Let Freedom Ring!!

Happy 4th of July Everyone!

We hope you enjoy your day and stay safe!

Here at Melanies Mania will be calm and quiet - because my little maniacs don't care for the fireworks. Now don't get me wrong, I did buy a few small packs to light off, because every year I hope and pray that this will be the year that my kids enjoy them... But not likely.

So be safe and enjoy your day!!

Oh and go check out the IDSC on facebook! They are featuring my sweet boy today! As seen above!

Blessings and love!

You might be an autism parent if:

YOU MIGHT BE AN AUTISM PARENT IF:

Your 8 yr old has mastered every level of Lego Star Wars but can't put on his own shirt w/out help.
You're not sure who needs the padded helmet w/ faceguard more...your kid, or you.
You know its a bad day when you find all the trains lined up
You have more people that understand you in other states and countries than in your own neighborhood.
You have to communicate in sequences....i.e. first brush teeth, then bedtime.
You get so excited when your child masters a skill that he/she is a year or more delayed in!
You know *just* how much silence is too much silence. And then you run to check on them.
You use the phrase "use your words" repeatedly throughout the day
Your son is 8 years old but still pees on his pants at least once a week.
Your child makes up un-funny jokes in an attempt to understand humor, irony, and metaphor - unsuccessfully.
The school staff hates to see you coming! Because they know you're not taking any crap when it comes to your kids!
You make up songs for almost anything because your kid responds better to it.
You have a heart attack when you see the school phone number on the caller i.d. Shit! What did he do now?
You've ever carried a screaming, flailing child out of a store & you knew it was for the best.
There are days you feel and look like a battered wife because your child had a major meltdown
You're accused of being overly protective of your child, and overly sensitive to popular culture!
Your kid has the hardest time telling you the simplest of things, but can turn Legos into amazing things with no plans
Your child tells a joke over and over until somebody laughs
Every activity you do comes with a series of warnings approaching the end of the activity.
You can't vacuum without a 15 minute warning announcement
You're sometimes amazed at the sounds and faces your child can make in a day!
You have had someone say "maybe if you were more consistent...." and you want to gut punch them
It doesn't matter how cold it is, your child WILL NOT go to sleep without the fan on in his room.
Anything "_____tard" is likely to not only offend, but infuriate you!
You start to realize the apple doesn't fall far from the...hey is that a squirrel?
You really relate to ' Gerald Mc Boing Boing'
Your twitter friends understand you and your child better than your local friends
You know exactly what a pooptastrophe is and are happy beyond words when your child outgrows this behavior.
Everytime ANYONE comes to your house your child tries to hijack them to come play legos with him.
You have to think through EVERYTHING you need to say first so that your child doesn't take something literally.
You sigh when other people tell you how their parents handled that when THEY were kids. 
You've given a complete stranger a tongue lashing for suggesting your kid has a discipline problem
You're used to strangers looking to you for translation because they couldn't understand a word your kid said
You sometimes have to remind yourself there are a lot worse things that could happen to your child than autism.
You avoid public bathrooms because they are too loud and cause sensory overload.
People always question your child's behaviour and the way you raise your child.
You see no problem with your child scooting around on the floor with his head down for hours making weird sounds
You've apologized to restaurant staff because your child said the place smelled bad and you had to leave.
There are lines and lines and LINES of small toys all over the place
You know your child was given dairy milk at school because he's acting crazier than normal.
Your child refers to a friend as "The Third Boy" rather than by name even after a year.
You forget how delayed your child's speech is until you hear a 4 yr old talk better than your 8 yr old
You still get nervous before an IEP no matter how many times you've had one.
You dont even blink an eye when seeing a child twirling and flapping in public
You have to buy your child's favorite food in bulk quantities because anything else you buy will go uneaten.
You have the child locks on your car doors because your child has tried to jump out driving down the road.
Your 7 year old has designed 40 different versions of the Dominator from Storm Chasers
It makes you sick when other normal kids your child's age make comments or stare during an inclusive sport
You feel like a stuck record when asking a kid to do a simple as "put your jacket on"
You think a meltdown is something that happens to a child, not a nuclear reactor.
You get pissed at parents of neurotypical kids because they call you selfish for NEEDING A BREAK
Your child lectures you on the dangers of speeding as you drive them to kindergarten
You can tell the difference between a meltdown and a temper tantrum even when nobody else can
You have to explain EVERY step in the process. i.e. 1.raise hand 2.WAIT to be called on 3.answer.
Your child has 3 time frames - Today, Tomorrow, and Later.
You're afraid to put your child in sports because it could cause a sensory meltdown in public
You've ever cleaned poop off the walls of your apartment at 5am.
You plead with your child to be allowed to throw away the packaging
You've ever cried because a teacher "gets it"
You remarry and are super grateful that your spouse chose you and loves your child like his own.
You've ever wanted to strangle a neighbor kid for bullying your child but were too busy crying instead.
You've ever put special locks on your doors to keep your child from eloping.
The words, "he doesn't look like he has Autism" make you roll your eyes.
You don't even react to all the strange screeches, grunts, snorts, etc coming from your child.
You've got Meltdown Early Warning Radar
You want to cry when someone says, "He must be mild..."
You use the Nintendo or ipod as a muffling device when you know you're going somewhere overstimulating
You consider friends you've only talked to on-line as some of your most trusted confidants
You know the name of every Thomas engine.
You've wanted to strangle a parent of a neurotypical child who says your child just needs some discipline.
Some days you don't have much to say to "normal" parents.
There are three sets of rules on your fridge, including one your child made for the dog. (Rules are important!!)
You celebrate with a friend when her child eats two bites of pancakes!
You brace yourself for a tantrum when you inform your kid there's an errand you forgot, and wasn't on the list
You've left a full cart in the store and left because of a meltdown.
You consider twitter peeps you've never met, who have autistic children, some of your best friends.
Your child has beaten Lego Star Wars 3 times in the last year and he's only 7.
You watch a movie via your child mimicking it back at you instead of watching it on TV.
You get excited when your child eats something more than chicken nuggets and pizza.
You still bear scars from your child's last 3 meltdowns.
You carry earmuffs and sunglasses in your purse for your child at all times.
You get excited when your child swears because at least they said something.
You have to change the movie your child is watching 10 times in 5 minutes because he wants to watch something else.
You watch the same movie over and over again with your child and don’t complain. 
You get both hit and hugged within 5 seconds of each other. 
You can’t wait for your child to go to school after a hectic weekend but miss ‘em minutes after school starts. 
You would trade everything you have to spend just half an hour in your child’s mind to know how and what they’re thinking. 
You find yourself using your child’s therapeutic coping strategies for yourself. 
Your blood boils every time you see a status update about an autistic child being bullied. 
The definition of a clean house is now one that doesn’t have an overflowing trash can, dishes in the sink are rinsed, and laundry is at least in the hamper or in the basket. 
Your friends fade as your life is consumed with many therapists, teachers, doctors, case managers, intervention specialists and these people have no clue you almost feel like they are your new best friends because you spend so much time around them and the subject of conversation is your children… 
A ‘good day’ means no one’s in the hospital, no one from the school called, no one from the police department is standing on your lawn and everyone’s sitting in one room without a problem.
You might be an autism parent if someone walks into your house and asks if you live in a dangerous neighborhood and you say no… the window locks, gate locks and three types of door locks are to keep my kid in… not bad guys out.
Your blood boils and it touches a nerve whenever you hear a child with autism being called the ‘R’ word. 
Sleep has become more of a luxury than routine.
You never dare touch or move any of the perfectly lined toys/items on the floor, not even by a millimeter because you know he/she will immediately recognize the difference.
If your child accomplishes something that may seem minor and trivial to others, but for you it's a great milestone that calls for a huge celebration and victory dance.
You're able to spot another child on the spectrum from a mile away.
You've come to the realization that no one else will ever truly get what being an Autism parent is like than another autism parent. ♥


I bolded the ones that hit home the most and underlined the ones that TOTALLY consume me!!

This is my life guys. My daily life. Bet you dont think I am the perfect mom any more huh...
Some days are better then others. But we live day by day.

Blessings!

World autism Day! April 2nd

Today is Autism Awareness day!!
My daughter is 1 in 88!

How are you celebrating??

Blog Hop - Tell me more about your connection with disability

My connection with a disability, you ask?

I have three kids - those of you who know me, know how amazing they are. Those of you who don't, well, you are missing out!!

Skylar - Age 12 ( Oh MY gosh! I can not believe she is 12!!) ASPERGER SYNDROME

When Skylar was a baby, her father and I always knew something was "off". She always had these odd tendencies and strange way of dealing with things. We called them "quirks". After she got kicked out of her 3rd Preschool, I took action. I knew something was going on. I just didn't know what. I was 22 and a first time mom. My daughter was supposed to be perfect! We brought her to a few doctors who kept telling us it was ADHD. But I refused to think that was all that it was. I knew there had to be more. Her father and I separated and I still went to more doctors. They then blamed it on our separation. I was less then thrilled. More and more docs, more and more opinions, which all boiled down to ADHD. They tried to shove meds at me and I said no. Fast forward to age 7. First Grade. HUGE issues in school. Getting referrals and more. I jumped back on track and went to more doctors. I finally was sent to a developmental pediatrician. Where FINALLY, I got some answers. 2 years pass by... more testing, more paperwork. 

Here came the term, Asperger Syndrome.  What in the world is that?? 

More testing and finally a diagnosis. Asperger Syndrome with Semi Pragmatic Disorder, with a dose of ADHD for good measure.  So what does this mean? It means, my daughter is super smart, but socially lacking. She doesn't have a third eye, she doesn't go around beating other kids up, she doesn't even have bad grades. She does, however, have an inability to look people in the eye, the inability to have appropriate conversation and often talks about nothing pertaining to the topic at hand. She is an amazing artist and knows more about cats then the zoo! She is currently medicated, but only for the ADHD aspect of her disability. And it is such a low dose, that it is really only to help her pay attention better...

She is amazing, and I wouldn't have her any other way.

Dakota - Age 6 DOWN SYNDROME

When Dakota was in utero, I took the AFP test. This test gives you a ratio on your chances of having a child with Down Syndrome. Now, so you know, this test is optional. I only took it because it was paid for and why not? When my results came back as "failing", I still wasn't really concerned. Because they have to put the mark somewhere, results under 1:300 are considered failing. That's one in 300 chances of having a child with down syndrome.My results were 1:174, that's one in 174 chances of having a child with down syndrome. Less then one percent. I was given the abort question, which was never a thought or option. And we continued our pregnancy as usual. They did an ultrasound to check his heart and it was perfect. He measured perfect, nothing was abnormal. 

August 14th, 2005, Dakota came flying into the world. As he was being lifted out of me I saw it. The eyes of an angel. I knew. The first words out of my mouth, as if in slow motion..."He has Down Syndrome!" 

Suddenly everything was fast forwarding, tears, crying, shouting, consoling. As I sat there watching everyone buzz around me. 

6 years later, we are still learning, everyday. He never ceases to amaze us with what he can do! He may be a little slow at things, but he can do it! He is talking more and more. He can run, jump and dance. Oh boy, can he dance!! 

Eli - Age 1 

Eli doesn't have a disability, that we are aware of. But I cant mention two kids and not the third. I will say for Eli, that he is as spoiled as they come. He cries, a lot. Over stupid stuff. Ha Ha! But we adore him just the same. And its amazing to see his brother and sister interact with him. Skylar loves babying him and Dakota loves hugging him. Hmm, wonder where the spoiling comes from :) He is an amazing addition to our family and makes us complete.

I am thankful for all the friends I have made along the way of our journey, which is just beginning! It seems every day we meet more and more friends!

I am also thankful for the friends we lost along the way. They have made us stronger and more aware that we need to spread awareness across the world for these disabilities! 

For now, we are just gonna keep on, keeping on...

This is my first Blog Hop with thanks to With A Little Moxie! I hope you enjoyed it!

Double Digits?? OY!

Happy Birthday to my baby girl... who isnt much a baby any more. She turned ten this past week. Ten years ago at 10:43 AM. I pushed her out like a turd. Ahhhhh, memories! It really seems like a life time ago, but yet seems like it was yesterday. Amazing how that works. She was born in the Navy Hospital on Camp Pendleton, in California. And I knew she was destined for greatness! I mean, I AM her mother afer all ;)

So after the "theme" fiasco, we had a great party. Only a few people came, but that was fine by me, because I hate hosting. Skylar had an awesome time, and I am pretty sure everyone else did too. Minus the few bumps LJ and I hit that day, it all went pretty well. My mom bought a slip and slide and that is when the "real" fun began...

Yes, the adults were a slippin and a sliding...

Ahhhh, summer!

So her birthday went well. As you can see...
She was very thankful for all her gifts. And I hope no one took offense when she disappeared for an hour or so to play by herself with her new toys, its just her Aspergers kicking in... I am embracing it instead of fighting it. I actually thought she was outside playing, until I did a head count. Only to find her, in her room with the door shut, playing with her new bakugan. Ah well, Its her birthday, she can do what she wants.

Hope everyone has a great week!

So, Its true...

Ahhh Friday! How I love thee...

Yesterday was our appointment with Developmental Pediatrician Dr. Henry Shapiro, All Children's.
We went for our final diagnosis of Skylar. And her diagnosis is:

Aspergers ( a mild form of autism) and Semantic Pragmatic Disorder.

The silence filled the room, the imaginary fist punched me in the gut. I was breathless and in a cold sweat. but why? I knew that's what it was, Why was it still such a surprise? I guess somewhere deep down inside, I was hoping I was just overreacting maybe? I thought maybe, there might be nothing wrong with her, and she really was just a brat? I dunno, what was in the back of my mind, I just know I wanted to cry. Even though I was prepared for the answer.
But I remained stoic, so she wouldn't think I was afraid or upset. Her IQ scores were pretty amazing, as I figured. The doctor told me she needs to be in an ASD class ( Autism Spectrum Disorders). Which is what I have been trying to get. But now with a diagnosis, I have more power. Like this little blue piece of paper is my army. With this, no one can stop me...

Well, now that I have slept on it, I am back to reality. My children are perfectly imperfect. What do I do now? I continue advocating for them, and be the best mom I can be. So that they can have the best life that I can give them. Because society with be rough on them both, and so will the real world. I will do my best to prepare them for the ugliness. So onward I trudge, creating a path for them to follow. I am a Godly mother and they will always be safe in His arms! Thank you Jesus!

P.S.
Dakotas teacher got fired. I shouldn't be gloating about this, but I am sadly ecstatic. She shouldn't have been teaching those children. She belongs somewhere else. So now, I am going to be sending Dakota back to school full time ( at least for the rest of the school year), cuz his new teacher ( who has been at that school for years, teaching the 2nd Grade kids) rocks! This is what advocating for your kids is all about. Making a difference!