Saturday, August 13, 2022

kids to go back to school

 Are you getting ready for your kids to go back to school?  Today we’re sharing our favorite first day of school tradition.It starts with these first days of school kids Picture, and an after-school treat to welcome them home from their first day of school.



Publix, for example, is running its Back to School promotions went this week and picked up a pack of  Pop-Tarts for my daughter Pringles and Quaker Bars Value Packs 


I stocked up on Quaker Chocolate Chip Bars Value Packs while they were buy 1 get 1 free. The kids love these!


After the first day of school

My favorite part of the school day is hearing all about it when they get home.  We always have to get Together in our family room on the first day, for the all the excitement.



Please share how your first day of school was by clicking on the LinkWww.Livebeyondautism.com


Saturday, July 23, 2022

Signs of Autism

 


Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by:

  • social impairments
  • cognitive impairments
  • communication difficulties
  • repetitive behaviors

Because Autism is a spectrum disorder, it can range from very mild to very severe and occur in all ethnic, socioeconomic and age groups. Males are four times more likely to have autism than females. Some children with autism appear normal before age 1 or 2 and then suddenly “regress” and lose language or social skills they had previously gained. This is called the regressive type of autism.

Early Signs:

A person with ASD might:

  • Not respond to their name (the child may appear deaf)
  • Not point at objects or things of interest, or demonstrate interest
  • Not play “pretend” games
  • Avoid eye contact
  • Want to be alone
  • Have difficulty understanding, or showing understanding, or other people’s feelings or their own
  • Have no speech or delayed speech
  • Repeat words or phrases over and over (echolalia)
  • Give unrelated answers to questions
  • Get upset by minor changes
  • Have obsessive interests
  • Flap their hands, rock their body, or spin in circles
  • Have unusual reactions (over or under-sensitivity) to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
  • Have low to no social skills
  • Avoid or resist physical contact
  • Demonstrate little safety or danger awareness
  • People with autism may also:

    • Have unusual interests and behaviors
    • Have extreme anxiety and phobias, as well as unusual phobias
    • Line up toys or other objects
    • Play with toys the same way every time
    • Like parts of objects (e.g., wheels)
    • Become upset by minor changes
    • Have obsessive interests

    Other Symptoms:

    • Hyperactivity (very active)
    • Impulsivity (acting without thinking)
    • Short attention span
    • Aggression
    • Causing self injury
    • Meltdowns
    • Unusual eating and sleeping habits
    • Unusual mood or emotional reactions
    • Lack of fear or more fear than expected
    • Have unusual sleeping habits
  • Developmental Screening

    Developmental screening is a short test to tell if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays. During developmental screening the doctor might ask the parent some questions or talk and play with the child during an exam to see how she learns, speaks, behaves, and moves. A delay in any of these areas could be a sign of a problem.

    All children should be screened for developmental delays and disabilities during regular well-child doctor visits at:

    • 9 months
    • 18 months
    • 24 or 30 months
  • Additional screening might be needed if a child is at high risk for developmental delays due to preterm birth, low birth weight, having a sibling with ASD or if behaviors associated with ASDs are present.

    If your child’s doctor does not routinely check your child with this type of developmental screening test, ask that it be done.  If the doctor sees any signs of a problem, a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is needed.

    Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation

    The second step of diagnosis is a comprehensive evaluation. This thorough review may include looking at the child’s behavior and development and interviewing the parents. It may also include a hearing and vision screening, genetic testing, neurological testing, and other medical testing.

    In some cases, the primary care doctor might choose to refer the child and family to a specialist for further assessment and diagnosis. Specialists who can do this type of evaluation include:

    • Developmental Pediatricians (doctors who have special training in child development and children with special needs)
    • Child Neurologists (doctors who work on the brain, spine, and nerves)
    • Child Psychologists or Psychiatrists (doctors who know about the human mind)

Saturday, July 9, 2022

9 Early Signs of Autism (That I Missed)

 



EARLY SIGNS OF AUTISM 

that I missed

1. Gets upset around groups of people

2. Narrow areas of interest

3. Making up words

4. Over the top reaction to smells

5. Frequent ear infections

6. Everything had to go his way.

7.Took a long time to wean from the bottle

8. Didn't like messy play

9. Didn't show the

"classic"signs

Sunday, June 19, 2022

Is Brad Happy?



               When my child has a meltdown, 

As a mother I wonder sometimes if Brad is happy.My son Brad with autism he cry for many reasons and I'm trying to figure out why crying can be tricky. Today’s blog is all about the reasons why kids might be crying and how i can help turn his behavior around. As a mother, I’ve seen in many situations with kids crying. How can I help my son.  It’s normal to ask, “why is my child with autism crying so much?”

When my son has a meltdown, I often want to stop the tears because it hurts my heart ♥️  that my child is struggling. Or I'm running low on patience and just want peace and quiet.

Many times, we’re coping with the fifth or sixth meltdown over simple things like the tag in his shirt being too itchy, are his sister talking too loudly, or a change in plans.

Autistic children aren’t crying, wailing, or flailing to get at us somehow. They’re crying because it’s what their bodies need to do in that moment to release tension and emotion from feeling overwhelmed with emotions or sensory stimulations.

Their brains are wired differently and so it’s how they interact with the world. That’s something I have to come to terms with as parents so I can support Brad in the best way.

So how can i effectively support my son  through these often loud and thrashing meltdowns?

Expressing his emotions in a healthy way — whether through tears, wailing, playing, even if these emotions feel overwhelming in their magnitude.

Many times, i try to talk to brad down from his panic, but it’s often a waste of breath when he is in the throes of a meltdown.

So what can i do is let him know that he is  safe and loved.i do this by staying as near to him too comfort Brad.

My son can’t control his meltdowns, so maybe I shouldn’t punished him.

Instead, i should allowed him space and freedom to cry loudly. as a parent am letting him know am his number one supported.

Meltdowns for any child can get noisy, but they tend to go to a whole other level of loud when it’s an autistic child.

These outbursts can feel embarrassing to parents when we’re in public and everyone is staring at us.We feel the judgment from some saying, “I’d never let my kid act like that.”

Or worse, we feel like our deepest fears are validated: People think we’re failing at this whole parenting thing.

My son responds really well to is it ok mom/ dad daily (his favorite word ) but we try not to use it's ok for every-time.

These coping strategies will help him calm down —is it ok mom/ dad   perhaps before a meltdown.

Empathy is at the heart of all of these steps to dealing with an autistic meltdown.

What your meltdown like ................ How do you perhaps respond to your child meltdown Subscribe to Www.Livebeyondautism.com subscribe=1  








Saturday, June 18, 2022

Is There Medication for Autism

 Medication for Autism Spectrum Disorder

There are two FDA approved medications for autism which include Ariprozaol or Abilify and Risperidone or Risperdal. These medications have indications for treating severe mood, irritability, severe aggression, and self-injury. Medications should never be a standalone treatment for someone with autism. It should always be a package as part of the package of treatments that an individual is receiving which can include ABA therapy, changes in multivitamins, diet changes, as well as other interventions or medications. It is also important for parents and families to understand the time and data necessary to understand a medicine is working, it will normally take consistent administering and a correct dosage of a medication to see significant changes.For us we have try several different medication ๐Ÿ’Š that should work for Brad but the end of all trying some of the medication cause him to feel bad, aggressive and staring at the wall. But because of his  ADHD we are done trying and just see what medication ๐Ÿ’Š work for his ADHD because there’s no medication for autism but there’s medication to control his outburst. As I mentioned before, is an FDA approved drug typically used for symptoms including severe aggression. Let me know what your input on medication ๐Ÿ’Š 

Friday, May 13, 2022

Reality of severe Autism.

 I could tell you that I’ve lied awake countless night worrying about my son and his future. I could tell you I haven’t slept through the night in 9 years.  I’ve developed an anxiety. one thing for sure I’ve not lost weight. I gain weight instead.I am so scared of so many thing for the sake of my son not just him also my daughter at times I just breakdown. I worry about who will love him and care for him like me and my husband do. I worry about what is going to happen to him when I can no longer provide care for him when he get older. I’ve even beat myself up for not knowing what to do 

Brad has ability to do things. He is very much verbal and love to dance . He looks normal like any other kids. But the reality is he has never made a friend he think everyone is his friend the good and the bad. He has never been invited to a birthday party or a play date from other kids. His disability isn’t fatal. Hopefully live his life to the fullest. But he will most likely never move out or live on his own. Not sure about driving a car.This is my reality of severe Autism.



A morning routine for Brad with Autism

Form the moment Brad wake up and getting him out the door in the morning is a big challenge for me. For kids with authism mental health or learning difficulties, it can be even get harder. Brad is on the spectrum  with ADHD  behavior play a big part for me in the morning issues may with following instructions or focusing on what needs to get done.During the school year, i cry sometimes it's so hard for me as a parent. Getting Brad out the door Monday through Friday is a killer.

Just about everyone hates getting up in the morning. They  rather be snuggled up in your bed sleeping  raring to go with the responsibilities of the day? It’s pretty obvious which one sounds a bit more relaxing, but everyone has to get up at some point.

So tell me me 

What your morning routine might look like


What your kiddo with ASD’s morning routine might look like

My Mornings don’t have to be chaotic.

Friday, April 29, 2022

Therapy Dogs for Leahbear





“My friend Linda looking into getting a therapy dog for her daughter Leah who has autism
children with autism experience fewer meltdowns in the presence of a pet dog and their parents stress levels are significantly lowered, but we also see that dogs can make a difference to confidence levels, help reduce anxiety, improve communication and help families 

This is Leah visiting the center. Therapy dogs will arrive pre-trained and ready to work with this littler princess stay tuned for much more of Leah store with her new best friend.

Enjoy these beautiful pictures
. 

 




Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Spring break with Brad 2022




Spring break mean sun, warmth, and freedom, but for families of children with autism spectrum Disorder, it could mean unstructured time, regression of skills, and increase in undesirable behaviors.

If you're the parent of a child with autism, you know that the "break" in Spring break can be misleading; it's more like overtime for you.

Children with autism often thrive in structured environments and do best when engaged in their typical routines. Eliminating a highly structured and physically and mentally engaging school day could cause inappropriate behaviors to creep up. Leaving the comfort of home for




a vacation can also bring more stress to your child and to your family.

So for Us our  Spring break this year was not to bad. Brad was so excited to go to the water park resort. He was looking forward to go down the slides so I have him try it so he can tell us what his experience was like ๐Ÿ‘ So I ask Brad after his first slide would you like to go down the water ๐Ÿ’ฆ slide again well I guess it๐Ÿ‘Ž will not be a second time  ☝️ because the water was hitting his face going in his nose ๐Ÿ‘ƒ we all know kids on the spectrum has sensory issues. So for brad he didn’t like ๐Ÿ‘ that but he love the pool ๐ŸŠ‍♀️ where he can control of what ๐Ÿ˜ฎ going in his nose and his face so hear are some of our fun ๐Ÿคฉ spring break 







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