Challenger League Baseball

This morning we went to the Field of Hope in a neighboring city so Ethan could play baseball on a Challenger League that they have there. This was his first time EVER playing baseball and he loved it! The Challenger League is a great experience as the player doesn't "strike out". The first time he hit the ball on the 4th pitch, and on his second time at bat, the first time!


Ethan's first time at bat getting "pointers" from the coach

Support A Great Cause!

My bloggy friend Renee over at myspecialks.com is having a fundraiser to help with the cost of adopting a sweet girl Kellsey thru Reese's Rainbow . She makes these awesome necklaces for kids with their name, address, and any contact information on them. As the mother of a special needs child who is unable to communicate this information, I think this is totally awesome! Please check out her blog and let her know if you are interested.

myspecialks.com

WFMW - Window Guards

Living with an autistic four year old who does not understand danger and a two year old climber can really keep you on your toes. Especially when their bedroom and playroom are upstairs, overlooking a nice concrete driveway. The real wake up call was when the four year old pushed the screen out of the window all together and it was laying on the driveway. I needed something quick and inexpensive that was not going to require damaging the windowsills. My solution, pressure mounted baby gates. The simplest one can be bought for $10. I just place in the windowsill and latch down like you are placing it in a door frame. My little me are not able to pull them down and air/light still come through.

For other great ideas, be sure to check out Rocks in My Dryer

My additional blog

I started a new blog to document about Ethan's autism specifically. More like a journal for us to keep track of his progress and changes, and to also help other parents with the quirks of autism. Every Penny Counts will still be my primary blog, please feel free to peek at my other blog to check on my E man's awesomeness.

http://www.talesofautism.blogspot.com


I am working on a concept for a blog for Landon as well I will let you know when that comes about.

Neuro Report

I finally got my hands on a copy of the neurologist report today. His "impressions" are that Ethan has a moderate form of autism. His strengths are in his receptive language skills. He also said that he needs to be in school in an autism class that concentrates on communication and language.

He is still my Ethan, regardless of what is said.

Family Time

Well, we went shopping today at a well known Swedish store with 4 letters in the name. I have to say, my best purchase of the day was the tunnel pictured above. I kid you not, they have been playing with it for the last 2 hours. It is a two fold purchase. Lots of fun and a great therapy tool. For Ethan its a great sensory tool, for Landon, its great for motor skills. The best part about it, it folds flat for storage!

Busy Week

I have had the busiest week this week. Monday morning, my DH calls me at 5 AM after he finished his newspaper route. "Honey, the car is dead come get me" Now mind, he is driving my old Santa Fe. It was a 2001 with 74 K miles. I had owned it for 5.5 years and it was paid off. He took over driving it when he totaled his Sport Trac last month. I go pick him up, have the car towed to the mechanic. He has to call off the rest of the week to the newspaper, must return on Friday. I have the joy of having to take him to the train station (North Springs) and pick him up. Tuesday, more of the same, plus I have pet sitting work to do on top of my regular full time job. The mechanic also calls with the glorious news that the engine is blown. We decide not to fix it, it just wasn't worth the cost. Wednesday, the boys had what I call their "therathon". Speech and Occupational therapy for Ethan, Physical therapy for Landon. I pick up DH in the middle of all of that and take him to the bus stop that will take him to the train. I go and clean out the car and sell it to the mechanic, who plans on replacing the engine. I got to pick him up at the glorious time of 2 AM! Thursday, work, DH to the train, and Ethan to the neurologist. The neurologist confirms what we all new, that Ethan is autistic. He recommends continuing therapy and also getting him into the school system. DH amazingly got a ride home from work. Friday, up early to accompany DH for a physical. The Dr thinks he has obstructive sleep apnea. Oh yay, more appointments for me to schedule. Landon had speech, and then we came home for a bit so I could work. We hit the road looking for another vehicle, (the second time in a month) We went from one end of greater Atlanta to another. Finally, he is now driving a Grand Am. I am now sweating how we are going to manage 2 car payments. OUCH!

IF you are still reading this, bless you for living thru my ramblings!

Neurologist

After much run around with our insurance, they have agreed to pay for a neurologist appointment for Ethan to confirm autism. Our regular pediatrician has already said, yes he is definitely on the autism spectrum, as well as his therapists. We tried to get an appointment with a developmental pediatrician, but none are covered within a 50 mile radius from our house. The next attempt was the Marcus Institute, who wanted 3K out of pocket, no private insurance accepted. The clincher, the school system will not accept him for services unless he has a confirmed diagnosis of "something". So, hopefully once we get something concrete, we can get him into school.
On a fun note, I did make contact with the Delta pilot who coaches a special needs soccer team and got Ethan on the list for the fall season. Eric was bursting with pride that he gets to buy his son his first pair of soccer shoes.

Living With an Autistic Child

Every day, all day if I would let him, he plays with his trains. He lines them up and groups them, over and over again. If you look closely, you can pick out his "groups" He used to do this on the coffee table, but Landon started to pull them off. He moved to the dining room table so his brother wouldn't be able to reach them as easily.

Can somebody please find out why 1 in every 150 boys born in the US is now diagnosed as autistic? Will I ever have my sweet boy back?