Ready or not!

Sometimes life comes and goes by very easily, Other times it's a little more difficult.  Well since 2007 my life has had so many amazing things in it!  For starters my wonderful son Ashton!  Regardless of his Autism he is still my little man and I wouldn't trade him for the world! But the last almost 4 years have not been easy by any means.  I have dealt with a roller coaster of emotions with my family and friends!  It's so hard to get out of bed sometimes because I have a constant reminder of what's coming when I do!  Ashton is one of the 3 loves of my life! My little man since the day he was born, but dealing with him on a daily basis is so frustrating sometimes.  He gets so angry so easily and usually over something really strange!  For example: When we go to the grocery store and walk up to the automatic door, well if someone steps in and opens it before he does then it's like all hell has broken loose!  It doesn't do any good to try to calm him because he simply refuses to let it go!  He is very stubborn and he will not back down!  So traveling isn't always the easiest thing for us.  He doesn't like to sit for more than a few minutes and if he is not entertained every second of a trip then in comes the screaming!! I have been seriously thinking about either starting or joining an Autism support group.  Because not everybody knows or understands what it's like and it would be nice to be around people who don't look at you like your crazy for allowing your child to scream in public.  It's so hard to be a mom of an Autistic child.  But it also has such wonderful rewards.  The light that glows in his eyes when he gets excited over something as simple as a door opening and closing.  Looking at a flashlight glow on the walls, opening gifts or seeing pretty pictures.  There are so many amazing and exciting different things to learn and watching my son learn them in his own unique way just feels my heart with joy and love.  I have of course lost my temper a few times with him, and I always feel horrible when I do but it's a hard job, and the hours are long and hard.  I worry sometimes if Ashton will get worse as he gets older.  The child psychologist says that he believes Ashton's case will improve as he gets older but there is always that chance where he can get worse and have full blown Autism instead of the partial Autism that he has now..  But ready or not it will come and I will cross that bridge when I get to it!  I write this blog to try and help anyone who might have problems or concerns for their own children.  Questions and comments are always welcome.  I appreciate you all letting us into your lives and I hope that one day I will really be able to help the Autistic community.

public freakout

So I was at the store a few days ago and Ashton decides to have a melt down!  Well I have ways of approaching him when he has a public freakout!  Then this woman I have never seen before comes up and tells me I should spank him and he wouldn't act like that!  First of all yes he would! Spanking doesn't help him in anyway shape or form!!  He is not wired like every other kid he is unique! Spanking would just make it worse! But this woman thinks she can come up to me and tell me whats best for my son! So as politely as I can manage I tell her that he is Autistic so maybe she will walk away!  No I was not quite that lucky!!! Instead she tells me that her grandson has autism and he never acts like that! I was absolutely appauled by this womans behavior!  Who does she think she is telling me how to discipline my son!  Unless she is raising her grandson then I really don't want to hear her advice!  And after almost 8 mins of pure torture listening to this woman she has to walk away because one of the kids she came to the store with was missing!! She wants to stand there and lecture me on parenting and she can't even keep up with her own! I was so upset when we finally gott to walk away! I told my husband "who the hell does she think she is" I couldn't believe someone could be so rude! But then again I guess there are those people all over!  First of all and I have stated this before unless you are the parent of an Autistic child then keep your parenting tips to yourself! You have no idea what I go through on a daily basis! So please keep your advice and your comments to yourself!! 

how do you stop the inevitable???

Today was the last day of school! For most kids and families that is exciting and fun. For me and Ashton however it's a nightmare!  If Autistic children require a strict routine that is almost the same from day to day then how will we cope?  Tomorow morning he will wake up and expect to go to the bus stop.  I dread the next week because he will have to start on a whole new routine and it will really be dificult! But I am a strong mom so I will handle it there's no question about that!  But it does make me wonder!  Are there any special programs speciffically for autistic children?  Something to keep him in his routine for the summer! I will be doing some major research to find a program for him!  I hate that he will be off his routine but I am gonna try to make this a wonderful summer for all of us!  I am so greatful to his teachers and couldn't thank them enough for all of their amazing hard work this year I can't wait till next year!!  So for now we will enjoy our summer!!