We attended a special evening story time at our library last week that helped define one of the child’s anxiety triggers. Since her expressive language is still somewhat limited, it is hard to talk about emotional responses like these…especially since she tries to downplay it after the fact. We’ve moved beyond some triggers – like loud…
Category Archives: Day In And Day Out
Helping Kids With ADHD Make Friends
“They don’t want to play with me!” She yells, stomping up the stairs and throwing her book bag down the hall. As is my daily habit, I wait until she blows off steam and it’s calm in her room again. Then I walk in, plop on the floor next to her where she’s creating an…
When Online Meets In “Real” Life
When we moved to Toronto over 4 years ago, we left behind our families, friends and support system. Since we were moving into a new place where I didn’t know many people, coupled with an 8 month old daughter, I was isolated a lot and began reaching out via the internet to make some connections….
Choices!
Every time I write about inclusion, there are as many who reply that it doesn’t/wouldn’t work for their child as there are who share my inclusive vision for My Boys, and another bunch playing around the middle ground by choice or by force. I, personally, advocate for inclusion as I am an inclusionist (not by Wikipedia’s definition). I want…
Progress Report
About eight months ago I shared a story about the challenges of my daughter interacting with neurotypical peers on the playground after school (and presumably during school, though I am not there to witness it.) At the time she was trying to master the game of bar tag, and all of the social intricacies surrounding it,…
Special Exposure Wednesday – Vote For Kayla
No photo of the boy today. Instead, I’d like to ask all of you to help one of our kids, Kayla, win “The Most Beautiful Eyes” contest. All the details are here. To go straight to voting, just go here. As a thank you, here are some flowers & chocolates, 🙂 Share what you managed…
I Went to the Dark Side…
I did it. I went to the Dark Side. All this time, I’ve been super vocal about the difference between being an advocate and being a…. well, you know. Yesterday, all that changed. (To read the whole drama, go here) I felt bad about it all day. I felt like I had worked so hard…
Bedtime (Yawn) Routine
We figured out a long time ago that the child works best with routines, but with an occasional change of pace. I am also noticing that her apparently neuro-typical siblings can take advantage of routine to create chaos. Recently this has all appeared in the form of marathon bedtime routines that leave me ready to…
Special Exposure Wednesday – Nosy Neighbor
Our neighbors have a nosy neighbor, 🙂 Share what you managed to capture this week. Please don’t forget to spread the comment love around.
Overcoming Compassion Fatigue In Your Family
There’s a new diagnosis on the block. This time, it’s for us – the parents. A few months ago, I wrote about a must-watch stress documentary for special needs parents. Yesterday, while visiting my daughter at her residential treatment facility, I discovered a term that explains what we face even better than stress. Compassion fatigue….