Do what ya gotta do…
by admin on October 9, 2009
in autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, mosaic down syndrome, parenting
Thank God it’s Friday! It has been a very difficult week and the reason is one word:
Zoe.
I love her so much, but she has really dug in her heels this week. We changed the school schedule from Mo-Tu-We to Tu-We-Th starting this week, so on Monday she got to sleep in. This was fine by me, but on Tuesday I paid the price. She wouldn’t let me dress her, wouldn’t wear a coat when I finally forced clothes on, and threw a fit, stiffening her back, so that the bus driver and I could not get her on the bus. So she stayed home. (I was tempted to write “autism” in the absentee sheet I had to fill out. Is that cynical??)
The thing was, I couldn’t get my sitter in early. Between that and exhaustion, I called in sick. Zoe was doing things like pulling out the dining table chairs so that she could climb up to get scissors – which we keep in the knife holder. Great.
She hasn’t been sleeping and only slept in her bed one night this week, which means we haven’t been sleeping AND on Tuesday I got my period. Wonderful.
On Wednesday morning, I was terrified, but I got her outside 15 minute early. Going outside prompted her to keep her clothes (still can’t get a coat on), and though she had a terrible fit when the bus came, we got her on. She had a fine day.
Thursday was rainy and I tried some alternate methods. To get her clothes on, I have to strap her into the booster, dress the bottom half (leaving the pants only halfway up) and quickly shove her chair so that she can’t reach her feet. Then I pull out a coookie, which I only give her once her shirt is on. If she pulls it off, I take the cookie away.
When the bus came, I quickly scrubber her face, unlocked her, carried her out really fast, and Diane and I again strapped her, bucking and screaming in. Again she had another good day at school, but I’ve been suffering with a shoulder / neck ache for about a month and I’m not sure how long this will work. Plus, there’s no school next week, so I don’t know how I’ll deal with the following Tuesday. Sigh.
Amelia is doing well, at least. She got accidentally clocked in the eye with a walnut some kid tossed in the air, but despite 2 phone calls from school, she looked OK when she got home. Last night was our first attempt at math homework – “number bonds”, which more or less amounts to learning addition. It wasn’t too bad, but it took nearly 45 minutes and a bag of pretzels. (Hey we need to count something!) It was a struggle since Amelia is still not up to par with 1-to-1 counting but she’s fine with a number line.
For what it’s worth, I think by the end she got it. Sadly, retention is a strong point with her.
So this week’s motto: Do what ya gotta do. And: Autism sucks. I’m wiped out and way behind but I mastered the week.
you poor thing…what a week. we are really struggling with b and school this year and her adhd. she is not doing well with the new classroom and getting the work done. she keeps shutting down in class and can’t move or work. IEP meeting is soon to make adjustments, but i feel so bad for her. she asks every day if she has to go to school bc she hates it. sad.
I’m sorry to hear that! I hope the IEP helps and things pick up for her. Have you considered a tutor? Two of my friends sent their kids to one of those popular tutor places (Sylvan, maybe?) with great success, but then again these were not LD kids. I’m sad for B too! It sucks when kids hate school (been there, wrote the book, but for me it was bullying.)
I wish you the best of luck!
I’ll be fine, but thanks. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?? lol..
I use a portable DVD player with my son’s favorite video every morning to get him to let me get through the morning routine. I do have to tie him to his chair to get hair & teeth brushe and shoes on.
Hi Vanessa, hm, hadn’t thought of a portable! Great idea. Thank you for sharing that tidbit.
My names layla baker and i’m from imagine publishing. i was going to contact you privately but i thought it’d be good for others to see as well. I’d just like to start off by saying anyone who has children or loved ones with autism or other development problems are probably some of the strongest people out there and i pray God blesses you everyday.
We just came out with a new book called The Marvelous Toy, by Tom Paxton. For those of you that don’t already know, its a classic older song that has warmed the hearts of millions for years. The book is paired with a 4-song CD also. I know that colorful vivid graphics and music are very important for spectrum disorder and developmentally disabled children and adults and this book captures the heart of all. So please look into seeing a copy, if not for yourself than for someone you love. and mommy blogger, if your interested in reviewing the book i’d love to send you a copy.