aggression

BB is being very aggressive at school (and home a bit) when he doesn't want to do something or he gets frustrated. I am checking into aggression and autism online. It looks like it happens a lot in autistic kids.

From what I see there are three ways to go about fixing this. Diet interventions, ABA Therapy or Drugs. I wan to avoid the meds if at all possible. Especially since Rob and Jimmy are pretty much against it. So - I think I will combine food and therapy. We will be going to one-on-one OT at Children's pretty soon. I will see if we can concentrate on dealing with frustration and calming aggressive behaviors. (Or else there's gonna be trouble when he's bigger!)

Trying to work with BB's limited repertoire of food choices, I am going to do some gluten- and casein-free food. Gluten is in grains (not oats, though, apparently) and Casein is in dairy products. I am going to try soy milk in the oatmeal. Maybe even try to find a gluten-free oatmeal. On the bread side, I am going to try a gluten-free bread. I'm pretty sure peanut butter is gluten-free. The problem is going to be the Wheat Thins and graham crackers. I'll have to introduce some other snacks. Maybe telling him that this might make his days go better at school will do the trick. I have to write a social story about  eating and school and aggression for him.

The therapy option will be tough for me. I will restart the Triple P training and get though it and implement it. The bad behavior is the fists and the air-punching and the pushing/shoving/leaning when he's upset. His good behaviors are cleaning up after himself, doing his homework, being nice to his sister, listening well and following our directions. I have to reward those good acts, make some goals for him (with reward) and try to diminish the bad behaviors (with discipline).

The drug option is not one that I have considered in the past. Now, it's even a harder choice as I found out the meds are anti-psychotics. In pre-pubescent children? Eek - that bothers me a lot. Resperidol or something. I saw a long facebook post yesterday that a mother sent into the Autism Society's page. Some folks said it was heaven-sent. Others said it made them sick, made them gain a lot of weight or made no difference. I am calling the Neuro-Developmental department today to get an appointment with Carolyn Muja - his CNP.

BB's IEP meeting is Nov. 10. They are going to put some new things in place at school to see if they help. Social stories and scheduled breaks. How I wish I had put him in early intervention services at the school district. Oh, well - can't look back! Only forward. And my boy will be fine. We will get though it. I love love love him so very much. I hate to see him sad and upset. I want him to be happy and have friends. *sigh*

light

Yipee! The head of the Special Ed department for the school district called me yesterday. She observed Big Boy in class and saw some things that she could do to help him get through the day better. Wow! It was awesome to have the attention to detail!

She said he "knows himself well". However, he sometimes waits too long to take a break before getting upset. So we are going to build breaks into his day. Also, the transition time when he's not quite done with his work. They are going to make him a special folder and put his unfinished work in it to take to a sort of "study hall" with the school's Special Ed teacher. Hopefully, that will alleviate that frustration.

Gotta go - Bigs has a sore throat - might have to go get him at school...

ugh

having a really bad couple of days...

1. Big Boy is having lots of trouble in school. I don't know what to do!
2. Being sued by Target for not paying my bill. I don't have a problem with that except I have no money to pay them.
3. Rob's an ass.
4. "Uncle Jim" is really, really sick and I'm worried about him and Ginny. :(
5. I have bill collectors calling me all day long and no money to pay them. I'm gonna have to start answering the phone and talking to them.

I can't tell my parents. They'll freak... I can't upset them. They don't need the trouble. Ugh....

good night, good night, good night

I keep trying to get the kids to bed a little earlier each night. Once my boy's head hits the pillow, he's out. Since age 5; he's 7 now. So, we had five years of not sleeping until 11pm or so. Get up at 6:30-6:45 am - he wasn't getting near enough sleep. Now, he's sleeping from 10 pm - 7 pm. Not ideal, but better.

Now, for my little girl: She just does NOT want to go to sleep! I try to keep the nighttime activities routine each night. Wash up, brush teeth, use the potty, sing songs with her Curious George stuffed toy, read a book or two, lay down. Say silly good nights and have hugs and kisses. Then, in half an hour, she's sneaking out into the living room. She's just stalling, I know.

Time for work - I actually have some to do today.

week of sept 26

Why not?

9/26 - I got nothin'. Boring Monday. Slow week at work.

9/27 - FIG group at ACH. I forgot and got there late. Dumbass.

9/28 - took the kids to the Dr. for well visits. No co-pay - who knew? Flu vaccinations for both of them. I hate to give Ben a shot, but he'd never take the mist.

9/29 - Thursday? Wow - what a bore I am.

9/30 - Ah, Friday! Locked my keys in my car at Giant Eagle at Chapel Hill. My best pal came and helped get me back to work. Later she and her family came over to play games and drink beer! Bunk took a defiant piss right in front of us. Can't really blame him, though. He tried to tell Rob he needed to go!

10/1 - Saturday again... Pumpkin is sick with a cold and a fever. But hell - at least it slows her down a little. That's mean, but true!

10/2 - Happy Sunday. Miserable weather. Did NOTHING today but eat and watch TV. I will have to do something fun next week.