The end of Elementry

  \It was bittersweet, but he did it!




The school year had finally come to an end.  'Milo was so excited on culmination day.  He did great too sitting through the long program, singing songs and finally receiving his certificate of completion. 
Soon it would be time for middle school, which he was also very excited about.




Honestly, I have not been looking forward to it.  But we had toured a school and liked it.  It looked like a good fit for him despite the Aut program would be new to the school.  But we felt confident and comfortable that he could do well there.  
Well, here goes nothing....TBC

20-some years ago, my cousin was diagnosed with Autism. I remember when I first heard. I asked my mom, what's that? She said she didn't know. I don't think any of us really did. It wasn't like now where you can just Google anything. There was no research available for us to do on our own. His mom and I are the same age and at the time she was living so far away from our very large family. I can't even image what it was like going through it all that far away from home. And now here we are, 20-some years later and still no concrete known cause or cure. And it continues to grow with more and more diagnosed every year. And those of us that are caregivers continue to press through, aimlessly as it feels at times. Even with all the progress in treatments, it seems like we're still so far from seeing the end of Autism as we know it. So we keep doing what we're doing to make living with Autism "livable". ‪#‎AutismAwareness‬ ‪#‎ThisIsOurNormal‬

My work-free, autism-free, kid-free, Lisa only day

A couple of weeks ago I hit a rough patch.  Between preparing for middle school, upcoming IEP, bad ABA session, I was feeling pretty worn out.  But as usual, I go to work, press on and move though life.  But on this particular day, my manager got me in a bad moment.  We were just having conversation when I broke down in tears at work.  I hate that.  But she didn't judge.  She's knows what I'm dealing with and she's amazingly understanding.  She said, "You need a day off.  Every time you take a day off it's for your kids, your mom or school; you need a Lisa day!  Take a mental health day and go get a massage.  Don't tell anyone, just leave in the morning like you're coming to work and take the whole day off for yourself"  Can you imagine that!?  It was so refreshing to just be vulnerable and allow someone to help me thru a rough moment.... I don't like asking for help.  But you know what, everyone deserve a little help in their life once in a while.  She said, "by tomorrow, I want you to come up with a day that you will take off, and it has to be soon... not 3 weeks from now, not a month from now, but like in the next week or two."  Then next day I came in and found a note from my manager with a purchased massage that said "for your Lisa day, from your friend, not your manager".  WOW.  Such a wonderful gesture and I'm so thankful to be blessed with wonderful friends.
So today, I had my Lisa day.  And it was wonderful.  After I dropped off the kids at school I went to Starbucks in the morning, got myself some coffee and a croissant and sat and enjoyed it.  Not feeling rushed, not thinking about anything work or home related.  Just sitting there enjoying the time.  From there I drove out to Valencia and did some window shopping, taking my time till my massage appointment.  I hadn't had a massage in years and it was such a treat.  It was ridiculously relaxing.  It really got rid of the stress I had in my shoulders for the past few weeks.  After that I had some lunch and drove back to the valley.  Went to the mall and did some more window shopping.  Stopped by a new store and just went in to look around, but ended up buying a dress for a wedding I'm going to.  Went and got a Jamba Juice and sat outside enjoying the nice weather till it was time to go home.  
It's always hard for me to make time for myself.  Even when the kids are gone for a weekend I always end up doing loads of laundry, researching stuff, running errands and never really do anything "me" related.  But it's like they say, you can't take care of other people if you don't take care of you first.

Middle school... bleh

A few weeks ago we had parent/teacher conference for 'Milo. Overall, the teacher had a pretty good report for him. He said he is doing well in Math and has made real improvement in his spelling words (heck yeah, we worked HARD on that one!). He did say he needs to improve his reading. He does read everyday, so we just need to get his reading speed up. He also said although 'Milo qualifies for Summer School, he didn't feel that he was in any real need for it. I'll have to admit, I agree with this one. Last year, the Summer School teach he had never sent home any homework. And the work I did see, was review of past grades and not much of his current grade. The teacher said he didn't have any concerns for 'Milo regressing over the summer. So this will be his first summer off... aside from the work sheets I'll leave for him to do during the day.
Then the dreaded topic came up: Middle School. I can't believe it's that time.
The teacher had the school 'Milo has been assigned to. The school has an all-Aut program; some school Special Ed programs consists of ALL disabilities. He explained that he would be assigned 4 classes; Math, Social Studies, History, Language Arts. Then he will have a home room, an elective and PE. That's when my stomach dropped. PE. I hadn't even thought about that. Changing in a gym locker room with other boys. Will he remember to put away his clothes/glasses/shoes in his locker? Will he remember his locker combination? Will he be picked on by other kids if he can't get the instructions down during PE? So many things go through my head that make me want to quit my job and go to the school everyday to keep him safe and protected. Obviously that is not an option. But I've had this sick pain from worry in my stomach since then. ‪#‎AutismMom‬ ‪#‎ThingsThatKeepMeUpAtNight‬

The story behind World Autism Awareness Day

I was listening to Autism Live a couple of weeks ago and Shannon explained how World Autism Awareness Day came to be. I found it really interesting that is was implemented by the United Nations who UNANIMOUSLY declared April 2 as the day. Here is the decoration from the United Nations web site:
"The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of children and adults, who are affected by autism, so they can lead full and meaningful lives."
"World Autism Awareness Day
The General Assembly Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome
and the United Nations Millennium Declaration, as well as the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic, social and related fields, Recalling also the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, according to which children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community, as well as the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children, Affirming that ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities is critical to achieving internationally agreed development goals, Aware that autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life and results from a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, mostly affecting children in many countries irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status, and characterized by impairments in social interaction, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and restricted, repetitive behaviour, interests and activities, Deeply concerned by the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent development challenges to long-term health care, education, training and intervention programmes undertaken by Governments,
non-governmental organizations and the private sector, as well as its tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies,
Recalling that early diagnosis and appropriate research and interventions are vital to the growth and development of the individual,
1. Decides to designate 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day, to be observed every year beginning in 2008;
2. Invites all Member States, relevant organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to observe World Autism Awareness Day in an appropriate manner, in order to raise public awareness of autism;
3. Encourages Member States to take measures to raise awareness throughout society, including at the family level, regarding children with autism;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of all Member States and United Nations organizations."

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A Note of Thanks

To the nice nurse who helped treat 'Milo in the ER last night, THANK YOU!

It all started with a call from the school that 'Milo was coughing and coughing and needed his inhaler.  His asthma was acting up again.  The second time in two weeks.  So I got to the school with his inhaler and decided to take him to his doctor.  The inhaler seemed to be doing it's job while we waited.  She saw him, checked is vitals and he seemed to be doing good.  We got him some new inhalers and went home.  Everything seemed fine. 

11:30pm came around and the coughing began again.  I could hear the wheezing, and shortness of breath.  Not again!!  My poor little guy.  I hate to see him going thru this.  I didn't want to take a chance, so off to the ER we went.  It was unusually light at the ER; only a few people were in the waiting room.  I checked him in and they wasted no time and took him in right away.  He got settled on a gurney and the doctor came in to give him a quick check.  It was clear his breathing was not well.  He ordered a breathing treatment, check for flu, X-Ray, blood work and IV then went on his way so they could get started.  It was then that our nurse came in.  She listened to his breathing and let him listen too.  He was amazed by this. She was very nice and explained everything very thoroughly.  She then came in and gave him a stethoscope of his very own.  His face lite up.  It was time to get started.  They put a mask on him to start the breathing treatment and the nurse told him, "we need to take some of your blood now".  He began to make those squealy, whimpering noises he makes when I know he's uncomfortable or scared about a situation.  She started to say to him, "come on, you're a big boy, don't be like that", but quickly realized he was not like other 10 year olds that she' probably treated before.  Her tone was stern, but quickly pulled back into a softer tone.  It was obvious he was overwhelmed.   He had this mask on blowing medication into his face and people there waiting around to take test after test.  She had all the commotion stop so she could explain to him what was going on.  She explained the blood work and how being calm and breathing normally would make it quick and painless.  He listened to her and when he was ready they took his blood.  She told him, "I am so proud of you!  You did so great!"  Next it was time for the IV.  She explained it all to him, let him touch everything before she did anything.  again he was calm and the IV was placed.  I told him he was a better patient than me!  She took the IV pouch and showed him how to start the drip and she let him do that too.  She gave him a scan gun and let him scan his wrist band and all the medications.  She told him he was her best patient that day.  I was so happy that she was able to keep him relaxed and calm.  As they finished up all of his tests, her shift was ending.  She came in to tell him she would be leaving and thanked him for being so great and how proud she was of him.  He was smiling and happy and told her to have a good night.  I'm so thankful for the care she gave 'Milo.  It certainly made things a lot less stressful, for both of us!  As we sat and waited for his test results he was wide awake, so he watched Minecraft videos to past the time.  Around 2:30 the doctor came in to check his breathing again and was pleased it was better.  He also told us that all of the tests came back normal and was ready to discharge.  We got back home at 3am.  He excitedly told Grammy how brave he was and what a big boy he was and proudly told her he didn't cry.  All because of one very special nurse :)

Halloween fun!

Another Halloween has come to an end.  The boys get more excited every new year and thankfully 'Milo can handle it.  He's always done well and we've always taken him trick-or-treating.  Some of the costume are a little scary for him, but he's he does OK.  I see him get a little frighten, but a little excited at the same time.  It's a good 'ol healthy dose without being overwhelming.  But last night, for the first time, I could see the excitement wear off his face.  He started to be come quiet, looking around in the darkness.  Staring at people.  Even the unicorn mask I wore lost it's luster to him, even though he had bee so amused by it when we left the house.  When we started off, it was still a bit light, but the overcast sky brought the night on much quicker.  And the area we walk literally had no street lights.  It was quite a busy and long day.  Both kids were pretty tired by 7:15, but 'Milo's eyes were big and on the verge of teary.  I said "are you all done son?"  He said "yes" in a very tiny voice.  "OK, let go" I said, and home we went. 

When we got to the house and it was time to go with dad, 'Milo said, "I'm gonna miss you".  I said "dad is going to protect you and keep you safe just like I would".  I think he was stressed so I'm glad we stopped when we did.  I gave him a hug and a kiss and reminded me I would see him at his soccer game the next day.  I'm glad he can enjoy the holiday like other kids...at least for a while :)