Schools Back FROM Summer

 So we have been getting Peanut ready or School for the last few weeks, social story’s, Visual schedules, setting up a study /therapy room for him.

This is how it went down  ….

Part 1

Day 1

So keen to start hurrying us up to get dressed and out the door and then as soon as we got to the car park the Shit hit the fan!!! he was crying not screaming but fighting enough that I had to carry him in and refusing to do anything asked of him the scripting was at an all time high. 

The Teacher lead him out the door at pick up time and with a funny look on her face 

I said “ not a great day ?”  and I got a big thumbs down  and “a Scripting was High and compliance low”, We shared a chuckle  “ I’m not surprised” “ Yep it will take him time to get used to New routine”

We got home and he was still unsettled and that’s when I start self blaming  - I should of I shouldn’t have .. BLAH BLAH BLAH   ( no help to any one big old BLAH ) So we sit down and ease into the new school year with just 15 minutes of home therapy  he settles with the chance to earn some gold doubloons and Ive finally worked out why he was so upset! He wanted to go to the school with the princess, Every time I mentioned school he would say princess when I picked him up he said "Hi mummy .. go princess" I had no idea what this ment until after therapy he pointed to Clarkson crest on his Visual schedule and said " Clarkson .. Princess up the stairs down the stairs" and Bang it hit me Peanut was in the class for just over an hour 10 weeks ago but what did he play with a castle a fairy princess castle !! God its hard having to be either a mind reader or a detective but we got there in the end.

Its all confirmed as he keeps wanting to put his Hulk t-shirt on cause it was the t-shirt he was wearing on that day so now he thinks its his princess school uniform LOL

Ive told him again and again and showed him on visual schedule but although he was listening he didn’t want to understand so  Snap to

Day 2 

Started off same him excited about school and me blurting out “ No princess school today Merriwa school”  every  15 – 20 minutes, undressed as he was searching for his hulk t-shirt  ( which is in the wash) so he is walking around nudy but then after that it was pretty uneventful he went to school without a hitch still wasn’t 100% but getting better. 

Visual Schedules

                                                                                              

Bag Rack 

Study and therapy desk 

Peanuts sensory cushion 

Peanut ready for his first day 

Starting CEASE therapy soon !

So we went to the naturopath today for the first time in about 8 months, She is wonderful still trying to get me to do GFCF for Peanut but we tired it and I honestly saw no improvements but I saw more improvements when using Spectrum awakening, a probotic and cod liver oil. 

 Im sure diet helps alot of kids but its a long debate and I feel its just not for us. 

Another debate is the whole immunisation debate which is a minefield.  One thing which always comes back to me is when Peanut was 20 months old he got an infection and was put on Antibotics for 6-8 weeks and although I personally don't believe this was the cause it was definitely after that we saw big changes in him perhaps it was a trigger, its hard to tell as in his short life up until that point we had moved alot he had a little brother, I started back at work, we had to say goodbye to his dog and everything was rather unsettled.  
But I don't feel putting him on ABs for that long at that age was wise, I of corse had no idea at the time( done my research now though) and Shrimples was a sickly baby and I just wanted my biggest little man to get better, he was in a lot of pain with a massive lump in his groin.  Its actually the time he started toe walking ( which I put down to the pain in his groin) 

ANY WHOOOOOO  lol  my mum used to take us to the naturopath when we were younger so its something I believe in  (Backpacker does not) so once we got settled before Peanuts DX that was the place to go  we did lots of test which I also got similar ones from GP  ( as I believe both can be of benefit). Basically Peanut was high is toxins  Lead, mercury and some other  lovely goodies and had slight leaky gut we got it working well and he started school and I saw some great improvements with the goodies she offered us.  Peanut suffered anxities  going to school to start with first term it was horrible  so she made us up some homeopathic stuff which sorted that in 2 days!! just a few drops on his tongue a couple of times before school  or anything else were his anxiety skyrockets and we are good to go.   

So this brings us to now! Appointment today and she suggested we start CEASE its sounds a bit confusing reading about it online but when she explain it, it was simple and made sense since we both feel toxins are Peanuts biggest problem.  So we are awaiting the call so we can go and pick up all our good stuff and begin the program.

I don't expect a cure or a mircle, I would just like him to feel his best and if toxin are what is exacerbating some of his traits then Id like too see them settle down a bit, so he can be his best and concentrate more at school.  

He is 5 !!

Peanut  turned 5 on the 12th of Jan and had a great party... way to many kids for me but he coped fine  it was a bit much for Shrimples half way through took himself for a nap but came out smiling and Happy I think for Shrimples it was very hard watching  Peanut get pressies and him not getting anything  but instead of moaning or crying ( like he usually does ) we had a chat about it before the party and he did really well. 

Peanut started back at speech and had a massive meltdown ( weve had a few hard weeks on that respect). We got his report and I don't like to read it LOL its like most reports we get which say in testing he was  blah blah blah behind and severe this and severe that  but we feel due to Peanuts lack of compliance and attention he could have tested better ( so really same old shit)

But we have had some good times these holidays Shrimples is now in Level 2 for swimming lessons and Peanut is going into a mainstream swimming class  (which we will see how that goes - insert Snort-). Shrimples is actually quite a good swimming and confident if he can stand or is in lesson but out in someone else pool he freaks out and worries alot where as Peanut is not so great in lessons but  super confident with his arms bands on ( hardly inflated) and can stay in the water for hours blowing bubbles  kicking and  plodding about constantly making noise  ( which  means I really need to get to the  Naturopath again - YES Im a hippy) 


Work has been slow for both backpacker and I so our finances are HURTING! lol but we keep our chins up and struggle on through.  We are actually looking into buying a house through a shared ownership scheme as rent keeps going up and up.  Of corse it would mean a tiny house with next to no back yard but as least we would own it (or have a mortgage on 70% of it LOL.) 

Peanut had his Chromosome microarray tests yesterday and now we have to wait 4 months for the results.  It was fairly traumatic for all involved I shed a tear and backpacker looked scared for his little man. Which is F -ing Silly ( we are drongos) its just a blood test and Im thankful both boys are healthy and dont need alot of them. It took 5 of us, the first needle came out cause he wriggled and screamed the second needle came out half way through cause of the self retraction thingo and the third needle finished the trick.. he was such a good boy despite the screaming and wriggling. He got a bag of m&ms and a prize and went and wee'd in a cup.  As per usual with Peanut after something traumatic he talks alot more. 
Who knows what it will bring maybe nothing but I feel it was to important not to have him tested. 

In general  Peanuts Communication is getting better ( at home anyway ) recently Ive heard the boys have conversations limited ones yes but actually conversations and this morning I even heard this 

Shrimples "you wear a nappy"
Peanut "NO you are a nappy"
Shrimples " No your a nappy"
Peanut "NO you nappy"

these sorts of things are music to my ears a little laughter and teasing between brothers. 

Also hear these things constantly! 

Peanut "do you want to ride bike with me?"
Shrimples "NO!"

but don't worry  Shrimples gets the same 

Shrimples "want to come on the trampoline with me?"
Peanuts "No I don't want to go trampoline"

But we also get them agreeing and saying okay and going along with each other. 

NO, NO , NO !!!

 ARGHHHHH   NO NO NO NO NOOOOO  thats all we are hearing of late,  NO PANTS,  NO SHOWER, NO DINNER, NO GO OUTSIDE  and then the occasional, ITS MINE, GIVE IT BACK , GO AWAY.   Its driving Back packer and I a little insane.... BUT .. there is aways a but with Autism, the teeth grinding has stopped, and he is talking alot more, and is clearer, he is playing more appropriately (when they are not fighting) and Shrimples and Peanut run through Scripts together acting them out as a team.  I put all these NO's down to  NO school.   
    He desperately wants to go to school he asks a few times a day which is great as this time last year I was convinced he was just not ready and he would hate it  ( which was the case in first term  ) but Im happy to say I was proved wrong, Peanut needs constant stimulation and  he gets that at school and with therapies, Speech is starting back next thursday.  Now he is at home while Mummy and Daddy are cleaning for rent inspection and prepping for Party.  Today we are off to the lagoon for a swim in the morning and then having an antipasti and champers playdate in the afternoon  ( champers for adults only of corse  although that might give me a nice sleep in tomorrow),  Moose and Ruby Gloom are well loved by both Peanut and Shrimples,  Moose is a 3 year old Girl who acts alot like a boy in pretty dresses, Ruby Gloom and I have been friends since we were 8 or 9 and  Moose  has been around since she was born, so I wont be telling them until later today as Peanut will obsess about it all day.  

Autism is so different from one kid to the other alot of kids with Autism need to be told of goings on way in advance social stories need to be made and such, Peanut you just got to throw things at!  surprise him with good things  ( if not you'd get come on lets go constantly in your ear for days) and  shock him with the bad ( or it would be hell trying to get him to do what ever it was). We are working on all this with him at the moment we are talking about the party but not really saying when  a very vague (next week) as yesterday Peanut got out the cake book and a chair and was ready to make some cake he actually took it pretty well when we packed it away, considering his mood of late. He is okay with change and no set routine but he is not okay with wanting to do something and not getting to do it or not wanting to do something and being made to do it, for now no social stories or preparation works for this we found first and then works best atm.

 Im off now  but Ill leave you with a picture of Peanut in his sulking position. Batman outfit on and off to his room to stare at the fan  !  LOL I do love his unimpressed face. 

OKAY its a fresh new year - pictures

Well Our Christmas went well , we went down to the farm for a week, dressed up as Super heros, went swimming in the dam alot as there was a heat wave, all the kids loved the dam and much to my fright Peanut loved it so much he wandered down there on his own for a swim ! YEP I freaked out ! That horrible sinking feeling running like Bolt down to the water to see a happy little head bobbing around in the water.  I fritzed, Burst into tears went pale for a while with the what if and buts and  then realization that he really has no concept of danger ( which is a hard one  as Ive always thought he knew his limitations even though he was a dare devil and I guess he still is he just doesn't understand what would have happened if he had slipped and gone to deep ).

Shrimples has been super emotional of late (and constantly in his iron man outfit )  and Peanut has been well .. Peanut ( which can be different from one day to the next ), Both itching to go back to school / daycare  ( they have 5/6 weeks till school starts again )  the weather has cooled down now (  for the time being anyway )  and the boys are playing outside alot or watching super hero squad, I really need to take them to the park today as I have been a lazy mum, Peanuts Birthday is on the 12th and Rent inspection on the 15th, So Im busy cleaning all the things  that don't get cleaned for 3 month and you can't even tell have been cleaned  once they are cleaned unless you live here, ovens, Back rooms, draws  etc.

 Planning the big Pirate party extravaganza, alot more people coming than  I had hoped although  I wish I could still invite more. I hope peanut copes with all the people as it is his day, He knows everyone so thats a bonus we have borrowed a bouncy castle and we are doing up the undercover outside area piratey, I've made a game  "pin the treasure on the map" and  also got a pinyata  I don't want to plan too much there will be 20 Children  half of which will have Autism and all between  3 and 7.  I wish Peanut could pick whom he wanted to come and it would be that simple but since he doesn't really have friends  I just went with the kids he seems to get drawn to most.  I know he has two favourites and they will be attending so I got that right,  just got to wait and see if its too many kids ( then I will feel super silly) Shrimples will have a great time though with all those kids !

Fingers crossed  for us

I have included some Photos from  our Christmas week  - Yep this year Im going to include photos for a more personal touch.

Collecting the Chickens eggs

Decorating the Farm tree 

Peanuts favourite Spot 

Peanut in my Thor outfit 

Cousins in the bath 

Shrimples admiring the View 

Peanut or Spiderman 

Shrimples Moaning again  ! 

Shrimples as iron man, Peanut Super excited 

Peanut Enjoying the sand 

Me 

Boys playing at park in Demark 

Shrimples Happy 

Peanut as Spiderman in another Fav spot 

Lizard 

Boys and the dog in the dam

Proud mummy - End of year - THANKS

I was meaning to write about Shrimples last day at Daycare  and Peanuts last day at school for a while but things are always busy ( if there not Im watching catch up TV- Dexter, breaking bad  and Elementary)  or I am always tired and then Christmas took over. To be honest they were both pretty uneventful, Shrimples had been at daycare for just under 3 years and got a bit upset when he got in the car to come home. 

 Peanut just walked out of School none the wizer that he would not go back next week.

 I got Peanuts Report in the post today and OMG I’m am one proud mummy!!!  He has improved so much at the new school, he got 5 Gold’s ( meaning very good) and 7 silvers (Meaning  satisfactory)  no Bronzes ( which means requires more effort) The worst point ( which is not a surprise)  he doesn’t yet Accept that making mistakes is a part of learning LOL and plus’s were that he Participates in all Class room actives,  Now we have 2 weeks off therapy  and then we will ease into the new year.

I’m working 4 nights a week and I can not wait to get away for a week to the farm and see my family !!  

We are all prep'd for Christmas and I will sign off now and which you all  a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR and Ill see you all Later xx 

I want to thank every one this year for the Support, Family, Skippers, people reading and commenting on my blog and even work  I have amazing people around me which has made everything so much easier 

STAY SAFE !! 

Festive festivities ....

 OH MAN  Christmas is getting so close, every weekend for the last 4 weekends we have had a Christmas party and we have another weekend of them after this too. 

Tomorrow is the big one the Variety Christmas party. Im Excited  !! 

We have been making ginger bread cookies the boys have decorated the tree, made cards, and pressies for the rellies. 

The boys both really understand this year Peanut is Super excited , Shrimples is too but has been rude to santa a few times and shed some tears after not getting what he wants (not quite gasping the concept entirely). 

Peanut, Shrimples, Nynie and I went to the Justine Clarke concert last weekend  for those of you that don't know, Justine Clarke is a singer and play school host  and now author,  the boys have loved her for  2.5 years or more I guess and finally got to go to a concert,  Peanut wore his Christmas hat ( which he does alot now he is getting into the spirit)  and went down the front Following Justine Around the stage ( like a mini stalker) and trying to climb up to get to her.  Shrimples was  really excited but sat in his chair mostly until the end where he went head banging crazy in the isle near us. It was great a little little people rock concert LOL Peanut did get upset  that the chair were broken  ( really they were just those chairs that fold up when you stand up ) we nearly had a melt down but dodge it. I was proud of both of them  it was crowded and loud but they both did really well. 

The boys have had their photo with the santa at the mall it didn't turn out great  but with all these Christmas party's and all these Santa its a wonder they are not completely confused.  I know I am. Shrimples growled at Santa when he handed him a stuffed dog, He rolled his eyes and said  in a deep dark and creepy voice " I TOLD YOU I WANT IRON MAN!"   1. thats just plain rude.. so he was dealt with accordingly and 2. He loves iron man I know he does but he has never asked for one !!  and 3. Nynies the one getting him an iron man ! 

With Christmas coming up I have been working alot more which is nice cause we have no money ( still trying to win lotto)   but also tiring and I have to be careful  not to stress out and snap at the boys  (which I usually do Thursday fridays as Im just too worn out). 

Its Peanuts last day of School Next friday  and we are waiting on hearing when he can visit the new mainstream school he will be attending next year, I have been very nice and friendly to the principle and she in return has thanked me for constant phone calls.  only one week of the school year left!  I need to get this sorted but funny enough Im not really stressed about it. Peanut is okay with change so as long as I know where he should be and when thats all I care about really.  I got the boys uniforms and put in the book lists in and taken Shrimples out of the daycare he has been in for nearly 3 years.  


Peanut had a  Paed Review and  she wants genetic testing  so we have to get that done  and had an Ot review which stated Drawing ( whahah  I don't think so ), pre writing skills and visual memory and he is low average - average for his age, he had been  discharged due to his ASD diagnoses and the OT cried LOL  so I think we might send her a card. 


its pasted midnight here so Im gonna crack on and get to sleep ... BIG PARTY TOMORROW !! 

And yes Shrimples hair is getting that long!

oh and my blue pen ran out so Im using black now