Pumpkins anyone?

My son loves to play the online game Poptropica (http://www.poptropica.com). For the Halloween/autumn season, one of the games involves having your character roll pumpkins up a hill and through a log. My son was getting frustrated with this so I brought him outside to roll our own pumpkins (up the sidewalk and steps to our front door.) One way to work through a computer or pen and paper task is to add movement. Give it a try! You will be surprised at how creative you can be and how much fun you and your loved one can have. Remember: it's not that you get into a conflict...it's what you do to get out that matters most.

Lessons from Horses

I'm all about capitalizing on naturally occurring events by turning them into life lessons. Coincidentally, on the very same day that my son threw an outrageous tantrum at school, a horse that another girl was riding during my son's lesson time also threw a bit of a fit. Once it was determined that the girl was alright, I took my son aside and showed him how the horse was quickly recovering from his fit. Plus, my son had witnessed first hand the fit so I pointed out how it looks/feels like to be around someone throwing a fit. We talked about using calm voice and quiet hands (rather than throwing furniture!). I couldn't have planned and timed that scene if I tried and I'm grateful the trainer worked quietly and calmly with the horse. Keep your eyes open for teachable moments and be creative with your approach. I'd love to hear your stories:-)

Horses and Autism

Looking forward to tonight's horse lessons with my son. We discovered many benefits of horse riding and care: increased language; eye contact; following directions; sitting balance; right and left orientation; social interaction with teacher and peers; and of course the ever challenging task of transitioning out of this preferred activity and into the task of returning home. Also, he gets so hungry that he is more willing to try new foods for dinner and snack! Last night he ate his very first bite of fish (Chilean Sea Bass). Check with your local resources to see if there are programs that work with those with special needs.

Cool Catalogs

Check out http://www.homeimprovements.com for a variety of holiday and everyday products to make life easier. Also check out http://www.bhg.com/  for more ideas, including recipes.

Any Day Can Be Spooky

This week started with my son (the one with autism) throwing a major tantrum at school. Because the teachers had to resort to using restraint, I wondered what in the world triggered the outburst. My Occupational Therapy training taught me to ask, "Why?" "What is bothering this child?" So along with continued use of behavior modification and visual cues, I took my son to see the doctor. I suspected his allergies/nasal congestion might be causing an infection or pain. Turns out he has a sinus infection + his ear drums were in spasms. We added antibiotics and ear drops and what do you know...the next day he was his usual happy self. :-) When your child is acting up, just remember to ask yourself, "Why?" Then keep an open mind and follow the leads.

military families with autism

Just saw an ad on tv for http://www.acttodayformilitaryfamilies.org. Can you imagine the situation (or maybe you already live the situation) in which one spouse stays home with a child with autism while the other spouse is deployed??? Either one of those roles is extremely stressful so the combination must be over-the-top stressful.

Anti Anxiety Lotion & Mist

Massage Therapist recommended I try the lotion or mist version of her newly discovered Sparitual Geranium product. (70% organic). I purchased the mist bottle ($28.00) and it does smell very good. She sprays it on her son's pillow at night. I sprayed some on my shirt this afternoon and I can still smell it. On really stressful days maybe I'll use it as an air freshener:-)

Solutions

For the holiday season, our son with autism used to literally freak out with changes in decor, lights, fireplace...and that giant pine tree! Check http://www.solutions.com for a wide variety of alternative decor ideas and products. Also check http://www.potterybarn.com for the no-flame candles that run on batteries. You can set them to come on automatically and they turn off automatically after several hours.

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