Christmas from an Autism Aspect

Merry Christmas to all of our friends, family and followers! We wish you a bright holiday season and a Happy New Year.

I wanted to share Christmas from our aspect today. From the Autism Aspect. Mia’s first Christmas was a typical first. She was six months old, and wanted to play with nothing except for the wrapping paper that hid the wondrous play things beneath it.

As the years progressed, Mia showed little interest in unwrapping gifts. She does not do the whole “Santa” thing. And she could care less about an Elf on her shelf. In fact, to Mia, it’s just the time of year when there’s a tree in the house instead of out, with lights on it and things under it.

While many people will gasp at this stark contrast to how a kid would usually grow up loving Christmas and getting excited for the big guy in the red suit to show up, there are many out there that go through this holiday season much in the same way Mia and I do. Many are upset about it, and I can’t say that I wasn’t at first. But now, at our seventh year of Christmas together, I’ve got nothing but positives about it.

So, I decided to share some of my favorite parts of Christmas from our unique Autism Aspect.

Traditions are still traditions, even if they’re not the traditional kind. Every year, we drive around looking for the best Christmas light shows….in new Christmas jammies! We also visit “the big one” at the L.L. Bean store in Freeport. Mia gets more excited at the idea of looking for lights then she does about bringing in a Christmas tree!

Save the paper, hold the bows. Mia will peek under wrapping paper when she is shown how to unwrap a gift. But unless it’s fully available to her, she just thinks it’s something under there that she can’t play with. Unwrapped presents under the tree are her favorite. She immediately knows those toys are for her, instead of wondering what those brightly wrapped cubes are.

Big ticket items are usually the simplest. One year, as a stocking stuffer, I found Mia one of those toys that has all the pins in it that shows your hand print or whatever when you put it on something. It was at our local Walmart and I thought that it would make a great sensory toy for her. When she found it in her stocking, it was her most favored toy of the day. Best $5.00 I had spent all season!

Twenty toys, ten toys, two toys, ONE?! As a single mom, money is always tight. While most people are scrambling to put a pile of gifts under the tree for their kids, I don’t really have to uphold to all that pressure. With Mia, she could care less if there were one toy, or a hundred toys under that tree. She’s happy with anything that is given to her. (Of course, I try to spoil her as best as I can every year regardless!)

Bake those cookies, for MOM!! I don’t know when this started, or why Mia made the association, but we do bake cookies for Christmas just like most people do. We put them on a plate and set them on a table next to the tree. After a while, Mia started bringing the plate back to me. When I set it down, she started bringing the cookies to me, and then wouldn’t leave me alone until I started eating them. Now, we bake cookies, set them on the table along with a plate of Cheeze-it’s and skittles, and then Mia brings both plates to the couch and we sit and snack. Different? Yes. Adorable? Absolutely!

Let’s go pick out the toys! Most kids start circling things in ads or making wish lists shortly after Thanksgiving. But a kid who can’t talk or write, doesn’t have the ability to tell me what she want’s for Christmas. But, she sure can show me! Every year, we make a trip to local toy stores, and I let Mia show me what she really likes, and I interpret it as what she really wants. I take pictures with my phone and go back later to get them. I win by making sure she gets things she will really use, and she wins by getting things she picked out in her own unique Christmas list!

What can we fit into this year? Every year, Mia likes to cram herself into the tightest spaces she can find. The past few years, she has chosen to do the stocking dance. Next year, I’m going to have to make her a bigger stocking, because this year she couldn’t fit into it!

Mia gives the best gifts ever! Most kids either help pick out a gift, or make a gift for their parents for Christmas. Where Mia is so sensory based, she has a hard time constructing things, so handmade Mia gifts are hard to come by. But that’s ok. Mia fills my life with smiles, love, kisses, and cuddles, every day of the year. She is the best all around gift, and I couldn’t be happier with being blessed to have her in my life!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! May you feel joy and happiness this season, and throughout your lives!

Need a Little Help From My Fellow Bloggers Please!!

Recently, I've noticed on my dashboard that I've got comments on some of my posts. BUT, the comment tab is now gone, and I can not see the comments that have been left, nor can I make them available to the public side of my blog! GGRRRRR!!!!!

Has anyone else had this problem at all, and could you please tell me how I can go about seeing these comments and make them available to the public?? Internet searches have turned up nothing useful.

Thanks!!!!! Also, please email me with your response since I can't see the comments here!! miasmomma06@gmail.com

It's Time To Hike!

November is fast approaching, and Mia and I would like to know where YOU want to hike!! Our last two group outings ended up being Mia and I outings, so we want to hear some feedback from our followers on where you'd like to hike, along with a time that works best for you and your little ones!

Feel free to email us at miasmomma06@gmail.com with your suggestions, or facebook us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Extraordinary-Outdoors/219540621426350

We hope to put together a great hike for mid to late November, and hope to hear from you all soon! :)

First School Day Blues (For Mommy) and Brights: A Recount of the Last Year

Mia is seven years old. SEVEN!!! How on earth did this time go so quickly?!

Today in our area. It's the first day of school for many kids, but for Mia it's just another day of school. At age two, she started developmental therapy. And since that day she has been in school all year, every year, minus a week of "vacation" here and there.

I'm scrolling through my friends posts on Facebook, seeing all the pictures of their kids in their first day best outfits, bright and ready for the first day. And I break down into a sentimental mommy moment. I don't get to celebrate this mile stone.

Or do I?

In between my tears, I start to realize that while Mia and I may not get to share the typical mommy daughter moments, we do still have our moments. And those moments are wonderful and filled with so much joy, pride and love.

And even though this isn't her "first" day of the school year, it does mark a new adventure. She is technically a first grader this year. And in the previous year she's made so much progress.

She's learned to go potty like a big girl. She's learned to play appropriately with her peers. She's on the way to a solid form of communication, first using a picture exchange program that had small benefits, to signing for drink, eat, all done, and help!!

She's become more interested in the animal world. She now pets Molly and Camo, our yellow lab and black lab puppies. She pets our chickens earn I bring one to her. We went to the topsham fair where she freely petted sheep, goats, horses, and even a pot belly pig!

And, one accomplishment that I'm very proud of, Mia now waves and says hello to people, and waves goodbye, and almost always completely unprompted!! And yes, she even waves at all her animal friends too! :)

So even though I'm being sentimental mommy today, Mia and I have much to celebrate. We're on to
the next school year, and I can't wait to see what her accomplishments will be in the next 365 days!!

Checking the chicken coop for eggs!

 

 Feild day at school!

 

 Ferris wheel ride at the Topsham Fair!

 

 

Best buddies!! 

Eeek!!! It's Way Past Time For An Update!

It's been a bit (ok, a while) since our last post. We've had a lot of goings on since our last communication with you all, but finally it seems as though things are back on track.

As an update to the last post, Mia had a 24 hour EEG done to determine if her bouts of waking during the night were caused by seizure activity. The test came back clear, and she is not having any seizures at all. Good news in the battle of Epilepsy, but the result still left me with questions as to why she was having such a hard time sleeping.

I tried some different bed time routines, tried sleeping in every room of the house (thinking there might have been something she was hearing that was waking her up), and even refrained from letting her have any fluids after 7:00 at night. Nothing seemed to work.

And then, i found a "noise box". This little device has different settings for different sounds, the goal of them all being calming of the mind and nervous system. I tried a setting that I thought she would like, and she slept. SOUNDLY. Through the night! Hoping it wasn't a fluke, I used it again the next night. And again, Mia got a full nights sleep!

In just two nights time, I saw a huge difference in her daytime behavior. She woke with smiles and giggles, and ready to play. She was happy to do anything really. From playing outside, to going for a Jeep ride. Yes, full nights of sleep have gotten my girly back to her happy active self!

Mia's tantrums have subsided as well. I've implemented more sign language at home, have made bathroom trips more accesible when we're out and about, and have made more fun things for us to do during the day to keep her occupied. Little steps, huge successes.

I also have been going through a few things that had basically rendered me useless for a bit. I have dealt with chronic migraines for years, but in these last few months it seems as though they have gotten worse. I had tried everything, and then went to an O.M.T.

I found that part of the issue is that my left leg is over a quarter of an inch shorter than my right. Yes, that's right. I'm uneven! The doctor provided me with a lift to wear in my shoe, and some of the migraines have stopped now. I still get a few here and there, but they're not nearly as bad as they used to be.

The other problem I was having was a huge lack of energy. I was tired all the time, and Lacked the motivation to do any of the things I love, like writing, fishing and hiking. And for me to be unmotivated (and especially in the outdoors world) I knew there was something wrong.

Turns out, not only was I dealing with a slight anemic problem, I'm also having issues with keeping my blood sugar high enough, which were, for lack of better phrasing, making me feel like crap!

The solution: protein shakes, twice a day! I learned that protein helps to regulate blood sugar levels, and it has actually made quite a difference. So much so that if I miss one, I know it.

So slowly, we are getting back on our feet here. Mia is doing wonderfully with school still and continues to make great strides. I'm very proud of her accomplishments, and will post an update on where she is at right now. We've also been on a few easy outdoor trips (be careful not to break mommy!), that I will post about in the next few days or so.

We're also planning a group fishing trip in the near future, so be on the lookout for the post with that info!

Sorry about the inadvertent hyaidous, I hope all of our readers are doing well and have been able to enjoy the great outdoors!

Communication Break Downs

It’s Saturday morning, it’s early, and not too bright. The sun was just barely lighting the sky, but the cloud cover was blocking it’s light anyways. I was awakened by a very unhappy Mia. Not knowing exactly why she was waking in this state, we went through the motions. But her tantrum continued to accelerate into a meltdown. After several trips to the bathroom, several breakfast options, and sensory toys galore, it was clear that Mia was not going to come out of this anytime soon. Her meltdown status was clearly invoked by her inability to tell me what was wrong, and I felt like a horrible mother for not being able to figure it out.

Our plan for the day had been to meet up with a friend to do some ice fishing. I was in hopes that we would still be able to make the trip, even though we would now be slightly delayed. I plugged my ear buds into my phone and cranked the music, allowing Mia to holler as she needed to while I gathered our fishing gear. I was hoping once she saw the traps, she would realize what fun was in store for the day and it would help her calm down. But she carried on anyways.

I further gathered the necessities of the day, dressed, had my coffee and breakfast, and then helped Mia get dressed once she finally calmed down. She ate her breakfast when she was ready, and soon was in much better spirits. I was in hopes that the rest of the day would be filled with her smile and giggles. But either way, I decided to carry on with our plans. We packed up the vehicle and headed out.

The drive to our destination was a long one. Well over an hour. Once we hit the last stretch, I stopped at a store so Mia and I could use the restroom. Another tantrum ensued as she refused to sit on the public toilet. I can’t blame her, most restrooms smell funny, have odd lighting, and the flush is ridiculously loud. She did not appear to have to use the toilet at all. So we washed our hands on the way out, put some fuel into the truck, and continued on.

Almost big enough to drive!

It wasn't long before we reached the lake. A quick text to a friend who was already on the ice, ensured us a four wheeler ride to the shacks that he and his friends had set up. While we waited for his arrival, I helped Mia get into her snowsuit. She seemed agitated by this, but we continued on anyways. I was unclear of how Mia would react to being on a four wheeler, since this would be her first time. But I figured that because it had wheels and threw wind in her face, she would love it. And I was right.

Soon, we were heading down the lake, and Mia was giggling with delight. When we stopped, we all dismounted the wheeler, but Mia wanted more. Telling her that we would ride again later proved to do nothing in terms of deterrence. She started having a fit because she wanted to ride more.

I tried to get her mind off of the wheeler by walking around with her. My friend also tried to catch her attention to no avail. Another meltdown started to take place. Then my friend got the idea that we should go get the glorified “pee bucket”. Maybe Mia did have to go to the bathroom after all. We took another ride on the wheeler to get it, and then back again. The ride calmed Mia down, but the moment we stopped, she went right back into tantrum mode.

I again tried to get her mind off of things. She didn't have to go to the bathroom. My friend offered her some yummy snacks. But nothing worked. This was so unusual for Mia. Normally, even when she’s having a bad day, activities that she likes, such a ice fishing, are a happy time. And, with her sudden interest in the male gender (I've got a little flirt on my hands), you would've thought she would be even more ecstatic to be here. But, something else is going on in Mia’s world.

A dog came over to greet Mia, and she’s never been fond of dogs that like to get in her space, but she turned away to avoid him. And then, the dog did what dogs do when they want attention. He jumped on her. Mia fell to the ice, and in an instant her meltdown turned into one of the worst I've seen in a long time.

That was pretty much the end of our ice fishing trip. I tried for several minutes to get Mia to calm back down, but it was clear that she was completely upset. Our little adventure on the ice lasted merely an hour. The truck ride back home calmed Mia slightly, but she continued on this sequence for the remainder of the weekend.

Truth be told, this isn't the first time this has happened with one of our outings this winter. Mia has become increasingly aware of the world around her, and even more so with the fact that communication is the key to being heard. Her meltdowns these day are coming from complete frustration in not being able to communicate her thoughts. And I can’t blame her. I’d be upset too if I couldn't speak my mind.

So, I’m working on a new plan. Trying to find a way to help Mia communicate more effectively. PEC’s isn't working for her, so something new needs to happen. I've got an appointment set up with Mia’s teachers and speech therapist to give them my ideas on the situation, and to see what they have to offer for input. I've also set up some appointments for Mia to be seen by her neurologist  Because one of the anti-epileptics she is on could cause some changes in behavior, and some seizure activity could be in play here. I'm covering all the areas just to be sure.

Have any of my readers ever been in this communication break down with their kiddos? I’d love to hear how you overcame this hurdle with your little one!

Extraordinary Outdoors February Event!

It's time to get together to play outside! We've planned a sledding event in the town of Topsham on February 24th at the area's local "go to" for sledding. Come on out for some hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, social time, and most importantly, FUN!!!

RSVP to our event via Facebook, or just show up on the day of! The fun starts at 1:00 p.m., and the address is 86 Foreside Rd. in Topsham Maine!

Wear lots of warm, weather proof clothing, and bring the family! If you want to join but don't have any sleds, contact me an let me know. I am able to get some spares together so that everyone can join in the fun!

Hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/487940287909274/

First Words Are Great, But First FUNCTIONAL Words Are Even Better!

Over the years, I've heard numerous noises form in Mia's beautiful little voice. Within the last six to eight months, these noises have become more used, elaborated, and she has increased the type of noises she makes ten fold. 

Though I posted Mia's first real word a while ago, this is Mia's first FUNCTIONAL word!

Why do I say functional? Because her first word, "action", though reciprocated, was only used at random times with no apparent meaning behind it. 

Here, Mia is imitating the elaborated "HI!" Greeting I have given to her at the end of every work/school day for the last six years! 

This word is functional not only because she says it back, but because she is using it to initiate a greeting and socialization with others around her! 

This moment marks a turning point in Mia's communication skills! Now that she knows that she can uses her voice to gain attention of others, I have a strong feeling that more functional words are coming in the very near future!!! 

Potty Training..........SUCCESS!!!!!!

We've been working on something pretty big in Mia's world. Something that makes her feel even more like she's just your average kid. And she's nearly mastered the skill.

We've been working on, POTTY TRAINING!!!
How did this breakthrough come about?! Potty training was something I'd been working on over the years. But, when it wasn't being done the same way in every place that she went, she never grasped the concept. As one of Mia's goals in her I.E.P., potty training was added as a skill for her to learn. When asked how I thought Mia would best learn this skill, you can bet I gave my input!

First, Mia went from wearing pull ups all the time, to only wearing them at night. Big girl underwear during the day meant that every time she had an accident, she would feel it. And since she hates the feeling of wet clothes against her skin, I knew without a doubt that this was the best method to get Mia on her way to toileting success.

The transition from one to the other took her a while to get used to. Because she's a very tactile being, the pull up was a comfort she had grown accustomed to. Underwear left her feeling odd, as though nothing was there. For a bit, it was hard to get her to keep her pants up! But after she realized that she had no other choice but to wear these thin monstrosities, she gave up and taking her pants down!

Then, her school started taking her to the bathroom in short intervals through out the day. Though, because they were seemingly spending more time in the bathroom than anywhere else, they lengthened the amount of time between bathroom visits. The pattern was continued at home as well, and Mia only wore a pull up at night to prevent her from wetting the bed.

Because Mia has always had a hard time figuring out what her body is telling her (i.e. pain means something is wrong, this sensation means you have to go to the bathroom), I assumed it would take a while for her to catch on to these signals the body sends. But, as usual, she surprised me! In just a short couple of months, Mia went from six or seven accidents a day, to NONE! Minus the number two issue, which she's now catching on to as well.

Now, Mia is wearing big girl underwear to bed as well. She has no night time accidents, though now she wakes up confused in the middle of the night when she has the sensation to pee. Cutting back on fluids in the early evening and making sure she goes pee before bed time help, but once in a while she still has to get up. Though she might be a bit cranky about it, I'm proud that she knows when she's got to go!

And, in most recent weeks, she's been going number two on the potty as well!! Well, Some of the time anyways! She still hasn't quite figured out when she actually needs to go, and sometimes her seizure medications bind her up, making it even more difficult for her. But she's getting there!

I'm so excited for Mia's progress in this area! And even more excited that when the weather warms up, I can start teaching her a new bathroom skill. HOW TO PEE IN THE WOODS!! (Yes, her teachers laughed when I exclaimed this notion!)

What, that's a normal motherly reaction, right?!

New Years Reflections

Well folks, we made it through the holiday season. Mia got lots of gifts from Santa. Her favorite being her new pink ice fishing tip ups! (Pictures of pink ice fishing escapades are coming soon!)

Now, a new year is upon us. While many people use this time of year to set resolutions, I use this time to reflect, and count my blessings. 2012 has been a busy and eventful year for us. And, an overall successful one as well.

The year began with a transition to a new living area, with a promise of better schooling to help Mia along in her battle against Autism. This move was planned for many months prior to the actual event. Mia flawlessly grew accustomed to our new surroundings. It was mom that had the harder of times. We now live in a city, with relatively few connections to nature. But, with some effort and searching, we've found that getting outdoors in the city is actually very manageable. And, it makes our further trips into the wild even more enjoyable.

After a few months, Mia transitioned to her new school. Again, flawlessly. She embraced this new setting and new people instantaneously, effortlessly, and courageously. She has made great progress in her new school, and continues to amaze me daily with new skills.

We also managed to get to some new outdoor places to adventure in, and accomplished some pretty great things. Mia experienced a bit of lobster boating when we boarded the Lucky Catch. We hiked to the top of Sabattus Mountain. We camped in White Mountain National Forest. We fished in many new lakes and streams, and visited several of the state parks.

Mia's progress is really what strikes me as astonishing though. This little girl takes triumph in jumping over some of her toughest hurdles. And once she's over them, she courageously takes on the next one. Potty training took her less time than I had assumed, with merely an accident a week at this point! And in the year of 2012, Mia has become increasingly interactive with not only adults and her favorite people, but with strangers we pass in the store, and with children of all ages. Just the other day, she walked up to a two year old boy sitting in the front of a grocery cart, and made her valiant attempt to say hello. She smiled at him, and gave him direct eye contact while doing so. His response of a smile and an outreached hand was more than accepted by little Mia, and she took his hand and giggled at him with pure joy in knowing that she was seen and accepted. This is truly an amazing feat in the world of Autism.

Now that 2012 has drawn to an end, we are looking forward to more adventures, and new experiences. We're setting our sights towards some upcoming ice fishing adventures, and planning our spring hikes.

2013 will be another year of progress and great adventure for Mia and I, and we wish you the happiest and most adventurous year of all!

Thanks for reading!