Autism, you better leave this house!!! :|

I'm so frustrated!! Why is it soo difficult to connect with my own child!? sometimes I am at such a loss. DS is not eating properly today. Maybe upset stomach. He was uncomfortable while pooping. not constipation. Anyways, lets not go there. Whatever it is. Why is everything so difficult for my baby? When I don't get what he is feeling or what he wants, he gets real frustrated and then starts biting or pulling my hair. He actually managed to pull bunch of my hair in his hand today. :| I was just so damn pissed off at his autism. MAN! what kind of disorder is this???? :((((((

Structured routines ..

Our Occupational therapist mentioned that DS seems to be liking the structured routine. Most Autistic children do.. So it would probably be better if we incorporate the structured routines in all possible scenarios. :| Now, that is real big challenge. We, me and my hubby both are really not particulars and most of the times we do not have much of routines and rules set in our home. But looks like we need to do that now. May be God gave us "structured routine loving" son so that we finally bring change in ourselves. Ha!

My today's assignment is thinking about building a structured routine. Planning the whole week, taking into consideration all the therapies we need to attend (including commute time), DS's sleep schedule, eating schedule and also activities and playtime schedule. There are some activities that we need to do on daily basis. like, showing the body parts, pointing to the things he needs or loves, pointing to the appropriate flash cards, making him say something.. like aaa, ooo, mmm, bbb, ppp etc. Making him do appropriate actions on the nursery rhymes, making him say "hi" and "bye" , making him wave his hand, making him play peekaboo and hide and seek. drawing pictures, playing with playdoughs, blocks, cars in a right manner, making him do certain activities which requires him to use a little bit more strength. also using the deep pressure techniques, the body massage with the brush, massaging his mouth, tongue. his supplements, his diet, his potty training....  the list is really endless.

Few days ago, I pinned this image on Pinterest. That's exactly how I feel right now !! :)

I better start planning. I need to have a nice system. I hope DS will take a nap this afternoon and then I can be able to work on these things. :)

Bbye ! have a great day!! :)

babbling !!

DS is making a lot of improvements in Speech therapy sessions! He said 'mmmm', 'pppp', 'bbbb' , 'aaaa', 'eeeee' and 'oooo' today! WOW! I am so damn happy today! Our speech therapist was also happy with his progress! I don't know exactly what is helping in making him babble. Anyways whatever it it, I am happy that he is verbalizing! He was basically having fun!!! :) :) Just a note to myself: I started DS with coconut and almond milk since 20 days or so. I wonder if that's helping. :)

Autism and Hyperactivity. And not Eating.

  

This is how I would describe my son. He is always 'on the go'. I never see him sitting quietly, playing with toys (and in the way he should). He is always running back and forth, dancing on his tip toes, crashing on the sofa, climbing on the chairs or diaper boxes or coffee tables, climbing on the sofa and getting down from the back side! [ I don't know how he manages this one, but does! ]

It is so tiresome just watch him on the go! Moreover we need to play hide and seek for at least couple of times, every couple of hours. No wonder I have started eating so much in last few years! But what bothers me is DS is not eating substantial amount of food. He likes oatmeal, nutella sandwich ( on very rare occasions peanut butter sandwich), potato chips and sometimes cookie. He also eats Paratha/Chapati (Flour Flat bread) and most of the times have to put him in High chair to feed him a small bowl full of rice [with his fav tv shows running ofcourse!] But I would say this is a progress. A couple of months back, he would just not open his mouth and spit everything out that touches his tongue. argh... It was so difficult to make him eat! Enfagrow and Pediasure had always been our saviors. No other option! He still loves his pediasure. But I am working on cutting down that from his diet. Moreover, I am thinking of trying some Diet plans for him. Like GF/CF or GAPS diet. I know, Its really too ambitious of me to even think about this. But what the heck! It might actually work! And rumor has it, those diet works wonders for autism! I surely can't afford not to try every single option I have!

some nice links : http://gapsdiet.com

http://nourishedkitchen.com/what-is-the-gaps-diet/

I am really curious to know how these diets work. But I think I need to do a lot of homework and a lot of reading before I start anything.  :better start reading:

That's enough for today. I have to go out and buy some wooden puzzles for DS. 

Alright! Bye everybody! See you soon! 

Autism and iPad

Ofcourse! Its hard not to mention iPad on this blog. DS loves apple! not the fruit. He is almost obsessed with 'his' iPad. When he was around 18 months, his dad's office gifted him(to dad!) the ipad. I think daddy never had a chance to lay his hands on iPad. It instantly grabbed our son's attention, and believe me it is hard to grab his attention! iPad really has that amazing power! :) 

Ever since then iPad has been teaching and entertaining my son. Not only DS learned so many things, but we ourselves could learn that DS is grasping so many new skills because of iPad. Okay, I'm totally sounding as if Apple is paying me for this post. Which is obviously not true. But I really like iPad. And I would tell every family with Autistic kid that Please, please get the iPad if you can. It is truly a miracle, magic, savior, a friend, a babysitter, a teacher and what not! :)  

I am planning on writing few words about the iPad Applications DS loves.  Since there is this huge list of apps in appstore, You really cannot find good apps easily. So reviewing some of the apps might help somebody. :) 

Anyways, my house is so peaceful right now. haha! yes, DS is finally taking his nap. at 3.00 pm! :| So.... looks like I will not be getting good night's sleep till atleast 11 O' clock.. It is so hard to make him go to sleep! I really get tired. Maybe I should talk to his Doctors. Someone told me kids with Autism do have problems with sleeping or getting to sleep or remaining asleep. Apparently that is SO true! He was awake yesterday from 4 am till 6 am! For no reason!! I mean how can you NOT sleep, buddy? even after having super sleep loving set of parents?  :) 

Alright. I think that is it for today.  Have a great weekend everybody! 

See you soon! 

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hello there!

My 2.8 year old son is diagnosed with ASD last month. It could have been done earlier, may be 3-4 months back. May be we were just postponing or dreading that ordeal. 

Anyways, it is official. DS is developmentally delayed, not speaking any words right now( except for sometimes saying aai - that's mother in my language. I'm born and brought up in India btw - currently in Los Angeles,CA). He is also exceptionally hyperactive. I get tired just watching him run the whole day. Where does he get all this energy from? He doesn't eat a lot! huh. I should write a different post just about his eating (or not eating) and his love for expensive pediasure! :) He hardly points to the things of his interests or things that he needs. His eye contact is really not good with strange people. With us, it is little better. He loves to cuddle, giving a tight big hugs (that almost chokes you! ;) ) or giving kisses, just lying down and having fun! He is one adorable kid. He is also the most intelligent kid I have seen! He knows his letter(big/small), numbers(1-10), colors and shapes - since really long! I guess since he was 15 months old! I have a feeling that he can read! He would see letter n-o-s-e written on paper/computer screen and he would instantly point to his nose. Well not every time. but he does do that more often. He can show his nose,head,hands,knees,eyes,ears,teeth,tongue,bellybutton by reading those words. I think this is incredible! I guess, watching "your baby can read" really was worthy. 

I am really proud that he can do that. But what I really want from him is "Mommy, I want milk" or "Mommy, I love you!" :) I desperately want him to talk. 

We started with his Speech therapy and Occupational therapy this month. He likes those sessions! And I guess he is on track. Behavior therapy is not yet started. God know why its taking so longer! I am so anxious to start with all that I can do for him and get him out of this label. 

Let see what is in for our store. But for now, I guess I should go to sleep. Tomorrow morning 8 is Speech therapy. Have to leave house at 7.15 to face the infamous Los Angeles traffic. 

So, that's it. The first blog post on Autismic! 

Will see you soon! Have a great time everyone! 

-mommy.