THINK Aspergers

My son has Asperger Syndrome. He like other kids on the Autism spectrum want to be social and have friends. It does not come naturally to them. They have to be taught social skills from social stories, social skill groups, TV/movies, computer,games and patient people who work with them on this area. These kids THINK differently. They THINK Aspergers.  My son is very animated, moody, anxious, and loving. He wants friends so badly. He copies lines from movies, cartoons, and video games.  He says things that are not appropriate and sometimes disrespectful.  He sees himself on the same level as adults. He often interrupts because what he has to say is what is most important at the moment.  He is not trying to be rude, he is being Aspergers. These times can be teaching moments if Mom remembers to THINK Aspergers and not be impatient or embarrassed.  My son is quirky as most AS kids are.  They all have special interest. That is all they think about and talk about. This drives other children away and they don't seem to understand why.  He is emotionally immature.  Asperger kids are at least 3 years behind their peers.AS kids test unevenly.  They seem so smart in some areas that adults expect to much from them. They are very literal. They are confused by metaphors, idioms and lies.  They know a script and if the script is not followed they become angry or emotionally upset.  They are easily taken advantage of and bullied. Our kids do not respond to typical parenting techniques because they are not typical.  Consequences are not something they learn from. They need us to be calm, stay sane and not react. AS kids feed off our emotions/stress. They are prone to melt downs/Rage/destructive behaviors. Medications, diet and therapy can help. 

As a parent of an Asperger child I need to educate myself in order to get the proper help and services for his specific need.  I need to pay attention to his emotions and act accordingly to prevent meltdowns, THINK Aspergers.  I need to Respect his needs even if they seem unusual or senseless.  I need to build his interest and strengths.  I need to THINK abilities not disabilities.  I need to provide outlets for his negative emotions.  I need to offer him new sensory experiences in small doses.  I need to be his advocate.  I need to allow him to experience anger, frustration and unhappiness w/o judgement or criticism. I need to respect his fears.  I need to collect my thoughts before I respond to him.  Each Asperger child is unique. Without a proper diagnosis a child will go through life not knowing why they are different.   Why do they THINK Aspergers? We as parents need to THINK Aspergers and educate those around them about Asperger Syndrome Disorder.

Sensory Issues in Autism/ Asperger Syndrome

Sensory Integration is like indigestion of the brain. Autistic children are affected from this every day. They can function better with help.   New situations are scary because they are unpredictable. Hard-headesness is a survival skill for these kids. Humans learn to cope with a changing enviroment by being flexible. Autistic kids are not flexible.They are very rigid, they like sameness. They appear stubborn because they are not the boss of their own body. They are not in control so they try to control us.  Their lives are full of uncertanties and obstacles that are not part of the script that they know. They have trouble adapting to lives demands. They require our attention tailored to their needs.

www.tonyattwood.com for more information on Sensory issues.

Teens Now

I really haven't been around today's teens other than seeing the mischief of the neighborhood. I was thinking WHY did they put me with teens in AWANA this year.  I worked with 3-5th grade girls for 10 years, I feel safe there.  I didn't even like the teens that I have met.  That was September.  I had a lot of praying to do... Lord love them through me. Now, that the AWANA year is close to an end I have a burden for these kids. (teens) They live in a different world than I grew up in. Cyber World where every thing is instant.  What pressures they must feel.  Can you imagine being a girl in high school having a bad hair day/mood swings/boy problems/pimples ect. and your face being posted online for all to see.  Cyber Bullies...Yes they are your friends and enemies and we thought we had presure. Kids today can't sneeze w/o worring that someone caught it on there camera phone. How do we expect them to be respectful? They have not been taught RESPECT for GOD, parents or authority figures. They hear so much disrespect from those in charge that they we are reaping what we have sown. We grew up with dress codes at school. We stood with our hands on our hearts to say the Pledge of Allegience to the flag.  We were allowed to pray at school.  We said yes sir. We did what we were told or there were consequences.  Not sure how I got on this but was trying to say life is different than when we grew up.  They need safe places to go because they will find places to hang out.  They need role models who are not Bad Examples. They need youth groups where they are loved and accepted for who they are. Places where they can learn how to live  and be what God intended them to be. They need our love acceptance and prayers.

Todays teens are not the bad people I expected them to be.  They are stressed, children in growing bodies trying to find out who they are.  They need our help.  If not us as Christians the worlds. Whose view do you want for your children and grandchildren?  I was taught at a very young age, :Don't let the world around you, squeeze you into it's mold."  This is what I wish for our teens.

Natural Approach

About a year and a half ago we met Dr. Charles Parkercorepschblogspot,com where we started a new journey to find solutions for our son. He was very optimistic.  He saw his problems as internal/gut related and gave us a lot of hope,  He is the first Dr./Psych./therapist that offered us HOPE.  He ordered neuro transmitter testing, labs, and we did 110 food allergy testing. Of course his neuro transmitters were way off.  His food sensitivities were so many that there was very little to eat.  I shopped organic and prepared Gluten free, dairy free, egg free, tried to cut out sugar, food dye, and just about everything that US people eat.  That didn't last long.  He ended up in the hospital twice.  His rage/explosiveness was worse than ever.  He was stabilized and we had an okay year until the medicine stopped working again.  You have to know that some people never see this other side to my child.  He can hold it together until he is in the safety of those closest to him. That would be US.  He  has no desire to take the supplements or follow a special diet.  He referred us to Dr. Bonnie Rose ND www.NaturalHealthDr.com.  She is a very caring, educated doctor with a nutritional approach. She did a hair analysis. Today we received the preliminary results. She was able to describe what was going on with him by all of his imbalances w/o a medical history.  She could see his rage, mood swings, depression, impulsive and adhd/bipolar behaviors. She is also moving into Dr. Parker's practice next week, which is a giant plus for us as they work together. I feel like the puzzle pieces are coming together.  She has Fibromyalgia as I do.  She recommended the same supplement that he will be starting on Christmas Eve.  We will start together.  She has a lot of Hope for him.  She is so excited  for his future. He has so much potential.  She feels that he was born with most of these imbalances which have caused malnutrition even though he appears to be over weight. My prayer for the New Year is for him to become healthy/happy/ and be able to enjoy life w/o stress/anger. For three years his prior therapist has been preparing us for Residential treatment, but we know God Gave Us This Child and has a plan and Purpose for him.

Holiday Headaches

Holidays are stressful.  Let me say that again, Holidays are STRESSFUL... IF you have physical health problems, special needs or are just human, Holidays are stressful!!!!!!

 You can plan the perfect Christmas. Make your house look like a Hallmark movie or decorate your yard to impress your neighbors.  You can out do your children's friends parents when it comes to gift giving. Give gifts that you cannot afford or will be paying for until the next Christmas. You can put pressure on yourself that will make you so exhausted that you cannot enjoy the day, memory or the joy of giving.

I know this because I have done these things. Giving is joyful but not when you give because it is expected.  I have hurt so bad after cooking for two days for a perfect Christmas Dinner that all I have wanted to do is take a pain pill and sleep.  Let's not even get into baking...

Last year my child's big present was a keyboard.  One day he may play it.  Guess what he loved?  It was a book about World War II.  He read it out loud to us all morning. He was so thrilled.

I love Christmas but every year they rush it earlier and earlier so that by December 25th all the stores have is valentines and spring apparel. People take there trees down the next day because they are over it.  That is the week that we should be celebrating.

This year I plan to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I am not going to over do or over give and try not to over eat.  I want to give from my heart. I want to relax and enjoy the memories.  I want to enjoy my family, relatives and friends.  I want to remember that it is a celebration of the birth of Christ.  I want to take time to reflect His Goodness and Grace.  I want to remember The Reason for the Season.

:For God  so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting Life." John :16

Yet a New Approach

Today we met with a therapist at Christian Psychotherapy.  She takes both insurances meaning no co-pays...She also does Play Attention which is a computer based program used for ADHD and other disorders.  She wants to work on a therapy for Trauma called EMDR.  I am so excited.  We have been with the same therapist for 3 1/2 years.  We are ready for a change.  Puberty has come and behaviors are constantly changing and keeping us on our toes.  We want to do Learning RX too for cognitive skill training. It is pricey so it is on hold for now.
My husband's MRI was normal.  All we know at this time is that his vitamin B levels were elevated and a statin was stopped.  This has caused muscle weakness. He also had a normal muscle biopsy. He seems to be doing a lot better now that the constant appointments are slowing down.