I can't get away from it.

First, I was pouring my nose into every freaking book explaining autism and sadly made the mistake of starting with Jenny McCarthy's books. Second, I went onto read about how to "cure" children with autism. Everything from hyperbaric chamber, B-shots and chelation therapy. I was seriously on overload. I still have not tried any of those "recovering" tactics on the biomedical stand point. I have since toned down my research and determination to seek out all I can about autism and just live in the moment and enjoy Katlynn's quirks and play on her positives and you know what- it's working. I have tried just treating Katlynn like a normal child with no real special treatment. We include her in everything we do as a family and with our other 2 daughters regardless if it is going to be a hectic and chaotic situation. She is more work then the other 2 NT kiddos in some aspects but in many others she out shines them with steller behavior. She is vey accustom to outings now with multiple sensory stimulation. She adapts well to her surroundings and, I think mostly because we have been doing it from the begining. It is all she knows. When she was diagnosed we didn't stop doing normal things, we just kept plugging away.

I hear so many ASD parents debating about turning thier child with autism into a typical kid or a normal kid. The reality is, that in order for a child with ASD to become a more independant and functional member of todays society, they must act somewhat "normal". So the more they are exposed to the norm, I firmly believe, the more they will adapt to it. Many parents fear this because of negative behaviors, but ASD kids are smart.  They know how to manipulate. I think sometimes they are not challenged enough. It's like learning to play baseball. If you get hit with the ball a few times you don't give up. If you go to a public setting that puts an ASD child in overload causing a behavior meltdown, do you NOT ever return and just not go out again? Or do you simply keep trying?

Now, I am no Dr. clearly I am far from it. I am simply talking about what working for my daughter and what I view can be and has been successful with many other people out there who are on the spectrum.

Back to my piont in this post...

So, I got a fiction book from the library to read (I have an enormous love for books) and I just couldn't get into it. The only thing on my mind was highlighting another activity in an early intervention book I purchased or reading another chapter (again) from the Growing an Out of Sync Child. I just CAN NOT get away from autism. I can't. No matter how much I want to just quit for a while. I can't. Will this ever end? Will I ever enjoy another book not related to autism, special needs or sensory processing again?

Temple Grandin Kills it at the Emmy's

I was very pleased to see the HBO documentary win so many awards.  I have yet to see the movie.  I know, I know but I don't have HBO and nexflix won't have it out until Sept. 14th.  I have waited patiently for the past 6 months, what's a couple more weeks-right?

Anyhow, I have read almost all of Temple's books and all of them are such great books for parents with ASD. She is a true inspiration.

Please, please sit down and watch it as a family one day.  Even if you have no one in your immediate family on the spectrum.  It's worth your time to see how many people with autism think and feel.

First day of Preschool

A week ago Monday was the first day of preschool for the girls. To my relief there have been no tears and nothing but joy for school. Well for Katlynn at least. She absolutely LOVES it and looks forward to it every single day. I love her teacher and think fighting for her decision to get her into this school was a good one.

We're still plugging away at ABA, OT and then she has additional OT and SPEECH in school. She is still making a lot of progress with her speech and some days doing really well with eye contact Her social skills are also blooming. She is even initiating play with her sisters at times.

Working on trying to get her a grant for a therapeutic gymnastic program, so wish us luck with it. It's a really costly program and without a grant something we can not even consider, but something I think would be so beneficial to her.

Still working on potty training. Not much success, but still trying. She is becoming more aware of her BM and wetness, so it only a matter of time before it all will click I am sure.