It can be done!

Today, we had a morning playdate with friends also have a son on the spectrum. 

We were introduced back in August and we seem to have almost clung to each other as we navigate this up and down ride of Autism.  In the few short months, we've become quite close.  We both have the attitude that we will not accept 'status quo' for our boys, that we CAN affect ASD and that we will NOT let it win.  It's really been a wonderful support to have another mom that I can talk to going through similar things that manages to keep the same positive attitude that I try to have.  It means then that when those harder to manage days come up that you still have someone to lean on, but that you also have someone else to celebrate your boys successes with!

We had a great get together.  Our boys have both had amazing Christmas holidays and are doing exceptionally better in all aspects of life.  They're both happier and more engaged with others as well as their surroundings.  One of the nicest things that I noticed was the CALM that both of them had.  They were able to sit and concentrate to play with toys and people.  Their stims (things they do for stimulation or body regulation such as running or jumping) were quite minimal. 

It was a joy to celebrate our boys success' and how far they've come.  It is truly amazing to both families how much of an impact we've already managed to have on this monster called "Autism" in such a short period of time...let me run a few dates by you to explain better:

January 2010

• started speech therapy at Lansdowne Children's Centre

April 2010

• introduced PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

June 2010

• took Andy off GLUTEN (GFCF Diet)
• started seeing our Naturopath and DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Dr Sonya Doherty
• 3 weeks after took Andy off Dairy/Cassein

August 2010

• finally got our official diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

September 2010

• started IBI (Intensive Behavioural Intervention) with Teach 2 Learn

So my thoughts are this....if it hasn't even been a year since we've been doing major interventions and Andy is only 3 years and 3 months - then really what's to stop us from beating Autism into submission????

Just a few days before Christmas I got to meet another boy on the spectrum that has made me smile ever since I've met him. 

He's 7 years old and you would never know his diagnosis.  He is eloquent, gentle and kind and truly one of the nicest 7 year old boys I have ever met.  He has an amazing mommy who has dedicated years to helping her son and she has succeeded!  They still have ups and downs, but what kid doesn't? 

I will now picturing my new friend in my head as we continue to do war on Autism, because now I know that all those recovered kids that I've read about are real people...they exist!  Thanks to him, I've had a glimpse into what I believe will be Andy's future...we will not stop until we have beat this monster called Austism not only because we believe, but now I know more than ever -

 IT CAN BE DONE!

In your dreams... Part II

A little while ago I wrote about people having dreams about Andy talking - "In your dreams".  At the end of my blog entry I asked that anyone else who had a dream about Andy to make they passed it on to me.  So this morning it was pretty neat to wake up and find this email waiting for me...Thanks Lisa for sharing your dream!

It was a warm spring day and we were coming out to visit.  I had just hung up the cell with you, as I was just letting you know we'd be there in a few.  You had told me to "watch out for Andy when you pull in near the house, he wanted to wait outside for your arrival".  So then we pulled into the driveway, Olivia all excited as she could hear Griffin barking.  We get to the top of the driveway, and sure enough there standing waiting for us is Andy, in a plaid shirt and jeans, cute as usual.
I got out of the car, and there standing right there close to the house was Andy on his own, all happy to greet his guests.  I walked up to him and said, "Hiya Andy!" and clear as day without a stutter or mumble he said, "Hiya" back to me.  I then scrambled to get the camera out of my purse in an attempt to record him say it again, but it took a moment...Olivia started calling from the car to be let out, and I finally got the camera to record and then fiddled to get the right buttons.  When I looked up to take the video, he was standing there with this massive grin on his face - posing for a picture.  So I flipped back to camera, took a pic or 2 of him with this big grin, then flipped to record to try to get him to say "hiya" again, but then you came out the door with your Mom.  There were tears in my eyes and you asked what was wrong, and I said, "I was just so so happy, you aren't going to believe that Andy just spoke to me, he responded to me for the 1st time ever!!"  Your Mom heard Miss Em crying inside, so off she went and we hugged and then I got Olivia out of the car.
Then I just woke up!  So there you have it, another Andy talking dream.  I'm not sure what type of talking this is considered, but wow was I ever happy to hear his say "hiya" (which isn't even a real word but in the context it sure was!).  It was one of the nicest happiest dreams I have had in a while.

As far as Andy "talking dreams" - really in my mind, anytime Andy can casually be part of any interaction is time for celebration!  If I were to make my wish for him to be as simple as possible - it would be that Andy would be able to go through life without having to think or try hard to say a simple greeting like "hiya!".

Keep sending those dreams my way.....

Truly "HAPPY" Holidays!

I think our family has had the BEST Christmas to date!  It was truly (in the words of Andy) a truly "HAPPY" holiday.  We were relaxed, happy and full of excitement.

Emily was the family entertainer wherever we were.  In fact, she stayed up til 10pm or so on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Night just to make sure she was in the middle of everything with everyone.  She has slept most of Boxing Day away, waking only to feed and play with cousins & aunts for a few shorts minutes before heading back to bed.

Em in her party dress

Andy was exceptionally well behaved but most importantly completely engaged in the festivities.  He has finally caught on to Christmas and all the gift giving...or receiving really:)  This was the first year that Andy opened almost all his presents on his own.  I think he loved the idea that he was actually given permission to rip things apart!  Really, what 3 year old boy doesn't love that idea? haha

Not only did Andy open his gifts, he actually started to play with most right away.  This is another big change - Andy often takes a while in getting warmed up to anything (person, place or thing) new.  Not this year!  He was open to us going somewhere new for Christmas Eve and had a huge smile on his face the whole time.  He loved all his new presents and has been playing with them ever since he started opening them.  He especially loves his new soccer ball and net.

The best part of the holidays?  Honestly was that we were all relaxed, including Andy.  We had the opportunity to enjoy everyone and everything around us.  I feel like we finally got to experience the true joy that other families have around the holidays...I can only imagine what's to come.  For Boxing Day we had our neice and family over for breakfast and chill time.  Our neice and Andy are only 3 weeks apart.  Andy was loving playing her today, even giving her a few random hugs!!!!  It was a beautiful thing to watch - our boy was HAPPY!

Happy holidays everyone - I can only hope that you got to enjoy the joy of the season as much as we did this year!

A little piece of heaven

This afternoon, we decided to take the kids swimming since John has some days off.  It's been a few months since we've been and we were curious to see how it would go.  As most know, Andy is a waterlover.

Well, it didn't take Andy long to figure out what was going on.  He was interested from the moment we were packing our bathing suits in the bag for the car.  When we got to the family changerooms he was so obedient it was ridiculous.  This little man knew he was about to do something good and he was not going to risk misbehaving to ruin it.

To sum it up, we had an amazing afternoon swim.  Andy had a grin plastered on his face the ENTIRE time.  I mean a full ear to ear grin like we've never seen.  We were amazed at how much Andy's improved since the last time we were swimming.

Andy's coordination was fantastic.  He was kicking and splashing, jumping off the wall and going down the mini-slide all on his own (with mommy catching him at the bottom).  He was playing with balls and watching the other kids around him with the awe you usually see in a little ones face when they're watching 'the big kids'.  He was truly in his very own little piece of heaven.

Em loved the swim as well.  I think she was enjoying watching Andy jump off the side the most - she thought it was quite funny.  We ended our little swim in the large warming pool - that may have been her favourite part of the day.

It was an incredible afternoon.  I think we all walked out of there with grins plastered on our face.  If this is a glimpse of the exciting family times that we have to come....well, I say 'bring it on!'

First teacher crush

Today Andy had an IBI (Intensive Behaviour Intervention) with Meaghan.  Most mornings John has been making sure to already be downstairs playing with Andy when our therapist arrives so that the transition is smoother for him.  The neatest thing happened today...

When Meaghan came downstairs, Andy was in the ballpit with John.  Apparently when she walked into the playroom, Andy stopped playing and was watching her through the mesh wall of the pit right away.  As soon as he got out he RAN across the room to see Meaghan!  This is a big change and wonderful to see, but not the best news of the day.  As soon as Meaghan moved out of the way, Andy CLIMBED into his chair and sat down ready to work!

He even shocked Meaghan, as they usually start their session by playing for a few minutes together before they sit at the table!  What a guy....I think he may have his first teacher crush!

GFCF Baking Extravaganza!

Between yesterday and today it was a GFCF (Gluten Free Cassein Free) Baking Extravaganza!

In the course of this journey with Andy, I have discovered a passion and determination to make GFCF food taste so good that it won't matter if you're on the diet or not..you'll want to eat it!  When we first started on this path, it was quite daunting - you truly feel like there are so many things that you cannot eat you forget to think about all the options that you can use.

At the beginning, we started by buying all the pre-made GFCF packaged food.  My hubby & I quickly realised that we could make most of the products we were buying...and if anything make them tastier!  I think we have for the most part.

Today was a new chapter...someone asked me if I could make some Christmas baking for some family members that are also on the GFCF diet.  So taking it as an excuse to try some new recipes...and make some favourites I made up a tray of: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Coconut, Two Bite Brownies, Apple Cinnamon Cake and Chocolate Peppermint Squares.  I look forward to hearing the feedback, I mean they passed the "Andy" test, but it'll be interesting to hear what others have to say.

In your dreams...

Today, I got a phone call from my friend Kristy that told me she had a dream about Andy last night.

In her dream, they were on a walk.  As they were walking, Andy was pointing out and commenting on all the things around him.  She said it was a great dream, a "feel good" dream.  She (and I quote) woke up with that 'awwww' feeling.

It's funny, this isn't the first dream that's been had about Andy talking.  In fact, my sister and I have both had several over the past several months.  I don't have any doubt that Andy will talk.  Not in the least. 

However, I do think the dreams are God's way of sending little pieces of encouragement that we're taking the right path to help Andy be his best:)

So, if you happen to have a dream about Andy talking or otherwise....do me a favour and make sure to share with me.  It truly does give me that extra boost!

Fox News Interview - Vaccines Bad Combination

A fascinating discussion that was aired on Fox News with Dr. Sears (author of The Vaccine Book) on the combination of vaccines for children.  It is important to note that the biomedical community do not object to vaccinations...the objection is the amount of vaccine given in a short period of time.

Fox News Vaccines: Bad Combination?

As a family, in consultation with both our naturopath as well as our family doctor have decided to delay Emily's vaccines until she's 3 years old.

New government fund for ASD

Here's a summary of the announcement from the Ontario Goverment today... I've also included the link to the CTV article and the Ontario Govt site.

QUICK FACTS

• ABA is based on scientific principles of learning and behaviour. It reinforces positive behaviours, reduces problematic ones and helps kids with autism build the skills they need to learn and be more independent.
• Ontario is increasing its annual spending on autism by $25 million. Since 2003-04 the government has more than quadrupled autism investments to over $186.6 million.
• Since 2004, Ontario has committed more than $15 million to autism-related research.
• Ontario helped almost 800 families send their children and youth with ASD to March Break camps and over 1,100 to summer camps last year.

CTV News Article - Dec 14, 2010

Ontario Government News Room - Dec 14, 2010

While the fact that the government is recognizing the need to increase funding and support for Autism is amazing news, I am still sadened by how many kids won't get help. 

John & I often say that we're one of the lucky ones. 

We've had access to support from Lansdowne Children's Centre since November, 2009.  We were able to get Andy into a DAN doc (Defeat Autism Now) in June, 2010 and have been with Dr Sonya Doherty ND ever since.  We got our official diagnosis in August, 2010 and got Andy enrolled in private IBI (Intensive Behaviour Intervention) with an amazing school Teach 2 Learn.  And most importantly, Andy has been approved for Government Funding for IBI - even though it's a 2 year waitlist. 

We've accomplished all of this in just over a year...which can feel like a lifetime when you're a mommy in Autismland but it truly isn't.  Like I said, we're one of the lucky ones...but what about all those kids out there who aren't getting services?  Who need the same services that Andy does, but can't access them because the waitlists are so long and the strain on the services are so great that they have waits that are unimaginable?  Who have parents that are dedicated and loving but who's hands are tied thanks to government funding????

Really, there are many kids that are waiting at least 9 months just to see a speech therapist...never mind the even longer wait to be assessed for IBI funding...it's not right.

So yes, I don't want to seem ungrateful that the government is increasing Autism Funding by $25million...cuz I'm not - really - but I just wish all the kids could be counted as one of the lucky ones. 

So, thank you Ontario Government...just try to remember that while it's amazing to be giving the kids that have been approved for funding even more funding...but what about all those other little ones out there that need it just as much and can't get any?????????

Leaving us in his dust...

Our house has been on seclusion this weekend while fighting a flu bug.  The kids & I have been down for the count - so much so that we cancelled all plans for the weekend (even though we were supposed to do most of the hosting) and have not left the house.  This is the first time that we've ever done this, but I'm thinking God may have been sending us a message to let us know that it was time to take a break from being on overdrive!

This afternoon at lunch Andy did something for the first time that most parents would take for granted, but made me tear up.  In "speech therapy" talk it's called commenting.  It that ability of a person to initiate a discussion or topic of interest.  So think of taking a walk in the woods with your kid (or anyone really) and they see something they want you to notice....what would they do?  How would they make you notice it?

Most would point to the "bird" (for example) and say "Look".  Well, Andy has never done this....til today!!!!  John was walking past the kitchen window and Andy pointed.  John asked him what he was pointing at...and sure enough it was the curtains.  Andy has taken an interest in imitating (another new skill) us and loves to open and close the curtains.

So, it may not seem like a huge moment....but like I said - I had tears in my eyes.  Our little boy is catching up and making strides, I'm sure one day he'll leave us all in his dust!

Sometimes change is good

As mentionned before, this week was a week of change for Andy.  New preschool and new IBI worker.  These are not small things in a little boy's life, especially when he's 3years old - never mind the fact he's autistic!

I am happy to report that all my fears and concerns have been put to rest. 

Andy has already started a beautiful bond with his new worker...new Meaghan.  I have come to realize that I think this change just may work out for the better.  I can already see differences in approach and response from Andy.

Andy had an amazing first week at preschool.  Yesterday (day 2) he was already greeted by friends when he got there.  They start with an hour of playing outside and this is likely Andy's all time favourite way to start his day.  On Tuesday he was playing basketball (in his snowpants haha) with his resource assistant and loving his time outside. 

Hearing about his day yesterday though has confirmed in my heart of hearts that this new school is the right program for him... They were outside and a classmate came up to Andy with a sled.  He stood beside him waiting for a while and Andy's Resource Teacher asked him what he wanted.  The little boy said he wanted to pull Andy on the sled.  So Andy's RT suggested that he ask Andy to sit on the sled...and next thing you know they were playing away!  What a beautiful thing! 

Sometimes change is good:)

A week of changes and new beginnings...again

We were away for the weekend at my in-laws to celebrate Christmas with that side of the family.  It was a busy and exhausting weekend.  Andy had much trouble sleeping during the night, he was awake each night for 3 hours at a time.  It was difficult to settle him back down as there were so many people in the house there were not many options of where we could take him.  At one point, John ended up driving around in the middle of the night trying to get Andy back to sleep.
However, this was also a weekend of many successes!  I would actually say that the good easily outweighed the bad.  Andy had amazing days.  He played with everyone from his 3 year old cousin right up to his great-grandpa!  Andy was giving smiles and kisses to all...and playing games all weekend.  I don't know how many times a family member said "It's like you have a totally different kid!" 

Andy even honoured some of the family with sharing a few of his words in their presence including "apple, bye, bowl".  It's a big change that he's willing to say some words in front of others.  It was incredible to watch others get to play with Andy...and more importantly, Andy initiating play with them!

Today, Andy's new IBI worker started..also named Meaghan.  I am happy to say that it went extremely well.  Andy seemed to make a connection with her right away.  Lisa, the Teach 2 Learn assistant director, came out to help with the transition as well as tweek Andy's programming.  I have to admit I am feeling much better about this change.  The unexpected leaving of his original worker did leave a sour taste in my mouth...however, I think perhaps it might be for the best.

Andy even started to use a new word in IBI today "want"...it's an approximation...but it's there!!

Tomorrow, Andy starts at his new preschool.....I will keep my fingers crossed that it goes as well as today!  So many changes in one week for one little boy!

Apparently I am NOT in charge!

I learned a valuable lesson yesterday, apparently I'm NOT in charge?!?!?!  Who knew?  Certainly not me!

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a planner.  I plan everything I can.  I have a colour coded calendar for goodness sakes. 

I am happy when I have a plan, when we as a family have a plan. 

In fact, the times I feel out of control would be when there's no plan - or when someone messes with my plan!

Well, last night around 10:30pm I got an email advising me that Andy's IBI worker was no longer available due to her going off on sick leave due to a pregnancy.  I was quite thrown off, especially because there would be no transition between her and her replacement.  My other concern was that Andy is starting at his new preschool next week and that this was already going to be a huge transition for him - however one we'd planned for - and now we had another BIG transition for Andy in the same week.

I am pleased to say that once again I am pleased with Teach 2 Learn and how they responded to my concerns.  Andy's replacement has been chosen already and is currently being trained.  On Monday, Lisa, the assistant director, will come out and run Andy's session so that the new IBI worker can observe.  This way Andy can meet her and get used to her in a 'gentler' introduction.  Then on Friday, Andy's new worker will run the session, but Lisa will still be there to observe and help them off to a good start.

I must admit that I am still concerned at how hard next week will be on Andy.  This is a lot of change and transition for Andy to process all at once.  Transitions are hard for kids with Autism.  Andy does relatively well with change, in small doses, I am concerned this will be a really hard few weeks on our little man. 

However, I'm doing my best to trust that although I'm apparently not in charge, that perhaps God knows what he's doing.  And that He has a bigger plan for us and that all this change will actually work out for the better in the end!