Discovered a great website today: www.glutenfreeonthego.com.
It has long been a concern for me to start the diet for my son knowing that we do enjoy eating out a lot. This website will help you out anywhere in the world!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Inspiring Story
It's nice to read an inspiring story and it's also nice when it brings Autism awareness to the world, especially those who don't live with it daily.
Here's the link:
http://www.aolhealth.com/health/caregiver-support/autism-horse-boy
Here's the link:
http://www.aolhealth.com/health/caregiver-support/autism-horse-boy
WOW...it's almost been a year
11 months ago, I posted my 1st entry on this blog. I knew it was approaching but didn't realize how soon. We've been on this journery almost a year now; it's hard to remember what life was like before we started.
Music Therapy
Sometimes, things just have a way of working out. I received a flyer on a yahoo group that I am a part of and it made my day. It was advertising music therapy sessions specifically for children with PDD-NOS and Asperger's, who generally don't get services through the state. Trying to cash pay for these services elsewhere usually lands you on a waiting list because those who receive help through DDD get it first. Crazy, huh? The cost is only $15 per session!
Here's the info:
Valley Music Therapy
Tuesdays at 4pm
Scottsdale Bible Church
7601 E Shea Blvd Room E102
Call 480.332.1651
www.valleymusictherapy.com
Here's the info:
Valley Music Therapy
Tuesdays at 4pm
Scottsdale Bible Church
7601 E Shea Blvd Room E102
Call 480.332.1651
www.valleymusictherapy.com
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Taken from Wikipedia:
Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and people with it therefore show significant difficulties in social interaction, along with stereotypies and other restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other ASDs by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported. It is named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, demonstrated limited empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy. Fifty years later, AS was standardized as a diagnosis but questions about many aspects remain. For example, there is lingering doubt about the distinction between AS and high-functioning autism (HFA); partly because of this, the prevalence of AS is not firmly established. The exact cause is unknown, although research supports the likelihood of a genetic basis; brain imaging techniques have not identified a clear common pathology.
There is no single treatment for Asperger syndrome, and the effectiveness of particular interventions is supported by only limited data. Intervention is aimed at improving symptoms and function. The mainstay of management is behavioral therapy, focusing on specific deficits to address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. Most individuals with AS improve over time, but difficulties with communication, social adjustment and independent living continue into adulthood. Some researchers and people with AS have advocated a shift in attitudes toward the view that AS is a difference, rather than a disability that must be treated or cured.
Taken from WebMD.com:
Although there are many possible symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, the main symptom is severe trouble with social situations. Your child may have mild to severe symptoms or have a few or many of these symptoms. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger's are alike.
Symptoms during childhood:
Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:
~Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking.
~Dislike any changes in routines.
~Appear to lack empathy.
~Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech. Thus, your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Likewise, his or her speech may be flat and difficult to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.
~Have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the child may use the word "beckon" instead of "call" or the word "return" instead of "come back."
~Avoid eye contact or stare at others.
~Have unusual facial expressions or postures.
~Be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or studying astronomy. They may show an unusual interest in certain topics such as snakes, names of stars, or dinosaurs.
~Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized. ~Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball. He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor.
~Have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures. For more information about these symptoms, see sensory integration dysfunction.
Ok...after reading this, I can see why the doc at Melmed would say that his diagnosis may change to this. Some people have told me that he can't has Asperger's because he had a speech delay. But he only had that because he couldn't hear. He started speaking right away after his tubes were put in.
Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and people with it therefore show significant difficulties in social interaction, along with stereotypies and other restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other ASDs by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical use of language are frequently reported. It is named after the Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger who, in 1944, described children in his practice who lacked nonverbal communication skills, demonstrated limited empathy with their peers, and were physically clumsy. Fifty years later, AS was standardized as a diagnosis but questions about many aspects remain. For example, there is lingering doubt about the distinction between AS and high-functioning autism (HFA); partly because of this, the prevalence of AS is not firmly established. The exact cause is unknown, although research supports the likelihood of a genetic basis; brain imaging techniques have not identified a clear common pathology.
There is no single treatment for Asperger syndrome, and the effectiveness of particular interventions is supported by only limited data. Intervention is aimed at improving symptoms and function. The mainstay of management is behavioral therapy, focusing on specific deficits to address poor communication skills, obsessive or repetitive routines, and physical clumsiness. Most individuals with AS improve over time, but difficulties with communication, social adjustment and independent living continue into adulthood. Some researchers and people with AS have advocated a shift in attitudes toward the view that AS is a difference, rather than a disability that must be treated or cured.
Taken from WebMD.com:
Although there are many possible symptoms of Asperger’s syndrome, the main symptom is severe trouble with social situations. Your child may have mild to severe symptoms or have a few or many of these symptoms. Because of the wide variety of symptoms, no two children with Asperger's are alike.
Symptoms during childhood:
Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:
~Not pick up on social cues and may lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking.
~Dislike any changes in routines.
~Appear to lack empathy.
~Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech. Thus, your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Likewise, his or her speech may be flat and difficult to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.
~Have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the child may use the word "beckon" instead of "call" or the word "return" instead of "come back."
~Avoid eye contact or stare at others.
~Have unusual facial expressions or postures.
~Be preoccupied with only one or few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or studying astronomy. They may show an unusual interest in certain topics such as snakes, names of stars, or dinosaurs.
~Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized. ~Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball. He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor.
~Have heightened sensitivity and become overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures. For more information about these symptoms, see sensory integration dysfunction.
A child with one or two of these symptoms does not necessarily have Asperger’s syndrome. To be diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a child must have a combination of these symptoms and severe trouble with social situations.
Although the condition is in some ways similar to autism, a child with Asperger's syndrome typically has normal language and intellectual development. Also, those with Asperger's syndrome typically make more of an effort than those with autism to make friends and engage in activities with others.
Ok...after reading this, I can see why the doc at Melmed would say that his diagnosis may change to this. Some people have told me that he can't has Asperger's because he had a speech delay. But he only had that because he couldn't hear. He started speaking right away after his tubes were put in.
1st gluten free dinner
Wrote this last night but never posted it....
I just finished cooking my 1st gluten free dinner. Joey is a picky eater but at least he ate some of it so there's hope! I cooked up Trader's Joe's mac & cheese and Whole Foods chicken tenders. It's a start!
I was told that until I have Joey evaluated by a gastro doc that I should wait to go completely GFCF. Until then, I am slowly substituting his favorite things so that I can load up my arsenal for when we are ready to go full throttle!
I just finished cooking my 1st gluten free dinner. Joey is a picky eater but at least he ate some of it so there's hope! I cooked up Trader's Joe's mac & cheese and Whole Foods chicken tenders. It's a start!
I was told that until I have Joey evaluated by a gastro doc that I should wait to go completely GFCF. Until then, I am slowly substituting his favorite things so that I can load up my arsenal for when we are ready to go full throttle!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
SARRC's Jump Start Program ~ Day 1 (7/15)
Yesterday was our 1st day at SARRC's Jump Start Program. I was on the waitlist for this since January and had to pay the full $500 tuition for it 6 weeks before the start date. Do you think we were excited? You bet we were!
What made it bittersweet was that my ex-husband just happened to be in town for a few days so he was able to make it to the 1st day. I really didn't think he would go but he did and it seemed like he wanted to be there. Well, he showed as much enthusiasm as he's capable, which is not much, but it was good for him.
The 1st part of the 3 hour session is always a lecture and the 2nd part is either observation or one on one training with your child. Yesterday's lecture was basically an introduction to the program and to Autism; basic descriptions of the Spectrum and treatments for it.
I really think that my ex finally understood that yes, there is something going on with his son and that it's a good thing Mommy hasn't buried her head in the sand the way Daddy has for the past year.
I am looking forward to the next few weeks and am already putting some of the DTT techniques they briefly touched upon yesterday.
What made it bittersweet was that my ex-husband just happened to be in town for a few days so he was able to make it to the 1st day. I really didn't think he would go but he did and it seemed like he wanted to be there. Well, he showed as much enthusiasm as he's capable, which is not much, but it was good for him.
The 1st part of the 3 hour session is always a lecture and the 2nd part is either observation or one on one training with your child. Yesterday's lecture was basically an introduction to the program and to Autism; basic descriptions of the Spectrum and treatments for it.
I really think that my ex finally understood that yes, there is something going on with his son and that it's a good thing Mommy hasn't buried her head in the sand the way Daddy has for the past year.
I am looking forward to the next few weeks and am already putting some of the DTT techniques they briefly touched upon yesterday.
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