Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Friday, June 19, 2015
(Major) Meltdown
Yesterday, my husband and four children went out for a few hours. Justin stayed with Grandma.
He had a great time with Grandma, and was very well behaved.
Once we got home, about an hour later. Justin started crying. He had huge tears going down his cheeks, and he was inconsolable.
I took him to the couch, and just held him while he cried.
After he cried for awhile, he hit himself really hard in the head. He than looked angrily at me after he did this.
This went on for about an hour.
Afterwards, he was as happy as could be !
He hasn't had a meltdown in quite some time. I think it was prompted by the rest of the family leaving him.
He had a great time with Grandma, and was very well behaved.
Once we got home, about an hour later. Justin started crying. He had huge tears going down his cheeks, and he was inconsolable.
I took him to the couch, and just held him while he cried.
After he cried for awhile, he hit himself really hard in the head. He than looked angrily at me after he did this.
This went on for about an hour.
Afterwards, he was as happy as could be !
He hasn't had a meltdown in quite some time. I think it was prompted by the rest of the family leaving him.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Eye Doctor
Today Justin went to the eye doctor for the first time.
He was really good !
He played his Ipad in the waiting area.
He was a little apprehensive of sitting in the big chair. Once Mommy was by him he was fine. They had to look at his eyes with small round pieces of glass. They put one in front of each eye, took a flashlight and looked in them.
He got a good report, no problems with either of his eyes.
He was really good !
He played his Ipad in the waiting area.
He was a little apprehensive of sitting in the big chair. Once Mommy was by him he was fine. They had to look at his eyes with small round pieces of glass. They put one in front of each eye, took a flashlight and looked in them.
Monday, June 15, 2015
One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards
Anybody that has an autistic child knows exactly what I mean when I say, " One step forward, two steps backwards."
You make strides toward a goal.
Most of the time, I've found it's usually something small with autistic children.
As an example, Justin was doing good with learning how to go on the potty. Than, it's like a switch went off, and we were right back to square one.
Maybe he just doesn't want to bother with it. In his mind he might be happy with going in his diaper, and not having to worry about the hassle of going in the potty.
It could be he doesn't see the purpose in it. It could just seem trivial to him.
Or, he could just be being stubborn.
You make strides toward a goal.
Most of the time, I've found it's usually something small with autistic children.
As an example, Justin was doing good with learning how to go on the potty. Than, it's like a switch went off, and we were right back to square one.
Maybe he just doesn't want to bother with it. In his mind he might be happy with going in his diaper, and not having to worry about the hassle of going in the potty.
It could be he doesn't see the purpose in it. It could just seem trivial to him.
Or, he could just be being stubborn.
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Up and Over the Gates (again)
Justin has taken climbing over the gates to a whole new level.
What was a once in awhile thing, has turned into an obsession.
The gate he tries to go over the most is the one that leads to the other part of the house.
So yesterday, I took one of my wooden gates and put it above the other gate, it worked.
I also noticed how content he became after I did that. His whole demeanor changed, and he was relaxed and calm for hours.
I think this goes to show how much (all) children need boundaries. Also, boundaries seem to be a comfort rather than an inhibitor.
What was a once in awhile thing, has turned into an obsession.
The gate he tries to go over the most is the one that leads to the other part of the house.
So yesterday, I took one of my wooden gates and put it above the other gate, it worked.
I also noticed how content he became after I did that. His whole demeanor changed, and he was relaxed and calm for hours.
I think this goes to show how much (all) children need boundaries. Also, boundaries seem to be a comfort rather than an inhibitor.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Lazy Day
Today has been a lazy day for Justin.
After 3 days of swimming everyday, a day of relaxation was needed !
Justin played his ipad most of the day. He listened to music, and played his favorite apps.
He also enjoyed his new favorite potato chips too.
After 3 days of swimming everyday, a day of relaxation was needed !
Justin played his ipad most of the day. He listened to music, and played his favorite apps.
He also enjoyed his new favorite potato chips too.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Swimming
Justin absolutely loves water, but for the last couple of years he would not want to get into the pool.
We have a four foot above ground pool. Once he got over the ladder, he would start crying and try to get back out.
This year, we tried it again.
The rest of us were already in the pool. Justin was playing in a little blue pool. He ran over to the big pool, climbed up the ladder and than ran back.
He proceeded to do this 3 more times. Each time getting closer to the water, until during the last couple of times he put his hand into the water.
Finally, he went over the top of the ladder. I picked him up, and slowly put him into the water. Once he was used to the water, we put him in a swimming ring that would hold him above the water.
He loved it !
I was so proud of him !
By letting him do it in his timing, and his way he over came his fear of the big pool.
We have a four foot above ground pool. Once he got over the ladder, he would start crying and try to get back out.
This year, we tried it again.
The rest of us were already in the pool. Justin was playing in a little blue pool. He ran over to the big pool, climbed up the ladder and than ran back.
He proceeded to do this 3 more times. Each time getting closer to the water, until during the last couple of times he put his hand into the water.
Finally, he went over the top of the ladder. I picked him up, and slowly put him into the water. Once he was used to the water, we put him in a swimming ring that would hold him above the water.
He loved it !
I was so proud of him !
By letting him do it in his timing, and his way he over came his fear of the big pool.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Repitition
Anyone with an autistic child knows that repetition is the name of the game. This isn't just a once in awhile luxury we have as parents, this is a constant moment by moment thing.
Justin is no exception to this.
Here's some examples; Justin started putting his fingers in his mouth randomly one day. It wasn't just a once in awhile thing, it was all the time.
So I would tell him over, and over to "Take your fingers out of your mouth Justin." Every time I saw him with them in his mouth.
It took a good 2-3 weeks to break this habit.
Another example; Justin started touching his private area. I once again told him, "Justin, don't touch your pee pee," over and over.
Once I started doing this, he knew it was something he wasn't supposed to be doing. Because I would catch him trying to hide and do it. Or, if he saw me looking at him he would stop.
Once again, after a few weeks of repetition he stopped.
I think this shows how repetition day in and day out, can help alter the negative behaviors that autistic children have.
Justin is no exception to this.
Here's some examples; Justin started putting his fingers in his mouth randomly one day. It wasn't just a once in awhile thing, it was all the time.
So I would tell him over, and over to "Take your fingers out of your mouth Justin." Every time I saw him with them in his mouth.
It took a good 2-3 weeks to break this habit.
Another example; Justin started touching his private area. I once again told him, "Justin, don't touch your pee pee," over and over.
Once I started doing this, he knew it was something he wasn't supposed to be doing. Because I would catch him trying to hide and do it. Or, if he saw me looking at him he would stop.
Once again, after a few weeks of repetition he stopped.
I think this shows how repetition day in and day out, can help alter the negative behaviors that autistic children have.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Outside Time and Dirt
Justin has been playing outside quite a bit over the last few days. He absolutely loves it !
He's just like a typical boy, digging in dirt and playing in water.
He's just like a typical boy, digging in dirt and playing in water.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Autistic Twins
It is one thing to have an autistic child, it's another to have twins. Justin's twin sister is not autistic, and has no delays.
They both have a special bond. When they were babies, they loved looking at each other, jabbering, and touching each other.
As they started rolling, they would roll to each other and smile and laugh at each other.
Once they were crawling, I made a play area for both of them. It was a couple hundred square feet. It was full of their toys. This lasted several months, until they became escape artists.
By the time I took down the play area, they were walking and running around.
They both have a special bond. When they were babies, they loved looking at each other, jabbering, and touching each other.
As they started rolling, they would roll to each other and smile and laugh at each other.
Once they were crawling, I made a play area for both of them. It was a couple hundred square feet. It was full of their toys. This lasted several months, until they became escape artists.
By the time I took down the play area, they were walking and running around.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
If You Can't Beat Him, Join Him
I wrote recently about Justin's enjoyment in spitting his juice into containers, or onto the floor.
After trying several different methods to stop this behavior, I have conceded that if you can't beat him join him.
What I have decided to do is, instead of giving him juice. Which gets sticky all over the floor. I now give him small amounts of water in his sippy cup.
Yes, he still spits it into little containers, cars, and onto the floor. I know that if I just be patient he will grow out of this stage.
In the meantime my floor isn't ending up sticky.
I have found that sometimes going about it this way, prevents a lot of frustration on the parents and the child.
After trying several different methods to stop this behavior, I have conceded that if you can't beat him join him.
What I have decided to do is, instead of giving him juice. Which gets sticky all over the floor. I now give him small amounts of water in his sippy cup.
Yes, he still spits it into little containers, cars, and onto the floor. I know that if I just be patient he will grow out of this stage.
In the meantime my floor isn't ending up sticky.
I have found that sometimes going about it this way, prevents a lot of frustration on the parents and the child.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Jump, Jump, Jump, Run, Run, Run
Yesterday was an outside day. Justin loves it outside ! One of his favorite things to do is jump on the trampoline. He also enjoys digging holes, swinging, playing with water, and one of his all time favorites is running.
He will run in a big circle around the whole play area.
I don't know what it is with running, but generally autistic kids really enjoy it. Maybe they feel a sense of freedom when they run. Or maybe it's simply the pure joy of speed, and the air hitting his face.
The last couple years when we would go outside. Justin would eat handfuls of dirt. He would also pick off clover flowers, and eat them.
This year, these behaviors seem to have diminished.
He will run in a big circle around the whole play area.
I don't know what it is with running, but generally autistic kids really enjoy it. Maybe they feel a sense of freedom when they run. Or maybe it's simply the pure joy of speed, and the air hitting his face.
The last couple years when we would go outside. Justin would eat handfuls of dirt. He would also pick off clover flowers, and eat them.
This year, these behaviors seem to have diminished.
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