May 6, 2012

Patrick and Jake about 2 months old - this is the only way they could sleep for almost a year. either on my chest or right up against me

my mom with Patrick and Jake about 4 months old - I nursed and bottle fed them formula. Jake had to have formula for sensitive stomachs because of his reflux

Patrick and Jake on their 1st Father's Day about 3 months old - I just love this picture, their hair looks so red

Jake today, letting me know he is thirsty

puzzle pieces lined up by Patrick in the window

Patrick working the ABC puzzle

May 3, 2012

Long time, no blog update! I think it has been 2 months. Lots has happened. The boys started Pre-K on March 19th. They were supposed to start on the 12th but the principal called on the 9th and said they weren't quite ready, could they please start on the 14th. I said sure, I needed a few more days anyway. So the 14th came and we got up, got ready and waited for the bus, and waited for the bus. I called and no one told the bus driver to pick them up. They had a doctor appointment on the 15th and no school on Fridays, so I said they'd just start on Monday the 19th and that is what they did. They got on the bus without a whimper. Jake gave the sweetest smile as the bus pulled away. It was a bittersweet moment. I was happy that they were going to be getting the therapies that they need, but so so sad that my babies were going to be away for hours. Their teacher said that I could call at any time. I made myself wait until after noon before I called. Their teacher said that they were doing fine. The only time they cried was when they weren't allowed to pick their noses. They ate breakfast alright. They only ate yogurt, wouldn't touch the pancakes. Ate mashed potatoes at lunch, wouldn't touch the chicken or green beans. She said one of them was napping and the other was running around the class room. I was relieved that they did so well. They really seem to like their teachers and aides. They get up easily most morning and are sleeping better most nights. We have dropped the naps and that helps a lot. One of their aides rides the bus with them and every day she tells us something new that they have done. Jake apparently loves the school custodian and she will take him for a walk up and down the hall and bring him back to class. He knocks on the door and says "Me in" for "Let me in". I thought that was just adorable. Patrick talks to the boy in the mirror. The school psychologist did an autism evaluation. CARS-2. Jake received an overall raw score of 42, a result at the 69th percentile and in the moderate to severe symptoms range. Patrick received an overall raw score of 42.5, in the 69th percentile of the moderate to severe symptoms range. Does that count as a diagnosis? I think so. It should if it doesn't. I finally got them to Process Strategies on April 23rd and a child psychologist saw them, asked a lot of questions, observed their behavior for a while and gave me homework that I still have to finish. BASC-2 for parent and teacher to complete. And the CARS-2, but the school already did that. Patrick goes back on Monday the 7th and Jake goes on Wednesday. I know they are autistic, we just need to get the paperwork done at this point so we can get them treatments. Also, regarding my belief that I may have Asperger's Syndrome, I now know it. It explains everything about my behavior that has confused me for my whole life. I'm still doing lots of googling about autism, watching videos about autism on youtube, as well as reading blogs from other mothers with autistic children and asperger moms with autistic children. I am learning so much but still feel clueless and confused most days. There is just so much that isn't known. What causes it, does diet help, does medication help, should we do ABA or Rising Son, it goes on and on. We did get them some LeapFrog learning toys and they both sit around like teenagers with cell phones, pushing buttons and texting. It is adorable.