In the life of Autism

    I thought I would start typing my thoughts on struggles we face with this thing called Autism. It can be a very frustrating, overwhelming, life controlling issue. Parents feeling alone as they try hard to see their children accomplish new goals, deal with schools that seem to push our kids to the back, deal with teachers that seem to care less with each passing year. IEP's, EFMP, ECHO program, ABA, and many other things that come to light in a home that Autism rules.

     It's been crazy since Keith returned home from a year deployment, we are moving to Virgina, house is being remodeled, and Elijah is having school issues. Routine is just not there right now, and it's showing with Elijah. We are in a sea of constant melt downs and him being over-whelmed. Not knowing how to get across to him what is ok and not. Him forgetting constantly and feeling like it's always repeating the same thing over and over again. Wanting to do things with him, but finding it harder and harder. Wanting to see him gain some independence, but not being able to with his lack of danger understanding.

    You feel bad as a parent when you get frustrated from all the humming, flapping, repetitive behavior and constant meltdowns from being over stimulated. The simple task of going to the store can become an all day adventure, Night retuals turn into 2 hour retuals, car rides are the sound of humming instead of radio.

   Sometimes I just want a normal life, one where I can watch my child grow and succeed. I did last year he did WONDERFUL grew more then we ever thought possible. Then Elijah's skill trainer was moved without notice. You never realize how those little things like a good skills trainer can do so much for a person. I've been frustrated since school started, watching Elijah decline, watching him have seizure after seizure from stress, being called almost every day because the skills trainer doesn't want to do her job. Example, Elijah fell asleep in the nurses station, instead of at 12pm getting up and getting Elijah's lunch seeing that he won't make it. She sat there on her rear end and Elijah ended up with no lunch because it was closed. Skills trainer someone that is there to benefit the child, to help the child, to direct the child, to help the teachers with the child. Elijah was sleeping from a seizure, I do believe my thought would be go get him food I guess not.
    That's the least of issues we are having right now.Learning how to help elijah cope with this move and changes has been a new one for us and we are way out of our elimate. So as we begin this new adventure called PCS with the Army, we also begin this new adventure in supporting our child when things seem to much.

    I love you Elijah, and I know there and many things for you as the world spins around you. Always remember you may be different BUT NOT LESS.