Friday, May 30, 2008

Jeremy and Alex in Wendy's garden


Mummy and Alex

Alex on Mummy's back (why the gloomy face?)

Father and son on Shoreham on Sea beach


When Alex was still at Teddies, he goes to school three days a week - mid-term or no mid-term, life as usual. Since Rainbow, he goes to school everyday except school holidays.

After two weeks at Rainbow, schools break for May Bank Holiday cum mid-term. We are now officially like any other family with school going children. Going for holidays at the most expensive time of the year and kids driving us mad when they don't go to school.

We went to Sussex to see Jeremy's Auntie Wendy this week. (She moved there about six months ago and this is the first time we visited her.) She lives about ten minutes drive from the beach and we took the opportunity to kill three birds with one stone.

1. visit Auntie Wendy - quite obvious there .... or ..... hmmmm

2. escape our mundane routine

3. let Alex experience English seasides and beaches.

We had a good time (Jeremy and Alex) but mummy is totally lacked of sleep.

Yes .... it's Alex .... hijacking my bed in the middle of the night. I was pushed aside, having only six inches to sleep and even that, Alex had to push right up close as if he is connected to my body.

Two nights of hardly any sleep, I was at the edge of exploding. On our way home, I wanted to use the SatNav but Jeremy insisted that we use the traditional method .... looking at the map.

I can say that he has no talent in giving road instructions nor is he diplomatic in his words . When I took the wrong way, he criticized my driving - what can you expect when bad instructions were given?

I kept cool for five minutes .... driving ..... found a safe spot to stop and asked him to drive instead. Angry obviously but kept my cool as I don't want to turn a holiday into a fight. It's quite nice actually ... I get to see the scenery while he drove. Falling in and out of sleep ..... I heard him said ..... "er ... I think we took the wrong way".

I looked at him and he said "I know .... you did asked me to follow the sign to London but for some reason, I thought it was A27 that we are supposed to follow". I looked at him again and then he said "OK .... you can say I told you so!" I just could not help laughing as he said everything for me.

So, yes I think I had a good time as well!

Men ... you can't help but love them.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

I get excited easily.

It's almost week two for Alex at Rainbow. We noticed quite a bit of stimming and hyperactivity.

Alex is quite passive as we all know but lately, he has been slightly hyper when watching television or getting excited about something. He has been stimming quite a bit as well since Rainbow. I am not sure if it's a good thing but he seemed to understand more and listen better. He also attempt to use more words but not very clear. To others, it may sound like gibberish but I could actually understand what he is saying.

He is still on a three word sentence and using a lot of "ah gar" in different situations as a way to express himself. Jeremy is having doubts whether Alex will ever talk and I know how that feels .... at times I do worry but I must have faith.

Our little Alex is also a Mr Busybody and eavesdrop on our conversations all the time. I can't remember what we were talking about or what Alex was doing but the other day while I was talking to Jeremy about Alex, all of a sudden, I heard him say "Ah gar" and then brought me something that I was telling Jeremy about.

It's quite funny and you just can't help wanting to hug and kiss him all the time. I have been rather busy with a lot of things lately and cannot update my blog as often as I wished but there are so much I want to share. It's finding time to sit down and write everything that we encounter each day that I find hard to do. I feel guilty for sitting in front of the computer too long while Alex watch tele.

I think the various activities and new routine at Rainbow are stimulating his brain hence, the stimming .... a way for Alex to adjust to his new environment.

We will continue to monitor his changes and behaviour for another month and if stimming continues, I need to ask someone about it.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

A Change for the better?

It's been a week since Alex joined Rainbow. We could see that he is settling in well and a little different.

The first few days, he was rather edgy and cranky - not a very nice boy but understandable. He was much happier on Thursday and yesterday. When he got home from school, he is more tired than usual and wanted to go to sleep at 6:00pm.

Rainbow send home with Alex, a report everyday. In the report, we noticed that he does quite a bit for a 2.5 hours session compared to five hours at Teddies. Their activities are more structured (I like that) and it's almost a one to one with the teachers. It's been a week and he already had two sessions with the Speech and Language Therapist.

He likes the idea of going to school in a "bus" and looked forward to going to school in a bus again. As soon as he got home, he asked me "Bus?" I said the bus went home. He then pull a sad look and ask again "Bus?". I will then tell him "Tomorrow ... Alex go to school on bus again?" He will then say "OK", something that he previously don't. Alex seldom answer me when I asked him something - I had to say "Alex .... listening .... (Question) ... answer mummy". With reluctance, he will do it.

I guess that's a progress?

As for our life (Jeremy and Me) since Rainbow ..... hmmmm ....

Not much of a difference for Jeremy but a big change to my routine and I am getting used to it.

My typical day was rather relaxed when Alex went to Teddies. As he is there for five hours, I have quite a bit of "me time" and that ... is very good for a mum with a special need child.

Not now though ..... since Alex goes to bed at 6:00pm, he wakes at 5:00am and will ask for his juice and cuddles while I still have one foot in dreamland.

6:30 - 7:30am - Give Alex his shower, dress him and breakfast.
7:30 - 10:30am - housework (Alex watch tele)
10:30 - 11:30am - cook and feed Alex his lunch
12:05 - The taxi (bus) arrive to collect Alex

I am then free to do food shopping, go on the Internet, reply to emails, forward funny emails, plan for get-togethers etc.

3:45pm - Alex comes home

Cuddles, watch tele together and then start cooking again for dinner. Feed Alex, give him his shower and by 6:00pm, Alex falls asleep either on my lap or ask to go to bed.

I can say that I am luckier than a lot of mothers as Alex is really not a handful at all. He is just cranky occasionally but he is as good as gold most of the time.

I just had to learn to get things done quicker - ha hah a

Thursday, May 15, 2008

I can do it all by myself.

It's been a week since Alex started to go to the toilet all by himself. He will run to the toilet, close the door, pull his pants down, climb onto the toilet seat, relief himself and then a shout "Maaa ... maaa ....".

He is a big boy to be able to do all that by himself BUT ..... he still needs mummy to pull his pants up - he he he

I am not complaining. In fact, I am so proud of him.

Six months ago, I would never dream that this day would come. Alex has come a long way in such a short time.

I read an article in Daily Mail today about "Cuddle Hormone" and Autism.

Dr Eric Hollander, a leading autism expert, has shown that giving oxytocin to autistic adults improves their ability to recognise emotions such as happiness or anger in a person's tone of voice - something they usually struggle to do.

Read the full article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/thehealthnews.html?in_article_id=566479&in_page_id=1797

I guess I could agree with the article. We give Alex lots of hugs and kisses - I cannot imagine not hugging or telling Alex how much we love him everyday. Maybe, this makes Alex a very different child comparing to many children with ASD.

He surprises many people when told he is autistic. No one could believe that Alex was diagnosed with ASD because of his sociable nature. He especially loves giving hugs to people who are close to him.

When I help undress him yesterday, I could smell perfume on his clothes. Looks like Alex is at it again, getting hugs from teachers. I am glad that he is one likeable child.

Monday, May 12, 2008

My Alex is a big boy.

I feel rather emotional now as Alex just left with a taxi for Rainbow. I watched my son leave with someone else for the first time. I have mixed feelings as part of me feel sad and then very proud of him as well.

We have prep him for this moment over the weekend and he was really excited this morning. He kept asking about the "bus" and I had to keep telling him that he had to wait till 12 o'clock.

Rainbow prepared a booklet specially for Alex and asked us to read it to him over the weekend. It started with a picture of the taxi, and then picture of the "guide" name Claire, followed by the picture of the entrance to the school and then the teachers.

We know Alex is in good hands. I will try to be less emotional tomorrow ..... I hope

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

It's back but for how long?

The weather's been great since Monday and boy .... you know you are very lucky if you live in England. It's very rare that we enjoy sunshine and great weather on a Bank Holiday Monday.

There's a price to pay for sunny and dry Spring ..... hay fever season .....

Alex is suffering BIG TIME and I mean BIG TIME. He had it worst than any of us ......

This morning, after leaving Alex in nursery, I went to Sainsburys for weekly food shopping. Not long after I got home, the phone rang. It's Catherine from nursery and she told us that Alex had teary eyes and they are a bit swollen as well. Does he suffer from hay fever? There's nothing to worry about, they will put a cold flannel to ease the swell. They are afraid to give him any kind of medication .... I guess it's good as I don't really want anyone medicating my son.

Looks like Jeremy's last angry phone call to them worked. I would like to be made aware of what is happening to my son in nursery if he is harmed or unwell. Anyway, when I went to pick him up, I brought a bottle of Piriton with me. I told them that it's OK to give him a small dose of Piriton if this happens again .... OK ... not much of that chance anymore as this Friday will be his last day at nursery.

(We have been advised that we shouldn't confuse Alex by continuing to go to Teddies in the morning and Rainbow in the afternoon. I agree with the experts as it would be too taxing for Alex. If he continues Teddies, he will be too tired to concentrate in Rainbow.)

After Teddies, we went to Rainbow for an hour. The first 15 minutes, Alex refused to let me go and I was quite worried that he may distract the other children if I stay on. I told the teacher that I will disappear for 45 minutes and she agreed.

I went out for a walk and 45 minutes later, I went back for Alex. He was playing happily outside the garden and talked to the teacher. He said "All gone" quite clearly and "More". He didn't know I was watching him but it sure feels good that he is happy there.

He will be going to Rainbow for an hour again on Friday and starts full time from Monday 12th. The council also provide a bus service to and fro Rainbow free of charge. The teachers prefer the children using the bus service as they will learn to be independent.

I asked Alex if he would like to go on a bus and he said yes. For some reason, children love public transports and the older they get, that sense of enchantment disappears and they decide to have their own cars instead.

I hope Rainbow is the answer to our prayer. Talk Alex ..... Talk!

Sunday, May 04, 2008

I had my first tyre puncture today.

Been driving since 1992 and never had a puncture in 16 years. Jeremy's been paying for his AA membership for years and never ever had a call out and today, we've finally made used of their service.

The suspensions for the RAV4 are so good that I could not feel anything unusual with the car. We had a car overtaking us and the woman looked at me pointing at my car. Could my car be on fire or what? And then another car flashed me from behind and followed me till I found somewhere safe to stop. His partner came out of the car and then pointed at the tyre.

It's nice to know that people still care for each other in this fast paced society.

After the AA came to our rescue, we drove to Halfords to get a can of emergency tire fixer - just in case I am all alone in the car next time.

You must be thinking .... why can't Jeremy change the tyre himself? Well, he tried and cannot unlock the tyre because the safety wheel lock adapter is broken.

He is still my hero though .... he he he

Thursday, May 01, 2008

It's sad but it's for the best.

We have withdrawn Alex from Teddies today, giving a one month's notice. I spoke to Nathan when I drop Alex this morning and all I could feel was sadness.

Alex has developed so much and a big part of this comes from going to nursery. He is more independent and learned to take care of himself.

Nathan said that Alex was an important part of the nursery and I could tell that he is not just saying what I wanted to hear but meant it. Alex is indeed a very important part of the nursery, because of the early intervention support that the Council is providing, staff at Teddies learned a lot from them.

This decision did not come easy but we have waited so long for Rainbow that if he continues to go to Teddies, he will be too tired to concentrate on the important things that Rainbow has to offer.

For almost three weeks now, Alex's been waking up at about 4:00 to 5:00am. By 11:00am, he looked so tired that he became hyper and very very naughty - just to keep himself awake.

I can't keep up with him either as I am totally lack of sleep. I know I should catch up with my sleep when Alex naps in the afternoon. My problem is that I cannot sleep in the afternoon. If I do, I wake up feeling awful and cannot get back to sleep until wee hours of the morning.

It's depressing me and I just don't know what went wrong. He was so good with everything from Potty Training to Sleeping through the night. All these changed in April and our guess was that perhaps changing the furniture and the decor of the front room lead to this change.

Whatever it was, I hope it goes away soon as I don't like what I am feeling and it has a knock on effect leading to depression. I feel tired ..... I can't play with Alex when he wants me to ..... Alex throws a tantrum ..... I get angry ..... I feel guilty for being angry and I hate this feeling.

Do you think the gloomy weather has anything to do with this?