Autism As A Whole

Today was a pretty good day. Charlie was very talkative and active. He did seem to get upset very easy and has been having accidents a lot lately. He just isn't making it to the bathroom and is extremely attached to his beloved pillowcase. The pillowcase was at the point where he only needed it at night but he is bringing it everywhere again.

Charles also had horse therapy today and was very unfocused. His therapist could not keep him on task. He was also parroting a lot. She worked on his counting skills which he has a lot of difficulties with. He cannot count over 5 and sometimes he still messes that up. It is a little frustrating as a mom to know that you work on these skills everyday with him and he still isn't learning them. That make me feel incompetent. I know it isn't really like that but it is a feeling that I do have. You know sort of like the ,"Why my son? What did I do wrong" Just the self pity I tend to fall into occasionally. It happens to the best of us right. Most of the times when I am feeling like this is right after a meeting or testing score. That is when it all just smacks me in the face. Well, th night didn't end there.

He has his moments and at times I do not know how to handle him. It is amazing how other people can approach the child with the same options I would be able to do but it works for them. My son wanted Yogurt for snack tomorrow but I forgot my wallet at home so it was impossible to get him it. We got home and someone offered him crackers with cheese and cereal which he was all for having. I think sometimes I cannot even think straight to offer up other solutions. I would have chosen go home get the wallet and buy the yogurt, but that would not have been reasonable and would have shown my son that screaming like a banshee would get him what he wanted. So, we came home and he was offered some choices which he willingly made a choice and with a smile on his face. It is nice to see that occasionally my son can interact with someone else in a positive manner. I thank those who will take that time when I have seemingly had all I could take. People who can maintain the calm that I happened to lose for the moment.

Hello, and welcome to my blog. My name is Charlene and I am 31 years old. I love photography and started this blog to write about my journey into another world. I am a single mom of four wonderful sarcastic monsters children.

 Krystal is a twelve year old girl who can sing like an angel. Jocelyn is a seven year old girl who is very smart but sassy. Jacob is six and loves Mario. Lastly Charles who is a four year old boy that has changed my entire world. You see, after having three children, I thought  was well prepared when I had my fourth. Hold them, rock them, play with them, teach them, love them, change their diapers. That covers the baby stuff right? Nope!!!!

What if your baby doesn't like to be held, doesn't coo, hates diapers, and the only thing you can do right is feed them? I was so lost. My son Charles has Autism Spectrum Disorder. He never cooed or wanted to be touched. There was no connection, and as he got older he just wasn't meeting his milestones. He didn't walk tll after he turned two and didn't speak until he was three(even then you couldn't understand him). So much for being prepared eh?
Image by Frozen in Time Photographers via Flickr
I felt as if the whole planet had tilted and I dropped off into orbit for a while until I finally landed on a planet we call Autism. This has been a rough road and not just for me but for everyone involved in my life. Family that can't seem to wrap their heads around the idea. It is hard to connect with a child that seems to have no motivation to connect with you. It just takes more effort though. He is an amazing young man but our days are long and don't forget there are three other children involved.

This has been a big adjustment for them too. We used to be able to have big family gathering and go all sorts of places but now these things are limited. They have to tolerate the screaming for hours that I myself have a hard time dealing with. I invite you to join me and my children on our exciting, odd, enlightening trip on the planet Autism. We welcome you into our world.

I found this Blog Hop on the  Mom Blog Network. I thought it was great because we get to share a little bit about ourselves. This was started by a lady named Java on Never Growing Old. Her sight is humorous and enlightening.  Although I am not over 40 sometimes I feel like I am. LOL..
So each week there will be five questions about yourself to answer. Cool idea huh? So join me and tell me more about you!!!
This weeks questions are:

1.  What is your favorite kind of cheese?
2.  What size is your bed?
3.  What is your most overused phrase?
4.  Green or purple grapes?
5.  Shower, morning or night?


1. My favorite kind of cheese is Swiss. I love to try new cheeses and cook with cheese a lot. I seriously have to question those who don't like cheese. LOL


2. I sleep in a queen size bed but honestly it is NOT big enough. Not when you have boys that seem to all need to find their way to your bed in the middle of the night.


3. I think my most overused phrase is "tweeked", because I feel as if everyone and their mother want to piss me off on days that seem like they will never end. Which in my house seems to occur a lot. LOL


4. I love green grapes. Yummy!!!


5. I prefer to take a shower whenever I can accomplish this without children screaming in the door,"Mommy!!! MOM... He did this... but she hit me..." I am sure you get the hint. Evening seems to work best though and after a long day it is relaxing.

So, I decided to join another blog hop. I have posted the link so you can feel free to join along. I really like the thoughts on this one and feel it is a great way to get to know fellow bloggers and moms like myself.