Time to boast a bit---- Went to Popeye's the other day thru the drive thru. Ordered some pies that we were informed would take 6 minutes and could we please park in front and they would bring them out when they were done. So we went to the front and parked. About 10 minutes went by and I made the comment WOW I think its been more than 6 minutes and all of a sudden Dakota unsnaps his seat belt opens the car door and says " well I will just go in there and find out what the hold up is!" Talk about cracking me up -- he walks in there and it was all I could do to stop myself from not following him in there but I held myself back and he goes in there says something to the person at the counter{I am watching this thru the glass door} and he steps back put his hands in his pockets; about a minute later out he comes with the bag and a smile on his face. I was so proud of him and he was proud of himself.
Again another little accomplishment that makes both of us feel like a million dollars!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Chewing
I know I have written about Chewing before but this is a topic that resurfaces on a regular basis so I cant help but put another post up on it-
Chewing-- Man O Man Dakota has been a chewer from the time he was small the T-shirts had gnarly bottoms every time you turned around he had a shirt in his mouth -- another thing he was notorious for was to pull or chew the labels on the knack of the shirts too! Since those early days we have graduated to more "appropriate" chewing items An Occupational Therapist suggested some dog toys for numerous reasons including durability and texture but there comes a time when you don't want your child identified with "dog" toys. We even had so surgical tubing put on a long shoe string so as not to loose it and eventually I have started buying bar towels and I keep a special place. When Dakota starts to put something in his mouth I try to direct him to the cupboard where the towels are and just say "why don't you go get a towel to chew on?" Well lets face it walking around with a towel in your mouth isn't exactly appealing and perhaps provokes some people to judge~~~~~So now my latest "thing" is tooth brushes!
Every time I go to the store I always pick up a couple of inexpensive toothbrushes. I try to pick the ones that are "flexible" because he has snapped a few really cheap ones in his mouth from sheer gritting force but for the most part he chews like a mad man and it seems to be a "better fit" as far as appropriate. At least when he goes out in public having a toothbrush in his mouth is like a tooth pick or a straw.
The only problem I have run into is that he will grab his Crest Spin Brush and he will gnarl up the bristles-- those damn things cost about 5 bucks a piece so now I remove the top part of the brush and put it in the drawer--OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND --works like a charm
Chewing-- Man O Man Dakota has been a chewer from the time he was small the T-shirts had gnarly bottoms every time you turned around he had a shirt in his mouth -- another thing he was notorious for was to pull or chew the labels on the knack of the shirts too! Since those early days we have graduated to more "appropriate" chewing items An Occupational Therapist suggested some dog toys for numerous reasons including durability and texture but there comes a time when you don't want your child identified with "dog" toys. We even had so surgical tubing put on a long shoe string so as not to loose it and eventually I have started buying bar towels and I keep a special place. When Dakota starts to put something in his mouth I try to direct him to the cupboard where the towels are and just say "why don't you go get a towel to chew on?" Well lets face it walking around with a towel in your mouth isn't exactly appealing and perhaps provokes some people to judge~~~~~So now my latest "thing" is tooth brushes!
Every time I go to the store I always pick up a couple of inexpensive toothbrushes. I try to pick the ones that are "flexible" because he has snapped a few really cheap ones in his mouth from sheer gritting force but for the most part he chews like a mad man and it seems to be a "better fit" as far as appropriate. At least when he goes out in public having a toothbrush in his mouth is like a tooth pick or a straw.
The only problem I have run into is that he will grab his Crest Spin Brush and he will gnarl up the bristles-- those damn things cost about 5 bucks a piece so now I remove the top part of the brush and put it in the drawer--OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND --works like a charm
Volunteering forThe Rose Parade Floats
I know this is a little past due but I had to post about Dakota and I working on the Rose Parade floats---
We started 4 years ago working on the Ontario float; last year we were on the float for Santa Fe Springs and this year it was the NAMM float-- It was the Sesame Street float with the Honor Marching Band.
What a positive experience-- and the best part is I can see Dakota's participartion improving each year. This is such a great opportunity for those of you who have kids who are interested in this event. YOu can volunteer for short periods of time or for only a few days or different hours - It is perect for us---The biggest pay off is watching the float on New Years Day and knowing you were a part of putting it together.
We actually were present when the kids who were in the band came by to view the float before the parade and Dakota was able to be the one to show these kids how to make the decoration for the float instead of the way it usually is --with the typical kids being the one to instruct him--
There was one woman who flew in from New Orleans just to work on the float and we met others who were from Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Arizona and Texas. When we get home I take out the map and use it as a teaching method by talking about where the people came from and where they are on the map
Besides all the fun and excitement I saw Dakota start to take some independent steps by helping with the clean up and working more and more without Mom by his side.
I cant say enough about volunteering for the Rose Parade-- you may have to "agument" your stay or watch a little closer but the pay off is worth it -- the more you go the more your child will be comfortable the more you will develop skills, open doors and create opportunities~
We started 4 years ago working on the Ontario float; last year we were on the float for Santa Fe Springs and this year it was the NAMM float-- It was the Sesame Street float with the Honor Marching Band.
What a positive experience-- and the best part is I can see Dakota's participartion improving each year. This is such a great opportunity for those of you who have kids who are interested in this event. YOu can volunteer for short periods of time or for only a few days or different hours - It is perect for us---The biggest pay off is watching the float on New Years Day and knowing you were a part of putting it together.
We actually were present when the kids who were in the band came by to view the float before the parade and Dakota was able to be the one to show these kids how to make the decoration for the float instead of the way it usually is --with the typical kids being the one to instruct him--
There was one woman who flew in from New Orleans just to work on the float and we met others who were from Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Arizona and Texas. When we get home I take out the map and use it as a teaching method by talking about where the people came from and where they are on the map
Besides all the fun and excitement I saw Dakota start to take some independent steps by helping with the clean up and working more and more without Mom by his side.
I cant say enough about volunteering for the Rose Parade-- you may have to "agument" your stay or watch a little closer but the pay off is worth it -- the more you go the more your child will be comfortable the more you will develop skills, open doors and create opportunities~
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Good Bye or Hello--am I coming or going????
Another year gone and one coming I thought about doing a year in summary but why re-hash all the stuff that was stressful or "brag" about accomplishments when there is so much more to do?!
Christmas 2008 posed its own challenges this year and it wasnt so much Dakota as it was me---My own health kinda "knocked me off my pegs" this season and it drove home the reality of "who's gonna do this when I am no longer here?" Of course the most direct answer to this quandry is "When I am gone I wont know; so I guess it will be up to those who are here!" But the bigger issue is how can I trust or know that the people who are here ; WILL; CAN; WANT TO ; Take care of my Special Angel.
All I can do is continue writing notating informing and talking about Dakota and hopefully the pieces will fall together.
I try to impress upon Dakota the importance of knowing what he wants and needs and being able to either ask for help or do it himself. Again my hope is that I will be able to present a "paper trail" or
"Operator Mannual" for Dakotas care as well as give others who read this ideas how to make life easier for their special person and those who will be left behind when they go---
Something I have written about before and feel important enough to mention again is a notebook or 3 ring binder or folder prepared by you that talks abot your chid from every aspect. Something that will be there should something happen tommorrow> Routines,sleeping habits, grooming, eating, medicines, likes, dislikes, tactile sensitivities,precursors to behavior-- at least give anyone the basics to make your child comfortable in a difficult transition in your absence. It doesn't do any good in your head it only counts if it is available for others.
So don't hash over what did or didn't happen last year and change what might happen tomorrow or this year---continue to hang in there and every day or every week make one contribution to a manual that hopefully wont ever have to be used.
Christmas 2008 posed its own challenges this year and it wasnt so much Dakota as it was me---My own health kinda "knocked me off my pegs" this season and it drove home the reality of "who's gonna do this when I am no longer here?" Of course the most direct answer to this quandry is "When I am gone I wont know; so I guess it will be up to those who are here!" But the bigger issue is how can I trust or know that the people who are here ; WILL; CAN; WANT TO ; Take care of my Special Angel.
All I can do is continue writing notating informing and talking about Dakota and hopefully the pieces will fall together.
I try to impress upon Dakota the importance of knowing what he wants and needs and being able to either ask for help or do it himself. Again my hope is that I will be able to present a "paper trail" or
"Operator Mannual" for Dakotas care as well as give others who read this ideas how to make life easier for their special person and those who will be left behind when they go---
Something I have written about before and feel important enough to mention again is a notebook or 3 ring binder or folder prepared by you that talks abot your chid from every aspect. Something that will be there should something happen tommorrow> Routines,sleeping habits, grooming, eating, medicines, likes, dislikes, tactile sensitivities,precursors to behavior-- at least give anyone the basics to make your child comfortable in a difficult transition in your absence. It doesn't do any good in your head it only counts if it is available for others.
So don't hash over what did or didn't happen last year and change what might happen tomorrow or this year---continue to hang in there and every day or every week make one contribution to a manual that hopefully wont ever have to be used.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Holiday Confusion
Its Christmas time-- and I will not repeat myself but just a reminder that this is very difficult for many of our Autistic kids--- way to much stimulation!!
Lights and scents and crowds and caroling-- Bell ringers and stores that are in dis-aray , Just be aware that this is a time for unusual and unexpected behavior-
I know its hard for us but its even harder for our kids so befor you get frustrated with your babies-- remember they are having a difficult time coping too!
Lights and scents and crowds and caroling-- Bell ringers and stores that are in dis-aray , Just be aware that this is a time for unusual and unexpected behavior-
I know its hard for us but its even harder for our kids so befor you get frustrated with your babies-- remember they are having a difficult time coping too!
THE PHONE CALL !!!!!
WOW---What an accomplishment
A couple of days ago we gave one of Dakota's classmates a ride home. He left his sweatshirt in the backseat. We went on to a store and when we got back in the car my Mother said "Who's jacket is this?" Before I could even respond --Dakota grabbed my cell phone; searched out his classmates phone number; and when he answered the phone he didnt say hello or how are you B U T He said"Uhhhhhhh you forgot your jacket in our car---and we are gonna bring it back to your house--OK Bye!"
Oh My God--- this kid is not one to talk on the phone--{usually when he is attempting to talk on the phone he will use visual signals--like if someone asks him a questioninstead of verbally responding he will shake or nod his head and he thinks the person on the other end can see it??????}
He just doesnt get the whole concept of conversation--and to watch him intiate and complete this task was amazing----It was like I got to open an early Christmas present!
Again this is another one of those moments where I cannot emphasize how important it is to NEVER GIVE UP Because you just never know when another ray of sunshine will come out!
A couple of days ago we gave one of Dakota's classmates a ride home. He left his sweatshirt in the backseat. We went on to a store and when we got back in the car my Mother said "Who's jacket is this?" Before I could even respond --Dakota grabbed my cell phone; searched out his classmates phone number; and when he answered the phone he didnt say hello or how are you B U T He said"Uhhhhhhh you forgot your jacket in our car---and we are gonna bring it back to your house--OK Bye!"
Oh My God--- this kid is not one to talk on the phone--{usually when he is attempting to talk on the phone he will use visual signals--like if someone asks him a questioninstead of verbally responding he will shake or nod his head and he thinks the person on the other end can see it??????}
He just doesnt get the whole concept of conversation--and to watch him intiate and complete this task was amazing----It was like I got to open an early Christmas present!
Again this is another one of those moments where I cannot emphasize how important it is to NEVER GIVE UP Because you just never know when another ray of sunshine will come out!
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