April is Autism awareness month, so I would like to take this opputunity to share how Autism has changed our lives. I will try to post something for every day. For more information on Autism visit Autism Speaks.
April 1st.
The change of Seasons
For a lot of kids the change in seasons can really throw them for a loop. When the weather changes from Summer to Fall, and from Spring to Summer all of Kellen's senses are heightened. One of the hardest things during this time is to get him to take a bath. I'm really not sure what it is about the bath, but it is very traumatic for him. He will go weeks with out bathing if we let him. So he will get 2 maybe 3 baths in a week, that last bout 10 seconds, and are full of screaming, crying, fighting, hitting, and a lot more. It's hard to force him into the tub when I know it's so over whelming for him. And just as quick as it comes on, the next day he's totally fine. Every day is very unpredictable.
April 2nd
Public Play ares
I know for a lot of you taking your kids to the park is a lot of fun, and probably relaxing, but not for us. Taking Kellen to the park is very stressful for me! Because Kellen still does not know how to interact with other kids, I need to maintain very close contact so that I can intervene when necessary. He gets really close to kids, touching there faces and grabbing there arms. He likes to push and tackle kids, And the other mothers don't really like that. Kellen likes to run off and wander off, so I can't take my eyes off him for a second. Kellen also has no concept of stranger danger, or staying out of the road. Then when it comes time to leave, there is the inevitable meltdown, where I end up carrying Kellen off the park kicking and screaming. Then I get to hear Kellen cry and scream for the next hour or 2. It's not like this every time, and when it's not I thank the Lord for this special moment that he as givin Kellen and I.
April 3rd
Church
One of our biggest challenges right now is going to Church. It's sad to say, but at this current moment Kellen has not gone to Church in about 2 months! And Preston and I take turns going every other Sunday. Since moving away from Idaho we haven't had the same support and help that we got there. Kellen needs constant attention and gets very overwhelmed & over stimulated. When that happens he needs to be taken out of class to calm down. But neither Preston or I can do that. Preston is teaching and I am, more often then not, in the mothers lounge with Sara. So with out an aid Kellen would be very disruptive and violent. Up until last summer Kellen was still going to the nursery, but now they won't let him come unless I agree to stay with him. He is just so much bigger then all the other kids, and can push and hit. We have been in this ward since August and they still have not found someone to be with Kellen during class time. I could go on and on about this topic but I won't, It's just really hard to keep asking for help and getting nothing resolved. I've thought about going and just dropping Kellen off in class and let them deal with it, and let them see just how much help Kellen needs, but that would be bad on so many levels. Sundays are just a hard day for Kellen, and require A LOT of Patience.
4 comments:
I'm sorry for the lack of support. It has to be hard. My aunt has two autistic children and they also are unable to go to church together. They have to take turns. It is really hard for her to go anywhere. Her children are happy at home and very unhappy anywhere else. I know from being around her and her two little kids how hard it is. I wish you luck and think that you are doing an amazing job. We miss you guys. Let us know if you are ever around Rexburg again. ;)
Oh I need to call you some time. I'm a primary president and demand support from my ward with children that need extra help. It took me sitting on the floor in the hall with a crying baby and Ofa climbing up a wall for it to kick in to the bishoprich that I was serious. but luckily we have some awsome people in our ward who have had to work with adhd and autistic children. sometimes you just have to break down and express to those around you that you need help! I keep praying for you! You are a strong momma!
We have talked to the bishop & primary pres. more then a dozen times!!! And there is another boy in our ward that has autism and he has an aid and everything. So yeah... You can see why it is a challenge.
Oh Terri Girl I miss you! My heart goes out to you. I can't even imagine how much a challenge this is for you.
You are so amazing! Kellen and Sara Love are sooo blessed to have you as a mommy!
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