Thursday, 28 June 2012

Week 4 of "The Course"

I signed up for a Course - An ASD for Parents Guideance type of course.
It is a 6 week course - every Thursday for 2 hours.

Today was Week 4.   I missed Week 3 - bad me! - but Lucas had a meltdown.   I could not face it last week.

I went this week!  - I was a good girl!

This course, in my humble opinion, and only my opinion has been structured wrongly.   I think it should be 8 weeks long with 3 hours per session.   The "Instructors" are force-feeding us information and not giving us the opportunity to question it.   I feel it is a bit of a boot-camp.   I told a few people my feelings today - and was told, but they are volunteers, they need to cram all the info in, they care about us, one of them cried last week - so I shut up.   I think the course could have been structured more sensibly.  

We learned the 1 2 3 Magic technique today - google it!

"sarcasm tag on"    (its just common sense, but a Professor made money by writing a paper about it - she did say his name, but I darent put my hand up and ask again - as there is no time for questions!!!) "sarcasm tag off"  (sorry...)

I tried this new technique on Lucas.    Result?   He told ME - I have had 2 chances.... hmmm.... something wrong here!   Then when he reached the borderline, he looked at me and said.... "I love you mummy.... cute smile..."   I give up - I can't win can I?

Off to buy some ice-cream now.    I picked a bowl of raspberries from my canes.   They really need to go over some ice-cream.

Anyone want any?


Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Lucas spent the whole day in LucasLand today.

I woke up this morning ready for the usual battle to try and get Lucas through the School Door by 9am.   This is a Battle, there are various stages of the Battle that have to be fought daily, in order too - and to be honest, we are actually getting better, and the Battles are getting easier, and our name is NOT appearing as frequently as it used to in the Late Book - so... that is obviously Progress - Yay US!!! Yay!

This Morning? however, was a different matter.    Lucas was awake, Marcus heard him coughing, I started the morning battle, noting that the time was winning this morning... had to readjust my battle plan without trigging a meltdown...

Lucas then appeared by my side, quiet, listless, and pale..   Hmmm.... little voice said - "I was sick this morning.... "  Mummy voice then checked him over and then had a little lecture, asking for descriptions etc, was this a story? or was this true.   It was true. He had bright red ears too.

Lucas has spent the whole day on the sofa - in a lethargic state - in LucasLand! - I checked on him several times, and tried to play with him, but the shutters were down, and the laptop was open, he was in LucasLand.   He came out of LucasLand occasionally when he was hungry - as there is no McDonalds in LucasLand - but quickly went back.   He was happy.

He is having an early night tonight.   

He missed his tennis lesson - he was quite upset about this, but understood he was not well, and it would have been a wasted lesson as he had no energy today.    He will use twice as much energy  up on Monday.

I asked him what the weather was like in LucasLand today - he said nice and warm - with a cute smile :)

While he was in LucasLand I was able to watch Juan Monaco reach the 3rd Round at Wimbledon - a great match! - with 2 great commentators too - They really did call the match without any anecdotes about how wonderful they (the Commentators) were - and they stood up for Monaco when the Umpire got the rules wrong - A good match - a great result!! 

On balance - today was a good day - if a sick child day can be a good day.

Sunday, 24 June 2012

Positive Thoughts

I am a firm believer that when one door closes another window opens - even if sometimes it takes a while for the window to open.

I also think you should take opportunities whenever possible.

I am more of a Just Do It - and see what happens than a "What If...person"   Sometimes this has had great results - others.... hmmm well, life would be boring if everyone was always sensible.  Right?

I am writing this article on Positivity - yet actually the (invisible) negative bird on my shoulder is making lots of noise.   Maybe if I keep typing he will be quiet.

Positive Aims for 2012

See all my long distance friends again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How has this aim progressed?    We managed to reach Switzerland and Germany! (in France) (long distance friends...) and would love to reach Argentina and Hawaii! (via LA!) - it is June... we still have time for this target.

(disclaimer.... the above statement means we actually met some of our Swiss and German friends in France after a long spell not seeing them - we hope to repeat the exercise and see more Long Distance Friends soon too).

Best wishes to all.


Lucas

Lucas is my 7 year old ASD Angel... often with a dirty and cheeky face!! - he is a real boy.

Lucas has been diagnosed and labelled with ASD Apergers, High Functioning Autism - with a spoonful of ADHD thrown in too.   Just for good measure...

He plays tennis and has a great tennis teacher, Mel - her lessons will feature here alot! - She is his "personal trainer!" and she is a major part of his life.

Lucas has major problems with Group Work and PE at school is a weakness.   1 hour and 45 minutes with Mel every week is a major strengh - she rules!

Academically Lucas is a little Genius - so that is a good sign! - He had a Year 1 Report last year.    57 statements, each graded "W" (working towards target) "A" Achieved Target  "*" Excellent and Excelled Target - the average child in his class got about 6 or 7 stars.    Lucas got 47 *s - we counted.   We were very proud of him.

He has socially improved in many areas over the last year - since diagnosis, and his sleeping is now under control.   This is still under control and not "cured" as this will not be the case.  I know this will not be the case. Control is the key word here.  Keeping on Track.  Watching out for road blocks.   Life is full of care strategies.   Fun!

Lucas has also moved alot of his goal posts about too - he is showing alot more traits and features than before.

I spend my life attending meetings and Support Groups and Social Workers - all with the aim to "control and guide Lucas" to ensure he has the best of everything!

Lucas spends alot of time in Lucas Land.   Sometimes he lets me in, others he put up a NO ENTRY sign.   As long as he is safe and happy, then he can go to Lucas Land.

Some days I think - hey everything's ok! - what is the point of all this stress - we are all ok!

AND then Others......   That sledgehammer gets me on the side of the neck and I realise - OK Houston we do have a Problem.     Its a mental problem....   I am useless at mental problems.... My brain does not like them!!!

Emotions.   Everybody needs them.  But believe me, the silent ones can be deadly!

Lucas will be changing schools in September...... GREAT!! - Watch this space - this is where all the "incidents" will be noted.

I have gained inspiration by reading about Clay Marzo and watching his YouTube Videos - if he can make it to the top of his field, then there is hope for Lucas and his friends too.   Google him.

I try and live with a Positive Attitude.... but this often fails (you have been warned).

I try to live with the Glass Half Full  - it empties alot and often gets knocked over, and the milk also spills too.

SO.... dear new Blog - welcome to your new life - of receiving the Pressure I will be throwing at you - and acting as my valve, helping me refill the glass (White Zinfandel Rose preferred) - and saving my poor friends on Facebook's Statuses too.

Love and best wishes to all my readers! 

A New Home!

Hello Everyone

Welcome to my new blog.   My Old Blog (Diary of a Parent with an Aspergers Child - A rollercoaster ride) got swallowed up in Cyber Space - I think it is time to create a new one - so! - THANK YOU Dayna for the Link to here - and the "very helpful - "DO IT NOW!" nudge...." it looks like we are up and away again....