Behavior Challenge Thread

[DisDreaminMom]

Ditto us on the queasy stomach. My DS can get sick and then turn around and eat an entire meal right afterwards. Sensory? Once we were at Outback Steakhouse and DS wanted onion straws even though he hates onions. I was peeling the onion out of the breading and giving it to him. DH gives him an actual onion and DS says, "Oh! An onion!" Then he proceeds to vomit on the table and immediately ask for more food.

You need to keep an eye out for those respiratory infections, Becky. I'm sure you are very vigilant, but you might as well write off a week of school when they get these. The asthma thing complicates everything and I personally would rather forgo the antibiotics and instead manage the inflammation and the wheezing until I absolutely had to get the antibiotics. We've had a few children in our town that have recently died of MRSA as a complication of these lower respiratory bugs.( Not to freak you out, but I'm sure the parents of these kids were pretty upset when the doctors kept sending them home with more meds and the kids end up dead in a week.)

Like the old basketball cheer, "Be Agressive. B E Agressive" I am all for keeping kids like this home until they are clear from 90% of the wheezing/coughing. I guess that's why I got an "Any more absences are going to have to be excused by a doctor" note.

Since my DD already has had several MRSA skin infections requiring surgery, I'm not really to concerned with what the school system thinks when it helps fuel the spread of this crap by not giving kids the chance to recover. I'm not a believer in the powers of the school nurse.

If he stays home until next Monday, I'd bet he gets over it once and for all. If he gets worse, show up at the doctor's house if you need to.

Becky needs some Twilight books to entertain her until DS gets better.

My veterinarian told me that people like us with asthma and immunological issues like allergies have a much lower chance of getting cancer, because our bodies fight off everything it thinks is foreign, even if it's benign. I don't know how true this is, but I will say that my Dad's side of the family had bad allergies and asthma and nobody ever got cancer. Stroke or heart problems, but no cancer. So who knows.

Funny thing, dear Nephew, who can't get along with my DS when he's at his own house, spends the night Monday night and all day Tuesday with us. He's really good on my rules. So he goes home and his parents tell him he has to go to the Spring Break camp at school for the rest of the week. Apparently, he totally loses it and begs to go (drumroll please) to my house for the rest of the week. He even calls me to beg. How funny is that?

I told my DH that I am just SO BAD at being around all these kids because I'm mean, and he tells me that's why I'm good at it. "They all love you because they know the limits and it's very calming for them" is what he told me. That, and I cook a lot. Just 'cause you're good at something doesn't mean you have to do it...

 

[BeckyScott]

bookwormde, you all sound like oldest DS, and DH for that matter. Oldest DS doesn't get sick often... but like last year he got the FluMist and of course got the flu a week later. (first last and only time I'm falling for that) Whenever he gets sick, it hits him hard and lasts about two days and then poof it's gone.

We did send DS to school today, but it's an early-out half day so we thought we'd try it since he wouldn't be there long. The cough is better and that seems to be all that's still happening. I kinda felt bad but I also am not sure, hmmm. Well, okay, he does not want to go to school. This morning I was taking his temp and it came back normal and he grabbed the thermometer from me and put it back in his mouth. Then a few minutes later I hear his brother whispering how he knows how to make the temperature go up. But it didn't work. Took him to school and the nurse checked him with a better thermometer and his temp was fine there too, and he told her "do it again!" They are taking the state tests this week and he knows it. Not to deny that he was sick, but he also catches on to stuff pretty quickly, so it's a tough call.

If the cough isn't gone by Friday morning we're going back to the ped for sure.

 

[mechurchlady]

I need a nap and am really going into the deep end. I have been hitting the refresh button and hoping that once in 5 hours that my so called friends would congratulate me on the tag fairy tagging. For 2 days not once have these so called friends showed concern for m when I am in pain or very sick form allergies.


Why do we neurovariants crave love and attention from people who hate us, mock us, and ignore us? I need a nap bad I guess and should hang out here more as the people here care about me.

Hugs everyone tight, thank you for putting up with me.
Laurie

 

[mechurchlady]

ATTENTION

Report in, Please.

How is everyone and how are the kids.

Everyone is quiet.

Hugs and chocolates
Laurie

 

[BeckyScott]

Laurie, I'm doing fine.

Yesterday was DS's birthday. But we're doing his party today. So yesterday I spent a good deal of time cleaning up the house. Not that it matters much, everyone coming over is someone who comes over all the time anyway (when the house isn't clean).

Dog hair and dust bunnies. I don't know where the dust bunnies all come from, they appear overnight!

This morning I have to do a quick tidy-up, make some "special" cupcakes, and decorate. DS believes strongly that in order to have a party, there must be crepe paper streamers and balloons. They are required.

He is feeling much better. There is still a slight residual cough but it's almost gone- like he's only coughing two or three times a day. And he seems back to normal. He spent most of the day yesterday insisting that he be allowed to do certain things "It's my birthday!" like staying on the computer as long as he wanted or making oldest DS play the video game he wanted him to play or getting to eat all the bacon. Remember when you were a little kid and thought your birthday should be a national holiday?

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Mechurchlady, I almost posted the same thing last night, and I was having serious "Where did everybody go?" thoughts.Too funny.

I'm resting up from an entire week of non-stop children. I was pretty calm, if I do say so myself, but I also made sure to use Progesterone cream every morning to take the edge off. I should admit more to myself that sometimes the hormones steal the show. Stupid hormones.

Good news is that DS had a major breakthrough with his cousin. They are the same age, but DS just desperately wanted to be his friend and nephew has been pretty mean to DS over the year or so we've been living in the same town. So this week they were together five days and got along great. Nephew even asked his mother to buy him pink shirts like DS.

Plus, DS was much more calm when we had a house full of 5 kids at one time. And, in what may seem like a strange thing, I was overjoyed when DS chose a Monsters vs Aliens toy dart gun when we were shopping with nephew instead of running straight to the girls aisle and picking something pink. . I did have the talk about how we say we want to shoot aliens when we are at school instead of other people.

Becky, let's not talk about the dust bunnies. Pugs and 120 pound dog are shedding, plus "no shoe" rule was frequently violated and it rained a lot this week. You don't want to imagine what my floors look like. Kitchen and bathrooms are clean, but just don't look down.

Sort of off topic, but do you think I should get DS a GAC when we are FL in June? Also, what about those wheeled bench walkers? Have you seen those? They look like a walker, but have a basket on the bottom and a bench with almost bike handle brakes. I was thinking that might be a better option for DS than a stroller in June. I want to encourage him to walk, but he needs to take frequent rest breaks, and often times there is no place to do that when it's crowded. Plus, he looks "normal", even super healthy. I guess he is, but there really is something specific to ASD that makes them have terrible endurance and heat problems.

The heat just kills him, and his walking endurance is SO BAD. I even make them take walks and he's OK in very peaceful conditions, like around the farm. It's more of an overload thing, I think. He becomes a limp noodle at school, too. Like his brain and his body can't be on task at the same time. Anyway, advice appreciated.

 

[C&G'sMama]

C&G'smama reporting in. Koolaidmoms in working (and DS is right next to me because he must have sensed I was trying to "talk" to other adults even if it is virtually) But as soon as I'm done he'll disappear, unless the phone rings or I'm in the bathroom.... I swear they have radar.

DDM - We are going in 3 weeks (I can't wait) We ended up renting the liberty push chair from Orlando Stroller Rentals. I'll let you know how it goes. We too want him to walk but also want to give him a "home base". It's red and since Tony Stewarts new sponsor is Old Spice and that's DS's favorite Driver, we'll put a #14 on it. DS is 49" and weighs 75 pounds. But we decided this would be best for him and we'll see how it goes. Glad you survived the week off.

Not much else to report, we're still working with school to get him more challenging work and they have started to respond. We continue to give him more challenging work at home and have him hand that in instead of his regular homework.

The tantrums every time he doesn't get his way are getting old but we keep trying. He's lost his screen time for an entire week. He's taking to letting out short screams and yelling no every time we ask him to do something. I'm really tired from it. He's been okay today.

Four day school week this week because of Good Friday. Our Spring Break is April 19 through the 24th and we leave for Disney on the 24th (arriving the 27th) and stay throught the 4th of May when we start back home. So the kids are missing a bit of school, but we have them do home work while they're gone and journal about their trip.

So that's our report.

 

[koolaidmoms]

Ditto us on the queasy stomach. My DS can get sick and then turn around and eat an entire meal right afterwards. Sensory? Once we were at Outback Steakhouse and DS wanted onion straws even though he hates onions. I was peeling the onion out of the breading and giving it to him. DH gives him an actual onion and DS says, "Oh! An onion!" Then he proceeds to vomit on the table and immediately ask for more food.

Oh this is soooo DS. He usually does this in restuarants or in the morning before school. If I had had my credit card at one restaurant I would have paid for all the people around me because he did it not once but twice during dinner. He just has to think of something and he's gone or smell something that he doesn't like. He always wants to eat after. I think its gross but ????

We have to be careful because if he sees a garbage bag - even if it is full of clothes for Goodwill - and he thinks it may be garbage he vomits. I have never seen a kid vomit so much. There is nothing medically wrong with him he just gets sick. At least now we have trained him if he starts to feel queasy head for the nearest bathroom or door to outside (makes clean-up much easier)

 

[pudge the fish]

About the HEAT..

it was HOT today- very hot-like 89! Florida in the sun & muggy hot..
it was supposed to rain today but it didn't at DTD
we hit the outlet mall ( I wanted YET ANOTHER pair of crocs) and DTD only as we had no desire to hit a park during Spring break, But I wanted stuff from Disney for Easter..
Next week it's is suppoed to get chilly -like Wednesday the low will be 45
(on the coast anyway)But it wil get HOT again very soon

if it lets your kids have a better time at Dinsey get the walker or stroller or push chair etc.. the heat is KILLER for people who aren't used to it and the walking is A LOT even if you practice walking at home -Disney walking seems to be different ( does that make sense?)
I know ya'll have been to Disney before but my best advice is do what it takes to let your kids have a good time

I probably drive people nuts as I always say remember it's HOT in FL. Standing in line doesn't make it hotter if kids will be hot in line they will be HOT at Disney and lecture about no shade at the parks I am such a when it comes to heat comments.. sorry

 

[BeckyScott]

Pudge, I should call my DB. They were over yesterday for DS's b-day and my SIL is preggers and they are headed to Orlando the end of this month. I told her at least she wasn't going later in the year because of the heat, but apparantly it already *is* later in the year! They are doing Sea World and no Disney so I could offer no advice. (psshaw! Who goes all the way to Orlando and doesn't go to Disney? What kind of good American rednecks are they anyway?)

Our b-day party went all right. Well it was kind of a mess but pretty typical of things in this house. There were about five kids and about six adults and they are all people that come over here all the time, just not all at the same time. The kids all got along pretty well. My MIL hid in our bedroom and watched tv, she doesn't tolerate children well and our two are sometimes too much for her, and you add another three or four on top of that... I thought they were behaving remarkably well, myself. I think that youngest DS's "terradactyl scream" hits her hearing aid funny. There were only two things that went kinda bad- 1. when DS was blowing out his candles he managed to cough all over them so nobody would eat them except for him (so maybe he did it on purpose!) and 2. oldest DS actually had a melt-down on us because somebody touched his stuff.

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Becky, good news about the party. I'll trade you a French Horn/ Trumpet scream for a dinosaur scream. Is yours lower pitched? I think b-day parties bring out the worst in people. I don't blame oldest DS for freaking out over his stuff. I spent most of last week feeling that way.

So today is the first day of school after Spring Break and DS throws up all over the recliner this morning about three minutes after getting out of bed. Then the tail end of it starts IYKWIM. So I'm home again today and not going very far from DS's vomit bucket just in case.

Koolaidmom, I wonder if ASD kids have a strange gag reflex. Even when he was a baby, DS would just toss his cookies so easily. Like a hair-trigger reflex. We used to joke that he was possessed when he was a baby. He's so sensitive to textures, too.

I need to clean the house, particularly the floors, but I'm afraid to stray too far from the living room. I have a rug that is new enough that no human, dog, or unknown alien has vomited on it yet, and I'm trying to see how long I can keep it that way!

Pudge, having lived in Ocala for 3 years, I can tell you that it can't be said enough how incredibly hot it gets in central florida from March through November. So I heed your warnings and add that standing in line actually elevates my body temperature to abnormal levels very quickly. Or maybe it's those hormones again...

 

[bookwormde]

I always figure the throwing up thing is a sensory issue, I just cannot figure out the feeling 100% instantly, it usually take me 30 seconds. One thing about the kids growing up my DS’s dinosaur “growl” has gotten less shrill (but still just as loud) and he uses it a “greeting” less.

bookwormde

 

[DisDreaminMom]

True Story:

Having not really noticed, or maybe better yet, blocked out for the most part, DS's "happy noise" that he makes when over-stimulated, I was at the beach in Michigan this past summer when I heard the strangest shrieking noise. My kids were down the hill playing in the water with my Aunt. They were laughing and splashing and having the best time. I was sitting next to my Uncle. I realized with horror that the sound was DS making his "happy noise" and the wind was carrying it, no... really amplifying it.

So Dear Uncle looks at me with the saddest look on his face and says, "Do you think he'll ever be normal?"

Fingers crossed: Last vomit was this morning. Glad we have big boy diapers on days like today, though. Disposable is so GOOD sometimes. Sorry to gross you all out. I guess we're all kind of over it though. I mean, otherwise we'd be telling stories about us puking on the table at the restaurant right after our kids...

 

[C&G'sMama]

Fingers crossed: Sorry to gross you all out.

Seriously, gross US out? That's why we have this thread, we're kindred spirits and I assume all of us are hard to gross out.
Let's see
DD had a colostomy when she was 12 days old and had the bag until she was 9 months old after her plumbing was repaired and hooked back up. I could not change that bag with out getting it everywhere (DP could), but me not so much She has to use a suppository in order to go so we have to look at her poop every time to see how much she has. Of course it wouldn't be fair if we only looked at sister's so we have to look at his poop too and say "Holy Cow" Anyway...

We had a St. Bernard that used to eat diapers (don't have the dog anymore, but we still have the 2 x-rays at $250 each).

Then there's the 18 year old dog we currently have who likes to get into the garbage (even though we put it up out of her reach) She still gets up on counters. She got very sick last week and was all over the downstairs, we have no carpets in our house and won't until the dog is no longer with us.

And of course there's "vomit boy" aka DS.

So, I think it would take a lot to gross people out on this thread. It is not for the faint of heart or "weak of stomach"

 

[mechurchlady]

I have celiac so I watch poop and cleaning mom's commode is more poop patrole and disgusting as it getts everywhere.

I AM ALIVE.

Mom demands that Calvin fix her old chair and that is a CUSSING CUSSING CUSSING waste of $149 for the new chair. Anyone want a fat old lady with an attitude problem? This past month has been one long battle with her hypersensitivity. She is making me an emotional wreck, good news is calvin did dishes and I got to eat at Yamabuki.

For those of you with photopass try evnt4a74aj3h8m7n3

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Do they have good food at Yamabuki? Tell us about your favorite thing. I am married to an ethnic food hater. I live vicariously through others' ethnic food adventures. (See, food and poop combined- doesn't even phase me...)

I grew up with the garbage eating dog. Never again. I'm scarred for life. Ours had the added bonus of being a 130 pound Old English Sheep dog with a history of abuse, so after she got in the garbage, she would guard her ill-gotten gains with attacks on anyone who tried to walk in a 15 foot radius of her. Ask me how any years I spent hiding in my room because I couldn't get past the dog in the hall. Even had to pee in a cup once, but I digress. She attacked my Aunt once for a colander of shrimp when I was a kid. Fun times. Exhibit 12A why I just adore my pugs.

My son kept down dinner last night. Was pretty perky. Went to bed early. Everything is kosher. At 2:28am I hear bang, bang, bang down the stairs. DS throws open the door to my room and shouts at the top of his lungs "I'm gonna throw up!!!". Thank God the bathroom is just steps away from my bedroom door. At least he has good aim. But another day home from school.

DD got a spelling test graded right before Spring Break. She got a 95% because she missed one word. Then she looked harder at the test and the teacher's aide had marked the word "scrubber" as wrong and corrected it with "scruber". After calming my DD down, and trying not to make too many jokes about the state of the public school system, I told her to take the test back in and have the teacher change her grade. So she did today. Never let a SCRUBER get you down. Time to teach these kids to stand up for themselves to the teachers when they know they are wrong. Really, scruber? Scruber? Seriously?

 

[C&G'sMama]

Then she looked harder at the test and the teacher's aide had marked the word "scrubber" as wrong and corrected it with "scruber". After calming my DD down, and trying not to make too many jokes about the state of the public school system, I told her to take the test back in and have the teacher change her grade. So she did today. Never let a SCRUBER get you down. Time to teach these kids to stand up for themselves to the teachers when they know they are wrong. Really, scruber? Scruber? Seriously?

OMG!!!!! Maybe your DD could get the Teacher's aide job.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sort of off topic, but do you think I should get DS a GAC when we are FL in June? Also, what about those wheeled bench walkers? Have you seen those? They look like a walker, but have a basket on the bottom and a bench with almost bike handle brakes. I was thinking that might be a better option for DS than a stroller in June. I want to encourage him to walk, but he needs to take frequent rest breaks, and often times there is no place to do that when it's crowded. Plus, he looks "normal", even super healthy. I guess he is, but there really is something specific to ASD that makes them have terrible endurance and heat problems.

The heat just kills him, and his walking endurance is SO BAD. I even make them take walks and he's OK in very peaceful conditions, like around the farm. It's more of an overload thing, I think. He becomes a limp noodle at school, too. Like his brain and his body can't be on task at the same time. Anyway, advice appreciated.

As far as the GAC, if you haven't looked in the disABILITIES FAQs thread lately, the GAC information is in post #6.
Since it will be hot with or without the GAC and the GAC will only help in waiting for attractions, you might be better off using TourGuide Mike or RideMax. That would help you to plan your day better and be where it's less busy.

Also, you may want to look at a Special Needs stroller. He could still walk, but at least if he becomes the 'limp noodle' you will be able to get him into it and push him.
The walkers with the seats are not meant to be pushed and don't roll well with someone sitting in it. Also, depending on his size, there may not be one small enough for him.

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Great points, Sue. How does one find a Special Needs stroller? I just never thought about it before but two weeks in FL (we are going to the Space Coast, too) might just push DS over the edge of the edge, IYKWIM.

I am usually good at getting through the parks with less lines. Luckily, I don't have the mentality that we have to ride every single ride. I look at each visit as more of an EXPERIENCE instead of a mission. Sure, there are certain things we like to do, but Space Mountain and the big line attractions aren't usually on the list. It's a Small World, and Philharmagic, Buzz Lightyear, etc. Not big attractions for many others. Isn't it true that the GAC won't really help with the lines? I read the GAC thread a while ago and think maybe it would be better in a wheelchair? What do you think? P.S. we own a wheelchair, from when I was unable to walk after an accident. Should I just bring that? It's super light and collapsible.

 

[pudge the fish]

I am not in a WC or even attempt an ECV- I just can't do BIG stairs-

Can you imagine a really short & round -almost blind lady driving an EVC thru the crowds or I should say INTO crowds...Over people...
Mr. Magoo... or Mrs. Magoo??

Anyways I have friends & Family who do WC and Evc's and it's hit or miss as far as lines go-
We have had a LONNNGGGGG wait for some rides and other's it's few minutes.
the same ride can have a different wait time for GAC riders on a different day
I know thats not too much help- but it depends on how many others want to ride-
we had a long wait at Jungle cruise and even a wait at haunted mansion but later that day Buzz was a 2 minute wait where earlier it was a 30 minute wait for those in our party who had a GAC for mobility- I know they say you don't need one with a WC or EVC but we have had a few issues with a couple CM's so we get one anyway now.

BTW -We are going to DTD tomorrow ( Birthday lunch for friends) and I am thinking about hopping over to the Poly and having my First dole whip- if we do, I will enjoy a bit for my friends here...or at least take a pic.. Don't want near the parks- way too crowded for a park visit.