New Beginnings

Please refer to January post below. New blog to come on board soon.

Thanks for being patient. http://www.stimsoup.wordpress.com

updating

...in the process of seriously updating this blog. Stay Tuned.

Updated 3- 13-14:

 Hi there folks, As of April 2 2014, I will no longer be maintaining this blog. I had this blog for six years! Amazingly enough I didn't write many posts because I simply didn't have the energy nor the time. I was too busy trying to seek help and now it's my turn to help you.  I am in the process of recreating an altogether new blog that is focused on Autism.  It will be different in that it will be a resource for parents, caregivers, etc to come for support, and to share with you what I have learned in our daily life with Autism. I hope that I can help you out as well. I may not be an expert but hey whatever helps you in your life to maintain your sanity! Many aspects of Autism will be included: Food & Diet, behavior, Education, and not to mention Life skills.  We all need those!

It will be a work in progress.   I hope to eventually offer resources that will help your child be the best they can be. Stay tuned.

I have decided to begin on April 2 in honor of Autism Awareness Month.  Stim Soup.

Thanks for stopping by.

Karen 

ABA Services - A True Gift that is Worth Every Penny

Hi There, and welcome to Friday,

I don't get much time to write before I leave to become a taxi-driver for a few hours.  So I will make this is short but sweet.

BP has good days and bad days but don't we all.  I feel like the bad days are becoming less of an issue.  One reason is: ABA Therapy sessions, if you are able to get those services, then I say "GO for it!"  I know that some families, depending on your situation, insurance and all the endless red tape, it may be difficult.  It actually took me about three years to convince people that we really needed someone to come in as a weekly tutor for BP.  Maybe convince is not the right word to choose.  Many people who worked with BP at school knew he would benefit from such services, but it just took way to long to get where we are.  He has one session a week for 2 full hours.  We go out outings, learn life skills, work on his behavior, etc.  It has be incredibly beneficial for BP.  He has made such strides, that I can't begin to tell you.  That would take another post.  It such a benefit for me as well.  These sessions teach me so much and also my oldest son has benefited. Our tutor who is awesome, by the way, has become somewhat of a mentor for our family. A few weeks ago, due to all the insurance mumbo-jumbo, the new Autism Insurance law, I thought we would lose our services.  I was absolutely devastated, it's truly a gift we have been given for Brendan to have ABA services.  I would certainly be sad if those gifts were ever taken away.

I will post more on BP and C's progress in future posts. Have a great weekend.
  

About Me!

Happy Thursday Everyone,

Hope you are having a good week!  I have written a page about who I am. I figured for the first time visitors and others, it would be a help to know who I was.  Head on over if you like.  Just a warning:  It's written by a very scatterbrained person:  Me.

About Me

Take Care,
~ Karen

My Triumphant Return...take 2.

In looking back at my very first post a little over 4 years ago, I talked about my oldest son turning 10.  Well, that chapter of life is done and gone.  BP is now ten and I have come such a long way from those very first posts.  I am actually truly amazed at myself for the progress BP has made. Almost a year ago I wrote this post.

This time I am not going to apologize about my long absence.  I keep reading so many great posts from Moms of Special Needs children that I felt I needed to reconnect again and share with others.

Truly I am not sure where to begin again.  I can't make any promises that I will write every week, but I can certainly make the effort. I think I am going to change my focus just a little bit as well. This time I want to share with you what I have learned over the years. I would like as well to get feedback. It so nice to hear from other parents.  As I have mentioned before, I have all these ideas swimming around in my head, but organizing them is quite the task.  I think I have mentioned before that I am ADD.  Well now you know. No official diagnosis but my thought process constantly shoots in about 50 different directions.  I can put my keys down and five minutes later have no clue as to where I put them. Forgive me if I start to repeat myself. That tends to happen. :)

Next. See what I mean?

I have a few ideas for posts that I want to write about.  Those are food, diet, autism and how they are related. By the way, just so you know, behavior plays a huge part on how you manage your children's diet.  It has been quite an important journey for us as a family.  So that's an issue I will focus on.  I want share BP's progress, maybe share recipes.  I also want share the some stories regarding my oldest C.  This is a family blog by all means.  He is actually getting braces in the next few days!  That is a journey in is self.  Stay tuned and welcome back. It certainly feels good.

 

Back to School: Routines and Schedules

Today was my oldest son's first day of High School. Time has flown by! This will be a schedule that all of the family will have to get used to.  I will most likely hear from BP when I pick him up from school today: "Where are we going? Can we go home?" It's almost certain, especially when are driving an unusual route that he is not familiar with. But after a few times he should be okay with it. It's the homework routine after school that's the kicker, but that is for my next post. Stay tuned.

Happy Labor Day Holiday!

Happy Labor Day everyone.  Please make it best of what ever you choose to do today. Even if it just sitting down with your family to play a simple board game.  Our family will just enjoy a mostly relaxed day.  We usually don't do much.  Doing something socially is a big outing that needs to be planned and told to BP way before. Over stimulation is a biggie.  Also where we reside, EVERYONE usually heads to the beach.  Crowds of people and BP don't mix. I don't think I works for me either. Tip for today: If you do go out and if your child is like mine, don't extend your welcome.  When they have had enough, it's time to go. 

I guess I should reintroduce myself, since it's been so long.  I am a 40-something Mom of two wonderful boys, My oldest is starting his first day of High School tomorrow and BP (I will refer to my son using his intitials for privacy reasons) who has ASD is in the 4th grade now. He is verbal and a very funny boy who loves the computer,Godzilla, and other monstrous creatures.   That is just a shorten version.  I started this blog back when Brendan was just beginning Kindergarten.  He has been in the same school district and I know I am fortunate when I say that his school district is Awesome.  I feel for many of you parents that are constantly struggling with all the red tape of trying to place your children in a school that will suit them and you!  My advice:

• Please don't give up. 
• Be an advocate for your children.
• Do your research.

Enjoy the Holiday with your family today because tomorrow is just another day. Take care.