liquidcrystalcompass Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 I want to get married and have children one day. And though I'm advancing in years, the men in my family have been able to hold their ........uh hum.....man hood. cocka doodle doo!!!!!!! I'm intimidated by the number (percentage wise) of the children born with autism. And I'm sure not all were born with it. This thread has really made me think a lot about the possibilities. Thanks for that GG. I wasn't aware at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus The God Of Balance Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Jun 26 2008, 03:23 PM) I think we need some adjustments...but we're going to have to wait on the children's behavioral specialist to schedule an appt. He is doing OKAY...sleeping much better, still a few meltdowns but most aren't long-lasting. Still a lot of room for improvement. And CGOB...I don't feel brave for trying this. Things had just gotten so bad we didn't feel we had a choice. I understand how bad things can get, so for you to say you had no choice, I know how bad that must be. I'm sure it will take a while. We put Sharon's 12 year old son on ADD medicine. He's been taking it for 4 months now and he's improving, but still could probably stand to have his meds adjusted somewhat. The big difference is that Stephen can't articulate how he's feeling. I'm proud of you for taking that step GG. I know how hard it must have been for you to do that, even though you said you didn't have a choice. I don't think people who aren't in your shoes can truly understand just how difficult things must have been for you to make that decision. We always keep you guys in our prayers up here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted June 27, 2008 Author Share Posted June 27, 2008 Thanks, Cygnus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolinda Bonz Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 You are worth it You are worth the trouble and effort required to make your life the best it can possibly be. There is so very much you have to express, to give, to experience and to contribute to the magnificent fabric of life. You are worth the discomfort and frustration that you'll regularly need to get through. You are worth the pain that the world will sometimes offer. For within you is the capacity for great joy and astounding achievement. Within you are beautiful and worthy dreams that long to be fulfilled. You are one of a kind and you are filled with a driving purpose. You are worth whatever it takes to give that special purpose a lasting and meaningful expression. Yes, the disappointments, inconveniences, pains, problems and annoyances will surely and steadily come. Yet they are indeed quite trivial compared to the precious possibilities that live within you. Make whatever efforts necessary, endure whatever setbacks you must, move forward through whatever challenges may come along. For there is no question that you are worth it. -- Ralph Marston i dunno if this is for me i dunno if this is for Tim. maybe its for everybody. but it sure felt good to read it this morning. i hope it will help somebody else today too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundog Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 QUOTE (Rolinda Bonz @ Jul 8 2008, 02:48 PM) You are worth it You are worth the trouble and effort required to make your life the best it can possibly be. There is so very much you have to express, to give, to experience and to contribute to the magnificent fabric of life. You are worth the discomfort and frustration that you'll regularly need to get through. You are worth the pain that the world will sometimes offer. For within you is the capacity for great joy and astounding achievement. Within you are beautiful and worthy dreams that long to be fulfilled. You are one of a kind and you are filled with a driving purpose. You are worth whatever it takes to give that special purpose a lasting and meaningful expression. Yes, the disappointments, inconveniences, pains, problems and annoyances will surely and steadily come. Yet they are indeed quite trivial compared to the precious possibilities that live within you. Make whatever efforts necessary, endure whatever setbacks you must, move forward through whatever challenges may come along. For there is no question that you are worth it. -- Ralph Marston i dunno if this is for me i dunno if this is for Tim. maybe its for everybody. but it sure felt good to read it this morning. i hope it will help somebody else today too. You ARE worth it, honey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 QUOTE (Rolinda Bonz @ Jul 8 2008, 01:48 PM) You are worth it You are worth the trouble and effort required to make your life the best it can possibly be. There is so very much you have to express, to give, to experience and to contribute to the magnificent fabric of life. You are worth the discomfort and frustration that you'll regularly need to get through. You are worth the pain that the world will sometimes offer. For within you is the capacity for great joy and astounding achievement. Within you are beautiful and worthy dreams that long to be fulfilled. You are one of a kind and you are filled with a driving purpose. You are worth whatever it takes to give that special purpose a lasting and meaningful expression. Yes, the disappointments, inconveniences, pains, problems and annoyances will surely and steadily come. Yet they are indeed quite trivial compared to the precious possibilities that live within you. Make whatever efforts necessary, endure whatever setbacks you must, move forward through whatever challenges may come along. For there is no question that you are worth it. -- Ralph Marston i dunno if this is for me i dunno if this is for Tim. maybe its for everybody. but it sure felt good to read it this morning. i hope it will help somebody else today too. Beautiful. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of Megadon Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 QUOTE (Rolinda Bonz @ Jul 8 2008, 01:48 PM)i hope it will help somebody else today too. It did...thanks. I'm glad to see this thread here. My son has autism as well. He's 13 now, diagnosed at 2. I thought it would get easier as he got older. Ha! I laugh at my silly notions. ha ha ha... seriously, i laugh. What else can i do? We get up, we do what we do, we argue, we disagree.... and then, tonight, he stands over me as I lay half dozing on the couch, puts his hand on my hair...and says, "Mommy, you must have fallen asleep" "I printed this picture for you..." And just when I think it will be a sweet mommy moment... "...so you will know which Power Ranger toy to buy me from Japan." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asp324 Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 This article was in the Wall Street Journal today, about how they are finding was to diagnose autism earlier, leading to gains in language and IQ. Thought some of you might find in interesting; I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natch Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 This looks promising... Yahoo News Video....Breakthrough in Autism Research Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of Megadon Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 thanks for posting that link. I've always been a big fan of early intervention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cygnus The God Of Balance Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 QUOTE (Natch @ Jul 11 2008, 08:32 AM) This looks promising... Yahoo News Video....Breakthrough in Autism Research This has to be the single most exciting Autism research news I've ever heard since Tony was diagnosed 8 years ago. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but this could be the big break we've been waiting for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 QUOTE (Cygnus The God Of Balance @ Jul 15 2008, 01:35 PM) QUOTE (Natch @ Jul 11 2008, 08:32 AM) This looks promising... Yahoo News Video....Breakthrough in Autism Research This has to be the single most exciting Autism research news I've ever heard since Tony was diagnosed 8 years ago. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but this could be the big break we've been waiting for. I'll watch this as soon as I get home. Natch mentioned it to me in the parking lot at PNC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxster Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 I saw this on CNN tonight, quote below. It's amazing and wonderful what animals can do for us. Shirk started 4 Paws in her apartment to help people who've been told they're ineligible to get a service dog. "We don't discriminate against anyone who has a need," she says. Since many agencies have age restrictions, she now specializes in providing dogs to children. The dogs help kids with a variety of issues, from mobility problems to seizures, but from the start Shirk wanted to find ways to assist children with autism. "I knew [autistic children] connected to animals," she remembers. "I knew that service dogs would be able to help." She developed a program to train autism assistance dogs, and of the 319 dogs she's placed since 1998, nearly 70 percent have been partnered with autistic children. Article: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/07/16/heroes.shirk/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Thanks to everyone who responded to me in the "bad day" thread. Basically I feel like unless one of the doctors we are scheduled to see in the next couple of weeks can really help us...and unless Stephen does a complete 180 when he goes back to school...we are going to be faced with the terrible possibility that he may not be able to live with us... You all can't possibly know how just SAYING that breaks my heart. And maybe we'll find a "miracle" and things will calm down...but if they don't, as he grows bigger and stronger, we may not have a choice, and I am sick in the depths of my being to even consider it. I suppose it's hard for most of you to comprehend that living with an eight year old could be so totally disruptive and impossible. It's hard to explain the absolute chaos and destruction he can bring about, all without meaning to. Maybe we're getting ahead of ourselves at the moment, and maybe in a few weeks when school starts everything will settle down...maybe I'm just trying to prepare for a future eventuality, I don't know. I just know that right now we all are exhausted and resentful...not of Stephen but of autism - and it's hard to separate those feelings... Thanks to all of you for your support. You've said you hope it helps, and let me assure you that it does. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundog Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I don't know what to say, but I feel I need to show you support somehow. Whatever you need of me, however I can help - from this distance, I am here. Just name it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arleen2112 Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Hugs go a long way..and you need a BIG one! http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg174/Arleen66/bighug.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital Man Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 GG, you have any support I can offer. If there is anything I can do to help just name it. We will do whatever we can to offer help. for your whole family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxster Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I hadn't read GhostGirl Glad to know the support here helps and gives you comfort. Positive Thoughts and Hope sent to you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'm wondering... has the behavior become worse since he has been on summer vacation? Was being in school so much part of his routine that being taken away from that caused him to have more outbursts? Or are the autism symptoms just growing with each year? If you and your family are at your breaking points then maybe having Stephen in a group home (even temporary) might be a good option. A family member works with autistic children of all ages and degrees of function... some live at home but most live in group homes. She has said a lot of very good things about the goup home environment. From my understanding (from conversations with her) routine is so important. It sounds like everything comes from that and which is something the homes do. You know, I hope I didn't overstep my boundaries or sound ignorant in any way. As I said in my reply to your post in the "bad day" thread, I truly do wish there was something I could do. I would help if I could! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Thank you all... Janie, you're right on a couple of things: yes, missing the routine of school definitely has an effect. We dread the start of summer around here, which is sad. Also, his behaviors are more difficult with each passing year because he is so BIG, and getting bigger. There is a temporary in-patient program that we may have to consider if we can't get him regulated once school starts and we make any adjustments to his meds/dosages. The worst part of all of this is the growing resentment in our family. We're all suffering from the constant stress, and it breaks my heart. He's such a beautiful little boy, and it's like we're almost afraid of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 (edited) Oh GG, I'm so sorry. Edited July 20, 2008 by Janie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pags Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Jul 20 2008, 10:32 AM) Thank you all... Janie, you're right on a couple of things: yes, missing the routine of school definitely has an effect. We dread the start of summer around here, which is sad. Also, his behaviors are more difficult with each passing year because he is so BIG, and getting bigger. There is a temporary in-patient program that we may have to consider if we can't get him regulated once school starts and we make any adjustments to his meds/dosages. The worst part of all of this is the growing resentment in our family. We're all suffering from the constant stress, and it breaks my heart. He's such a beautiful little boy, and it's like we're almost afraid of him. GG what hurts most to read this, is that I know you have no easy way through. Whatever decisions you make are going to be gut wrenching ones and will come with such a level of sorrow. I'm sorry. You can lean on us for any support you need to help ease things as you go forward with what you decide. You have a beautiful family, no matter what challenges you've been faced with. We're here for you in any way we can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queen of Megadon Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Jul 20 2008, 09:32 AM) Thank you all... Janie, you're right on a couple of things: yes, missing the routine of school definitely has an effect. We dread the start of summer around here, which is sad. Also, his behaviors are more difficult with each passing year because he is so BIG, and getting bigger. There is a temporary in-patient program that we may have to consider if we can't get him regulated once school starts and we make any adjustments to his meds/dosages. The worst part of all of this is the growing resentment in our family. We're all suffering from the constant stress, and it breaks my heart. He's such a beautiful little boy, and it's like we're almost afraid of him. GG- As you may have read, I do understand. I send you many hugs and pray for your strength. Just yesterday I had to take my 13 year old for shots. He's taller and stronger than me, but like many times before I had to restrain him somehow. We managed, he yelled a lot, but afterwards he was like...oh, that wasnt so bad. (a head smack emoticon would do well here lol) Anyway, some of what you say has me wondering. What state do you live in? What services do you have to help you at home? My son's IEP has him on a 12 month program. He's in school ALL YEAR, always has been. I dont know what I would have done without that. If you'd like to take this conversation to PM, I'd be happy to chat more about it. Or we can talk about it here. I dont have all the answers, and I'm kind of new here so I dont know all your circumstances, but maybe I can help in a been there done that kind of way. Hang in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owlswing Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 QUOTE (Queen of Megadon @ Jul 20 2008, 10:24 AM)QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Jul 20 2008, 09:32 AM) Thank you all... Janie, you're right on a couple of things: yes, missing the routine of school definitely has an effect. We dread the start of summer around here, which is sad. Also, his behaviors are more difficult with each passing year because he is so BIG, and getting bigger. There is a temporary in-patient program that we may have to consider if we can't get him regulated once school starts and we make any adjustments to his meds/dosages. The worst part of all of this is the growing resentment in our family. We're all suffering from the constant stress, and it breaks my heart. He's such a beautiful little boy, and it's like we're almost afraid of him. GG- As you may have read, I do understand. I send you many hugs and pray for your strength. Just yesterday I had to take my 13 year old for shots. He's taller and stronger than me, but like many times before I had to restrain him somehow. We managed, he yelled a lot, but afterwards he was like...oh, that wasnt so bad. (a head smack emoticon would do well here lol) Anyway, some of what you say has me wondering. What state do you live in? What services do you have to help you at home? My son's IEP has him on a 12 month program. He's in school ALL YEAR, always has been. I dont know what I would have done without that. If you'd like to take this conversation to PM, I'd be happy to chat more about it. Or we can talk about it here. I dont have all the answers, and I'm kind of new here so I dont know all your circumstances, but maybe I can help in a been there done that kind of way. Hang in there. I think you hit the nail on the head there it matters alot what State you live in and what resources the State offers. NJ offers the year round programs as well many agencies for family related support. Maybe there is some Federal agency out there. At the very least there should be to regulate it all. GG your family has my love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
failte Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 tss and i wish there was more that we could do besides listening and just being here. but if all i can do is send thoughts and prayers your way, you've got it. anytime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now