort. These overloads are of the senses touch, sound, and sight.
It's hard to know how to handle these meltdowns. It takes trial and error. Talking with the specialists involved in your child's life is what I've found to be the most helpful.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
The Wake-up and Go to Bed Routine
Every morning when Justin wakes up, he has to bring out about 20 of his toys. He has become obsessed with this. He becomes almost in a trance, and it's very important to him.
He won't stop until he has every computer, musical toy, and learning toy out of his room.
When it's bed time, we go through the same process. Every toy must be brought back into his room.
He won't stop until he has every computer, musical toy, and learning toy out of his room.
When it's bed time, we go through the same process. Every toy must be brought back into his room.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Meltdowns
Justin has went a long time without a meltdown, but yesterday he made up for not having a meltdown by having a huge one.
I don't think anything prepares you for an autistic meltdown.
Yesterday, he was extremely focused on one specific thing; a small ball of blue play dough. He was so excited until, he lost it.
He started crying, screaming and yelling "blue ball" over and over again. Well, we couldn't find it. The crying and yelling went on for about an hour. Until he finally fell asleep.
I don't think anything prepares you for an autistic meltdown.
Yesterday, he was extremely focused on one specific thing; a small ball of blue play dough. He was so excited until, he lost it.
He started crying, screaming and yelling "blue ball" over and over again. Well, we couldn't find it. The crying and yelling went on for about an hour. Until he finally fell asleep.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Autistic Children and Their Love of Water.
Justin has entered a new phase of playing in the kitchen sink. He hops the gate, climbs on the stool and covers himself from head to toe with water.
This becomes a game for him. Try to get into the kitchen before I can "catch" him.
This can become frustrating for me because I can't leave that side of the house without having my kitchen and kid doused in water.
This becomes a game for him. Try to get into the kitchen before I can "catch" him.
This can become frustrating for me because I can't leave that side of the house without having my kitchen and kid doused in water.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
After the Autism diagnosis.
Once I accepted that something wasn't quite right with Justin. There was a time of extreme sadness, almost like that of a mourning. Nothing prepares you for there being something wrong with your child.
Once there is no more denial, and you have faced the facts of what is, and the mourning, and guilt are done. I switched that energy into full force for Justin.
I took him to his pediatrician, and got a referral to a autism specialist. Than I found out that there was about a year wait. That was unacceptable that my son wouldn't even be tested until almost 5 yrs. old.
I called Justin's insurance company, and talked to them about this issue.
Long story short, I was able to go out of network and have his insurance pay for it. Because it was considered medically necessary, and I didn't just accept waiting a year.
About a month after I called the insurance company, Justin was tested.
Once there is no more denial, and you have faced the facts of what is, and the mourning, and guilt are done. I switched that energy into full force for Justin.
I took him to his pediatrician, and got a referral to a autism specialist. Than I found out that there was about a year wait. That was unacceptable that my son wouldn't even be tested until almost 5 yrs. old.
I called Justin's insurance company, and talked to them about this issue.
Long story short, I was able to go out of network and have his insurance pay for it. Because it was considered medically necessary, and I didn't just accept waiting a year.
About a month after I called the insurance company, Justin was tested.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
The Beginning
When you have a new baby you are so excited at this new little person, and life that is yours. This was no exception with Justin. He was special in the fact that he has a twin sister. I had a healthy pregnancy, only gained 40 pounds and carried them to 39 1/2 weeks.
Once I had my epidural, within 15 minutes our first twin Rebecca was born. Than, 7 minutes later Justin was brought into the world.
From this point on, everything was a blur of diapers, feedings, and clothes changes.
Justin was "the perfect baby." He was happy, easy going, only cried when he was hungry. There was nothing that screamed "autism," until Justin reached around a year old.
Justin's vocabulary was only one word, if you held him he would arch his back away from you, and he would crawl around with his head on the ground for extended periods of time. He was also intrigued by wheels.
I must add, that it wasn't until he was about 3 that I admitted to myself that something wasn't right. I was in denial that my "baby" had anything wrong.
Once I had my epidural, within 15 minutes our first twin Rebecca was born. Than, 7 minutes later Justin was brought into the world.
From this point on, everything was a blur of diapers, feedings, and clothes changes.
Justin was "the perfect baby." He was happy, easy going, only cried when he was hungry. There was nothing that screamed "autism," until Justin reached around a year old.
Justin's vocabulary was only one word, if you held him he would arch his back away from you, and he would crawl around with his head on the ground for extended periods of time. He was also intrigued by wheels.
I must add, that it wasn't until he was about 3 that I admitted to myself that something wasn't right. I was in denial that my "baby" had anything wrong.
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