Clingy Parent?

After our trip home from Maui, we had to drive the next morning to Las Vegas for a family wedding. A drive to Vegas, a long rehearsal, and the rehearsal dinner, kept us on Hawaii time. We slept in late Saturday and then got ready for the wedding. There were no time for naps, so at 6 p.m, John thought it was 3 p.m. nap in Hawaii. He had a meltdown during the cocktail hour and Bill took him to the car to watch a movie to settle him down. I went and got the boys, taking the movie away and causing another tantrum. I took John into the reception, where he continued to cry until he fell asleep in my lap. I woke him up by accident 20 minutes later and he wasn't happy. I walked with him outside and Bill got the portable DVD player. We put John on the floor by our chairs with a movie and calmed him down. He watched it for 20 minutes and then decided to dance with the other kids on the dance floor. He was happy for the rest of the night, but it looked a little rocky at first...

Between Bill and I, we watched John like a hawk. Many other parents let their kids run around, checking on them every once in awhile. But, with John, we have to have a constant eye on him. Many that don't understand John's issues may look at us and think that we are too clingly, too protective, and too worried. But, turning our back could mean John going into the kitchen, leaving the room, going up with the band, getting into the open fireplace that was in the same room, but around the corner, etc. There were too many opportunities for us to "lose" sight of him or enable him to get into things he shouldn't. John will take any opportunity given to him to run in the opposite direction. He often will look back, knowing he's being chased, and laugh. But, if your not watching, he's gone. (like at the grocery store with Bill when he saw the elevator and climbed out of the car shopping cart)

John's comprehension level of what he can and cannot do is definitely improving from 6 months ago, but it's not that of a 3 year old yet. He's still immature and delayed. He can, at times, show responsibility and understanding, but consistency is not there yet. First and foremost, he's a kid. Secondly, he's almost three, but still a 'terrible two'. And thirdly, he's autistic. Whether or not others want to see it, Bill and I face other children his age that prove to us that John is different. Right now, that label is autism and whether or not that changes in the future doesn't matter. We have to live for today and that's what it is, regardless of whether others think it is or isn't, or the severity of it. In day to day living, that's what this is for us--the here and now.

Through the successes, you have hope, but you also must recognize where the challenges lie. You must remind yourself where the differences are between your child and others so you can help your child in those areas of development. If you are not willing to recognize it, you will not be able to help to your child. You have to acknowledge the developmental differences and fight with your child through those struggles. There is always hope and you have to fight for it. But don't let parents of other children make you feel like you're "too protective" or "too clingy". When people say "relax", what they don't realize is that this IS your state of relaxation with your child -- the peace in knowing that you are watching him and that all is going to be ok.

Again, Again

John loves the ocean and Katie loves hula girls! Katie got a grass skirt and wants a flower in her hair. John bought a stuffed animal that is a turtle on vacation and loves it. (it plays an awful song that is out of key that none of us can get out of our heads!)

Today, we went out driving and stopped at different lookout points and took video. The kids napped and Bill and I were lazy. We then went on the water slide AGAIN and AGAIN! Everytime we went down, John would exclaim "Again, Again!" His whole body shows enthusiasm at the top of the slide as we talk about who goes first, second, third and forth. I usually go down first, followed by Kate and John, with Bill taking up the rear. Katie flips and flops, and ends up on her stomach, head first, diving from the slide into the pool, and swimming to the edge by herself! (thanks to those swimming lessons!) John comes barrelling down, twisting, turing, backwards, and up on his hands and knees, with a HUGE smile on his face. He plops underwater, and is pulled up by his life vest. He hates water in his ears and usually comes up using his hands to rub his ears. Then, he stiffens up his body and says "dadd-n", awaiting Bill's entrance into the water! After Bill comes splashing in, John is quick with "again, again".

Once the water slide closed for the evening, we headed over to the Pirate Pool. It's a children's pool (8 inches deep), with a pirate ship in the middle. There are lots of squirting tubes, tunnels on the bottom, and 2 slides from the deck into the water. There are pads at the bottom for the kids. Parents can sit on the side and let the kids roam free, depending on how busy the pool is. This evening was really mellow, so Bill and I sat on the edge and John and Kate ran around, free--the way they prefer it. John would climb up the boat, go to the captain's wheel, spin it a few times while being sprayed from overhead, then run down two steps and fly down the slide into the pool. He'd walk around and go up the main stairs and start his ritual all over again---great occupational/physical therapy if you ask me! Katie met a friend at last night's Luau at the hotel and she was at the pool this evening. So, Katie and Hannah (also 4 years old) played in the pool together.

As mentioned before, John loves the ocean -- and wanting to be free in the ocean. He loves the waves "to get him", sliding down the sand hill into the waves, faking out the person watching him and running the opposite direction around them to go into the ocean, and allowing the waves to throw him around. Fighting the current, being tossed around, and running up and down in the sand has been great for John's muscles. He's gotten some great excerise and therapy out on the beach.

It's been a great vacation and we'll be heading for home in a few days, but tomorrow... it's the glass bottom boat.

Road to Hana: Perfect (almost)

We took the kids on an 11-hour day trip to Hana yesterday in the car. John and Katie were awesome! Katie and I got car sick in the last hour of the trip, but all-in-all, this day trip was better than anyone could have asked for.

John watched movies, listened to an ipod(which he can say perfectly), played leapsters, and loved to get out of the car and 'hike'. Katie watched a movie on the ipod, and the DVD player, and loved to talk with the adults in the car.

I can't beleive we actually made it all the way to the Seven pools. We had plans to turn around when we thought everyone had enough. We got up at 5:30 a.m. and started with Starbucks and the grocery store. we packed sandwiches for lunch and got "halfway to Hana" by 11:15. Steve, SeAnna, and Bill decided to park on the side of the road and take a 45 minute hike, while the kids and I STAYED IN THE CAR. We played, sang songs, and John pretended to be the "driver" and everyone seemed fine to be left in the car!

John and Katie slept for an hour after lunch. Katie was excited because she has a girl named "hana" in her class this year. She kept asking if we were 'there' yet. She liked the "rain forest" and John was happy to "ride in Uncle's van". I am still in shock that the trip went so well.

There were two moments that seemed like "here we go" moments, but they worked themselves out. They both centered around the DVD player getting stuck and Daddy having to save the day. John kept saying "John's turn" and seemed like it might turn into a meltdown, but Uncle Steve discovered that saying "uh-oh" is fun and joined in. After that, all was well and we made it to swim in the pools past Hana... then we had to make the 3 hour drive home! Katie and I got sick on the side of the road -- but we were both in better spirits once we felt better! :)

Maui: Plane Ride, Water Slide, & Work

The plane ride to Hawaii last Friday was awesome! John and Katie were calm, excited, and very well behaved!

John sat by the window next to Bill and Katie sat by the opposite window by me. Using a video iPod, portable DVD player, books, headphones, crayons, and activity pages, the children were kept busy and happy.

John kept saying "riding in airplane". He told us he was "happ-n" (happy) and didn't have a single meltdown. Katie was talkative and enjoyed every moment, taking it all in. Traveling was pleasant and everyone stayed in good spirits.

Once we arrived in Maui, there was Starbucks in the airport and all enjoyed some cake. Katie, my dad, Steve, SeAnna and myself went to check in, while Bill, John, and Grammy went to Costco and then back to the airport to pick up Erin. John had fun shopping at the store and told Grammy she had to "pay". As we use the stuff from Costco, he tells us he bought it at the store.

We've been here for almost 3 days now and everyone's had a blast! The first morning, John and Katie went into the ocean with their clothes on. After changing into bathing suits, they went on the huge twisting water slide over and over. John asks to go in the spa a lot, so we have termed the kiddie pool as a "big spa", which satisfies John. He loves the independence we give him in the "big spa". Bill and I can sit on the edge and allow both kids to roam around the kiddie pool, which is so shallow both kids can touch. There is a waterfall on one side of it, which makes it fun, and a stair around the other part. John wears a lifevest and swims around, playing with all the other kids' toys. Its a "Free for all" as far as the pool toys that everybody brings. We have two floatation animals and our kids usually play with some other kids sand toys and they ride our water animals!

We've met another family who have an 18 month old son who is in early intervention as well, due to not crawling by 12 months old. They love the occupational therapy they receive through Regional Center and will not be needing it anymore, now that he is walking.

Every morning, John and I do our "work" and Katie and Grammy do her work. John is building 'bridges' with blocks, working on opposites, practicing his pronounciation with flash cards, playing with puzzles, finding hidden objects in play dough, matching photos, and reading books. Katie is practicing her writing -lowercase letters--, addition, reading comprehension, opposite puzzles, and trying to master a more advanced jigsaw puzzle.

All in all, vacation is nice and relaxing. Everybody is having a blast!

Traveling with an autistic child

I came across some articles that touch upon travel with an autistic child. I thought someone might be interested. Some of this stuff does not apply to John and other stuff is right on. It is worth the read.

This article is from "smarter travel".

This one is from USA today.

Here is one from a parent on epinions.com

Here is the tsa: travelers with disabilities website with information

Here is one resource that has a ton of tips. (AutismTravel.org)

I'll end with a section from the last website I listed:

Preparing an autistic child for vacation should begin with an understanding with their core problem areas. If sensory issues are a problem, then you need to address those. For example, an amusement park visit may require headphones/earplugs for a child with audio difficulties. If you child is on the diet, then reserve a room with a refrigerator. That is simple, right?

But what about preparing your child in other ways? Perhaps a social story discussing issues that come up on the ride -- like hitting your sister or singing the Mickey Mouse theme song 91 times. Rent a video of your destination for your child to watch. Or a library book on the destination. If they use visual schedules, then prepare a visual schedule for the week of vacation.

Also think through the location. The beach is a family favorite but could be an issue for any child. The sound of the waves, feel of sand and wind, taste of the water, bright sun -- all together equals sensory overload. Maybe you put sand in a bucket and dip their feet in? Or you can buy a wave CD and play it at night for a few weeks before you leave. And if worse comes to worse, you divide and conquer. One parent takes the sibs to the beach and the other to the pool. Or you all visit the pool.