Who You Gonna Call....Nanny 911!

For those of you who don't know me personally, I have a best friend with whom I spend most of my time. Recently, Her and her husband have become foster parents. They had two foster children placed with them. A little boy we will call Mr. J and a little girl who we will call Miss A. My friend and I spend most every day together so Jenna, my four year old and Mr. J spend lots of time together. Remembering that Mr. J came from a not so nice home the poor little guys has some anger issues his target of choice...you guessed it, Jenna.

Most people have a hard time understanding Jenna. Since she was little my best friend has referred to her language as Jennaese.

Every afternoon, I throw my friend in front of the firing squad while I go to the school to pick up Mason and her other babysitting children. Today apparently was no different cause when I returned from the pint size jungle, My friend informed me that my daughter had gotten her cell phone and called for back-up. Who did she call?

Well, The only discernable word my friend could make out between the Jennaese was
"Nanny 911 you need to come to my house!......Mr. J.....Miss A..."

Needless to day, My friend and I were rolling on the floor with laughter. My daughter was trying to get Mr. J in tip-top shape.

New Pediatrician!

Mason and I go to see his new pediatrician tomorrow. I am nervous. His current pediatrician is retiring plus he didn't really address all of Mason's need that were associated with his Asperger's. Although when my children were born, I really like the idea that my pediatrician when my kids from birth. But if it helps my son, I am willing to brave the change. I started by making a list of questions and concerns that I had. I am more concerned about them wanting to straighten Mason's leg than I am about anything else. I guess I will find out tomorrow. Wish us luck!

Sanity Doesn't Require Super Powers!

Last night I was thinking of our journey to where we are now. When we started out, I was frustrated and didn't understand what was going on with my son and how to deal with him. I was thinking of all of this as I saw a post on the Asperger's forum from a mom new to the aspie scene whose child had the symptoms and was needing to know what doctor she needed to see for a diagnosis. As I responded to her blog, a friend noted that I was probably going to terrify her with the list which consists of a psychologist ( who did the testing and gave a diagnosis), his counselor, his pediatrician, his occupational therapist, his speech therapist, his physical therapist, and starting in a couple weeks his Gasteroenterologist, his nutritionist and his neurologist. She was probably right. I probably scared the pants off of that lady.

As I reflected on the trials and hardships that brought Mason and I thus far, I realize that sanity doesn't require super powers. It requires patience and research. The more knowledge you can acquire about your child's condition the more prepared you are. The more you can walk a mile in your child's shoes. See the world through their rose colored glasses. Mason and I have come so far. I say Mason and I cause it not just about enabling him to cope and adjust as well as celebrating his uniqueness, it is about the road we have traveled together.

As I researched and read more about Asperger's. I learned what aspects of Mason's behavior were a part of it. The fact that he chews on his shirts and the rocking. I learned how to calm when down when he gets upset, and to ride out the storm when a meltdown ensues. Most important of all, I have learned the ability to adapt and be flexible. If people wonder why when Mason is screaming and flailing around walmart I seem so calm I'd say they don't know a child with Autism. As my knowledge and patience grew, so did Mason's. I am happy to report that Mason's shirt chewing has all but ceased as well as his rocking. They only show up occasionally now where as they used to occur everyday. I know that they will never stop completely. That there will always be a meltdown or four on the horizon. That I will always have to deal with the feelings and situations he doesn't understand. My understand has made it easier on him. Learning to how respond to my unique child, has made Mason's stress level go down day by day which means less of a need for his repetitive behaviors.

I truly believe that sanity doesn't need superpowers.

Thank You Everyone!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been reading and commenting on my blog. I started this as a way to vent and was hoping to connect with others like me in the process. Thank you everyone who has read my blog or left me comments. I would also like to read other peoples blogs so feel free to follow and I will do the same. I would enjoy some funny stories from other mothers like me. More funny stuff from Mas to come so stay tuned....

Where is Larry the Cucumber when my pickle is lost?

Another traumatic day for Mr. Mas and I. I have to start by saying that mothering a child with Asperger's has to be the most wonderful and the hardest thing I ever had to do. Whoever said the lines are blurred when raising a child never had to raise one like mine. I feel that sometimes I put more blame on myself for the meltdowns than I deserve. At least that is what my best friend told me today. It all started with the pickle. I got a wonderful note from Sir-teach-alot (A.K.A) Mas' first grade teacher. Telling me that Mason is doing so much better and to thank Mr. S and I for all that we are doing. Last year it was not so much a tradition as it was part of Mason's regular routine that on the day's that the PTO was selling Popcorn and pickles, Mason always got to choose one. Being a new year I was unaware of when the PTO was doing it. I assumed that it would be listed on his homework sheet as usual. BIG MISTAKE! You guessed it! Today was popcorn and pickle day and I conveniently left my purse at the house. I tried to tell Mason that I was sorry and I didn't know that it was pickle day and he could have one next time. I lost that fight! I had to drag Mason to the car kicking and screaming. I heard it all. From "I hate you!" to "They are never going to have pickles again!" In the back of my mind, I feel like the most horrible mother. A good mother would know that this would cause a meltdown and have averted it in the first place. The truth: It doesn't make me a bad mom. It makes me human.

Football Fiasco

My reaction when my six-year-old Autistic son wanted to try flag football, Lets just say it felt kinda like the feeling you get when the elevator stops too fast. Admittedly I can't deny that when I had a son I was hoping I could be a football mom. All small town Texas parents feel a little bit of their dreams dashed when their son doesn't want to play football. I have to admit I was hoping that he would find his place out on the field. It would have made me proud to go to the games all decked out in the schools colors and display goofy little bumper stickers that said my kid tackled your kid. However, I knew that Mason probably wouldn't like it because of the reaction he gives when someone invades his "bubble". He asked to try and we let him. He did as good as could be expected for the first practice. The second not so much. He didn't want to warm up with the other little boys and when he told me he didn't like it cause he didn't know how to play. I told him that he was here to learn and if he practiced with the other boys he would learn how to play and might like it. So finally, I convinced him to try after about fifteen minutes he come running off of the field crying. He told me that some little boy took his flags and threw them on the ground and that was mean. It was then that I knew Mason wasn't cut out for football. He takes things so personally and is very sensitive. Taking into account how literal he views the world. He couldn't comprehend that that was how the game was played all he knew was that he had been taught that taking things from people and throwing them was mean. I know that parents shouldn't keep their kids from new experiences, but it is hard not to want to shelter them. If I have learned anything whilst being Mason's mommy it's that even though I knew he wouldn't like it I shouldn't keep him from finding that out on his own. I want him to want to try new things even if he is not sure if he will like them. Even if I KNOW he won't like them. So hopefully Mason will find out what he likes to do in this world. So far all I know is when he grows up he wants to be a fireman....Got my work cut out for me!

Trial run was a flop!

Wow. Parents have some bright ideas. Of all of my bright ideas, One of them I had was to try Mason out at school and see how he did with no ADHD medication. In my long history of bad ideas, this was the worst. Okay so maybe I am exaggerating just a tad. We tried it for the first week of school and needless to say it didn't work. Tomorrow we start back on the Focalin. I had to have a sit down with Mason's teacher and have a talk about his lack of control. He had been kicking brick walls and hitting himself in the face with is fist, flinging papers around the room and being way too hyper. At least his teacher understands that the little white pills don't create perfect little robot children.

Docotrs Visit-$125

ADHD Medication- $60

An Understanding Teacher-PRICELESS