Archive for the Category »autism «

My Job Chart review

By Jenn
27
Apr
2010

A while back, I was asked to participate in a review of the online tool called My Job Chart. Marketing with Moms was offering a $10 gift card to anyone who participated and I figured we could use a new tool to keep our crazy household on track, plus, we love Target.

Well, anyone who is familiar with our family knows that plans often don’t work out. I want to thank MWM because I got the gift card right away. However we just didn’t find the time or find that the job chart program was going to work for us.

My youngest could care less about doing chores or the rewards that can come with doing them. She did not get excited about this new tool at any point. Despite the fact that she can have her own photo attached to  her tasks in our account, she didn’t care.  She’s a camera hound, so this surprised me some. But keep reading to see our Target shopping trip photos.

My oldest thinks she too good for this kind of stuff and to be honest, getting her to do something on a schedule is like pulling teeth. She’ll take the trash out when asked, but other than that, forget about it.

So, let me just list some of the benefits of the program that I was hopeful about even though we didn’t get to use them.

As the mom(or dad) you get a log in to the entire account and can set up profiles for everyone in the household. I could see this being used a group or work account as well.

Each profile (your kids, hubby, ect) get their own login and can update the tasks as they get done.  This seems good becaus they can update their own jobs while you aren’t there to do it. Lets say you are at work, you’ll get an email when they update their session.

Each profile gets their own photo. You can assign whatever points value you want for each task and you decide what rewards each person gets for tasks done.

There are video tutorials that help you figure out how to use each tool.

Here’s the best part. It’s FREE!

So, while we didn’t get much use out of the My Job Chart site, I think most other people could.  It did provide a fun shopping trip for my daughter and I and I have funny photos to prove it.  So, once again, thanks to Marketing with Moms for the gift card.

Category: Uncategorized, autism, give a way, products  Tags: , , , , , ,  2 Comments

Can’t you get some time for you kids? revisited

By Jenn
02
Apr
2010
The more things change, the more they stay the same. My ex’s job has changed so many times I’ve lost track. The time he’s able to spend with the girls seems to dwindle more and more over time.  Here’s a post from last year on a particularly frustrating weekend. Things are still the same even though the job is different.
 
 
I’m sitting here at close to 6 pm on Sunday. My head is swimming alternately with it feeling like someone poured lead into my right side ear. So, the right side of my head feels very heavy and there is internal pressure and every once in a while my whole head tilts without my telling it to.  

I’m sitting here because the girls’ dad never picked them up. first it was Friday afternoon, then it was early Saturday morning, then it was this morning, and he called about a half hour ago to say he was finally back in town and would be here soon. He went back to truck driving cross country several months ago and it has been a disaster ever since.   Between 3 different companies, no one could get him home when they said they would. He hasn’t been here to help with the girls or give my mom and I a break that we both need.  

I feel a little tiny bit guilty here, because I know there are a ton of other parents out there who do not get a break. But this is about me and my family. they can vent on their own blogs, right? 

  Anyway, as much as it annoys the hell out of me to get screwed out of my weekend plans, it is harder on Nove Mber. She feels her emotions on a much more base level and instead of getting angry or disappointed over him not being  here when he says he will, she just doesn’t want anything to do with him. 

  Can’t blame her. It’s how I feel too. However, I know this is a reaction to the schedule being so chaotic for several months, because before this, she loved going with her dad on the weekends. He was the fun one, the playful one. He got to be super dad. Yeah, that pissed me off too. He got all the fun and I had to be the one with discipline and rules and schedules to meet.   Not fair. and I’m feeling it. and so is she.  

I think I will end this before he gets here and I tear him a new…. well, you know. I’m so angry and hurt for Nove, that I could just cry. Not to mention my own feelings.

Category: autism, parenting  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment

Games, exercises, and general help – revisted

By Jenn
31
Mar
2010

We found these helpful resources last year that are worth looking at again. They may offer help and information for you and your special needs child.

Games:
Mouse Trail Fun animated online exercises to help kids with autism (likely for any child)

Exercises:
Fernridge Press Therapy for Behavior Problems, Learning Problems, ADD and Autism.

General Help:
Patient Advocate The National Financial Resources Guidebook for Patients: A State by State Directory of information for patients seeking financial relief for a broad range of needs including housing, utilities, food, transportation to medical treatment, and children’s resources.

 
Category: autism, parenting, products  Tags: , , ,  Leave a Comment

Hell in a handbasket

By Jenn
10
Mar
2010

Hi. I will not state the obvious.

Okay, I guess I have to. It’s been a while since I wrote. I have my reasons. Don’t we all?

I’m back because I haven’t written about Nove’s progress in a while and since the school seems to have hit another wall with her, it’s time to dump my fear and frustrations again. 100_0621

School is nearly over. We have, what, 3 or 4 months left? It has flown by mostly because I don’t spend every day dreading that I will get a call from the school to come get my child. This is worlds better than last year. We have watched her work papers come home and can actually read Nove’s handwriting now. It is possibly neater than her 12 year old sister’s handwriting.

She knows her right and left and can accurately name them. She “gets” money even if she still isn’t sure of which coin is which. She goes the bathroom unassisted when reminded, and often all on her own without a reminder.

So, what’s gone wrong? Her teacher writes that Nove has been refusing to do her work. They have taken away her option to go spend time with the home room class, music and ……… well, whatever else they thought would work. Apparently nothing has. Welcome to the wonderful, wacky world of Nove.

They ask that we reinforce their efforts by denying Nove fun things at home when she hasn’t done her work at school. They started sending home daily sheets with her behaviors and accomplishments (or lack thereof). Just this week the papers came home.  It took a few days to discuss and decide what to try at home, because, just like at the school, Nove doesn’t always care about what she is allowed or not allowed to do at home.

We’ve decided that she’ll get reduced time on the computer because that seems to be what she most enjoys. Last night she did not care. Tonight, the timer was set and she got off when it rang. No argument, no hissy fit.

She’s not fighting going to school. She gets ready, seems happy, and even smiles and waves from her bus seat on some days.

The teacher said she doesn’t think anything has changed at school to set this off. We’ve shared what has changed at home, but I don’t believe it is the cause. The more I think about it, it seems to be an event, or person, or some thing at school that has set this off.

Nove isn’t talking. I’m left hanging.

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Like stars on Earth DVD winners!

By Jenn
19
Jan
2010

I drew #8 and #3 from the comments listed on the post about my review of Like Stars on Earth which you can see here.

#8 is Suzanne

#3 is Darleen Cox

If  I have had no response to my email within 2 days, new winners will be picked.

Please email me with your mailing address so I can have your dvd set sent to you! Click here to send email:

Category: autism, dylexia, give a way, parenting, products  Tags: , , , ,  4 Comments

Soft Clothing launches today! Free Tee Shirt too!

By Jenn
06
Jan
2010

officiallaunchThey have a ton of sales and their clothing is awesome! My daughter who has tactile issues liked the tee shirt she got from Soft Clothing.

It’s a red short sleeve shirt and it has everything they say they have. Flat seams, printed tag, and the fabric is soft as well.

I’ll be trying their pants soon!

Category: autism, products, sensory integration  Tags:  Leave a Comment

Santa’s little helpers drive a fire truck

By Jenn
17
Dec
2009

About 2 weeks ago I got a call oen a Sunday evening from someone who said they were with our local charity organization that supplies food and gifts for the less fortunate during the holidays. She said my daughter’s name had been suggested as a family who might benefit from the supplies which included food and gifts. (I said that already, sorry)

So, she talked with me some more and asked if I had other kids so I told her about Nove, who has Autism spectrum disorder. The lady verified ages and then wanted to know if we would rather pick up the items or have them delivered by the town firefighters.

Are. you. Kidding? I almost jumped up and down myself because Nove LOVES the firefighters and their truck even though it has bright lights and a loud horn and siren. She’s been to the station with her school, tried on the firefighter coat and hat, and even stood in their humongous boots.

Tonight was the night! I had warned her that Santa’s helpers would be coming by and that they’d be driving a firetruck. She thought the elves would be driving it, and then asked if she could open a gift when they brought them.

After dinner, Gramma came down the hallway and said she heard something so we opened the door to flashing lights and 2 matching firefighters named Cory. Okay, not exactly matching, but they really were both named Cory. Nove wasn’t shy and was hopping and up down while showing them to the kitchen to put down the over sized box of food.

I asked if she wanted to go see the truck closer and one of the Corys put her in the driver’s seat, then they let her push some buttons which made the variety of horns blare! I feel bad for my neighbors tonight. She was giddy! I forgot the camera. Dangitalltoheck!

I really wish I’d had the camera because it’s been a while since I’ve seen her so happy. It made my day and I think it made hers.

Now, we didn’t exactly need the food and gifts, but, I tend to let my pride get in the way sometimes and have put off my own health care for far too long. If I don’t have to buy some groceries for a week because someone was nice enough to donate some to me, I need to learn to accept help no matter where it comes  from.  I also don’t have the money to buy the experience of the big firetruck, lights blazing with horn honking ability, even if it were available to buy.

That my friends is the Christmas spirit, small town style. 

100_1594Apparently this was a long day. She was out by 8pm. She even said “I want to get into my bed now”.

Category: autism, parenting, sensory integration  One Comment

All the pretty meetings

By Jenn
15
Dec
2009

Stress-AntiStressKitSo, today I talked with a coach about why my business has fallen apart. I blame it on my children. Isn’t that convenient?

Anyway, I explained that before this last year, I had no outside help for Nove. No group, no camp, no case managers and counselors…… And I had all kinds of Time!

Now, we have meetings, meetings about meetings. She has groups, and counseling, and case management visits (when her support makes it).

So, yeah, that’s why my business has been slowly declining…… I don’t have time! Even my weekends have been blown to hell thanks to the ex and his crappy job. He’s rarely here on weekends like he used to be because his truck broke down 4 states away, or he is stuck waiting on a load.

Speaking of meetings. Tomorrow is her 3 year evaluation. I’m not sure what’s up, what to expect, or what kind of bomb shell will be dropped. With all the school budget cuts, I’m afraid she’ll lose support and that will not be good. She nearly failed (well, she did fail) and got kicked out of school last year without the supports she now has.

We’ll hear from the new district autism expert though. That could be interesting. We had a meeting with her shortly after school began and we filled out a survey type thing….. kind of like a Connors assessment but geared for more autistic like behaviors. I can’t remember what it was called.

So, if we survive this meeting, then we get to go to her case management team’s official therapist for a visit, which is new.We are required to meet with her once  every 6 months even though we have a family therapist (for nearly 3 years now). She’s nice though, so it should be okay.

But, when am I supposed to get anything done? I have a car that needs major attention, I might not be able to drive to these appointements!

Walking won’t work in this cold. No. It. Won’t. Work.

Category: autism, parenting  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment

Anxiety meds one week later

By Jenn
15
Dec
2009

100_0628Are they working? The anti-anxiety meds  I don’t know exactly.

I’ve seen a different child in the mornings this week, but (it’s a BIG but) she goes through stages anyway.  So, maybe she’s really bi-polar and just on the upside of the roller coaster?

Or, maybe the medicine is working…….

Your guess is as good as mine.

Category: autism, medicine, parenting  Tags: ,  Leave a Comment

Anti-psychotic meds for an 8 year old?

By Jenn
09
Dec
2009

100_1531I took Nove to the doctor yesterday after months of discussion and worry. We talked to the doctor about having her start on anti-anxiety meds. She’s only 8 but has strong anxiety about everything. I assume it is  part of her autism. There may be some ADD also, but we have to start with one thing here.

Anyway, the medicine is an anti-psychotic (sounds lovely, huh) and while there is risk with any medicine given, if it helps her not worry about everything (I’m not exaggerating) , then it’s okay.

Of course I’m worried about it.

 It took me a very long time to do this and I hate pills or drugs, so it wasn’t done lightly. We talked with our therapist who has a son with autism and now that I think back, it might have been him who brought up the idea last year.

For anyone who wants to tell me what to do, I say, YOU come  live my life and see how well you deal with it. No, no, I’m kidding. That would probably just incite even more anxiety for Nove since she doesn’t know you.

I have some kind of anxiety myself. What am I doing to my children? They both are on drugs! But, I have to remind myself that it isn’t just me dealing with her behaviors, or lack of behavior. The school sees it, and her dad sees it on weekends and even my boyfriend’s sister who took Nove to the zoo saw it. Apparently Nove couldn’t go through a cave on her own, but they couldn’t turn back because there were too many people behind them.

So, we’ll try this for a while. Keeping close watch over her for added symptoms or bad behaviors exagerated.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, will you?

Category: autism, medicine, parenting  Tags: ,  One Comment
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