Bringing ABA into Our Homeschool Room

Art Project during our Unit Study of Japan

Having Kaden's ABA therapist over for a morning of Homeschooling was awesome.  She was able to see how a typical school day fits into our already busy day.  I have to say Kaden was on his BEST behavior in the beginning.  He did extra math and didn't complain when it was time to work on his handwriting.  I was thinking she should just pack up her bags and move on in.  :)  So, half way through her visit I pulled her aside while he was in the potty to let her in on the Gig he was pulling. ;)  She knew and figured that that's how it would be.  After the "Potty Accident" (a whole other story) she went into the front room to work on some paper work.  She probably was just settled on the couch when he started to walk around the table, looking all around, getting frustrated and basically not wanting to finish the project we had started.  Bingo, I found Kaden!!  :)

I started thinking, ok if he can behave and keep focused for an hour while she is here, why can't he do it when she isn't.  I mean I only do maybe 2 hours of school with him as it is.  It's all about the structure and he knows what she expects and what comes next when it comes to routine.  I'm not good with routine, especially with school work.  My goal this year is to become more routine oriented when it comes to his school day.

After I talked to her a few days later, she had a list of things we could work on.  Number one thing is his independence.  I do everything for him, get out his pencil, hold the book, dress him, you name it he needs that attention or guidance.  The other day I let him put on his clothes by himself.  They didn't match and I was like whatever.  But, the shirt was inside out and backwards.  It was a collared shirt.  I was like Kaden!!!!  Isn't that uncomfortable with that collar flapping in your face?????  He said no it was fine and shrugged his shoulders.  :D  You just have to love him!!!  Of course I helped him turn his shirt around and he still wore the  outfit with one striped sock and one of his sister's that was bright white.  I figure you need to pick your battles and take one step at a time!  :)

Making a Japanese Zen Garden

I will start having a BT here with Kaden twice a week in the mornings along with all his afternoon care.  We will have a complete program and I am over the moon about it.  Homeschooling NT Kiddos is soooooo different then a Kiddo on the Spectrum.  I'm learning this just in time.  Reaching him academically is a challenge, he has a total different view of education and how he learns new information.   His mentality is do the important stuff first and get it over as fast as possible.  Nothing really captures him like a typical kiddo.  I made fossils with our dino study awhile back and we did a bone excavation.  He was excited to chip the dirt away and accomplish finding all the bones.  After that was accomplished it was soooo long Mom!  :)  And making the fossils was exciting for Mahala, but Kaden was more concerned about the sizes of each pieces of clay in proportion to each item we were trying to make a fossil with.  :P

The next 6 or 7 years will be very interesting!!!  I'm just thankful to have the ABA support to help me set a great learning foundation as far as his Learning Behavior.  I would strongly suggest if you Homeschool and have a Kiddo on the Spectrum, get as much ABA guidance as possible.  This is a 1st for the ABA Company we use, so this is all new for them.  But, they see the need and are very excited to learn new ways of therapy that they can offer.

Let's Stretch those ABA Hours

We are looking to get more ABA hours for the first part of each day during our Homeschooling time.  Not sure if they are on board to do it, but when I'm on a mission to accomplish something, dang it I get it done!  So today I sat and wrote out during our school time each problem area that I noticed.  Lot's of focus issues and staying in his seat.  Things that my other two kiddos I could say Hey....sit your butt down and let's get to work and they would actually do it.  Kaden, would look at me like I was crazy and probably go into a long explanation for the reason he is doing the behavior that I want to stop along with a lengthy meltdown.  Not such a fun thing, when you are on a tight schedule because you have to be ready for the ABA Team invasion to enter your house.

I would like him to use some of his ABA hours for learning how to be more independent, both with tending to himself and academically.  Now if it works great, if not then at least we tried.  We tried 7 months to get him to not eat with his hands.  Did it work?????  NO!  Do I care?????  NO, but at least we tried and when we go out he tries hard to use some sort of utensil, even if it's toothpicks.  Don't even ask..........

I have some great notes and will be making my point to the Team on Friday.  I hope we can get the hours, fingers crossed!!!  I know for them it might be hard to wrap their heads around the homeschool day setting.  So, watching it in action  should be all they need.

Kindness Makes MY World Go Around!!

Today I meet the Kindest Person in line at the Whole Foods Store.  She made a comment about the 20 containers of Rice and Almond milk that I had TOWERING in my cart. :)  I explained Our new diet changes and she asked how it was going.  And then she asked the reason for the switch.  I have to tell you after last weeks Episode of negativity from my fellow Sams Club shoppers I was a bit hesitant.  But, I was welcomed with a caring stream of questions and she even passed on some much needed encouragement and even a Kudos tucked in here and there.  I normally don't need my back stroked with indulgent Praise.  But, after last week a little Love and Acceptance goes a long way.  Here is My FB Post from the other day about what I'm talking about.  

 But, the other day we were at a store. One of the employees was coming into the store with about 20 carts. He was going over the bumpy surface that they had in front of the store. It was loud and annoying for me, for Kaden it was 10x worse. He covered his ears, dropped to the ground, started kicking and screaming to stop. I tried to pick him up and then I decided to let him work through it. Everyone was staring and shaking their heads. I felt bad for Kaden, because he's a great kid and I hated thinking that other people were sending out that negative vibe that he was anything other then the amazzzzing kid I know he is. Then this young guy walked by and said to his girlfriend or wife loud enough for me to hear that that right there is why he will not be having any kids. And older woman came to me and said back when you were a kid I bet you didn't get away with what he's doing, I know I wouldn't have let any of mine behave like this. I have 5 kids and 14 grand-kids. So, I stood there and waited fighting back tears until Kaden was able to get up and all he could say to me was van please. I don't have many interactions like this, but when I do Man do they effect me!!!


Have a Blessed Day!!!!

Mater on Mars

We had a blast last week, Kaden, Skylar and I went on a mission to Mars.  Mahala had to practice for softball and there is an area out by the ball field that has reddish colored dirt.  And since he gets so board and no matter how hard we try to entertain him he always runs out onto the field and I just know he is going to get popped in the head with a ball.  :)
So we decided to go on a little adventure to gather rocks and to examine the land.  He said it was an expedition, I call it almost 2 hours in the sun with very little water.  But, what can I say, it was fun and anything I can do to put a smile on his face makes me happy.

It started out slow, he was a bit overwhelmed with the wind, so he kept spinning and flapping his arms around.  Most of the time I just let him go, I know he needs this to feel centered and calm.  But, that day I did say a few hundred times to be careful. :)

On our little exploration we talked about Mars and the similarities and differences between Mars, Mercury and Earth.  He loves to debate, so no matter what I shared he had something to say about it or correct.  Just another conversation with my sweet Kaden.  :)  I love how his mind works.  He is filled with so much information that sometimes he can't even express it without getting frustrated just searching for the right way to word it perfectly as it is in his own mind. And then on the other hand he is still so innocent and childish.

By the time we made it back to the car Skylar & I had our hands full.   Kaden had full pockets and a shirt full.  Afterwards he ran to catch up with Dad and Mahala to throw a few balls.  He wants to be a pitcher.  I think one day he just might, but today he's my little Rock collector/Explorer!!!

Kaden's New Adventure

 Over the weekend Mahala went out and practiced 
for an upcoming Softball try out.  She is very excited and takes her softball v-e-r-y serious.  

Kaden has basically grown up with it all around him.  And naturally he would pick up on the rules and terminology.  So, guess what he wants to do?  Play baseball would be the correct answer for that question.  

 



And to be honest, he is actually very good.  He throws far, catches the ball with the right part of his glove and can remember most of the rules.  Now if he can just do all that while other people are on the field and a dozen or more sets of parents screaming from the bleachers.  :)  We will see, only time will tell.

I tried to get a video of him playing catch with Dad, but something happened to the picture it was all fuzzy.  I will try next time we go out.  He has the cutest stance out on the pitcher's mound. 

The New Blank Free Diet

Well, I think there is going to be a change around here....a BIG change!  I think it's time to take a look at Kaden's diet, our whole diet really.  Of course I have heard about all the Miracle GF, CF, SF and all they other fill in the Blank Free Diets out there.  And I always thought well I guess that works for you, but obviously that's not going to be our Gig.  As a matter of fact I think I have read probably 20-30 blog posts and articles that all started just like this one right here that I'm writing now that you are reading.  And after the 1st paragraph or so they hit you with their Revelation of the Blank Free Diet that has now changed their life. 

Now look at me, I feel like a broke down mule.  Because guess what........I have a story to tell.....a darn Revelation.  :)  I have nothing else to try, I have flipped over a lot of stones.  Now I'm flipping the Diet Stone.  

 I always go against the rules, I have my whole life.  You say pink I say light fushia.  You say rewind before returning I grin as I slip it into the drop box knowing I stopped it at the beginning of the credits.  Okay, maybe I haven't done that since I was like 20, but still.  :p  Point is I fight the current and in my life that has always benefited me.  It's what kept me strong and alive, but when it comes to my kiddos sometimes you have to break down and try things you necessarily wouldn't normally try.  

I stand firm when my Mother's instinct rears it's head.  But, with Kaden and his journey with Autism I have floated by on a raft made of dried up leaves laced together with hopes and fears.  I don't always hear the instinct in my head, I second guess myself....way too much.  

We have seen an increase in his aggression and a decrease in language off and on during the day.  He will revert to only making sounds probably 1/3 of the time he is awake.  Our whole family is involved in his ABA and social skills class, so the next logical step to me is diet change.  The Big reason I decided to give this a chance was because we figured the only real difference in his diet lately has been Crystal Light the past few weeks.  We are a water and milk family, sometimes iced tea.  So, I'm thinking it might be the artificial sweetener & dye.  

I have to admit it's overwhelming looking around online!!!!  I flipped out just with the amount of products available and weeding out all the crazzzzzies.  Sorry, if you are one of the Crazzzzzies, I'm legally Crazy, but not Crazy into this Blank Free Diet Stuff......YET!

I'm calling Kaden's the Blank Free Diet.  I'm going to 100% cut out the Gluten & Dyes.  I'm also thinking of less Casein, so I have him on rice milk & cheese.  He hates the cheese, so since it's one of his favorite foods I may need to find a better alternative or just pray less Casein is better then no Casein.  :)  I figured we would slowly make the change, but really it has been pretty easy.  I say that right now of course after just a few meals.  I worry about variety & flavor!

So far we are on Day 2 of our Diet Adventure!!!  Fingers crossed we will start to see results in a few weeks or so.  If you have any favorite recipes or websites feel free to leave them in the comments.

Building a Bridge for Kaden

Have you ever had something happen to you and you just KNOW it is a Direct Gift from God?  I have been fortunate to have had this happen to me several times in my life. God has been a Huge part of my life and I can safely say that I would not be here today if he was not walking along side me every single day.... many days carrying me.  

You can go back and look at some of my past posts to see what I mean exactly.  

Today I have to share with you the little Miracle that God did for me and my Family just a few weeks ago.  My Sweet Kaden is on the Spectrum and with that comes his literal thinking.  If he can't physically see something or figure it out on paper with a pencil then obviously it's a sham.  Over the years we have tried to go to church, but we can't stay more then a few minutes and then out the door we go.  So, as a Family it's been a few years since we have walked through the church doors together as a Family.  

That said, we read the Bible and Devotions weekly and pray every night.  But, the hard part is no matter what we say or do Kaden Questions the fact that God exists or that there should even be Religion.  Kaden has always been fascinated with Religion, different cultures and the way they pray to their God.  He needs concrete evidence.  The Bible is a book of stories and God is a character in it to him.  For me, that crushes me, it separates me from my Child.  I can't find an avenue for us to at least meet in the middle.

And then there comes the Miracle.....and it came in the form of a Review.  A review on a Book from Apologia, How Do We Know God is Really There? by Melissa Cain Travis.  Are you kidding me?  I was so excited I was beaming from ear to ear, I knew in my heart that this little book was going to be that avenue to reach Kaden so that he could connect the dots.  A lot was riding on this book....a lot!

When we got it I wanted to read it ASAP.  But, he said we needed to wait for book time, which was right before bed.   HAHAHAHA

Then I figured that it was probably best, so I read through it.  And I loved the story, I will not go into detail because I don't want to ruin it for You or your Kiddo.  But, I will say it was simply Amazing. The Art work is Colorful and eye-catching, even my 13 year old enjoyed reading it. Even though it is geared for younger Kiddos, the story can be enjoyed by the whole Family. 

Kaden read the whole book, straight to the end and asked a lot of Questions and had a loooooooong Discussion......2 hours almost.  

But, I will say that the night we read How Do We Know God is Really There an Avenue was built for my Son and I.  And I am so Thankful for this Miracle. 

This is the first in an exciting new series of picture books designed to introduce kids to important questions of the Christian faith in terms even pre-readers can understand. Read this aloud with your family, and you’ll come away knowing that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1). 

 Apologia publishes homeschooling curriculum and resources, and hosts online classes to help families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith.

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
 

Don't Judge Our Side of the Spectrum

This post is hard to write.  I love my Sweet Kaden, anyone who knows us or follows us on our journey knows how much he means to me.  But, sometimes the pressure of having a Child on the High Functioning end of the Spectrum can be so hard to deal with.  I feel so much pressure for him to get well or to snap out of it, yes I have heard those exact words spoken to me.  And I also feel guilt for my Son being HFA.  This side of the Spectrum can be so lonely.

 I know he taught himself to read at 2 and he can figure out simple equations in his head , but he is still developmentally behind by 2 years.  He has so many obstacles to climb over every single day.  And you know what, most of the time it takes the whole family to get him over them.  

 

His fears, obsessions, sensory processing dysfunctions, developmental delay and lack of social ability stops him in his tracks all day long.  And even though we are blessed at how verbal he is that doesn't make the meltdowns any better, because he is either shouting hurtful, negative things, screaming, making odd sounds and humming. 
 The other day at the park after his therapy he was playing having a good time.  What does he do that's fun?  Rolling around in the bark, and the slide.  Up and down, up and down, he loves the slide. :)  


  After almost an hour of dodging other kids, because remember he will not socialize and if he does it is usually awkward enough that the other kiddo has no interest.  Sometimes we have real good days where we find a child that he mixes well with.  I love that!!!  
So, it was time to go, I needed to get dinner started.  And then it began.  Now, please I don't need anyone to comment about discipline, because this is not a tantrum.  He was upset and repeated over and over that he was never coming back here.  He couldn't leave, because we were never coming back.  I tried to calm him down and reassure him that we would be....it's 1 block from our house. :)  Nothing was working, he was rocking back and forth, screaming, hitting and took his shoes off and managed to hit Skylar in the face with the shoes.  Honestly it sounded and probably looked like we were kidnapping him.  I was terrified, it is so scary whether it is your 1st or millionth meltdown to go through.  

He was throwing himself on the ground, hitting his head and trying to hide from us.  At this moment I know he is thinking of running, not safety.  A fairly busy street was about 15-20 yards away.  Only bushes between him and the street.  So, keeping him calm enough to not run that direction is the only thing on our minds at that moment.  This is why I never like to go alone with him anywhere.  Unfortunately, he was off and running in a minute and Mahala basically leaped off the top of the play structure and tackled him down by grabbing his legs.  Thank the Lord that she didn't break her legs.  I'm also thankful that both my older kids would not hesitate one minute when it comes to Kaden and his safety.  
 

 The two oldest carried him to the car, allowing everyone to see the show.  I shutter to think what was going through their minds as I pull up to the curb with my van and we stuffed him in as he's screaming he will never be back.  I was fighting the tears because I needed to remain in some kind of control.  

I had to go to the drug store to get something for Skylar's eye and Kaden reached for the door to jump out.  Screaming how he wanted to die then to be with us.  The hurtful things that stab you in the heart are the worst.  But, deep down I know he is the one in the most pain. 
When we finally made it home he was wild flinging his body, he refused to get out of the car, so we took turns staying with him.  Then all of a sudden like someone flipped a switch he started crying out in pain.  He had cuts all over his hands and legs.  I'm assuming from the bark, even his pants had holes from dragging his knees on the play structure.  He was Kaden again, not meltdown Kaden.  He apologized and didn't even remember why he was so upset and when we reminded him about how he was worried about never going to the park again.  He thought that was silly.  And he sat down and explained to me how his brain worked differently then ours.  It almost feels like we live in a Prison and when meltdowns occur, especially outside the home we are on High Alert, sirens, flashing Lights and all.  But afterwards it feels like we just return to normal, doing whatever we were doing or want to do.  The lights and sirens can all be turned off for now.
I will share his talk with me about how Autism lives inside his brain tomorrow, because his ABA session is ending now.  Pray for Our Sweet Kaden!!! :)

The Scrappy Side of Bento

Kaden's Pretty Breakfast

 I just thought it would be funny to show what happens to all the pieces from Kaden's Bento Boxes.  People always ask me what I do with all the left overs and don't I hate wasting food.

The Answer is obvious in the following Pictures.

At least Mine came with a Big Iced Coffee!!  Can't complain!

Kaden had Flower shaped sponge cake with chocolate and sprinkles with Strawberries!

Mom's.......Breakfast

Just Pedal that Peddle Cart!

Kaden was riding all over the neighborhood the other night in his Peddle Cart.  I find it sooths him being so close to the ground and he can actually handle it, unlike his bike.  He has a hard time still staying upright on his bike.  He has training wheels still and he rides the left one like mad.  Basically he rides on his front tire and left training wheel.  He reminds me of Forrest Gump.

Speaking of Forest Gump....I love that restaurant!!!  Anyone else been there before?  If you ever get a chance to go...RUN....RUN to it and order your self the Bucket of Trash.  It's so yummmmmy!

Anyway, back to the Peddle Cart.....

He was just about to turn off of the sidewalk to cross the street when all of a sudden the steering column broke.  He was so sad.  :(  Honestly I was afraid he was going to have a melt down.  But, he surprised me and just skipped along home while his older brother drug it back home.

Now we need to get the parts to fix it, would hate to go too many weekend without one of his favorite toys. :)