happy WAAD...

what the heck you ask is WAAD? world autism awareness day and april the 2nd (which is today here in the land of oz) is officially in it's 4th year of celebrations. today BAAG (bendigo autism asperger group) held a special morning tea for all our members in support of WAAD, recognising and representing all individuals on the autism spectrum. we had quite a few families and individuals turn up and the morning was fabulous.

today i'm doing better, i'm still tender and very frustrated however i'm hoping my back and i are on the same page now and working together to move forward. i really hate this crippling condition that stops you in your tracks and does not allow you to do anything except breathe unaided. today i did not use my walking stick but did have it in the car just in case. today i have been able to manage better then the past 1.5 weeks and i am hoping for no more set backs and the ability to function fully again in the next few days. i have much to do and this is not helping with my to do list which is growing longer everyday.

so it's saturday and the most glorious autumn day i've felt for awhile. i could do with a lot more days like this because for me it's the perfect weather. perfect to potter about the garden, perfect to potter about inside, perfect because it's not too hot nor too cold, perfect because it's autumn and one of my most fave seasons along with spring. today is bliss!!! 

for those of you who have come to know our family enough you'll know isaac is our youngest, has autism, adhd, high anxiety, is visually impaired, is completely disengaged from society, is no longer in school and has quite a few sensory issues etc etc etc and i won't go on because that's enough. anyhoo he licks, sucks and smells his hair constantly and is also very restless and fidgets alot. without going into further detail about what we've already tried etc i found a wonderful website that offered a range of chewlery and fidget sensory items...in canada. then checked out the locations and realised i could get those items here in the land of oz.

a couple of days ago i called isaac (my 15 yr old) into my room so i could show him a couple of items from the range on the laptop. he was able to communicate with me that he licked, sucked and smelt his hair because of anxiety...i was quite overwhelmed that he was able to join the dots there. however what he said next astonished me even more and so the conversation goes a little something like this.

me - isaac if i was to buy you one of these chewlery items would this help

isaac - mum you spend alot of money on me already with my eyes and i don't want you to spend anymore on me because you need the money for my eyes

me - yes i do however do you think this would help you instead of chewing your hair all the time

isaac - mum i don't chew my hair i lick, suck and smell it because it helps me when i'm stressed and anxious

me - so would one of these help you so you don't lick suck and smell your hair all the time

isaac - if you would like to buy me one then i would use it

the above conversation was one of the longest and most open conversations i've had with isaac for a very very long time and not only the 'what ' but the 'how' he communicated his needs to me was amazing. although i knew all this i've been somewhat concerned that isaac wasn't sure why he had certain behaviours, idiosyncrasies, sensory issues etc etc and this was an incredible break through.

the items in question...

kids companion chewlery and you are able to purchase these items here in the land of oz as well, right over here at special needs toys australia so i'll be ordering a couple of black ones asap and the beauty of these is they can be quite discreet and be popped on a lanyard or a clasp. i'll let you know how we go with them and of course more importantly how isaac manages them.

lance is going for his drivers licence on the 28th of this month. he has managed his 120 hours on his learners, has been having quite a few lessons with an instructor who actually has dealt with a few young fellows on the autism spectrum and she has said he is ready. i mentioned my biggest concern for lance was his ability to transfer that 'skill' from being supervised for the past 2+ years to solo driving. she has told lance that he will still need to have tim or i in the car just because it's been such a long time and not start driving solo for a little while once he does get his licence so he can slowly get use to it. he has admitted to both hubby and i that he would not be up to driving solo once he does get his licence which i'm glad he is able to recognise and it will just be careful management and a little more work for us to achieve that on any level. i have to say it's pretty scary stuff, technically he is able to drive the car and very well, it's the 'solo' driving that concern tim and i with all the what if's all due to his learning difficulties...hummmm but i'm being as positive as i can although it's tough emotionally as we know him better then anyone else and tim and i do have our concerns.

last but not least yesterday...well i think it was yesterday...lol i was able to get out into the front garden in the arvo and snap a couple of pics. not much but certainly enough to take my mind off my frustrations with being so very limited in my ability to do NOT MUCH AT ALL!!!! gosh i'm yelling lol told ya i was frustrated but anyway here they are and i hope you enjoy them.

ciao for now, hugs chris, xoxo.