Visual Learning

Once I started looking, or maybe once I started noticing, autism seems to be everywhere. There is a great article in wired, and so many sites it is hard to keep track.

I just started reading Thinking in Pictures, and it is very interesting trying to figure out how this womans story could relate to Dominic. I think I can see some of the traits she has in him, but certainly not others.

I'm just barely out of chapter one so still to early to tell.

He has been doing very well with controlling his aggression - he may be a little more challenged now, and I think that helps. I really want to get him involved in music - I think he will enjoy it.

I have Friday off with the boys - daycare is closed - so we are going to the Science Museum. There is an exhibit on animation I think they might enjoy.

Officially ASD'd

So yesterday afternoon was the official meting with the psychologist for the School District about Dominic. He officially is diagnosed(?) with Autism Spectrum Disorder - very mild symptoms, but nonetheless. Carol and Kris were very positive about Dominic, and had some great suggestions. They are assigning him to a teacher at the center - Ginger - and will try and get him into some socialization classes there next year for a couple hours a day - probably 3 days a week.

Later that night was the first meeting for Autism 101. Some great background info, but not really enough time to get some specific strategies. I called today to sign-up for the remainder of the classes. Besides, Dominic had a great time in their day-care room! The other best part about the class was seeing about 10 of Dominic's teachers from his preschool in the class getting some training and tools. I think that this spring someone from the Autism Center for the district will be stopping by to offer them training and tools for dealing with autistic kids. There is at least one at the center now, and probably more on the way.

Not to be left out. Rowan vomited up breakfast as soon as he stepped through the door at preschool. So Jenny stayed home with him.

A pretty emotional day for everyone. I don't think I've taken it all in yet.

To the Mall and Back Again

Dominic seemed focused on riding the "roller coasters" at the Mall of America, so we went on Sat. He was pretty adventurous, but not very patient - I'll accept that. We went on the Tree Swing ride - little chairs that fly around attached to a large metal Tree. I've read about kids with autism having problems with balance or sounds but that doesn't seem to be Dominic's issue.

His big issue was leaving and going to IKEA - lots of screaming and cryingeven though I explained the schedule ahead of time. Then the kids playland was full, and by the time I figured out that's what he wants, and waited in line to get him in, it was time to go. Sigh. So we waited around for awhile - bought some food like these fabulous little cookies I'm having right now - and of course there was more crying when we left.

We had some tired boys when we got home, so after dinner and a bit of acting out it was time for bed - early. Sunday we slept in till almost 7 AM - wow.

Sunday in church was good and bad. I spent the entire car trip telling Dominic and Rowan to sit still during the children's sermon and not to touch the baptism font (no hand in the water!). Anyway there was a baptism this morning and the Pastor had all the kids gather around the font, and touch and look. I told Jenny that God was either laughing at me or had it in for me - don't know which. The boys were actually very good - go figure.

Kids church did not go well - Rowan wasn't listening, and Dominic kept screaming until the leader ignored him. Not sure what Rowan's issue is, maybe he is just trying to get some of the attention that his brother is getting. I talked with him and couldn't really get an answer. So no donuts today. Sunday school seemed to go well - the teachers both have kids that are the boys age so they have a good bag of tricks for occupying kids.

Mac and Cheese comfort food for lunch and sledding later - I'm hoping for another early night.

Monday is the meeting with the staff from Willow Lane about Dominic - they are the early child specialist that are doing the write up on Dominic, and later that night is the meeting for parents learning about autism.

Moving up to a New Room

So Dominic didn't get to go on the field trip (Rowan reported that they had a great time, five floors and an ant maze) but he did get to play in the Stars room (the older preschool room.

While there was no reported problems with aggression, he did have a potty accident. He just wont stop what he is doing to go - sigh.

On a happier note, we played Mousetrap - and we made the mousetrap work!! - and I put together Dominic's Star Wars Lego spacechip - lots of fun, and it's yellow.

I hope Dominic can stay in the Stars room - I think he might be happier there.

A Revalation at Pre-school

Dominic did not have a good day at pre-school yesterday. He acted out and hit his teacher. The rest of the kids are going on a field trip to the Children's museum, but he has to stay behind - I think he will be crushed.

However, when Jen wen to pick him up yesterday his teacher had a bit of a revelation - he is bored. They think he knows everything in the young pre-school room he is in and is just bored and frustrated. Even though he sounds like he has a large vocabulary, I think he is just copying the words he hears - combine this with a general lack of social skills, and he gets into tantrum mode pretty quickly.

His older brother is moving out of the older pre-school room this week, and they are going to transition him into the older kids room soon I hope.

I just hope he makes thru today OK.

Birthday Party

Dominic had a good day at pre-school. don't know if the kids were excited about his birthday or the cupcakes - don't care. Jenny was told that he behaved and didn't act out. Progress. He appears to be trying to join other kids in their games - better progress. He still doesn't re-act appropriately most of the time, but I think that is something that can be helped with attention and help from some kind of therapy. My biggest concern is the aggression followed by the non-appropriate behavior like screaming or repetition of words.

I've been doing some reading on Aspergers, and I think my next step is to find the thing he really likes and let him focus on that. However, the thing a four year old really likes is bound to change, but right now it is probably music - a good start.

Last night we went to Space Aliens for his birthday. It is a space themed Chuckee Cheese. he had a great time playing the games, and mac and chees for dinner is always great. He got some Star Wars Legos, and a Little Einsteins "Rocket". He seemed to love them both and took the little "Leo" character to bed.

A good day.

Bad Weekend

So I get up early, because I'm the one that is supposed to get everyone organized and out of the house. We are going to visit the boys Great Grandma - Henri. I love Henri, she is generous and a good cook to boot!

Anyway, Henri is not feeling well and tries to call us to tell us not to come. Well I got everyone on the road early so that didn't work. Henri tries to call my mom-inlaws cell phone, but she didn't think to bring it. So we don't find out until we are almost there - three hours into the trip. And we only find out because we call to see if there is anything we can bring.

So we go anyway, stay for ten minutes, and my mom-inlaw says she will buy lunch. OK, I have a terrible steak sandwich, and end up spilling my drink on the table.

All this before 1 PM on Saturday.

No sleep Sunday night - coughing child.

Rush to church where Dominic decides to put his hand in the baptismal font during the childrens sermon.

Do taxes and find out that we owe the state more than a couple hundred dollars.

Miss out on gaming convention while taking pointless trip to not see relatives.

Find out that GenCon has filed for bankruptcy - and is being accused of not donating proceeds from an auction to a charity. Very sad.

Anyway - two good things.

Went to see Juno - great movie.

Dominic had an OK weekend - he was great in the car, and better than me at the restaurant.

Anyway (part II) - today is Dominic's 4th birthday. He is very excited. Perhaps just for the cupcakes and the trip to Space Aliens tonight, but excited nonetheless.

I hope he like his presents, and I hope we didn't get too much.

Starting Over

So this used to be a gaming blog - now that the game is over, I've decided to re-purpose this blog to my other (real) life.

So what prompted this? Two things really.

My youngest son was recently diagnosed with Aspergers - a form of autism. You can't tell from where you are, but there was a long pause after that last sentence. My wife and I are trying to come to grips with this, and it is proving hard. I am not a great talker, so it is hard for me to speak rationally about something like this. I try too much just to solve the problem, and that isn't really an option. So, I'm writing to see if that helps me work out my feelings. Feelings aren't something I'm very good at.

So the second thing is actually my friend Ed's trip to India, and more specifically his writing about it. I don't get to see Ed enough, so reading his blog (elinder.livejournal.com) helps me keep in touch with him. I haven't told anyone about this blog, so it isn't really helping me keep in touch with anyone - except maybe myself.

Enough for now - next time Real Content! (no promises)