Happy New Year to my Autism Family! May all of your goals be exceeded!
Tag: new
Remind me… Who’s on the Spectrum?
So lets delve right into it! Today I reached another milestone; I registered Christian for his first after school program! In addition to being fun, I think this will give him more practice being independent(practicing his big boy skills). As I was signing him up for the program all of these ideas came to mind of how to transition him from going to my mom’s house after school to going to an after school program. Everything from arranging a visit prior to his first day there to how to explain his new routine to him came to mind. Then it hit me…”does he need help transitioning to a new routine, or do you?”
Christian typically does well with new things and doesn’t really get caught up in routines. Me on the other hand, has to know ever single detail of everything from start to finish a week in advance to feel comfortable with new routines. I thought people with autism had trouble adjusting to change. Hmmm….makes me wonder if I have spectrum tendencies. At the very least I’m a parent trying to learn how to let her first child grow up without blocking any progress. There lies another mountain to conquer.
Operation Day 1
The first day of school went extremely well!
- His new teacher seems nice
&
2.His classroom has the same 3 teachers aides he’s had for the past 3 years
****I asked Christian how his day was and he replied “NICE DAY.”
CONCLUSION: Mom’s happy.
Shaking in my Sandles
Well these are the last few hours of the big countdown. For the past few weeks we’ve been preparing for this point and now it’s finally here; tomorrow is the first day of the school year. Christian couldn’t be happier; he’s asked to wear his backpack everyday for the last 2 weeks. Tonight it sits on the edge of the couch waiting for him to pick it up in the morning. We sharpened pencils last night and got everything put away.
There is one rather sizeable surprise….I’ve got the first day of school jitters. I haven’t the slightest idea why. He’s been at this school for awhile and we know his teachers, so I don’t know what this feeling is all about. I think it’s all the anticipation. We’re looking forward to seeing his teachers and meeting his new classmates. Hello 2014/15 school year!
Big News
The feelings of both excitement and nervousness flow through me as I share with you that Autism But Life Goes On is officially Autism But Life Goes On Inc. For the past couple of years I’ve shared with individuals my experiences as the mother of an autistic child. Time and time again I’ve noticed that kind deeds and a few words of encouragement go a long way; hence why I started this blog. The experience has been amazing. In the past few weeks I’ve been blessed to be used to touch the lives of several hundred people in the United States as well as people in the United Kingdom, Australia,Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, Myanmar, Netherlands, Ireland, Kenya, Italy and the Cayman Islands.
Now that Autism But Life Goes On is a registered business my plans are to really reach out to the members of the Autism community through various activities. I can’t speak for people in other states, but there aren’t a lot of support and social services for people touched by autism in Illinois. I’d like to change that. I’ll be working on some things and will be posting updates about progress as I move along. As for now….hooray for a new service provider for our community!
An International Hello & Hug!
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my followers and visitors from the U.S as well as other countries that routinely visit my page. To know that my blogs are touching people all over the world means more to me than I can put into words. I do my best to share stories, ideas and information that will be of use to people that come to my page. If you’d like me to cover anything that I’ve not touched on thus far please feel free to let me know. In the mean time here’s a big hello and hug from A.B.L.G.O to you!
Taste Test Adventure
Last night Christian and I went to the Rainforest Café for dinner….or should I call it a taste testing adventure. Christian tried Mexican eggrolls and fried cheese sticks for the first time and I tried oysters for the first time. We both did pretty good giving everything an honest try. Christian ate a little more than half of a Mexican eggroll but couldn’t stomach more that the first bite of a cheese stick. The oysters I had weren’t bad but I wouldn’t feel compelled to order them again in the near future. I have to remind myself sometimes that while I’m constantly trying to get Christian to try new foods I should take my own advice.
What an Appetite
Today Christian and I are going out to have frozen yogurt. We have a favorite spot that we enjoy going to about 10 minutes from our house. It’s funny….I remember when I couldn’t get Christian to try frozen yogurt let alone much of anything else. The only things he would eat were bananas, hot dogs and brownies. Now he cleans the refrigerator outwith his hardy appetite.
I had to learn that in order for him to step outside of his routine habit of eating I needed to constantly encourage him to try new things. At first it was difficult because he was so used to eating the same thing all of the time and really didn’t like other food textures. I began putting the new foods up to his mouth and if he wouldn’t take a bite I put a little on his bottom lip. Once he started actually trying things he learned that he liked them and the rest is history.
As parents of autistic kids we have to introduce them to new things even if they initially resist. Difficult does not mean impossible.
