Through My Eyes by Thanh Bui

Through My Eyes by Thanh Bui

Just when I think this is hard for me as a parent, this makes me really think about how this is for my sons to go through. I love this song.

More From Little Mouths...

Eric is now verbally identifying all family members. Yeah!!! That happened quick. When Jon slipped on the wet floor in the bathroom after I was done with his bath (no he was not hurt) Eric says "whoopsie Jon Jon"
Eric tripped as he was heading into the house after camp one day. He skinned his knee. He said "owie" numerous times.
This morning Eric was saying "hot" to me and went by the air conditioner. Needless to say the AC was turned on.

Jon comes up to me at random times
"HI HI HI HI"
There is plenty of volume to that. It is so cute, and he is looking right at me too. I'm hearing more "mommy" from him in the last few days too. Hopefully this all can stay consistent. It's really confusing when I know I am hearing this stuff but they say his language is at a 6-9 month range with some scattered. I just keep talking to him, hopefully he retains some of it. I'll take whatever these guys have to say to me :-D

Camp Wrap Up

Thursday was Eric's last day of camp. On Wednesday they brought up concerns about Eric in regards to the overnight at the campground. He was not listening to the staff as well as they would have liked. He would not stay with the group and just wanted to do his own thing. This brings up too many safety concerns outdoors at a camp ground, especially in an unfamiliar place without mommy around. They and I agreed it would be best that Eric did not do the overnight trip this year. It would have been a nice experience for him, but he's not ready for that right now. I felt much better with him at home sleeping in his bed, especially after reading about the teenager on the spectrum that drowned after he took off at a campground in NY (yeah, I need to be careful what I read.). Anyhow, they said he just wanted to play on the playground all day. I believe that. Here he is on Thursday

For his last day they let him hang outside all day. I thought that was pretty cool. Yeah, I know it don't help with the other issues but they said they want to make this a positive memory for him.


Eric with the tent he got for participating. He got it early since he didn't attend the overnight. Don't know if it will ever be used, but it was a very nice gesture. Maybe some day. He really did play hard on that playground, he so needed a bath when he got home.

Dinner Out? I Think Not

The reason why? Incidents like this . I've been there a few times, sans the running around which I don't allow. It's not fun. The stares, the complaints, the nasty comments, you know the drill. Families handle this in different ways. There is no right way, but here's my take.

As for this article, I really cannot blame the waiter for his reaction. Running around in a restaurant is a big NO-NO in my book. It puts everyone's safety at risk. If they can't sit, we leave. As for the other patrons, here is where I am mixed. There are many insensitive people out there. Many quite frankly are concerned with their own comfort and enjoyment only. To a point I don't see this as a bad thing. Other people do have the right to a quiet, relaxing, and enjoyable meal out. But a restaurant is a public place and that can't always be expected or provided. A family should also be able to go out for dinner without having to deal with people that don't understand and the wrath of strangers because their kids are not as quiet, or don't behave quite like others. Derogatory remarks about anyone's disability are unacceptable to me. Reality, if a restaurant gets complaints about the behavior of children they are going to side with the insensitive clods, not the parents or child. They are just looking at the good of the majority of their paying customers over the one.

Children need to go out in public to learn how to act, whether they have autism or not. It is something that is learned by doing. I'm sure almost every parent has put themselves on the line in public to teach their children these skills. Unfortunately some places autistic kids have a much harder time with due to sensory issues and limited social and communication skills. Some families persist in hopes that it gets easier for their child while still allowing other family members a chance to enjoy the outing. That is fine as long as the parents are brave and flexible and have a plan for behavior issues. With that, there are some places it is not worth the stress to me to take my children. Restaurants and air travel top that list. My sons cannot sit. Busy, noisy places bother them. Eric may be OK in a restaurant when it is not busy, it is well lit, we have a seat by the window where he can watch cars go by, and if he happens to be in a good mood. Otherwise they just can't handle it and I have accepted that. Yes, I understand that this limits us. It really stinks to not be able to do some of the things many families do without much thought. It' a necessary sacrifice until we can slowly build our way to these things.

It is really a shame there are not more establishments that are suitable for our children if you want to have a party or a meal away from home. This is why it is also important for their therapy to include community outings and interactions without a bunch of red tape! (sorry, had to get that one in). For now I am hoping in time there are less limits in our life, but ready if that don't happen.

Eric's First Day of Camp

He had fun, I think. He will get a tent. That will be nice for hiding in :-) I am going to have to work some things out with them as far as eating and bathroom are concerned. He would not drink out of his straw cup so I think I will have to bring the orange one with premade CIB and some cheerios. That is an easy fix. He would not use their bathroom, or let anyone change him. He came home to me soaked. At first I thought they may have went swimming with him in his regular clothing. Didn't see swimming on the itinerary. I am going to have to send his swim trunks, and some extra sets of clothing. This not wanting to be changed thing, that has to be worked on. I am going to take him into the bathroom there right at the beginning with one of their workers to hopefully make that happen. Other than that it went good from what I was told. He seemed happy there but was saying bye bye when he saw me. Easter Seals is great working with these kids and I am sure we can work this out for the next 3 days. The overnight, I don't feel as secure about this now. It isn't going to happen until these 2 issues are sorted out. Thankfully it is not too far away on the chance it just don't work out. I think this will be a great experience for him once we get this other stuff taken care of. Waiting for a call back from the camp director.

I don't really know how his therapy is going to work out with all of this. His late afternoon therapist shown up about a half hour ago to work with him for 2-3 hours. The senior called and asked me if camp was this week. I've been telling them about this since I knew. She said she would ask if some of his therapists could work later. Never got a call, but this one shown. Don't know how the rest of the week will work out. I was told he could be short on hours this month so we are going to have to make adjustments there. Plenty to keep us out of trouble. It will work out.

To Be Able To Unlock Their Minds...

This story is so amazing. I'm so glad to hear Eric learn to speak. There is so much he, Andy and all these children are capable of. It's just so sad that their bodies and minds won't let them utilize it.

Note, this is an ABC News story. There are ads, and be sure to stop this once it's done because it goes directly to the next story after.

Here Are The Pics

Here are pictures of what Eric has been up to and the progress he has made. This may be easier to see and not as long as the slide show. This has the highlights, and a few that didn't make it to the slide show. Enjoy :-D

Eric ready for the 4th of July parade. I wonder how long he allowed all that stuff to stay on him...


At the grocery store to learn about healthy eating and nutrition. This wasn't going to do much for him, but he likes walking in the grocery store.


His trip to McDonalds with his school friends. Obviously he didn't eat anything but he sat well and was happy there according to his teachers. I did cut out the other children since I could not get permission from the parents, but he is very happy here with his classmates.


Touching and playing with the collection of bubbles.


Wearing a baseball cap. He was touching it and wondering what it was, but he didn't throw it off like he would in the past.

His golf outing with his therapist. Too bad we can't do this anymore due to stupid rules. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.


Drinking out of his straw cup!!!


Splashing with brothers in the kiddie pool


The clippers made it to his head without a fuss. He was actually laughing at times because it tickled.


He put the spoon full of cheerios in his mouth ALL BY HIMSELF!!!


See mommy, I can do this, when I want to ;-)


The results of the work with the clippers.

Eric Summer Updates In Words

There is plenty of great news to share. The summer schedule of therapy is intense, but so very worth it. He had a great time with summer school. That ended last week, he has this week off and next week, camp!

His progress verbally and with language is very impressive. He can request almost anything, politely. I've seen him use sign too, especially at the table when eating. He will say "I want to eat" and sign drink, close enough :-b He also signs me and more quite frequently. When he wants cheerios he points to the box and says "cheerios". If baby brother has one of his toys or is in the way he says "go Jon Jon". Andy's name is a little harder. Maybe because it is mostly Jon that tries to interact with Eric that he can more easily remember. He will call me mom on prompt or repeat, but not on his own yet. I'm in the process of making PECS with pictures I have taken of our family members, favorite toys, everyday used objects, ect and making picture schedules. All the boys respond very well to pictures. I have all the pictures taken, now if I could get my computer and technical issues straightened out I can print and finish them. Once they are done I will post pictures of the final product. We ask Eric how he is, he says good, then asks how are you. I will say good, then he says good. All that just came out as of a week ago. Last week we had his appointment with the psychologist. While we were waiting for our turn the child who had his appointment before us came up and said "Hi I am (his name) I am 6 years old. I heard him saying a lot more as he was leaving with his mom. I said to Eric, someday you will talk just like him. The senior therapist heard me say that to him. The next day they taught him how to say what that little boy said to him. They prompt him with "what do you say" and he says "Hi, I'm Eric, I'm 7 years old". It's so cool! Just this morning he said to me "How are you mommy" I said "good, how are you Eric" he said good. That is a first for calling me mommy on his own! He has to have the same sequence of words to prompt and he always uses the same words, the same way all the time. Yes, it does sound a bit robotic, but I can live with all of that. Just hearing him talk more means so much to me. At school and during therapy they are bringing out the Vantage to try to unlock more language. He really is not that interested in the machine so there is no concern of him getting dependant on it like some had concerns about. He tends to pick up more from hearing people talk and the therapy.

While we still have issues with him blocking a sippy cup with his tonuge. On the suggestion of Jon's OT I tried a straw cup with him. I bought a pack of the take and toss ones with Lightning McQueen on them. He will now drink water from the cup. His CIB and milk mixtures, not so much yet. We will get there. This will be better in the long run than the sippy considering his age. He will also take dry cheerios off a spoon. This meets some resistance at first,but once he gets the first bite in it is easier from there. Of course he does all this so wonderfully for the therapists. He gives me lip, in his own way of course. I just have to be persistant with him. He had a feeding clinic appointment for next Thursday. He will be at camp then so I called them to cancel and just do his full team appointment in September. I told them of his progress and they were happy with it and we are good to go to see them in Sept. Hopefully if we can take off on this we can avoid the hospital. Him taking the spoon is a big key to getting more of a variety of foods into him.

His sensory tolerance is increasing, especially on his head. He is willing to wear hats now, where he never would before. I was able to cut his hair a few days ago as seen below. That was not pretty to watch, but the job was done, and nobody was hurt. It actually went much better than I expected, and better than it is at the salon. Once he gets used to it he will be fine. I'm sure the comfort of being in his own home helps too. He is now going into the bathroom and sitting on the toilet again. It happened after a very long fight and tantrum one day. He just decided to do it to get us off his case and has without much fight from there. He now has to be retrained in knowing when to go, but that's OK. I'm happy he is willing to go in there again.

This is getting long so I will add the pictures that I was going to put on this post to a new one. Yes, there is a lot to say here. But when it's good news, writing it and reading it is much more fun :-D

Haircuts: Mission Accomplished!!!

This has been a struggle for a long time. Eric has a VERY hard time with haircuts. There is only one stylist in town that will touch him. Of course she works at a salon where a haircut is $25, and that don't include the well deserved tip! I took Andy and Jon there too, was just easy at the time. It is summer (although the weather don't feel like it...) and the boys hair was just getting so long. Getting the time, and in most cases, the funds available has been a real challenge. Eric's senior therapist suggested that I buy a clippers and she would help me buzz Eric. At first I thought she was nuts. I would leave the salon with scratches and bruises after Eric's haircut. This is not a job to take lightly. She still wanted to attempt it, so I bought the clippers but didn't hold much hope. The plan was to first get him to tolorate the sight, the feel and the sound of the machine. Then slowly get him to accept it on his head. The first day he wanted nothing to do with it. I figured this was going to be a very slow process, and wanted to get something from the investment in the clippers, so I got brave. My first haircut victim was Jon since his hair is the lightest colored so the screw ups won't show up as bad, he is the easiest going and the lowest stakes from what I thought.

Here he is after I was done. He cried some, but did not move much. He really did well. I am not that good at this, but for my 1st time ever doing this, it's presentable. I was actually getting compliments on it. I am thinking these folks are just being nice to me. It was hard seeing those cute curls go, but they will grow back. He is a boy, and now he looks like one. After this I've been wanting to attempt Andy's hair. Today he was in a good mood, and I had all my reinforcements together, so decided to give it a go...

The final results on Andy. He was definatley more difficult than Jon. His milk and the video games did not work. He wanted more than anything to get out of the chair. As time went on he did fuss, but he stopped moving so much. Afterwords I took out the bubble machine and all was well from there :-)

From here I got gutsy. Eric's hair was so long, and it just was not him. It really seemed to bother him too. Since I was able to do Andy I figured, how much harder could it be with Eric. His therapist told me today that he was doing great with the clippers. I knew this was my time. Yes, there were violent tantrums, lots of yelling. I am quite sore right now from his fight. Is it worth it? TOTALLY!!! He really does look nice. Again, close up it is obvious I am an amature at this. But anything looks better than how it was, and more comfortable too. He was mad at me for a while.



By this time he's had it, even with the photo session. I feel bad becasue he's been out of sorts all evening since I did this. I'm sure this was hard for him and took a lot out of him. He will be OK I am sure. I just gave him some extra loving before bedtime. It seems I've been forgiven. Sweet little guy...

With that, I am very glad this job is done for a while!!!