I don’t have but a moment to log on. I’ve gone from the frying pan into the fire; Jonah woke up in the wee hours of the morning sick and now is in a big chair wrapped in a blanket, pale as a ghost, sipping ginger ale and watching Thomas the Tank Engine and saying “swat! swat!” — and I can only hope he is too weak to try to hurt me because I can’t send him to school and I can’t go to work and I am now officially pushed to the edge of the cliff where I cling to this existence.
Now there are piles of laundry and nothing to eat in the house and a long, strange day ahead of me where just about anything can happen. Even if a respite place has room for Jonah now I don’t know if they’ll take him if he’s sick. The weekend is looming and my nerves are shot to hell. There’s no way to sugarcoat this, even if I wanted to…
Happy Friday.
Hi Amy, I tried to reply earlier from my iphone but think my reply got lost on the way. Just wanted to say, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time and I hope that your respite care comes, Jonah recovers quickly and you get your well earned rest and recuperation because recuperate you must.
Thinking of you today as I cuddled my new grandson and hoping life turns out better for you tomorrow. X
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Can only say I’ve been in that stomach-churning place and it’s ok to cry, curse, resent like crazy.
One thing: Don’t launch a destructive response with long-term repercussions for a short-term (just this miserable day) problem that has potential to be alleviated. Courage.
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Welcome to the world of typical parenting. Just when you have defined your world in terms of autism, the typical world sneaks back in your life.
Thank heaven for medical and family leave act provisions that protect your ability to care for a sick family member by taking time off without loosing your job.
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Oh God, we all sound so banal. We’re with you in spirit, kiddo and we’re rooting for you to hang on because it appears help is on the way although it certainly is not there at this moment when you need it desperately. Life is unfair and nature can be terribly cruel.
Would a call for help to your pediatrician get you some emergency assistance?
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Have you asked or has your school district offered to bring in an ABA consultant who is experienced in working with behavior issues? You have a right to ask for this if the school district does not know how to work with Jonah in a way that will distinguish these kinds of behavior. If I am not mistaken, they are required to provide you and him with the expertise that is needed to help him learn and that will allow him to participate in life outside your home and your car.
Is there something I can do to help with this piece? I don’t know where you are located but our family does have experience in working with the school district to get what we think our son needs to give him the best chance in life.
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there is something I can do. I hope Jonah is feeling better and that you’ve gotten some help from those who can be there physically in person to assist you.
Lynda Rands
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I agree with Lynda. ABA is incredibly effective behavioral therapy. The schools don’t like to offer it because it is too expensive but it is what they are supposed to because it is appropriate.
No one can promise you anything regarding therapy but ABA when practiced by the right therapist has very strong results. Totally worth going to the school system for.
Hang in there. When my son was diagnosed, he was nonverbal and had very violent behavior. If I could count the times he tried to hurl himself down staircases and tantrum so badly he would froth at the mouth and get a nosebleed. I didn’t think I or he would live through it. Well five years after diagnosis, here we are, still standing and we are all doing much better.
Take care.
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came by your blog while researching for my brother..he isn’t a child but in need of help..have gone the crisis intervention route more then once..we have that experience in common..{{{hugs}}}.
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