I haven't had a whole lot to post lately. Day to day, week to week, month to month things stay pretty consistent and you can follow along on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/galensautismadventure/ if you'd like the more consistent updates.
This actual update brought to you by Flint's diagnosis of Autism and disruptive disorder, with possible ADHD when older, coming yesterday, September 28, 2017.
So, now, we have 2 kids on completely different parts of the spectrum. Not shocked. Just so excited someone else saw it! Now we're starting the fun process of getting her into therapy as well.
Flint, Mommy, and Galen
Friday, September 29, 2017
Thursday, April 13, 2017
2 Year Anniversary!
2 years ago, Galen was diagnosed with Autism and developmental delays. This scares so many people, but we already knew and were just waiting on a diagnosis for almost a year.
It's been almost 6 months since I last updated. I've been keeping his Facebook page more up to date (for anyone interested https://www.facebook.com/galensautismadventure/).
Tinkergarten ended and we didn't join it again this semester (too expensive!). We put Galen and Flint in swimming right before Thanksgiving. We quit swimming in March. The kids had both learned to safely wait for us to get in and how to get out on their own. This is very important, even if Galen usually hates water. But they stalled and weren't learning anything else for a few weeks, and swimming lessons aren't cheap, so we quit. I put Galen in gymnastics the last week of March. He loved the first class, but hated the next 2, so we quit that. Once we left and I told him he didn't have to do it anymore, he was so happy and talkative. He may be non-verbal, but he can definitely tell us what he likes and dislikes most of the time now.
We now have 5 1/2 week old kitties that are teaching the kids all about birthing and growing up (and death, since 2 didn't survive). The stray cat gave birth. She's such a mean cat that she won't be staying here, but the kitties are freaking adorable! We got their half-brother (~7 months old) neutered this week and he went blind. Apparently this is a common enough side effect, but incredibly rare at the same time. So, now we're going to learn how to take care of a kitty that can't see.
We've been having lots of sleeping issues lately. I took Galen off melatonin because he was no longer sleeping soundly (nightmares, moving constantly) and would wake up, unable to sleep again on it. Since then, sleep hasn't been on a schedule at all really. Some nights he's up til 4am-7am and then sleeping most of the day. But, he sleeps soundly and doesn't wake up once he does fall asleep!
We switched Galen's therapy to Open Door Pediatric Therapy. We pay out of pocket ($288/month) to see them. Galen has 30mins/once a week Occupational Therapy. Previously he was having 1 1/2hours/twice a week of Physical Therapy, Occupational and Speech Therapy focused on feeding for free (Medicaid covered it). We officially started there on January 31st.
We started a routine with the new them. We start with squeezing his arms and legs in the morning for deep pressure. Massaging his cheeks for mouth moving food issues. A squeezing of the middle of the hands (some reflex designed to help food issues). Squeezing his fingers around one of mine for the grasp reflex and rubbing down fingers. Laying on his back, moving his hips back and forth by holding his legs. A couple hours later, we do brushing up and down his legs, arms, stomach, and back, followed by jumping on the couch a few times. He takes brushing better if not right after squeezing. We're adding "grounding" as of last week, pushing down his shoulders, rubbing down his sides, then pushing down his hips, and rubbing down his legs.
These are all getting results, especially the grasping reflex, but we only started them about 7 weeks ago, so he still resists often.
We are still in dance with Miss Mistie and Miss Ariel (Galen's new aide this semester). He is loving it so much! Always trying so hard now. Doing so many new things. Flint comes home and shows the moves off, but doesn't want to participate yet.
Galen is eating nuggets almost daily now! Such a huge improvement!
I'm going to end here because pizza is ready.
It's been almost 6 months since I last updated. I've been keeping his Facebook page more up to date (for anyone interested https://www.facebook.com/galensautismadventure/).
Tinkergarten ended and we didn't join it again this semester (too expensive!). We put Galen and Flint in swimming right before Thanksgiving. We quit swimming in March. The kids had both learned to safely wait for us to get in and how to get out on their own. This is very important, even if Galen usually hates water. But they stalled and weren't learning anything else for a few weeks, and swimming lessons aren't cheap, so we quit. I put Galen in gymnastics the last week of March. He loved the first class, but hated the next 2, so we quit that. Once we left and I told him he didn't have to do it anymore, he was so happy and talkative. He may be non-verbal, but he can definitely tell us what he likes and dislikes most of the time now.
We now have 5 1/2 week old kitties that are teaching the kids all about birthing and growing up (and death, since 2 didn't survive). The stray cat gave birth. She's such a mean cat that she won't be staying here, but the kitties are freaking adorable! We got their half-brother (~7 months old) neutered this week and he went blind. Apparently this is a common enough side effect, but incredibly rare at the same time. So, now we're going to learn how to take care of a kitty that can't see.
We've been having lots of sleeping issues lately. I took Galen off melatonin because he was no longer sleeping soundly (nightmares, moving constantly) and would wake up, unable to sleep again on it. Since then, sleep hasn't been on a schedule at all really. Some nights he's up til 4am-7am and then sleeping most of the day. But, he sleeps soundly and doesn't wake up once he does fall asleep!
We switched Galen's therapy to Open Door Pediatric Therapy. We pay out of pocket ($288/month) to see them. Galen has 30mins/once a week Occupational Therapy. Previously he was having 1 1/2hours/twice a week of Physical Therapy, Occupational and Speech Therapy focused on feeding for free (Medicaid covered it). We officially started there on January 31st.
We started a routine with the new them. We start with squeezing his arms and legs in the morning for deep pressure. Massaging his cheeks for mouth moving food issues. A squeezing of the middle of the hands (some reflex designed to help food issues). Squeezing his fingers around one of mine for the grasp reflex and rubbing down fingers. Laying on his back, moving his hips back and forth by holding his legs. A couple hours later, we do brushing up and down his legs, arms, stomach, and back, followed by jumping on the couch a few times. He takes brushing better if not right after squeezing. We're adding "grounding" as of last week, pushing down his shoulders, rubbing down his sides, then pushing down his hips, and rubbing down his legs.
These are all getting results, especially the grasping reflex, but we only started them about 7 weeks ago, so he still resists often.
We are still in dance with Miss Mistie and Miss Ariel (Galen's new aide this semester). He is loving it so much! Always trying so hard now. Doing so many new things. Flint comes home and shows the moves off, but doesn't want to participate yet.
In this video, from yesterday, you can see Galen trying to do the bend at the knees ballet move all on his own.
We are attending so many homeschooling events. The kids learned about pollution and how to clean it up and how it affects fish (in a story where the fish died) for our Earth Day co-op. We also painted Earth in a ziplock and made slime. Today we did art from a 1 point perspective. Galen wasn't into it, but Flint chose colors and helped me draw with the ruler before running off to play.Galen is eating nuggets almost daily now! Such a huge improvement!
I'm going to end here because pizza is ready.
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