Quick FYI about bug Repellent

Another subject came up on the support group about how DEET is showing up in our water and I took the opportunity to post about using BOUNCE

Not sure if anyone is interested but if you are looking for alternative bug repellant BOUNCE SOFTNER SHEETS

work like a charm--we cut them into strips and tie them on shoes ,belt loops watches or just put them in the pocket of a shirt--even on a baseball cap in the back where the strap is---

I know its not exactly the same the subject but thought that the topic was timely with summer coming and it being Earth Day--

Just an FYI  

 

A Couple of Ideas-for Stimming Issues

I was writing on a web support group about a couple of behaviors that Dakota has or had and I responded with what I did to "do Battle " to conquer the bad habit  Here It Is:

Yep-- the chewing of the nails was a hard one but its weird Dakota and I kinda came to a solution together--- he had one bleeding so we had to put a bandaid on it--

WELL then he started wanting me to put bandaids on all of his fingers-- MAN did we go thru bandaids and of course they were Spiderman Bandaids-- I spent big bucks and was hitting all the stores from grocery to drug to find the "Spiderman Bandaids"cuz everyone was running out and they were changing to different characters-- he was walking around with 3 or 4 of his fingers taped up at once -- It was funny we started calling him "Fingers Ford" oh yeah and "Michael Jackson" but after about a year and a half he had a meltdown one day strung the bandaid all over the floor and I spent 4 hours getting him to pick them up and then --NO MORE BANDAIDS and now he has beautiful nails so he now insists on a manicure about every 4 days --BUT that's ok we have Nails!!!

 

The twisting of the hair started when he broke his leg 3 years ago-- he barely took any pain killers and it was a way to handle his pain at first I didn't fight him cuz I knew he was trying so hard to deal with his foot and leg what happened was after the intial trauma was it turned to a habit-behavior -stim- perseveration whatever you want to call it and I have been engaged in battle ever since--- I talked to our  hairdresser and what I have come up with was Vaseline-- I hate doin it but  --he gets one warning to please stop then I get a glop and rub it in the area he is "attacking"--- I know it seems cruel but I am committed to stop this self injurious behavior-- another thing I use is baby shampoo he is very tactile and cannot stand the feel of either substance-- He hates it but He is so handsome I tell him he doesn't need to be pre-maturly bald

Its a hard situation for us but I am making some progress the hair does seem to be rebounding-- I am keeping my fingers crossed

 

So there ya have it I guess a crude ABA  or interrupt and redirect therapy

Just my way of doin battle with Autism! 

The Blood Draw

Thought that this subject would provide information that some caregivers might use!

Dakota has been caught up in a series of surgeries since he broke his leg 3 years ago. Needless to say it has been very frustrating and exhausting although the large part of the surgery has been rather minor. This time it is going to be a little more extensive and he would be required to take a blood test.

That presents a whole different set of "issues ". Dakota had been very good when he was younger about taking blood tests . He took me that required his blood to be checked on a regular basis and we had established a relationship with one of the flobotomist so it was pretty comfortable and easy to have a blood test. Of course over time and not having to take the tests he became resistant to the lab work and by the time that the doctor told us that we would need a blood test this time around --I thought to myself this is "Mission Impossible".I mulled it over in my head and thought of different scenarios that might work and the best I could think of would to be convince the doctor to have the flobotomist to come to the exam room and try to get it there in a controlled atomoshere.Of course I was met with resistance as well all know that medical professionals are aware of Autism and sat they understand BUT when it comes to practical application or trying to make ALL of our lives easier THEY HAVE NO CLUE!

So I decided this was my battle to conquer and this is how I did it: It took about 6 weeks but I probably could have gotten it done a little sooner if I would have been more pro-active but the end result was success--THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS. I took Dakota to the clinic and walked back to the lab . It happened to be a rather quiet time in between the regular day appointments and the urgent care clients that come in after hours. I introduced my self and Dakota and explained <SPAN id=sp-14 title=" wt hat, what, that, wheat, that'd, thatch, thwart" style="BACKGROUND: url(undefinedimages/bg_spellingErr.gif) yellow repeat-x left bottom; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; "> we just came to visit and see the lab and those that work their. We talked for a few minutes and I told them about Dakotas situation and his familiarity with the flobotomist that used to draw his blood and the "issues " he was having about doing it now. Then we said good bye and went about our merry way. We repeated this about 3 times and by the time we sondered in and said hello to the flobotomist on the 3 time she looked at Dakota and said "Well go over there and register with the lady and lets get this done!" Guess What? He did exactly what she asked! She looked at me and I looked at her we kinda giggled and before he barely sat down she used the "piggy back" thing and B I N G O he was done!

No Harm No Foul--- what a great accomplishment and with no resistance--It took a little time and it wasn't just one trip but IT WORKED . That's what important--Another Dragon Slayed ; another battle won! when we get these curve balls thrown at us we just have to hang in there and think it out because the solution will present itself!

Opportunities

Opportunity-- its a positive word and probably not one that those of us travel down the road of Autism think about much. Rather the thoughts are more about the lack of opportunities for foer children plague us at every corner and what we can do as parents caregivers or advocates to reverse this treand. As our children grow older that become more noticeable as "different" and no longer "blend-in" as they did when they were small children.

Every move you make you attempt to get optimum useage of opportunities whether it is the classroom or in other social settings---We practically break our backs to beg cheat lie and steal to convince others that our kids have a right and deserve to experience things just like "typical " children . Many are receptive to our lament but sometimes it takes an Act of Congress to achieve sucess.

All of that being said another conclusion I have come to is that we have to also realize that despite the Autism our kids are still people; individuals human beings that have their own needs wants and desires.Knowing I am probably not the only one who has recognized this ;the situation poses a whole new situation,one that is very difficult for me and I am sure probably for most parents and others who care for our children. What I find myself doing is trying to get my son involved in things that I participated in High School--- different clubs ,going to ball games. attending pep rallies and concerts, being involved in student body or special dances----- I want Dakota to have the "High School " experience but then I have to sytop and say what is that??? Not everybody was like me when I went to school there were all kinds of kids that had different interests and were involved at different levels AND I HAVE A HARD TIME REMEMBERING THAT!

I have to take a step back and let HIM do the choosing. Once again just because hes Autistic doesnt mean that he cant think for himself or express a desire to do or not do something. I have felt a huge amount of frustration in the past when I have "preped" him for an event and the time comes to go or do and all of a sudden he "stonewalls"me and then I get pissed and NOBOBY is happy. It has taken me a couple of years and a few encounters to to come to the conclusion that all I can do is present an OPPORTUNITY to Dakota and it is up to him whether he decided to take it !

It seems like a simple thing but I can tell you that many of us have gone thru numerous situations trying to get our children to do things that they simply do not want to do ---OFTEN TIMES the best solution is just to let them express their choice and believe me sometimes it is not verbally but they can always tell you when they do not want to do something!