The Monster is not a morning person, in general. I’ve seen more than a few articles talking about how stress hormones are higher in the morning, and how that affects general behavior in folks with Autism, and I can say that by and large, I agree with the consensus that it’s probably part of the problem.
So most mornings kind of go like this: Continue reading
So yesterday, there was a deal with the Smithsonian Museums and their affiliates for free entry. Never ones to pass up a deal, we signed up to go to Port Discovery, the local children’s museum here in Baltimore.
(Yesterday was a whole bunch of free, since we also had lunch at a nearby, newly-opening Red Robin… but that’s beside the point. We like Red Robin, if only because bottomless fries == distracted children with full mouths.) Continue reading
We don’t get a lot of opportunities to go to synagogue where it’s not going to matter if the Monster makes a lot of noise. Simchat Torah is one of those occasions.
I mean, let’s face it. The holiday’s all about dancing around with the scrolls, folks making noise and waving flags and singing and dancing… Continue reading
The Monster is obsessed with Sesame Street. He has been for a long time… and that’s alright with us.
Of course, Sesame Street is really good at teaching two things – letters and numbers. And the alphabet song is one of his coping mechanisms. Get him overloaded, and he starts singing it. Continue reading
Mornings can be a bit traumatic around our house.
Due to the long bus-ride to school – it hasn’t dipped below 75 minutes for him in the mornings – we have a tight schedule with getting everyone to where they need to be. The Monster has to be up and ready for the bus before 7:45, and I have to usually leave shortly thereafter for my own job. Continue reading
As I’ve posted about at least once recently, the Monster’s gone into what I’ve been calling a tactile mode lately. He’s just been craving all sorts of physical stimulus.
It’s not so bad when he’s just running his hands over things – I’ve long ago gotten used to the fact that he’s going to pull grass, or watch dirt/sand/wood chips spill through his fingers, or touch every single last bush along a planter when we’re walking. Continue reading
So I’m going to wade in with my thoughts about special access cards at amusement parks… not that I’m anywhere near the first autism-parent blogger to actually do so this week, since we don’t have a concrete idea yet how Disney is changing their program.
I will be honest, that I have my… reservations about what I’m hearing about Disney’s replacement to the Guest Access Card (GAC). Continue reading
After the change of the schedule due to the summer, and then my business trip last week, we’re returning to form with our usual schedule.
Today was Thursday – meaning the Monster goes to school, then I pick him up and take him to gymnastics, and bring him home for dinner, homework and bed. Continue reading
For a while now, the wife has wanted to get the Monster into a big boy bed.
I’m not really opposed to the idea in principle. The major issue is that he likes the futon he’s been sleeping on, and I’m more of a “hey, if it works, don’t break it” kind of person. Continue reading
The Monster’s always been somewhat sensory seeking rather than sensory adverse.
Sure, he doesn’t like fans – not ceiling fans, not rotating fans, not box fans, nor anything that’s fan-like (hand-dryers, air filtration systems, etc). On the other hand, though, the kid loves fireworks, and used to be all for loud drums and the like at the renfaire. Continue reading