Low cholesterol

Yup you read that right. Gage has low cholesterol! I had our DAN doctor check it after reading a study from Kennedy Kreiger Institute that a statistically significant number of autistic children in their study had low cholesterol. Now the study didn't say how this affected the children. But I do know that cholesterol (other that being hard to spell) is very important for neurological function. It helps make up the lining of the nerve cells and is important in the make up cells themselves.
So I am going to try to have Gage eat more eggs and the doctor is sending me a cholesterol supplement. Then in 6 weeks we have it checked again. Jeez I wonder what his cholesterol would be if he wasn't such a french fry junkie!

When good bread goes bad.

Ok so theres no chance of me quiting my day job! This is a loaf of GFCF bread I attempted to make from a mix. As you can tell it all went horribly wrong! I followed the directions and opened the oven after 50min to put the foil on so it wouldn't get too brown and the damn thing was about taking over my oven!!! And the thing is I'm not even sure its done on the inside!
Yikes I guess I need some more practice and an oven thermometer to make sure my oven is the right temp! Oh well I guess if its done I can cut it down for sandwiches. Its better than the moldy tapioca bread I got from the store!

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Wow this fall is full of changes for our family!
First Gage. For Gage his preschool is now in the afternoon and the Kids Club is in the morning. So it is completely opposite of last year. He also has a new teacher this year as well.
Makinna is going into 1st grade! I can't believe how big she has gotten and how old she acts sometimes. She is just sprouting up before my eyes.
As for me....well I am going back to work full time (30 hours a week) for the first time since Makinna was born. I'll be working 5- 6 hour days. Its time I guess. I will be able to hold benefits for us. Since Wes got laid off and started his own business we have been buying our own health insurance and let me tell ya, they suck! So Gage and I leave at 7:30 in the morning for our 40 minute drive to the kids club and my neighbor puts Makinna on the bus.
And for Wes, well he is going to take Fridays off to watch Gage. I am excited about this because its about the right time for a little boy to spend more time with his dad.
So far its all been working out. I'm beat at the end of the week. Gage had some growing pains with his new schedule but is better with it now. And Makinna is going with the flow and loving 1st grade.

More Makinnaism

OK Makinna has been on a role for funny comments lately and I'd like to share two of them with you.

#1
Makinna: "So Mom you know Pluto isn't a planet anymore, so what is it, a moon or something?"
Me: "Um I think I heard somewhere that its a sub-planet"
Makinna: " Oh so like if one of the other planets is sick or takes a day off Pluto can substitute for them"


#2
Makinna received a box full of clothes from Grammy. In the box were two bikini bathing suits (Makinna has never had one before)
Makinna holds up the top to one bathing suit
Makinna: "Mommy this looks like the kind of bathing suit you put your boobies in"
Me:"yup that's what it is"
Makinna:" Well I think Grammy must have made a mistake because I don't have any boobies!"

That girl cracks me up!

Stupid things people say

Well I guess we are officially members of the club now. I've heard many other moms tell stories of stupid things people have said to them but have never had it happen. Well today it happened, not to me but to Wes.

We went to my niece's graduation party at my sisters house today, and took the kids of course. Well Wes got to talking to the neighbors about Gage and that he had autism. Well they are both teachers, which in their minds makes them experts in autism (insert eye roll here). As Gage went running off toward the fence Wes started after him and as he was walking away the woman says "Yea I just feel so blessed that both of our girls are so intelligent and beautiful"

Ummmm. OK I guess a kid with autism is ugly and stupid. It's probably good that I wasn't there because I probably would have made her feel very uncomfortable. I can't stand people who act like they know everything but in fact know nothing. It scares me that this woman teaches children. Wes was chasing after Gage and it didn't really register with him what she said until a few minutes later and the moment had passed.

Sigh.... there sure are some stupid idiots out there.... and they're teaching our kids....yikes!

Oh and just for fun I decided to add a picture of my stupid ugly kid. (insert sarcasm)

Taking the Summer Off.

There are 2 things that I have become overly obsessed with....autism and politics. Both subjects evoke strong emotions in me and both subjects have a wide variety of opinions. Over the last two years I have been immersed in both. I listen to talk radio in my car and frequent autism message boards while at home. I thought about both subjects all the time, sometimes getting all tied up in knots because of an view I didn't agree with.
Well fate, or God, or the universe recently intervened. First my ISP was down for 4 days, so no Internet and then we went away for 4 more days and no Internet. So I didn't frequent my message boards. Well I began to feel so much more relaxed. Second the radio in my car quit (thanks to Gage and some coins inserted in the CD player) So no more talk radio. Again I was feeling even more relaxed and less like I had a knot in my stomach.
So when we got back from our trip, I got on the computer and I thought "I don't' even want to go to that message board" So I've decided to take the summer off. I'm not listening to the radio or anything about politics. Now, it is an election year so this is very hard for me. But I already know who I'm going to vote for so any research is just for argument sake anyway. And I'm taking the summer off from autism. Gage will still get his interventions and therapy, but I'm going to concentrate on having fun with my kids, my daughter and my son. Not my daughter and my autistic son, but my daughter and my son.
I feel liberated and happy and content, I'm on summer vacation.

Makinna-isms

Today Makinna and I played hooky. She only had a half day and she had an eye doctors appt so I decided to just keep her home and we would have a "girls day" with no little brother.

Well as a treat we decided to go out to lunch at Applebees. In the restaurant they have framed pictures everywhere and this one is the one right at our table. I didn't notice it right away but when I did I was concerned about what Makinna would think of it, as she is a bit funny about "scary" stuff. After about 10 min I saw her look at and get a funny look on her face. She then looked all around the restaurant at all the other pictures. Then she leaned over to me and said very seriously and very quietly "Mommy...We're at the scary lady table!" I almost fell over I laughed so hard. I told her that they were not ladies but men in a rock band. She looked a little confused and said "well why are they dressed like ladies?" Again I almost lost my lunch!

If you know Makinna you know that she can go on and on about things. She talked all through lunch about the guys in the picture saying things like " I'm sure they are very old now and probably don't sing anymore" and my favorite "they are probably so old that if they tried to dance thier legs would break"

Having a 6yo definitly keeps you entertained.

Haveing some transition trouble

Gage goes through phases that he doesn't want to go to school. He screams and cries when he gets on the bus. We are going through one of those times right now.

Lately he has been especially attatched to me, screaming when the school bus comes. I don't know why this happens. I can't seem to identify any changes or triggers but it happens.

When he has bad days getting on the bus he often has bad days at school as well. This picture was taken at school by one of the aides. She emailed it to me. I think its kind of cute actually, cause I know this face well.

So I hope this phase soon passes. It always unnerves me to have to send Gage off on the school bus screaming, I just hate it.

Need a Worthwhile Charity to Donate to?

Many parents and families rely on grants from charities to help pay for therapy and treatment for autism since often insuance doesn't pay. We have applied for several. We have been turned down a couple of times because there are those out there in more need than us. We are currently waiting on a grant to help with Gage's ABA therapy.
Money for grants can't be given to families in need if no one donates. So I ran across this. A walk to raise money for the "Helping Hands Program" of the National Autism Association. Follow the link to learn about Elias and the people walking in his memory to help other families affected with autism.
http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/eliaswalk/
Thank you

"I'm In Here"

This is a song about autism. And it just struck a cord with me, so I decided to post it here on my blog for everyone else to view.
Enjoy!
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-8018

April 2nd is World Autism Day

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139 which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. The UN resolution is one of only three official 'disease-specific' United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The WAAD resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and intervention. It further expresses concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.

Lets bring awareness to this disability and its causes. But lets also celebrate the wonderful special kids/people that living with autism!

Who's dog is this anyway?

Well I think Max has picked his favorite person. He gets along well with everyone. He thinks Gage is another puppy and thinks I'm his mom, and thinks Wes gives the best belly rubs.He follows me everywhere and whines if he can 't get to me. But when it comes time to settle down and snuggle with someone he is definitely Makinna's dog. When she sits on the floor to play in the evening Max always makes his way into her lap. And when its time for bed he thinks he should sleep with her. I've let him get up in her bed while we read stories. He crawls up beside her and lays his head on her pillow and nuzzles her in the neck while we read. Then when its time for her to go to sleep I tell him to come out of the room and he gives me this pathetic look like "but I want to sleep here!!"

As I type this this morning, Makinna is building blocks and Max is chewing on a toy.....with his head in her lap. Makinna definitely has a buddy for life.

I miss you Patti

This is a shout out to my friend Patti. I haven't talked to her for a while and missed sending her my Christmas card this year because I thought she moved. I know she reads this so I am sending her lots of love and we will talk soon! I miss you girl!

What sugar does to my kid.

This is Gage about an hour after eating about 10-15 Skittles he got for Easter. It was accompanied by wild crazy behavior and lots of whining and tantrums! He also had the same reaction yesterday after eating a small snack size pack of skittles. We have really kept Gage away from large amounts of sugar but with Easter we let him indulge. I think the Easter Bunny needs to bring just toys next year! This is just not good for him.

I am so Proud!

I got the following e-mail from Gage's aide at school. I am indeed proud of him.

Hi Katrina,

I know M wrote in Gage's book today but I just have to tell how proud I am of him. At one time Gage used the bathrooms in the room. Since he is doing such a great job going to the potty we thought maybe he would like to go with the other boys. Well the other day we ask him and he didn't want to go. So then another day when we were in the hall we took him in to the boys bathroom. Then later I took a picture of the boys bathroom for his schedule card. We were standing inside waiting for all the kids to come today. I showed him the picture just to see if he would recognize it. Big mistake, MY mistake. He didn't want to come into the room, he wanted to go to the bathroom. Well we got him in the room, I showed him I put it on his schedule card. When M was having them line up we said Gage check schedule! The smile on his face. He got in line with th e other kids. He was so proud!!! He was so cute!! Standing there at the urinals with all the other boys. I showed him how to flush. Then he decided he wanted to take his pants down again, and peed a few drops, so HE could flush by himself! Then he checked out the plumbing and we were off. He is so darn cute!! You can be proud!

Meet our new baby!

Well we have a new baby! His name is Maxwell Scoobert Wolf, or just "Max" as we call him. We got Max from the local animal shelter. He is such a sweetie. He plays a little and sleeps alot. For now anyway. He is 10 weeks old and 1/2 german shepherd, and 1/2 bull mastif . So we figure by next year he may qualify as a pony! So far he has been a great addition to the family, although Gage is driving him a little bit crazy! We are currently house breaking him and he's doing pretty good. When we take him out he goes potty right away. What a smart boy! I'll have to admit that puppys are work, but nothing compared to taking care of a baby and it hasn't been that long since I had babies so it doesn't seem so bad to me.

Ok so expect him on next years Christmas card!

Why I Do IT.

Often I read blogs and writings by autistic adults . I like to have the perspective of autistics because I am not autistic and my son is. Mostly its thought provoking and enlightening to me. But quite often I come across opinions of adult autistics that say anyone persuing a"cure" or "recovery" is doing their child a disservice because you are not loveing the child for who they are and trying to change who the child really "is". I have heard that biomedical intereventions are "cruel".

Well here is my perspective and probably only the parents of autistics kids will appriciate this. I do follow the biomedical approach. First off I want to get my son's body as healthy as possible. If he is not feeling well then how can he function at his best, how can anyone? After removng dairy from his diet he became less aggressive. He stopped biting his sister and pulling her hair. If I add vitamens and minerals to his diet and remove foods that make him crazy how am I being cruel to my son? Not to mention the fact that he has been sick much less since starting the biomed approach. If I get him healthy, rid his body of yeast overgrowth, get all the alluminum out of him and he's still autistic, then fine at least he is a healthy autistic boy.

Then there is therapy. Some argue that ABA is cruel and mean. Well the ABA of today is a far cry from the ABA of 20 years ago when these adults were children. Its more friendly and less rigid. Lets face it its a cruel world out there. We could all hold hands and sing and wish everyone was nice and accepted everyone else for who they are, but that is just not reality. The reality is that I will not be around forever and my chidren have to be able to take care of themselves. I don't want Gage to be reliant on the state and caregivers and I don't want Makinna to have to take care of him, she has her own life to lead.

So I guess I am in persuit of a "cure" or "recovery" for my son. But its all relative. To me this means "functioning independantly and happy" To some it means to wipe out every trace of autism from thier child. Well I don't necesarily feel that way. I love Gage's little quirks. I just want him to be the best he can be. I want him to learn, be healthy and happy. When he is not able to communicate, when he feels bad physically, and he wants to socialize with other kids but doesn't know how and basically gets aggressive as his social overture, well I don't think he is happy. He has to function in an NT world. As his parent I will push him to do his best to make his way in the world we live in, and I will do the same for my daughter. I just have to go about it in a different way with Gage.

Its always something!

Well another therapist bites the dust! Just when I think we have all of Gage's therapy hours covered someone quits. The girl was very sweet and nice but she really was getting no where with Gage. This was her first job out of college and I don't think working with autistic kids is her calling. So now we once again go looking for another therapist when there aren't any.
I tell ya! Getting services for an autistic child is a full time job in itself. It seems I'm always on the phone setting up evaluations, appointments, or I'm going to meetings or taking him to therapy. Or I have to call someone to light a fire under thier ass because something isn't being done. It's no wonder I'm overweight, overtired, and overwhelmed. But being all of those things does nothing to help my son. So I pick my self up, brush myself off and drive forword.
Now you'll have to excuse me I have a fire to light.

The Lightbulb scare

Well we have been doing our best to save money. One of the steps we have taken is to replace all of our incandescent bulbs with the high efficiency bulbs. (except in our dimmers) They last longer and are supposed to use less energy. My biggest concern with these bulbs is the fact that they contain mercury. The last thing this family needs is to be exposed to mercury! But after reading the package I thought "as long as it doesn't break we're fine" Well now I am not so sure.
Last night I was swinging Gage in the basement. One of these high efficiency lights had burnt out but there are two lights so I hadn't changed it yet. While I'm down there I hear a "POP!" then the light comes on. I thought "oh its not really blown!" Then the thing starts to smoke terrible and has this awful smell. I immediately turned the light off and then took it out of the socket. I was a little freaked out. First I did not know what we were exposed to. Gage had been sleeping just under where the light was. Second...what if I had not been down there??? Could our house have burned down? I wasn't sure if it was the bulb or the socket, so I put a regular bulb in the socket and no problems.
I did a little research on the Internet and found out that this is evidently NOT an isolated incident. I was able to find about 12 other accounts of the same thing happening with the same GE bulb. I am going to write GE a letter, along with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I do believe I will also write my congressmen because in the recently passed Energy Bill, it is written in there that by 2012 regular incandescent bulbs will be illegal to sell and they are pushing the energy efficient bulbs. I don't like not having a choice. And I'm not convinced that these bulb are not with our issues either.
I just wanted to warn all the readers of this blog. Do not leave your high efficiency bulbs on if you are not in the room.