I spent a good deal of the weekend on childcare duty by myself, so between the baby and the Monster, I had my hands full.
One thing I’ve noticed is that the Monster is getting over his fear of the toilet, which in itself is a step forward. Continue reading
Now that I’m back from my business trip, we’re getting into our summer schedule with the Monster.
Because we weren’t given ESY, we’ve arranged for some summer therapy to take the place of what the city should be offering. Fortunately, my company gives us excellent insurance and it covers enough speech and OT that I don’t have to shell out much from my own pocket. (That said, I’ll actually be hitting my out-of-pocket maximum this year anyway, much of that due to the birth of child #2… but it’s encouragement to see if another plan would suit us better.) To ensure that he gets everything he needs and appropriate social interactions, this is going to entail a lot of running around. Continue reading
Today’s my last day on my business trip – it’ll be good to get back home so I can play with the kids.
But on that topic. While I’ve been away, my wife arranged for a playdate for the Monster to entertain him, seeing as this is the gap week between school and camp. Two children his own age came over to play, while she was social with their mother. Continue reading
Last night was the first time that we’ve tried to use Skype while I’ve been traveling.
He really loves technology – he can use an iPad or iPod without too much trouble, and he loves to play with our Nooks. It’s not too difficult for him to get into the books or games he wants to play at any given time. But to date, we’ve kept him off of our computers. Continue reading
My job is very flexible – it’s one of the reasons I enjoy working where I do. I get, within reason, accommodations to work from home if I need to be lending an extra hand, and my schedule itself can be shifted around to allow for running carpools and the like.
One thing that isn’t flexible sometimes, though, is travel. Continue reading
I mentioned in my prior post that I had a minor issue when I took the Monster to the park on Saturday. This isn’t a new problem and it’s one that I’ve heard from more than a few parents with kids with an ASD.
The Monster likes to roam. Specifically, he likes to wander/walk/run off when it suits him, without giving warning as to when/where he’s going. Continue reading
Having gotten used to the fact that the Monster’s use of language is very literal, it’s a bit surprising when he takes a flying leap off into something more imaginative. As I’ve discussed in earlier writings, he’s got this great tendency to either describe his surroundings or get caught up in what he wants, rather than letting his mind wander.
A good example is the ADOS – he knows the concept of a birthday party, and so he can do the birthday party game fairly well when presented with it, but given the dolls and things of a similar nature at home, he wouldn’t generally put them together into that format unless we prompt him to do it. Continue reading
We live in a culture where everyone decorates their cars with their personal causes. In years like this one, political bumper stickers abound. In the neighborhood where we live, religious themed bumper stickers are more commonly seen. All over town, you see magnetic decals for sports teams and pet causes.
It’s against that backdrop that the wife and I have been debating whether or not we should put something for autism on our cars. Continue reading
I’ve been around children enough to know that they’re going to be a handful at various times. I spent most Saturday nights during my teenaged years babysitting for a family around the corner (and I don’t count when I used to watch my sibs because, frankly, one’s own sibs are going to be enough of a handful when you’re left in charge), and I’ve been around friends’ children enough. Plus, my mother was a nursery school teacher, which gave me ample opportunity to see how children around the Monster’s age act. Continue reading
Like all little boys, the Monster loves his toys. Our living room has often been an unimaginable clutter of his toys since he likes to empty out his toy box, and he’s not always the greatest at remembering to clean up or wanting to be cooperative and do so.
The toys he really likes, though, are computers. Continue reading