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.

My place in life is maybe my shortcoming. "A blessing in disguise."

Have been reading posts today of other Autism blogs and it got me to thinking..., I did look up information on "Traditional Irish Soda Bread" and we are doing it all wrong. But that's another post.

My story is actually pretty ironic. About seven years ago I had this inclination to work in the schools to grab experience for my eventual teaching credential, that I have yet to obtain. So I decided to become a Substitute teacher and I found it to be quite overwhelming. At this time my first Son C was about 2 or 3 years of age. But I didn't stop there, I decided to become a substitute Special Education Aid and see what it might be like and it was more consistent. I did enjoy it and eventually after months of working as a sub I had an interview and ended up in a Kindergarten through First Grade classroom full of Children with Autism. My eyes were wide open and I learned something new everyday. Half of the children were not potty-trained, we had one student who would have frequent melt-downs, throw chairs cross the classroom, knock down water coolers and kick teachers. Everyday was a surprisingly unique experience. I learned about all the therapies and their histories, helped them in ways that were very odd to me at the time. Six to eight months later I became pregnant with BP and I was not allowed to be in that environment due to safety issues. So I worked in the summer school program at the Special Ed preschool next door. Later on when the new school year began I to work one-on-one with a second grade boy with Autism Spectrum everyday. December rolled around and it came time for me to leave because BP was arriving soon.

Years later BP was diagnosed with Autism/Autism Spectrum. The reason I decided to write this story is because life can hand you some surprises. Who knew that when I worked in the classroom with Autistic children that I would have one of my own. I see BP and he being my own child I can't seem to place why he reacts to certain things and I can't fix them. It may be that I see my son differently than I would other children that I worked with.

It could be the teacher/mother thing. I don't claim to be an expert and I never will. Most of you who have children with special needs do a wonderful job and I actually learn from most of you. :)
Sometimes I don't feel I teach him enough and I certainly don't use much of what I learned in the classroom. There again that may be my high expectations of my parenting skills.

My childhood background is kind of related. My mother was born was cerebral palsy and from an early age I had to help my mom on a daily basis. I was an only child and I watched her fall daily because her coordination and balance were off. I had to constantly be apologetic and repeat the story of why she falls to everyone who witnessed it. She also was extremely hard of hearing and I had to deal with those issues as well.

So maybe it's my place in life. I never intended to be involved in Special Ed and because I never gave it a second thought I simply pushed it aside. This may be path in life that I have been given and who ever knew when I stepped foot into that classroom. I think BP's Autism has been a blessing in disguise.

Thanks for letting me share.

Monday Morning...

And I am still in my bathrobe with a cuppa coffee. I assume most of you are up, dressed and ready to face the world. I think I am recovering from the holidays. It's actually somewhat quiet here today with the exception of moans and babbles from BP's stimming.

The children are not back in school yet and this their final week of vacation. I have an interview this Wednesday for a Special Education Aide position. I have been out of work since May of 2008 but I haven't regretted one moment. I truly enjoy being home with the kids. I am still trying to study for my credential exams. That is one hill I must conquer is trying to pass these exams. I feel pretty confident I will do well, it's the lack of what they might not be able to offer me that bothers me, but I am ready to take on the world.

I am trying to start another blog The Single Mom's Jungle Suggestions? It's geared to Single Parenting help and special needs children. I might have to put it on the back burner for a trial. Not sure if I can take on two blogs but I have seen all the other Moms do it, so what's keeping me?!

More coming soon.

Merry Christmas Everyone and Happy 2009!

My gift to all of you is that this will be my final blog for the year. I finally decided that I should write something. I have neglected this blog page since August and I apologize. I want to continue to blog but I feel should make a clean start beginning with the new year. Lately I have been one of those long time readers of other Autism blogs (especially Autism Vox), but I haven't made contributions of my own and I have much to say about life in a house with BP and his Autism.
It's been an especially difficult year with me still unemployed, but I do have an interview for a special education aid with the school district that I used to work for years ago. Wish me luck and I will update all of you in January.

Cheers to everyone and have a happy new year!

Happy Holidays!!!!!

The journey continues...

I haven't written in a few days. I have good intentions to write everyday. Uh...it's not happening as planned but at least I am sitting at a computer typing away. That's a good sign.

I had an job interview this morning with a local school district. It's for a Special Education Aide, full-time with benefits. Of course the moment you sit down with the panel of individuals who interview you, they ask if you would be willing to accept a position part-time. I graciously said "yes" but the voice in the back of my mind said, "ouch, I need the money." Apparently there are numerous candidates to interview and there's a higher likelihood of me being hired on part-time. I am fully qualified, but who knows what the world will bring. Part-time simply won't pay my rent.

Well I have my iced vanilla latte and hopefully that will sooth things a bit. I just have to keep plugging away.

As far the original point to my daily blogs. I have a page or two written and I will share it:

I simply don't know where to begin. BP,(not his real name, but changed for privacy purposes) who is my youngest son, began his journey January 7, 2002. I think he entered this world reluctantly and it showed on his face. Moving ahead a few years, we knew that BP some how was not progressing normally. At two years of age, he hardly spoke a all. Things just didn't seem right. My oldest son, C (his name is private as well) who at time was 6, far excelled what he was supposed to do. Many times I felt like BP would eventually grow out of his "delays" and we could move on to the next chapter of childhood. That didn't ever happen. After a few years of research, contemplation and observation, I decided that I needed to take the next step. I needed to go back to work, but where would I find a daycare provider who would be willing to take on the challenge of a 3.5 year with special needs and wasn't potty-trained? That is the next step on the journey for tomorrow...