Movie Time

Posted by Dad Enough

The Monster, being in a regular public school, gets the same rewards and treatment as the other children that attend his school, even if he’s not aware of what those things are.

We got a notice today that, as part of being in this regular school and having perfect attendance for the prior quarter, that he’s getting a reward of being able to see a movie later this week. They’re showing Wreck It Ralph for the younger kids (pre-K to 4), and a separate film for the bigger kids, with a note sent home for us to sign if we don’t want him to see it. Continue reading →

To Each Their Own

Posted by Dad Enough

I hear a lot about how children with Autism “play” with toys.

Now, when I read about other kids – and indeed, when I watch the Monster with his toys – a lot of play involves making the wheels spin, or the like. It’s not what the toy was perhaps meant for, but it’s what entertains or fascinates them. Continue reading →

Not Quite Fusion

Posted by Dad Enough

I’m so accustomed to over-preparing for the Monster’s behavior when it gets ‘late’ that I think sometimes we overreact in advance.

We tend to plan to be back at our house by bedtime with the children – neither of them really ‘handles’ being in public well much past that point. This means being home before eight on most evenings, or perhaps at the grandparents’ where we can tuck them in. Continue reading →

Motivation, Nom Nom

Posted by Dad Enough

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how electronic devices are a motivation for the Monster. (See What’s My Motivation) And, indeed, they are – it’s something that we know he’ll happily play with and devote attention to, and that he’s at least picking up a few good things from.

On the other hand, the electronics are not a motivation when it comes to his homework. This still has been an ongoing struggle, and while I do sympathize… he has to get it done. Continue reading →

No No No!

Posted by Dad Enough

Most of the time, the Monster’s nicely compliant with what we want him to do. Lately, however, he’s started to be more defiant when it comes to doing what we ask, and that’s definitely a step backwards with regards to how his behavior’s going. Continue reading →

Mess Mode

Posted by Dad Enough

I don’t quite know why I’m surprised when I come home to find things a mess.

I mean, okay, I was a kid once upon a time, and heaven knows I had enough trouble keeping things clean. I remember at one point in college that I had a path from my door to my bed and desk, and the rest of the room was a disaster. Continue reading →

What’s My Motivation?

Posted by Dad Enough

The Monster loves his electronic devices.

I think, given the opportunity, he’d happily run the iPad down to zero battery life on a daily basis. He’s long known how to handle the various iDevices around our house and the Nooks as well, so he’s been – in that realm – as electronically-fluent as most kids his own age. Continue reading →

Morning Routines

Posted by Dad Enough

We’re very blessed, I think, that during the school week, the Monster’s able to cope with how things vary on what’s supposed to be a fixed schedule. Continue reading →

Managing Idle Time

Posted by Dad Enough

The problem for the weekends in general is the lack of structure.

I’ve mentioned this before – the Monster works better with a concrete structure in his life rather than the disorder of a weekend. So during the school week, he has things he can do and then only a few hours of unorganized time, but then Saturday comes around and everything’s left open. Continue reading →

Monster See…

Posted by Dad Enough

I’m so used to what the Monster does and doesn’t do that it throws me sometimes when he starts to do something different. Continue reading →