autism daily

Computer

Collin is finally using the computer on his own. I am so glad because I have been working on the computer with him for a couple of years. He is now in control of the mouse and can play on a kids sites like playhouse Disney or headsprout very well. I recommend both sites for kids. I am happy for him because he enjoys the computer and it is something he can do on his own. I informed the teachers at school about this new interest and skill and they have entered him into the computer lab class with his typical kindergarten class that he spends part of the day with. It has taken quite a while and some patience to teach him this but it is now worth it. I could probably say that for just about everything with Collin. I hope you all have patience and will and that will help you with your own kids!

Cupcake

Well, Collin's special ed teacher just called from school. She wanted to go over Collin's report card because I had e-mailed his regular ed teacher with some questions, but this teacher can answer them better. She also called to let me know that a Mom at Collin's school brought  cupcakes and gave him one at lunch. Most of the parents are aware of Collin's diet. Collin has been gluten and casein free since he was two. We have not had many "accidents" in following this diet.  If there is a birthday at school, I just send in a gfcf cupcake or cookie so he can participate in the celebration. I really have started to dislike how so many meaningful events in life are centered around food and mostly food that is bad for us, but that is for another day. As far as the gfcf diet goes,in the beginning, I would say it took us a few months to get it all straight and under control. It seemed like gluten was everywhere. Once we found the right stores, websites, and things to look out for...it became easy. It was much easier starting him out on it at two rather than trying to start later in life. Many people ask us if we eat gluten free, but we don't. I have a 2 year old who does not eat dairy and my husband and I do not drink cow's milk and have limited dairy products. If we do they are organic. The gfcf diet helped Collin immediately and in a huge way. He started sleeping through the night just a couple days into this diet and he became more focused. The diet is just one of the many things we do, but it plays an important role to overcoming autism in our world. So, we will see what happens with the cupcake. I will let you know how the rest of the day and night goes when I post tomorrow. Christy Butch

Going Potty

Collin became extremely fearful of going to sit on the potty recently. He would hold having a bowel movement for days. The longest was 13 days. (My husband used an enema) This became of vicious cycle of him holding it because it was painful to go. This would also make him very very "stimmy". Finally we talked to Dr. Susan about it and she suggested trying to make it fun somehow. Collin really relates well to things when we turn them into a game. For example, he was terrified of the clippers at the barber shop. We started to call them "buzzy" and sing songs with it and play with it when it was not time to get a haircut. It made this situation better the next time and we are still working on it. So, we decorated the potty and sink with Snoopy valentines and put a portable DVD player on a stool. He now goes in and sits  the potty for 20 minutes or so each day and has continued to "go" on a regular basis. It has been a huge relief. We were very stressed out about this behavior. The next step will be to get him to go with out a video. We will muster up some more energy and proceed with that task in the near future.For now, we are pretty sure he "scams" us into sitting on the potty occasionally so he can watch a favorite video, but at least he is going and it is making him a happier and less "stimmy" child.

Talent Show

Collin sang in the choir in his school talent show with the rest of his kindergarten class last night. We did not know what to expect, but he did great and had fun. He sang most of the songs. He "zoned out" a little but did many of the hand motions the kids had been taught and he sat quietly when appropriate. He was too cute. I have video footage I will try to upload in the next few days.