I posted a while ago about our need to find a bigger house, so that my son can have his own bedroom. Well, it looks as if we are finally set to move to our new house in the next few weeks.
We took the kids to look at the house for the first time and they loved it. I'm not sure how my son will be when we actually move because kids with autism don't like changes in their routine, so I think it may upset him, although he does understand that he is moving house, I don't think he realises the implications.
Update soon....
Monday 30 April 2012
Friday 27 April 2012
The Dangers of Everyday Items
When you have an autistic child, you cannot "switch off", even for a moment. The second you take your eye off the ball, could be the exact time that your child chooses to do something dangerous.
My son does not see the potential danger in things that are obvious to other children his age. Last night he was running around a lot before he went to bed and was all hot and sweaty, so unbeknown to me, he went into the freezer and grabbed a small ice-pack, the type you put in kids lunchboxes. His dad put him up to bed and didn't see any problem in him having the ice pack in the bed with him to cool him down.
15 minutes later, and my daughter was frantically running down the stairs and shouting that her brother had bitten into the (now liquid) ice pack and swallowed some of the contents. The pack had the words "Do not swallow" printed on the front, so I was really worried that my son had been poisoned.
After getting him to drink a glass of milk, and scouring the internet for information, I found the website of the ice pack manufacturer, which thankfully stated that the ice pack contained no toxic ingredients, as they realised that accidents to happen, and children sometimes ingest the contents.
Emergency averted.
Seriously, you have to take health and safety to a whole new level when you have a child with no sense of danger.
My son does not see the potential danger in things that are obvious to other children his age. Last night he was running around a lot before he went to bed and was all hot and sweaty, so unbeknown to me, he went into the freezer and grabbed a small ice-pack, the type you put in kids lunchboxes. His dad put him up to bed and didn't see any problem in him having the ice pack in the bed with him to cool him down.
15 minutes later, and my daughter was frantically running down the stairs and shouting that her brother had bitten into the (now liquid) ice pack and swallowed some of the contents. The pack had the words "Do not swallow" printed on the front, so I was really worried that my son had been poisoned.
After getting him to drink a glass of milk, and scouring the internet for information, I found the website of the ice pack manufacturer, which thankfully stated that the ice pack contained no toxic ingredients, as they realised that accidents to happen, and children sometimes ingest the contents.
Emergency averted.
Seriously, you have to take health and safety to a whole new level when you have a child with no sense of danger.
Sunday 8 April 2012
The Downside of Games Consoles
In a previous post, I applauded the virtues of the games console as a great way to occupy autistic kids. They are fascinated with the games and the freedom that they offer.
However, I have noticed the downside and it was made all too clear to me today.
Slowly, over time, I have been using the games as a "babysitter". It was never my intention, but I am a busy mom with 3 kids and the games console is an easy way to entertain them. Plug it in and you have peace for a couple of hours, right?
School holidays have had me relying on the console more and more, especially as the weather has been so bad and we haven't been able to go outside much. The problems start when I try to get the kids off the thing.
My son screams as if his world as ended. The console seems to make the kids hyper and they have trouble entertaining themselves without it, as few things seem to offer the same brain-buzzing levels of stimulation. High on games, they start fighting each other and becoming aggressive, with poor levels of concentration. I don't buy violent games, but any game seems to make the kids aggressive due to the competitive element and frustration of completing a level. They seem desperate for their next games "fix" and after coming off one console, grab for the handhelds like addicts.
I have decided to limit the games consoles and only allow them for a short time period after school, with a bit longer on weekends. Hopefully this strategy will calm the kids down a bit and prevent all the aggression build up.
However, I have noticed the downside and it was made all too clear to me today.
Slowly, over time, I have been using the games as a "babysitter". It was never my intention, but I am a busy mom with 3 kids and the games console is an easy way to entertain them. Plug it in and you have peace for a couple of hours, right?
School holidays have had me relying on the console more and more, especially as the weather has been so bad and we haven't been able to go outside much. The problems start when I try to get the kids off the thing.
My son screams as if his world as ended. The console seems to make the kids hyper and they have trouble entertaining themselves without it, as few things seem to offer the same brain-buzzing levels of stimulation. High on games, they start fighting each other and becoming aggressive, with poor levels of concentration. I don't buy violent games, but any game seems to make the kids aggressive due to the competitive element and frustration of completing a level. They seem desperate for their next games "fix" and after coming off one console, grab for the handhelds like addicts.
I have decided to limit the games consoles and only allow them for a short time period after school, with a bit longer on weekends. Hopefully this strategy will calm the kids down a bit and prevent all the aggression build up.
Saturday 7 April 2012
Action For Children
I managed to get a referral from my son's school so that he can access the facilities at the local Action For Children resource centre.
The centre caters for disabled children from birth to 18, offering respite, support groups, playschemes and days out for disabled youngsters.
A lovely lady came to visit me at home and talk me through the options that were best for my son. They also offer a siblings group, where they take siblings of disabled children for an evening out once a month, which I think is a great idea for my older two, as they can sometimes get a bit resentful of the amount of attention that their little brother gets.
It also means that I will get a bit of a break from having to constantly supervise him and I will be able to do more with the family when he is on his trips ot playschemes. I am thankful that this service, and those like it exist. It will enable my son to gain confidence and a measure of independence, reinforcing and building on his social skills.
The centre caters for disabled children from birth to 18, offering respite, support groups, playschemes and days out for disabled youngsters.
A lovely lady came to visit me at home and talk me through the options that were best for my son. They also offer a siblings group, where they take siblings of disabled children for an evening out once a month, which I think is a great idea for my older two, as they can sometimes get a bit resentful of the amount of attention that their little brother gets.
It also means that I will get a bit of a break from having to constantly supervise him and I will be able to do more with the family when he is on his trips ot playschemes. I am thankful that this service, and those like it exist. It will enable my son to gain confidence and a measure of independence, reinforcing and building on his social skills.
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