Halloween fun with Kaden

 The other day after Kaden's ABA therapy we decided to have a little Halloween Fun!  Usually after therapy he needs an hour or so to himself.  He will normally go to his room and organize his cars or count play money.  If it's a "computer" day I will let him play star craft, his new favorite game in the whole world.
So, after his down time he put together a Halloween tree.  I was impressed with how well he took the sticky backs off and placed them on the tree.  He has a hard time with little things like that.

 Finished product....spooky tree and happy kid!

Then we decided to play Halloween Bingo.  Both of these things I bought at the Target $1 section.  I heart their $1 bins!!!!!

New Autism Film....

 Just wanted to share!!!!

gut-ter-snipe (n): a homeless vagabond and especially an outcast boy or girl in the streets of a city
Guttersnipes is a story about Jo, a 17 year old homeless girl who finds Waverly, an abandoned autistic kid in an alley. Now Jo must decide if she will turn the girl over to the hellish state home, find her a new home... or just keep her, and make a "home" with her on the streets.
Read more at www.guttersnipesfilm.com

 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/69061341/guttersnipes-feature-film-set-in-arkansas-0

A note from the writer
"The day I learned we were having a girl, my imagination took flight. I tried to envision the woman my daughter would become -- her high school years, college graduation... even my own grandchildren.
But when she was three, our family was hit with a new reality. Lexi was diagnosed autistic. She was still my girl... but it slowly dawned on me, she would never become the woman I had imagined.
Years after the diagnosis, my biggest fear remained -- WHAT will happen to my daughter when I'm not around?
From this jumbled mess of thoughts, hopes, dreams, tears, and imagination I created GUTTERSNIPES."
Our goal
Our goal is to enlighten and move people in a profound way. There is still too much ignorance about autism. However, through exposure comes understanding. Through understanding, comes compassion. We want to put something beautiful in the world that will uplift everyone who sees it.

Note to You from Me with Love!!!!

So, I have meet some pretty amazing people on FB, my blog and on myAutisumteam.com over the past few months. In the early morning hours last night when I was at my wits end with tooth picks in my eyes trying to get Kaden to relax and let go to dream land, I wanted to cry and just give up. But, for the first time I laid there and prayed for all the other Moms and Dads out there. I prayed they were having restful sleeps and I knew that there was probably at least one of you awake doing the same for me. I felt more peacful in that moment and I took the tooth picks out of my eyes and covered Kaden tightly and listened to the sound of him rubbing the nylon seams on that Ikea leaf and humming his little heart out. I do need this support....thank you all.....(((hugs)))
 http://www.facebook.com/KadensAspergerWorld

Pumpkins with Kaden

 We went to the Pumpkin patch at the farm like we do every year.  But, this year, I swear the pumpkins shrunk on us.  It was amazing to watch daily, even the stems.   So, we decided since they were a bit on the small side we would just decorate them and "maybe" carve one before Halloween if we get around to it.  I use the word "maybe" very loosely.

 The kids like ANY excuse to grab the paint, especially Kaden.  That, glue and glitter are among the favorites around here.  So, nobody was disappointed in the no carving just paint and slather project.

 I thought Kaden was going to do a simple little face on his.  This is the first year he has actually enjoyed getting his costume and decorating a little with crafts and pictures.  So, I figured he would play it safe and do what was needed and be done.

 I was wrong about that one.  He was so into picking his colors and making designs all over it.  He decided to do two faces and called them crazy, faced ninja heads! 

 Within minutes he turned it into a masterpiece of swirls and drips.  Who knows he may be a famous pumpkin painter in the future, but I wont hold my breath.  :)

 Mahala is my precise child.  She takes her time and plans out every detail before she even gets out her supplies.  Unlike my oldest and I that just grabs paint and starts painting before we eve know what the project is.  Being mental helps make that all possible.;)

Mahala called her pumpkin, Mr. Crazy Peanut.  Everyone's crazy in our house, even the pumpkins.   Poor pumpkins......

Bye Bye Horse Therapy

 I am still finding the words to tell Kaden that more then likely he will not be enjoying Horse Therapy anymore.  The place he rides at is wonderful and it is unfortunate that they are in a battle with a few local banks over money they were promised when they agreed to house a huge amount of horses for them.  He has had to miss the past month and almost daily he asks if tomorrow is the day. 
It's not a for sure thing right now, but they have been told by their lawyers to not run any programs at this time.  So, for now he will have to settle for a bike ride....which is all good too.  :)

To Smear or Not to Smear

Right now one of Kaden's programs is holding his utensils.  He's getting better and better with it.  I would say most if not all of his frustration with it is gone.  Now we just have to keep his hands out of his mouth and plate, and keep it on the fork or spoon.  Having the sensory issues that he has he wants to smear the food on himself or not even look at it.  So, we still see the two extremes, but there is no anger behind it.  One step at a time.....he is doing great though.  We are all proud of him!

You Better Learn this Math!

It was so funny, the other day Kaden was trying to explain to Mahala the difference between negative and positive numbers.
He is such a tiny professor!  He gets so emotional and into his math convictions.  That's what they are to him, convictions....you Need to understand what he's trying to explain. :)

Disability Awarness Month

October Is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month | GoodyBlog http://www.parents.com/blogs/goodyblog/2012/10/october-is-learning-disabilities-awareness-month/

 

Angry Birthday!!!

 A few months before Kaden turned 5 we knew there was a diagnosis of some sort right around the corner.  It just seemed to have taken more months then it would to turn water into wine to get an appointment!  Kaden is very hard to impress, each Holiday or Birthday we know the drill.  Slight smile, unwrap gifts, slight smile, maybe a fact about the gift, stack gifts, throw trash away and then a dash upstairs and spend the next hour organizing the gifts in their boxes on emptied shelves.  This is how it's went down every since he was 2.  But we just can't help it, we keep trying with every event BIG or small.  Operation Impress Kaden!!

 This year Mahala ans Skylar made him an Angry Bird Birthday sign. They also lined the stairs with streamers and blew up 50 balloons.

  I made him a pancake in the shape of a five and covered his chair with balloons and streamers.

 This is a face you HAVE to LOVE!!!!!  He enjoyed the pancake and couldn't wait for presents.  This year we bought him some tracks for his cars, two remote control cars, clothes and books.  He loved his angry bird shirt and the books were read and reread.  The car tracks have never been touch since the paper was ripped off.  The remote control cars were enjoyed, but 3 months later I have to admit we couldn't find them anywhere.  ??????

 He Begged me for this cake....I usually make all the Birthday Cakes, but this was extra special to him at the time.  So, I filled out the paper work, picked out the filling and waited patiently for 2 days to pick it up.

 I went to 3 stores and couldn't find a #5 candle.  So, I told him he was my #1 Birthday Boy.  He bought it, but only after he told me that Skylar was really #1 because he was the oldest.  :)

 Yummmmmmmmmmy!!!!!  He ate the cake, licked the cake, he even wore the cake.  And that was okay with me, he was happy and that's what matters most.  Love you Kaden!

Questions From Kaden

So, I thought of this idea a long time ago.  But, it wasn't until he mentioned it to me last week that he was interested in who was behind the screen.  Okay, maybe not those exact words.  But, basically the same thing.
He would see me replying to emails and leaving comments on blogs and forums.  Kaden wanted in on all the fun out here in the blogosphere. HAHAHAHA
The questions will be from his mouth and I know most of them can be easily found online, just humor me and give him a little smile.  I'll pass on the questions as he gives them to me. :)
Thanks a lot!!!!!

Question #1

What's a trillion x a trillion?

Question #2

What's it like being color blind?