A big milestone

I removed  his diaper  and asked him to throw it in the garbage . I gave him no further  instructions  or indication  where to go. He took the diaper, went  into  the  bathroom  and threw it away! This boy understands a lot more than we realize .

A milestone in language

While attempting  to brush Rowan's teeth, he took the toothbrush  away from  me .  Then he said, "Rowan  do it!"

Three milestones this week.

Rowan pooped on the potty ...after weeks of behavioral therapy and intervention.  He did it two days in a row so far. 
When I was leaving for work he waved at me and said "bye,bye mommy"!!

He also walked into the bathroom by himself and peed on the potty with no prompt or conversation whatsoever. Completely  on his own! !

A new sentence!

I just asked Rowan if he would like to go pee on the potty.  He was not happy and said..." I don't want to!"
Yaay! ! New communication!

More milestones

After brushing or teeth...Rowan lingered in the bathroom playing with his cars.
I was in the dining room and I heard, "yaay"!  I went into the bathroom to see him sitting and peeing on the toilet.  :)
Also, when he needs to poop, he now brings me his diaper.  This means he understands when is coming. 
Now for the hard part. ..easing his fear of pooping on the toilet.  He's terrified and panics.

Toilet!

While I was getting Arwen's shoes on, to go to school this morning, her legs were blocking the entry to the hallway.  Rowan walked up to me. .. making eye contact ... and chanting "toilet, toilet, toilet. "
We quickly moved. He went in attempting to pull his pants down.  I hurried and pulled them down for him and sat him on the toilet.  He peed. I was so proud of him for communicating.  Great start for the day!

A step forward

So Arwen was accepted into a social group that was supposed to be 6 years and up.  they kindly made an exception for her at the request of her therapist.  I had a conflict however.  I had to rearrange our schedule completely. Both, Arwen and Rowan have speech therapy on Mondays.  The people at Northwest Ohio Speech, Language, And Rehabilitation Services aka NOSLARS  really went out of their way to help me fit therapy into my already crazy schedule. I am so grateful for all the help that we are getting.
My husband was stuck on a call at work and arrived home late on Monday.  This made us 10 minutes late for the Social group.  I was already pretty nervous about that. I crept in and took a seat.  Luckily they hadn't started the session.  There was a mixup and some other folks were also late.

They split the kids up into their groups and the parents into a group. I was actually very nervous and excited.  It was so wonderful to meet other parents with Au-some children.  I think I need this.  I really look forward to getting to know them. We can learn from each other.  I am already a part of an online social group.  I spend more time talking with them than my own friends.
Anway we did our introductions in the Social group.
This nearly broke me.  I was ready to start bawling. The heat filled my face....I was flushed and my emotions were ready to boil over.  Somehow I maintained my composure.  Thank goodness.  I feel foolish crying.
What caused this? you might ask..
The stories they told.  The way their children are treated by others.  The laughing, pointing......the inability to make friends. ....the desperation and sadness.

Is this what I have to look forward to????

I see everything in a different light.  Thinking about the future is painful.  So I will settle for right now.  I'll cherish the precious moments that I have.  I will give love as much as I can.  I'll help others.

They have made me a better person.


I left that meeting feeling great.  Arwen had a great time in her group.  I am so happy to think that maybe I can connect with someone who understands.

Quirky kids

Two cool things about today. 

1. Rowan was chanting pee pee pee pee pee.....he went into the bathroom on his own. He climbed up on the potty and started peeing.  It shot across the room but he knew what to do! !!!

2. He said "yellow bubbles".  That was him asking for the yellow bottle of bubbles.

And a quirky kid moment by Arwen: I told her she could jump in the bath, get washed quick and get out, so that she could play Pokémon.   She said "I don't want to jump in the bath! "

In case you aren't aware. ... kids with autism are very literal.  Haha

Milestone

Rowan has learned to take off his pants and underwear. The only negative is that he prefers to be this way.

Learning to eat

Rowan has learned to take bites out of cookies. Will he be able to generalize and do the same with other foods? This is exciting news. ..I sure hope so!

Potty time

Rowan just stood up and said "potty time." We went to the bathroom and he peed.  Yaaay. He also just learned to flush.....flush. ... flush!

Poopy party

Rowan pooped on the potty!

Much better day

Today Rowan went up and down the bus stairs.  The para told me he didn't cry today either! 

The bus...

We have anxiously awaited Arwen's first day on the school bus.  She has talked about it for a week!  Today was the day!  We were ready!  There was a 2 hour delay today.  We were outside before the scheduled time. We waited happily.  ...........and we waited........counting the minutes.......the time came and went.  That was ok...they had to work her in.  We waited....21 minutes later....I call.....i was watching Rowan through the window laying on the couch watching tv.....waited.....
I was on the phone for 30 minutes.  We waited outside for nearly an hour. The bus never came.  they finally radioed the driver and discovered that she had never gotten the information. !!!!!!!!!! :/
At this point, Arwen was going to be late for school.She was trying to play in the dirt.  She was restless.  We had to rush in and wash her hands.  They apologized and assured me that the matter was resolved and that the bus would bring her home today.  I am understanding of these things.  During the call....Rowan peed on the floor.  I had to rush and get him ready to go ...to take Arwen to school.  While driving, I called the school and explained why she was late.  I also had to walk her to class and interrupt to tell them what was going on.

Also...this morning I had Rowan in his underwear. I smelled something...but he was dry.  I took him potty.   He was very shifty....I knew he had to poop.  He didn't go.  I left his underwear off, so that we could rush back to the bathroom if there was any sign.  Then... I received a very important phone call.  I'm giving information to the caller when I notice.....poop coming out.  I said....oh my gosh.... just a second please.....i grab Rowan and start carrying him to the bathroom  His turd falls on the floor!  I'm on an important call with a brown emergency.  HAHA  
Anyway....amidst it all...it's a good day.

Preschool Day 2

This morning went smoothly.  When the bus arrived, Rowan was happy to see it.  He was fine up until we entered the bus. Then he gripped me  and whined.
     After school,  the bus pulled up.  I could see him through the  window flapping and excited to see me. He was smiling when he approached. He held the hand rail and went down the stairs by himself!   I hugged him so tight.  I had tears of joy...especially when I saw his school paper.  He had a really good  day and ate all of his snack!  He used a new word and confirmed that he understands it.  I offered him yogurt and he said "no ".

Paci

I forgot to mention.  Tim forgot to give Rowan his paci Sunday night.  He went right to bed and slept all night without it.

Bus

Now Rowan isplaying with his bus.

First day of preschool summary

The bus was late, and by then I had a knot on my stomach.  I videoed the bus arrival. The nice lady helped Rowan to the stairs.  He was shaking and scared but happy to see me.  He was smiling.  I hugged him so tight.  I have never missed him so much.  I couldn't stop hugging him.
When we walked in. ..i was talking to him about the school and the bus.  He said "Passenger. "  He has heard this word from a Little Critter book called "Just me and my mom" by Mercer Mayer. He had an interactive app with this book that he taps pictures and it'll say the word.
It was smart of him to connect the story to an actual experience.  He was in fact. ...A "Passenger" on the school bus.
I tell you what. ... I've never been so happy to see him.  The picture I attached shows how his day went.  What a relief!

Rowan's First Day of Preschool.

   This morning, getting everyone ready for their day, went smoothly.  I made their breakfast, in advance, yesterday.  I had their bags packed, lunch prepared for Arwen, and clothes set out.  We took Arwen to school, spoke with her new teacher, got her settled, and went home.  We were early enough for Rowan to get on the bus.  I decided to let him go on the bus and I would follow to take all his supplies to his teacher.
     While we were waiting, Rowan wanted to go inside.  He got a little restless.  The bus arrived and I carried him over.  I talked to the bus driver.  Rowan panicked! He stiffened up, his body shaking all over, and started crying. The bus attendant took his cars away.  I told her he could have them. She said "No, there will be nowhere to put them."  He needs his cars. He never goes anywhere without them.  He holds them all day long.  The two ladies struggled and got him on the bus.  They assured me that he would be ok.  I was starting to panic.  I let them take over.  I got in my car and followed the bus to school just as I had planned and the teacher suggested.  I went in and spoke to his teacher and gave her all his supplies. I explained how it went, and about the cars.  She said she would talk with them after school, about letting him have his cars.
     I waled to the bus area and saw them carrying him off the bus.  The other kids got off  on their own.  He was in full blown panic.  He was disheveled and distraught,  He was terrified.  I ran over to him and gave him his car.  He relaxed a little.  A lady was holding his hand and walking him in,  She introduced herself.  She is one of the paras in his class. I told her who I was and about his cars.  I was starting to cry and my voice was trembling.  As we walked into the building, I was losing it.  I could tell that he was ok and that she had things under control.  I ran out the door to my car and called my husband bawling.  He will be taking the bus home today.  I hope he will be ok.

Kindergarten Day 3

Everything went well. I even got to meet Arwen's new permanent teacher. She's great. I'm pleased.  After dropping her off I took Rowan to behavioral therapy.
    After therapy we picked up our shirts for the Autism walk. We spent 40 minutes at the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio talking about resources and local offerings. Very good people over there!
Then home to get Rowan down for a nap. I did house cleaning, lunch,  and phone calls during the two hours he slept.
I got him up and we went to pick up Arwen. It went smoothly.  We went home and got Arwen changed. Tim came home early so we could all go to Rowan's orientation. 
His teacher is excellent.  I spent a lot of time discussing Rowan. All sorts of questions were answered.  She gave me her email.  We've gone back and forth talking that way as well.  It's wonderful.  They have an awesome motor room that  he's going to love!  His teacher really put me at ease.  While we were there he was so happy.  He really liked his classroom.  I  said " Rowan,  this is Miss Laura. "   He went over to the play area then turned and pointed at his teacher saying "Miss Laura, Miss Laura! "   I was so excited, he was talking!  I realized he needed a book bag. .. One with the strap across the front because he's never worn one before.
So we headed to Target and got him a backpack.  <3    My baby is getting so big.
What a long day!   We went home. ..ate... And to bed!