Tales of Autism

Another Ferris Wheel

2009-10-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ethan got to ride another Ferris wheel. This time at the Mall of America and with daddy. Please excuse the poor quality of the picture, it was taken in semi darkness at the indoor amusement park.

First Day of School

2009-10-26T20:13:00.001-07:00

Finally! After finishing up his IEP last week, Ethan started school today. Of course there were some failures, such as no bus this morning or this afternoon, but we made it. Most importantly, he wants to go back tomorrow!

Museum of Science and Industry

2009-06-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of the free admission to the Museum of Science and Industry today. Can you tell what Ethan's favorite part was?

Ferris Wheel

2009-05-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

I took Ethan on the GIANT ferris wheel at Navy Pier today. It was an absolute favorite as it's a wheel that goes round and round. We will definately be returning!

Today is World Autism Awareness Day!

2009-04-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

GF/CF Pizza

2009-03-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have found a great pizza thats GF/CF that Ethan loves!

Thomas the Train

2009-01-04T19:50:00.000-08:00

Ethan's Neurologist often jokes that Thomas the Train should be the official sponsor autism. I found this picture the other day which shows that Ethan's love started early. This was taken the Christmas of 2005, he's 2 yrs and 2 mos here.

Label Lies - Wellshire Farms

2008-11-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

As many families of autistic children do, we maintain a gluten free casein free diet for Ethan. Both of my boys loved the Wellshire Farms Chicken Bites, which were clearly labeled gluten free. The last few weeks, the product has mysteriously been missing from our local Whole Foods, where we purchased them every time. Whole Foods had no explanation why they were not available from their warehouse. Today, a friend of mine sent me this link.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-081120-allergens-tribune-investigation,0,506031.story?page=1

It seems as the supposedly gluten free chicken bites were not gluten free at all. A child with a wheat allergy in KY became extremely ill after eating the product. The nuggets were tested and they came back not gluten free. The Chicago Tribune independently tested the product and had the same results. Neither Wellshire Farms nor the USDA is recalling this product, even after multiple cases have been reported.

As a parent who unknowingly fed my autistic son this product for MANY months, I am outraged that nothing is being done to remove this tainted product from the shelves. Wellshire Farms is "looking" for a new manufacturer, but they refuse to recall any remaining product from the shelves, claiming it is safe. In the mean time, how many children or even adults with celiac disease are eating this product, thinking that it is safe, when it's not?

Ethan's new camera

2008-10-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

Ethan got the Kid Tough camera for his birthday, and he loves it. Here are some of his many pictures he has taken. It is interesting to see how he looks at things and what he finds picture worthy. From top to bottom

His brother having a breathing treatment for his asthma

His view of the stairs

His brother waiting at the gate to their bedroom

His view of the fan in the playroom

His favorite car

Ethan and his OT Friend K

2008-09-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

Ethan was paired up with another child for OT now. The cutest part is that my shy little man is the leader in this situation. After almost 2 years is OT, he is the professional therapy patient and he is showing K what he needs to do. K just began OT and is uncomfortable with just about every aspect. Ethan kept telling Eric and I how he told K what to do and when it was time to change activities. That's right up Ethan's alley as he is very regimented and set in a routine.

Blood Work - This SUCKS!

2008-08-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

The neurologist's office called yesterday to tell me that Labcorp said they didn't have an adequate sample to run all of the bloodwork. You have got to be kidding me! 6 vials isn't enough? The poor kid has my horrible veins on top of it. I don't know if I want to make him go back if they cannot stick him the first time.

Ethan's Special Needs Soccer Team

2008-08-30T19:59:00.001-07:00

By chance I happened to read a story in the newspaper about a Delta pilot who has put together a group for special needs kids that plays soccer. I contacted him earlier this summer and asked to have Ethan added to the team. This pictures are actually from last week, they get together every Friday night, with last night being the second time. He LOVES it! The kids are matched up with a "buddy" who helps them run drills and then they have a mini game. Eric is so proud to have a fellow soccer player in the house.

Blood Work

2008-08-23T22:10:00.001-07:00

Friday morning, I took Ethan for blood work. The neurologist wanted to be sure that there was no chromosomal problems causing the autism. Well, let me give a run down

6 vials of blood needed
3 lab techs to hold him down
3 needle sticks
2 techs receiving head butts
1 Starbucks strawberries and cream to make everything better

I never want to hear that he has hypotonia. I was restraining him is a bear hug, and that kid was strong! When we were finished, thru his tears I got "I get sarbucks strawgerries and keem? Being the sucker that I am, we went :)

Ethan

2008-08-21T21:14:00.001-07:00

This is my son Ethan. He is my first born, my fighter baby, born at 34 weeks. Ethan was the normal baby, playful, learning like crazy, growing like a weed. Suddenly, at age 2, everything stopped. He seemed to back peddle, regress to early stages. The mommy in me knew something was not right. Simple things would cause absolute tantrums. No mother should have to forcibly hold her son down to cut his fingernails, brush his hair, wipe his face or change his diaper. The lining up of toys started. Flapping the hands. Obsessions. Not listening. We questioned our pediatrician. She agreed that he was somewhere on the autism spectrum. She referred us to a developmental pediatrician. Guess what? Our insurance refused to cover one. Ethan started speech, occupational therapy and physical therapy. Their evaluations put his development far behind his age. A year and a half later, insurance agreed to pay for a evaluation with a neurologist. I played my cards right. I didn't pick a random neurologist, I picked the private practice of the director of the Marcus Institute for Autism in Atlanta. His impressions were instant. Moderate Autism.

This is our journey of autism. A place for us to keep track of the progress and pitfalls of this unexplainable disorder.