Christmas and Doctors reports

I must first start off writing that recently my ex took Phoebe to see a "Behavioral Psychologist" that we both agreed might be a good idea. For once, I did not attend the meeting- and let him take her. We were looking for help on medications and how to treat behaviors and deal with them on a daily basis. Maybe, just maybe, this doctor would have something profound to say. The visit was in October, and I received the report on Friday. It was one page, and then attached to this one page were copied documents on how to give Time-Outs, use 1-2-3 Magic, and another common method for behaviors. Not to sound condescending, but REALLY??? The report was on how we need to implement these strategies. I'm not a genius, but I do have a degree, and have been dealing with THIS child for 12 years now. You don't think I've tried this? Time-outs have never worked with her, as she has the attention span of a flea, and 1-2-3 Magic was comical as she would consistently wait until I got to 3 to even attempt to do what I was asking- making me look ridiculous. I am not sure what I expected, but I guess I wanted this doctor to look at OUR daughter and her case, and then come up with a few ideas. If he couldn't, I would have been more impressed with a suggestion of.."take her here", or "we don't really know." As a parent of an autistic child who has been to Yale Autism Clinic, Central Michigan Behavioral Clinic, 2 Psychologists, 2 Psychiatrists, a Neurologist, and Endocrinologist, a Pediatric Gynecologist, and an ABA Therapist - to name a few...I think that I must have the answers, and it's time that I figure out what works best for her on my own. There is no exact answer when the spectrum is as large as it is.

HOLIDAYS:)

Most of us love the holiday season. I am one of those people. I love cookies (who doesn't), and parties (who are we kidding...I don't go to parties), and getting together with family. Our routine has been pretty consistent the last few years, and you'd think that would make it easier on our Phoebe. Then again this is Autism, and you thought wrong. Christmas Eve is a challenge, and that's all I need to say. It's like having a newborn baby all over again. Last year, I can remember her getting up every 1/2 hour looking for Santa. (Because my daughter can read fluently - I'll just say that getting up every half hour starting at 9...makes the whole evening quite a comedy) This year, I may sleep on the couch, so that at least I can just yell from there and she'll go back in her room instead of LEAPING up out of my bed, and running to the living room.

Christmas morning is like most of yours- it only lasts a few minutes. Even with the ages of my children, we still get done with presents in about 20 minutes. There is no "making it last", or "slowing it down." This is pretty common in American families. However, when you are doing this at 5:30 am...it can make for a very long day. As much as we want to make Christmas day a very special one, this house tries to keep the routine as normal as possible. We are at 6 days out, and I have started to prepare her for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day activities. Thankfully, we have a fairly low key day hanging out at Nana and Papa's with our family.

The other wrench is having no school. This always causes a challenge with our Autism...but we have a plan, and hopefully that will help. (One can hope) Also, a nice long visit to her dads help me relax and prepare for another semester, and take some time for me. I will take this time to try and enjoy myself and re-fuel for the next 6 months. Happy Holidays. :)