Medications vs. Supplements

Can someone shed some light into what worked best for your Aspergers child? We have and are on some medications now, but I am VERY interested in trying some natural supplements now, due to some of the side effects Blake is having with the medications.

Thanks Aspie families!

~Lisa~

needing some help....

Tomorrow is the day we have been waiting for. Our 504 planning meeting. I have been doing so much research between IEP's and 504's and I STILL think Blake qualifies for more IEP services than the 504, but I know the 504 is a start. I am looking at these forms and they are a bit overwhelming, or maybe it's the fact I haven't felt so good today. Anyone have any ideas, suggestions on 504 vs IEP for Aspergers'. I'll take all the advice I can get...

FINALITY at its finest!

It's taken me a few days to take in all the events that's happened this week. I have started writing this blog for 2 days now and just haven't felt peace about finishing it...until now. FINALLY, after years of requesting an IEP for Blake and being turned away from the school by the teacher, the counselor  because academically his grades were great, FINALLY, FINALLY, FINALLY I met with assistant principal yesterday and it was a different experience altogether. I went there anxious, nervous and feeling like it was going to be another waste of time, like knocking on another door never to be opened. BUT, this week I found new found hope from you Aspie momma's and seeing your journeys with your kids. It hit me, if I'm not Blake's advocate, who will be. NO ONE, I'll tell ya. I am his mom and it is my responsibility to stand up and not take no for an answer again. If we get told no by one person, keep going and going and going. I left the school refreshed and energetic, like I could take on the world for him. I always want him to remember his mommy never giving up and always fighting for HIS best interest. Blake has had a very hard year this year in 3rd grade. Last school year, he was bullied all the time on the bus by one certain boy who would get a couple more older kids to help him pick on Blake. Some strange way, the bully happened to get assigned in Blake's class. YIKES!! The bully his classmate!?! Not happening! He has had trouble getting hardly any classwork done because he is constantly afraid someone will look at him or the bully will throw things at him. He would bring home gobs of homework everyday. The teacher was aware and did not let them sit near each other or walk in front of or behind one another. The teacher was pregnant though and missed days or left early because of doctor appointments and such and the subs would come in and not know. Blake was so nervous that he cut the insides of his socks with scissors along with a pair of shorts, he would chew on his shirt or he would sit there and draw. They have lots of sentences to write, spelling, grammar, math and he already doesn't like to write so that was added anxiety and stress for him. The teacher left yesterday to be induced, so they will have a sub for 6 weeks, also another fierce anxiety level for him, because he HATES change. So yesterday at the meeting, the assistant principal, Mrs. H, felt really bad for him not having a comfortable environment to learn in, so she changed him to a new class, a male teacher (who he seems to be comfortable with) who also has less number of students in class and has lots of experience with Aspergers. WOW!! Really, is my boy finally going to have some calmness? It's been great so far. I like Mr J, he emailed me last night that he and the students were excited about Blake joining their class, he has emailed me today a couple of times to let me know Blake was having a great day and he knew some of the students from previous classes and he seemed happy. WHEW!!! What a load off of this momma! I'm so happy for him. He deserves this. We also were told that we can do a 504 plan because he didn't qualify (there's the words again) for an IEP, so a 504 is a starting place. We have our meeting next Wednesday with the teacher, the education director, counselor and assistant principal. I'm actually not nervous about it like I thought I would be.

Side note....tonight is momma and Blake "date" night....let's see what chicken place we eat at tonight!..lol...the boy should really be clucking...looking forward to some one on one time with my little guy while daddy and Emma have their daddy/daughter date. Funny, daddy having a date with a 16 month old. Wonder whose date will be the most interesting? Afterwards, stopping at the Redbox for some movies, then to all pile in the big bed with popcorn and chocolate milk for family movie night.........

Lock-in

Tonight we are having a lock-in at our church for a back to school bash for our kids ages 6-12. We are expecting around 100 kids. It is from 6:00pm tonight until 8:00am tomorrow...Talk about sensory overload =) There will be lots of crowds, so I am curious to see how Blake does with it all, but mommy will be there, so I am sure he will be just fine...tomorrow, I see a longgggggggggggggg nap in the schedule for us all....camera in hand and off we go!
                                                                                                        ~Lisa
                                                     

Sensory issues at school?

This is from an article I just read from Dave Angel, whose son has Aspergers...Thought I'd pass it along. I know I will be sending a copy to Blake's school and to the counselor...

Sensory integration disorder affects most children with Asperger’s.  Sensory systems control every move we make and a faulty sensory system leads to problems that affect many areas of education.  It is important to understand the sensory systems and how they work.  The three main sensory systems are the tactile, vestibular, and the proprioceptive systems.

In the school setting, children with Asperger’s sensory issues can really suffer.  Children may be over sensitive to sensory input, or they may be under sensitive to input.   Most children are a mixture of sensitivity within the sensory systems.  Here are some of the commonly affected areas within each of the three sensory systems.

*    Lights

*    Sounds

*    Smells

*    Touch

*    Stimming-spinning, rocking, hand flapping, or humming

*    Loss of balance

*    Sensory seeking crashing, falling, or bumping into things or people

*    Fine motor/tactile grasp-(poor grasp affects handwriting)

Disruptions caused by the Asperger’s sensory connection interfere with all aspects of the child’s life.  It is imperative that these sensory problems are addressed.  Occupational therapy and sensory integration therapy, both performed by occupational therapists, are the most common treatments for sensory issues.  A good sensory profile plan will look like play and will be fun for the child.  It will include a variety of activities like joint compressions, deep pressure massage, skin or body brushing, swinging, and jumping.  Remember, each child’s sensory profile is unique, so these activities will vary.

In the school setting, a child with Asperger’s sensory issues will need this sensory profile and corresponding activities in order to remain calm and focused.  For example, a sensory-seeking child may jump on a trampoline for a few minutes before tackling his math lesson.  Teachers must be aware of the sensory needs to keep order in the classroom.  This book, “Answers to Questions Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration”, by Stacey Szklut and others, can be a very useful resource for teachers.  Even though this book is geared towards teachers, parents can also benefit from the knowledge on sensory integration found within its pages.

My new friends...

Originally I started blogging just about my everyday life, what the kids and I are up to, the new school year, upcoming surgery for me, renewed love of photography and my new journey with it.

Then, the other day, I sat and thought about Blake and this school year. I just don't feel like Blake and his teacher click. Maybe it's because she hasn't had many other Aspergers children in her class before or maybe I am just being my protecting mother self. I am really worried about him this year, main reason being, he doesn't do real well with change. His teacher is 39 weeks pregnant. So, after a month and a half of school being in session, she will be having her baby next Thursday and they will have a substitute for the next 6-8 weeks. The adjustment period Blake will have is what worries me most. Will she be understandable? Has she dealt with Aspergers kids before? Is he going to have anxiety attacks everyday because someone new is there? Only time will tell and all I can do is pray that doesn't happen. I am HOPING they click right off and have no trouble.I have been trying to prepare him, so no unexpected surprises arise and he acts, right now, as if he's ok with it all. The class has already met the teacher that will be coming.

So, I started typing in google Asperger blogs. That was the start of a new beginning and probably one of the best things I have done in a longgggg time. I have met some VERY awesome people through their blogs as Asperger mom's. It feels soooooooo amazing to have your own feelings put into words by someone else. My absolute fav right now is Alysia @ http://trydefyinggravity.wordpress.com/. This girl is truly inspirational. It's great to know that she is so real, so helpful and willing to help anyone. I know that if I am going through anything, I can usually look to one of her blogs and my help is right there. I just recently started following Life in the House that Asperger Built at http://lifewithasperger.wordpress.com/. I first clicked on Alysia's blog and have found numerous other Aspergers blogs, each with their own special gifts and own meanings. The one thing we ALL have in common, is our love for our children and the willingness to learn more everyday about ASD so that we teach outsiders who our kids are and who we are through them. I have gained a whole new set of friends. The difference is, these friends understand me and understands my child. These friends don't judge. Like I try to say..."My methods of madness are my methods of madness and they work for me." No one has to understand how I discipline my child or if they think he's spoiled. We do what works for our family. Earlier in the week, I put as my status on facebook, "Everyone should have to live a day in the life of a special needs child, their parents or siblings, only then could you even begin to know what this life feels like."

So, for now....Blake's happy. He has had good and bad days so far this school year. The bully that picked on him the most last year on the bus, happened to get put in his class this year, so it didn't start off well, but the teacher is aware and makes it a conscious effort to watch them. They don't sit beside or in front of each other. She has noticed that when Blake gets nervous, he grinds his teeth, he talks nervously, or he will talk to himself (that's how he reminds himself of what he has to do) so far that's it. He has gotten in trouble once because he was talking (to himself) in the bathroom and a little boy told on him, but once I spoke to the teacher about his talking, she was ok with it and apologized to Blake for loosing a number that day for behavior. Only time will tell how the rest of the school year will go. We haven't had our IEP meeting yet, very nervous for that. 

So, as usual, we take one moment at a time and that's all we can do. We cherish the good days and learn from the bad ones and always know, there is someone there for us whenever we need them.........

Lisa 

Labor Day Fun.......

We really enjoyed our 3 day weekend. Took one of our "other" children, Cameron, with us to the lake on Saturday and then on Labor Day Monday, the 4 of us went to Pine Mountain...here are a few pics from our trip....

A great family, friends, fun filled weekend. Of course, it went by way too fast and it was time to go back to school and work before we knew it......

Lisa

Pics from my first photoshoot........

these are just a few.....I took about 150 shots that day....it was so much fun!!