The Best Big Brother EVER

Once again, my son takes on the stereotypes of Autism. Tonight, the youngest is freaking out over bedtime...every other minute - with much snotty crying and wailing, she calls out for some new need in order to put off bedtime. The most recent was a beg for Daddy to give her yet another hug/kiss/cuddle. My son (the one with Aspergers), quietly pads down the hall and peeks into his little sisters room. Very quietly, I hear him say "I'll give you a hug and kiss goodnight. I'll cuddle you." My heart was about to burst...

The Best Big Brother EVER

Once again, my son takes on the stereotypes of Autism. Tonight, the youngest is freaking out over bedtime...every other minute - with much snotty crying and wailing, she calls out for some new need in order to put off bedtime. The most recent was a beg for Daddy to give her yet another hug/kiss/cuddle. My son (the one with Aspergers), quietly pads down the hall and peeks into his little sisters room. Very quietly, I hear him say "I'll give you a hug and kiss goodnight. I'll cuddle you." My heart was about to burst...

Asperger's is not a barrier...

My son proves this to me every day! The other day, he had his first orchestra concert...and it made me proud to hear him squeak and squak his way through "Hot Cross Buns" along with the rest of his grade!!!

Asperger's is not a barrier...

My son proves this to me every day! The other day, he had his first orchestra concert...and it made me proud to hear him squeak and squak his way through "Hot Cross Buns" along with the rest of his grade!!!

Great and wonderful news!

My son had his first independent (outside school) evaluation since kindergarten yesterday. We felt that he has been showing such good progress in his academic and personal development, that one was warrented. The doctor met with him for almost 2 hours - chatting with us, asking detailed questions...but mostly visiting with my son. He decided to move him up the Autism spectrum, from high functioning Autism/PDD-NOS to a new diagnosis of Aspergers. Isn't it funny? This is a label, that no parent wants for their child...yet made us so happy! The doctor feels that with continued services through school and the social/fitness programs we keep him involved with at the YMCA (What would I do without them?)...that by the time he is in his mid-teens, it will be very hard to tell he is even on the spectrum at all. In addition, he fully expects him to lead a NORMAL LIFE...college, holding a job, living independantly, marriage and all that life has to offer! He is simply amazing to me! Despite the challenges the genetic dice rolled him. Never, ever have I felt guilty for vaccinating him. Nor do I believe that is a cause of the majority of austim cases...an entirely different topic, for another day. He continues to persevere and overcome every obstacle that has come his way. I would never change him or this experience if I were able...it has taught me patience, creativity in parenting and humor in unexpected - and some might not always think appropriate places (...but hey, if you can't laugh at it, you cry...and which would you rather do?). So, if I may brag a bit...YEA BUBBY!!!

Great and wonderful news!

My son had his first independent (outside school) evaluation since kindergarten yesterday. We felt that he has been showing such good progress in his academic and personal development, that one was warrented. The doctor met with him for almost 2 hours - chatting with us, asking detailed questions...but mostly visiting with my son. He decided to move him up the Autism spectrum, from high functioning Autism/PDD-NOS to a new diagnosis of Aspergers. Isn't it funny? This is a label, that no parent wants for their child...yet made us so happy! The doctor feels that with continued services through school and the social/fitness programs we keep him involved with at the YMCA (What would I do without them?)...that by the time he is in his mid-teens, it will be very hard to tell he is even on the spectrum at all. In addition, he fully expects him to lead a NORMAL LIFE...college, holding a job, living independantly, marriage and all that life has to offer! He is simply amazing to me! Despite the challenges the genetic dice rolled him. Never, ever have I felt guilty for vaccinating him. Nor do I believe that is a cause of the majority of austim cases...an entirely different topic, for another day. He continues to persevere and overcome every obstacle that has come his way. I would never change him or this experience if I were able...it has taught me patience, creativity in parenting and humor in unexpected - and some might not always think appropriate places (...but hey, if you can't laugh at it, you cry...and which would you rather do?). So, if I may brag a bit...YEA BUBBY!!!

"Fixating" Update...

At the end of the school day, yesterday, I checked with my son's teacher to see how the cough drops idea went. It took his mind off of coughing, yes indeedy...he went from fixating on his cough, to fixating on how "spicy" the HONEY flavored cough drops were (I did try one btw...syrupy sweet is to put it mildly). So to get his mind off of the cough drops, the teacher resorted to giving him a Life Saver - which stopped the fixating on the cough and the "spicy" cough drop Mommy gave him. Now my son is asking for those yummy Life Saver "cough drops" his teacher gave him..."cough, cough...Can you get some Mom? Please? Cough, cough..."