Sorry...

Posted By: cmdonnab on

Monday, March 10th, 2008, 6:08 pm

And I don't just mean me blogging again!

This week, it came to light that on Feb. 28, a California appellate court judge decided that parents aren't qualified to teach their children unless we have teaching credentials. What a sad step backwards for such a growing, progressive state!

In other news, the U.S. government conceded in a case where parents feel their daughter's autism was related to her vaccines, possibly related to an underlying mitochondrial condition. The jury's still out on how far this will go, but a wonderful step in the direction of vaccines being revamped. (Thimerasol wasn't 'out' of vaccines for a couple years past the time that is commonly thought, as doctors were allowed to use their remaining vaccines, so it's too early to tell if autism rates will actually go down. Studies stating autism hasn't gone down have counted children school-age and up, and those children are still among those who got vaccines containing the toxic preservative.) Anyways, the thimerasol isn't the only ingredient in vaccines that's contributing to autism in genetically pre-disposed children, so this case was landmark in opening the door. (And thought to ponder: why is mercury being taken out of animal vaccines and mascara, and mercury content is questioned in fish, yet it's okay to still be in the flu shot?)

On a personal note, my daughter's broken foot is being re-examined on Thursday afternoon, to see if she's able to be put into a walking or other type of cast. My son's car could be out of the collision center on Friday, though we're in no hurry to encourage him to drive again. My older daughter's pneumonia is still causing her problems, and my little guy is showing great promise on his new medication. All in all, a lot going on and thankfully, nothing too horrible. I'm still behind in my jewelry-making, but I've gotten to spend a lot of time with our friends lately, including a ladies' night last week, and a lot of family time. Dh and I even got a weekend alone, in Vegas, for the Nascar races last week. We've set up our weekend in Phoenix next month, another child-free weekend - we normally take all the kids to this track, but ds has shown he really can't handle the noise and crowds of the races, so it'll be our couple splurge. It's also a blast to get the time with our friends while we're out there cheering and booing...and getting on Trackside!

Have a good week!

Donna

Tags: nascar, autism, vaccine, homeschool, vaccinations

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Posted By: mellers on

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007, 4:31 am

I am getting increasingly of the opinion that my own partner has some sort of mild version of Aspergers syndrome and/or dyspraxia, and I'm looking for more information about either or both of these conditions and most importantly, I need to know how to improve things. Sadly, I am getting towards the end of my own inner resources in dealing with the outward manifestations of them (if indeed he does have either or both of these).

To find out more I have looked at the iVillage "all Boards" list, but haven't spotted anything which deals with the various spectrum range of autistic conditions particularly in adults, so I've posted on Children with special needs and ADD support. I've also investigated the various Autism charities' websites for information and some of them have been quite helpful.

Afetr hearing my first suspicions regarding this problem over 3 years ago, my partner is also only now just beginning to take me seriously, and has broached the subject with his mother. Within 3 days she has done her research and can see so much of him in the diagnoses that maybe finally someone is listening. As I understand it though, getting doctors to take notice is a whole new ball game.

The most soul-destroying thing for me however  is that I have never heard of anyone recovering from these conditions. They are there for life, pre-programmed in to the brain. The only way I have heard of things becoming managable for the families of sufferers, is for those around the person to expect less of them and make allowances for everything they do. That seems so much like the end of the road for me. As I said above., I have cometo the end of my coping resources and can't deal with it any more. If anyone here has any personal experience of actually improving life, living with someone with either of these conditions, particularly in adult-hood, I would welcome your comments on this blog piece.

Tags: autism, aspergers, carer, dyspraxia

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Posted By: cinsation2008 on

Saturday, January 12th, 2008, 2:22 pm

I have been working for several years and researching the topic of "Children with Autism".  Since, it's alarming increase in the past several years.  If you or someone you know has a child with autism please share this link with them.  It's an e-book about what every parent ought to know about Autism and it provides you with proven techniques on how to improve your child's ability to improve better with day-to-day life. Just thought I might share the information and I hope it helps!

cinsation.autism1.hop.clickbank.net/

Tags: autism, austic child, information on autism

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Posted By: brettnikki on

Tuesday, November 27th, 2007, 11:32 pm

Why does it seem that there are so many bullies now?  Weren’t we supposed to be the generation of parents who knew better?  Parents who studied Dr. Spock raised us and we grew up watching shows like Sesame Street, which taught friendship and showed people of all races and abilities interacting and playing together.

My child has a form of Autism known as Asperger’s Syndrome is bullied daily.  Asperger’s is an invisible disability because it is not outwardly discernable.  She is a sweet loving and outwardly appearing happy child with a heart of gold.  As I am sure, anyone who knows her would agree my child is the living embodiment of the spirit of Rachel Scott-the first victim of the Columbine Massacre and the inspiration behind Rachel’s Challenge.  to read more go to

http://learnsomethingnewtoday.us/2007/11/26/mommy-where-do-bullies-come-from/

Tags: school, autism, family, apergers, bullies

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Posted By: cmdonnab on

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007, 3:40 pm

Okay, six isn't a baby anymore. I know that irritates some people, to call a child a baby, but he is my baby, he's my youngest, my last child, and he's still my baby no matter what. And who can resist the sad sweetness of a sick child, you just want to cuddle them all day long.

Any child that's sick just breaks your heart. But, I think when a child with a developmental delay gets sick, things are a little different. For some reason, a lot of children with autism become much more compliant and calm when they are ill. I know many kids do, because they lack energy and they're too worn out to fight, but chances are those kids are more compliant when they're not sick so the comparison's not as obvious.  The odd random things he says when sick -- maybe it's the fever, maybe it's just him being happy, who knows.

The last 1.5 weeks, we've really increased our biomedical therapies -- vitamins and other supplements. Nothing else works long-term to fix the intestinal and sleep issues or tantrums, and I won't put him on Risperdal at six years old. We thought it was too much to hope for that not doing the GFCF but still using other supplements would help, but we were wrong. Others have also noticed the improvement in ds -- we're thrilled.

Last night, as he was laying down to go to sleep, after having taken more Tylenol, it occurred to me that this funny, sweet, extremely loving little boy is what we'd have gotten if he didn't have autism. We've always said that we don't want to change him, we just want to make it easier for him to function in the world, and for him to be happier, but now it feels like we got a window into what he'd be like if he didn't have the autistic symptoms that make it hard for the 'real' ds to show through, if that makes sense? If he's calmer and happier, without the anger and aggression and meltdowns, he can be himself without any interruption. In the end, we know not everyone's going to be for anything other than traditional treatment -- and that's okay. It doesn't work for everyone, or to the same extent at least, and some can't do it for one reason or another. But for us, we'll take anything that gives our son some improvement, and a vitamin and a couple of other supplements have made incredible change. Barbara Walters can question it, and the AAP can spend its money elsewhere, but the improved children can't be ignored, there's too many anymore. My son's improvement is amazing, and I won't let it be discounted.

This afternoon we have another IEP. This is where we talk about how things have gone so far this year, and imo, it's a little early to say so I'm not voting for any changes. Due to a schedule change (imagine an IEP at 8am, where you have no childcare, you have to take a day off of work, and you know it'll be rushed because school starts in 30 minutes) and then a glitch with our mail delivery, we didn't know about it until Monday of this week. That left us two days to make the necessary changes for childcare. Now that ds is sick, we're having to call upon our teenagers...except one has to start work at 3pm, and the IEP is at 3:15. This means the college student, off work today, will have to scoot out of her last class early, after a test, to come retrieve ds during the meeting, or if we get really lucky, she'll make it home before we have to leave. Our worst case scenario is that ds will have to go with us, Gameboy and blanket in hand. Not ideal, but we aren't left with much choice. Sickness tends to ruin babysitting plans!

Gotta run now. Just took another temperature and we're still around 100.2. Time for more Tylenol -- had to send a kid to the store last night for bubble gum or grape flavor to assure he'd take it easily. Score, the bubble gum meltaways are a lifesaver.

Enjoy your week..

Donna

Tags: iep, autism, biomedical, fever

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