We have had a week! Maggie is having bronchial spasms from her asthma. She had a hospital visit Wednesday, and they were able to get it under control. Samuel had tubes put in his ears Thursday, and then Friday Maggie went back to the doctor with an awful body rash and a sinus infection. Halloween ended up being dressing for pictures, handing out a little candy, and painting pumpkins. Maggie fell asleep on the couch. Sam fell asleep on Scott. And, Scott and I watched a creepy movie and fell asleep.
Today, Maggie has been so weepy. I just feel awful for her, as she has been dealing with all of this for nearly a month. I even offered to buy her a toy. She just cried and turned down the offer. Hopefully, the antibiotic will work its magic for her.
Samuel had a tough time at Mother’s Day Out. He threw a rice shaker (throwing is one of his repetitive behaviors) and hit a little girl on the cheek with it. I was with him at the time. The girl cried, and I felt terrible for her. Samuel just stared off into the distance. He doesn’t throw because he is angry or frustrated. He just throws because that is the way he stims and can enjoy playing. Everyone was really nice about it, but that is just one example of the small, yet big, things we confront daily. It seems that every day there are a million “small” things that, by evening, amount to the size of a mountain that I am just too tired to climb. He is not eating much. I understand that all nearly 2 year olds experience some of this, but if he has one change in routine, then all bets are off on the eating front. Samuel does seem to be making eye contact more often, and this weekend he appears to be very content, without many head banging or stimming episodes. That is a relief. He definitely is more at ease when all of us are in one place at the same time. It seems to comfort him.
The below link is amazing. It really gives a very clear view of how Sam is and what Sam does and does not do.
I have mentioned stimming a few times, but I realize many may not know what it is exactly.
Stimming:
Stereotypy or self-stimulatory behavior refers to repetitive body movements or repetitive movement of objects. These movements are used solely to stimulate one’s own senses. This behavior is common in many individuals with developmental disabilities; it appears to be most common in children and adults with autism. It is important to note that not all self-injurious behaviors are considered to be self- stimulatory. Self-injurious behavior can also be communicative.
Some of Samuel’s stimming behaviors include scratching, biting his hands, pinching himself, patting himself in the face, head banging, pacing, squealing, grunting, and repetitive throwing of any object.
It is hard to believe that these things help to calm him in certain situations or even stimulate him at other times. One of his favorite stimming behaviors is rubbing his head gently on objects to get a deeper feeling that he cannot get through his fingertips.
We are discovering some ways to help him, and we have created a sensory room that calms him when his stimming escalates. That’s a topic for another blog.
On a personal note, I feel proud of how hard I am advocating for our little boy. I am trying to acknowledge something good about me each day, as depression creeps heavily, and this helps me to stay positive. There are still moments, hours, days that I cry, but I am looking forward to the day when I open my eyes in the morning and just feel confident in what we are doing to help our son. And every, single day that I am blessed with the breath of life, God gives me His strength to try just one more time. And, when a new day dawns, I try again..just one more time.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. Psalm 62:6
Pictures from Halloween!
thisblandlife 