My seven-year-old has a new thing he’s been doing: He screeches when he gets upset. I mean this long, drawn out screeeeeeeeeeech that’s like fingernails-on-a-chalkboard. Just to me, mind you. It doesn’t bug my husband. It didn’t bother our friends who came over to visit this weekend. It doesn’t bug the babysitter. Just. Me. I…
Category Archives: Conditions and Diseases
New Autism Books to Check Out
April, as you know, is Autism Awareness Month, and I’ve read two that have just been released. Check them out! The Autism Mom’s Survival Guide (for Dads, too!): Creating a Balanced and Happy Life While Raising a Child with Autism Susan Senator This book is a great addition to the “autism parent’s” bookshelf. It’s kind…
Pushing our kids past their comfort zones
Last week, we were on a Disney Cruise/Disney World trip. Max loved Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and the Disney gang (princesses included!). He had a blast at the Kids Club on the boat. He adored the monorail. He enjoyed the safari at Animal Kingdom. He went on the Speedway race track at the Magic Kingdom too…
Which personality traits get you through?
We’re away on a Disney adventure as you read this, first a mini cruise, then a few days at the park. Last time we were at Disney World, two years ago, Max refused to go on any rides except the race-car track in the Magic Kingdom. He was terrified of everything else. Even “It’s A…
Stuff I can’t believe I’ve said to doctors
“OK, I know he’s got microcephaly, but don’t you think all that hair hides it well?” “I’m sorry, I’m not convinced you know what you are talking about.” “The other day he grabbed one of my nipples while he was breastfeeding, I thought it was a good sign he’s going to be able to use…
Didn’t your mama tell you that staring is rude?
I’m at a birthday party with Max at a friend’s home. It’s really crowded and Max is darting around, uneasily. I’m trotting behind him in case he loses it but keeping a safe distance because I don’t want to baby him. As I follow Max, I notice a few moms staring at him as he…
How do you stop your kids from wigging out?
Sunday night, we went out to dinner with friends. We tried a local hamburger joint we’d never been to before. I was worried about how Max would deal. He does OK in familiar restaurants, but as I’ve mentioned he gets unnerved in new places. We got there. Max tried to run out. We decided to…
Adventures in PDA
So, here’s the thing about my little boy, Max: He doesn’t yet get social boundaries. Like, he doesn’t understand that you’re not supposed to go up to people and pat their shirts if you think their shirts are a nice color (purple, his current obsession). It also became clear to me recently that he has…
Always Having to Prove
Ashley had an apointment with her audiologist today for a hearing test. It’s always seemed a little strange to me that a deaf child had to have a hearing test, but apparently my school district needs to see in black and white numbers and symbols to believe she really can’t hear. The appointment went well….
A rant: Must everything be related to our kids’ special needs?
Max’s school physical therapist left a voicemail last Tuesday on my cellphone saying that he seemed sluggish, not like himself and a little uncoordinated. I’m not good about checking my cell voicemails, and so I didn’t even know she’d phoned till I got an email on Friday from his occupational therapist recapping that he had…