Not a competion.

All to often when you meet other people who have an ASD person in their families (not just the primary carer) and you mention that yes your child talks, that suddenly you have this wall that goes up.
Because you are the "Lucky" ones, that they have it so much worse off than you. That suddenly your child is not Autistic enough to be considered Autistic because they can talk. And this is all before you can get a word into say well being able to talk does not mean they can effectively communicate with you in real time or have any sense of reasoning skills.

The truth is each has their own set of challenges and it isn't a competition between the two. It is why the saying goes "If you have seen one ASD child, you have just seen ONE ASD child." They are all different. They all do things at their own pace and working order.

This blog posts comes from an evening out. We went on a rare family dinner night out. Our little man was very good at the start. (I will tell you now it did not end well, but that is another blog post.) My Inlaws kindly booked a table for us and the band, the other members did not take up the offer to join us, but another group of seniors did. Little man sat quietly in his buggy after he ate playing his iPad whilst we finished eating and we spoke. He was beautiful and cute. Next thing I know one of the ladies stuck her hand in his buggy to tickle him on his cheek.

I saw red. I asked her nicely please DO NOT touch my child, it may not end well and I can't guarantee he won't go off. She then told me about her grandson and asked if he could talk... well it went downhill from there. Automatically the assumptions were there. I really hope they were still in the club an hour later when the epic meltdown began. It was not pretty. I wonder if the same assumptions about being lucky he could talk would be the same as he screamed the and yelled all the way through the club and to the car at me?

Comments and judgements

Normally we usually get positive comments about how well mannered Mr T is. But occasionally Mr T has a bad day, like everyone else, and his quirks, ticks and reasoning skills are non existent. These are usually on days when we have things to do and places to be.

Yesterday was one such day. And me being me I was not giving him the leeway he wanted, I was giving him options, choices and they were not always what he wanted. Part of the mantra of I am not raising a spoilt only child and he is not getting everything he wants no matter how much he puts on a performance for it. I will give him everything he needs, but not everything he wants.

So yesterday I ended up needing to take him to the Drs as he was getting a sinus infection. Before I even got him out the car I knew that it may go pair shaped. He was refusing to take his iPad and only wanted mine. From the get go he had been told that this was not okay. He had two choices his iPad or nothing.
He grizzled and whined about it. But I was not going to back down. Not ever. I reminded him calmly that his choices stood and my iPad was off limits. Than the dr was running late! The waiting room very busy and a grumpy child who was getting handsy grabbing and trying to go through my bag. All the while getting louder with me. (He was in his special needs buggy.) Can you feel the glares yet? The only moral support I had came from a fellow ASD mum who I knew.
But next thing I know a lady a few chairs down pipes up. "Young man you need a good smack across the bottom."
Yes you read right, a lady told my son he needed a smack! I calmly turned to her and said "If I thought a smack would work, I would give him one. But I am afraid he may just enjoy it and laugh in my face." "No I am not going to give into his demands either, he has been given his choices. He is expressing his dislike."
Then ignored her. Next thing the office nursing manager comes and puts us in a room to wait. I can see why but at the same time, it ramped him up more. Eventually we got seen.
There are days like this where you wish that the ground would swallow you whole.

But it lead me to think, would playing the Autism card been worth while?
Would telling a complete stranger that my son's reasoning skills suck because he has a neurological disability change her perspective of what was unfolding before her? Or would she just think he was an undisciplined brat?
What would you think?

Growing up

Thomas is Growing up very fast and is now 6. I mentioned the attitude he had at 4, hmm 6 comes with a new one too. And one that is somewhat more stubborn and independent with almost teen like defiance. The independence is not always a bad thing but if it had less defiance it would be awesome.

We have made loads of progress in some areas, which often comes after a couple of steps back in others. All of which is normal for him.

School has been going well, 3/4 through prep and he is really learning new things every week. Socially we are now just starting to see the deficits. Not understanding game play in the playground and combined that with other boys that will take advantage of that is starting to prove problematic.

Some days we can almost say what Autism... Then there are days where things are not going so well and it smacks you over the head, or in the ears as his new thing is screaming.  His ticks and stims are ever changing and lately the verbal ones are most popular. It makes for some funny laughs especially in the mornings.

OT 12 months on..

Well today Thomas had his normal monthly OT session. It went amazing. The change in the last 12 months has been incredible. He pretends on the way he hates going, but once he gets there he gets straight to it. Following the instructions and rules.

Cathie his OT is amazing with him and he has come along leaps and bounds. Even just sitting still between activities he does so well. He knows where to wait and what is expected of him there.

His balancing and strength skills have even improved. I was so proud of him today. I just wish I had gotten more photos today, even Cathie mentioned we should have video taped it. Sigh. Hindsight. Next month I will remind her if she wants me to do some videoing and see what happens.

Sitting in the waiting chair.

Turning 4

Yes it has happened he has turned four. Gone from that little baby to an attitude filled 4 year old! Oh boy. They say two is bad. Four they talk back with sass and smartness. Golly gosh. I sense we are in for some huge fun (and lots of wine for mummy) in the coming months.

One big thing happened. We brought him a bike, unsure how he would go as he never grasped the trike idea or had the muscle tone to manipulate them because of the angle at which they sit on them. So imagine our surprise when he grasped riding a bike within the first few days. What a proud and happy mummy I was this sunny Saturday afternoon I took him out on his bike.

Technology and Potty Training.

Well with potty training boot camp on this weekend we have been looking at different ways to entertain this child whilst mostly indoors (the weather has been on the ordinary at best side.) So technology has come into play, especially seeing Saturday morning the wooden train set went on holidays after they were watered with Pear juice....

So out comes the Wii. Thomas got to create his own character, he also likes to change it's clothes daily too it seems. We have worked out games like baseball are best and he is an awesome pitcher, if we can keep him on task. In the end it becomes an amusing adventure of daddy batting and Thomas pitching as a team. Funny. competitive and not mummies domain.Oh and lots of, You can pitch the ball now Thomas. Any time Thomas. I think he is slowly getting it. But gets so easily off track.

But the Monday night funny comes as I was cooking dinner and Thomas found the iPad charging by my chair.
Next he come running up the hall way. Shouting need potty, good program on. hearing bob the builder on TV I thought. Ok. Bob phase again. Nope he was watching Thomas the Tank Engine clips on You Tube. So he grabs his potty to take back so he could watch the You Tube clip. I think I need to tell him about Pause and replay.

Proud moment. He recognised he needed to go. And whilst typing the last paragraph he did it again!

Two steps forward...

Many steps back.  We seem to be having a lot of these moments lately where we seem to be making awesome progress, then suddenly regress right back. This is in both areas of behaviour, toilet training and communications. All of which is probably related to each other.

We will have a couple of days where you think what ASD? Then a night mare run. Sleep is also on the decline again for every body. It just does not seem fair.

This week we are learning that appalling behaviour is not going to be accepted. Deliberately destroying items is not going to go down well, and toys will be taken away. Tough love is happening. Explanations are  in place and so are the expectations. Poster making here I come!!

Potty training is also still the bug bear and getting tough here. Deliberate defiance at home is happening and mummy is not happy as he is a perfect angel at kindy and school. (He can do this, but for what ever reason won't self initiate at home and gets aggressive if we do toilet timing with him.)

This last month or so we have also been dealing with a couple of virus's here which does play a part in the down slide. But it will not get the better of us. It can't!

We have been making progress with food though. Eating things that are not normally eaten like savoury mince. Turned out even though it was slimy (his words) it was very nice. So it seems in the words of Dr Seuss "Try it, Try it, you may see, Try it try it, you may like it".

The safari breakfast.

May madness

May has been an incredible month for Thomas. We have been on a short break, started a new diet, endured a super moon, (yep so far this was just in one weekend), started using weighted products and started to read sight words and letters.

It has also been a month to reflect on how far we have come since his diagnosis 12 months ago.

* Meltdowns have lessened to a degree
* Public meltdowns have at least halved.
* Toilet training has finally started. - we are not even close to saying he is perfect at it. But we are consistently working through this.
* We can now do a quick shop (or even a quick full shop) with out too much of an issue.
* Thomas can now verbalise occasionally what is bugging him, ie the fluro lights was a big one. Yes he can hear them and knowing this makes a huge difference.
* Early intevention is well established now.
* Reports are now starting to come in and the advancements and delays in various areas are now being spoken about.
* He has eaten mashed vegetables (not just steamed or pureed).

Sleep has only slightly improved. We can now get him to sleep, but still dealing with middle of the night/Early hours of the morning wakings. One day this may start to improve, but simply this maybe as good as it gets for a little while longer, only time and lots of patience will tell.

But the one thing that every one agrees on, he is a happy and very active little boy, with good manners - even when at his most defiant moments.

Some snaps from our short break!

Autism awerness month. APRIL

There was lots of going blue, coloured hair and even blue lights this month. I was even in a newspaper or two... LOL

 Our first blue morning Tea at the support group. posing with two of the young men of the group for the news papers.

 Blue haired mummy with her little man.

 Cup cakes and chocolate.... Great mix.

 The Go Blue Launch in the Queen street Mall Brisbane.

 Daddy even came down during his lunch break.

 Tender moment - maybe - but more like removing Vegemite's from a face and Thomas playing with the blue hair.

 Great mates, wanting to join in, but not sure how.

 Our frount door. Thomas rubbed the liquid chalk before it dried.

 He found my wig in the car.

In blue for School. The red thing on his chest is a chewy necklace. Great for stimming and perfect solution to needing a dummy still.

Spinning and stimming

Stimming and spinning are very much traits of Aspergers. People with Autism and Aspergers use these ticks and quirks to self center and concentrate. After a fairly stressful March we have noticed Thomas picking up the notch of stimming and spinning.

Thomas has taken to walking around the edges of room or around one item of furniture. This would be dizzying for some people but for other it helps them focus and make sense of their worlds. He has also been making annoying sounds (very loudly as nothing with Thomas is quiet!) repetitively. Lining toys up and having them in just the right order is not uncommon.

Today was the arm flapping and airplane motions complete with sound effects naturally, whilst we shopped. Today there was not hiding the fact he was just no ordinary boy in a pram. Which is always fun when you have shopping to do.

How we lessen his anxiety when out and about - iPad for distraction, head phones for positive noise input. Sun shade and covering blanket for light reduction. This sometimes works, other times he simply can't focus enough for it to work.

Other activities to lesson his stimming or creating a positive stimming activity is the Trampoline. This also has the added advantage of  using up excess energy.

March Maddness

It has been a crazy month here and not all for the right reasons. The last blog post was written when we were given some much needed respite from Thomas's Grandparents. We really enjoyed this time until suddenly this mummy fell ill. It was the start of hospital visits for the parents.

During this time saw a major regression in toilet training and some great frustration for all the hard work we tried to achieve. But understandably the anxiety took over in this little man. But we are working our way back to where we were slowly.

Stimming has also been pretty high up there. Showing signs to us that his world is not doing so well right now. But in the coming weeks it is all going to be about routine, routine and more routine. Even if the school holidays about to decend upon us.

Back to making more and more pecs cards as well to help with the routine and changes as there are going to be a few with school holidays coming.

We have also noted at lot more lining up of his toys. Whilst this is a classic asd trait it was one that was not really common for Thomas to do this with every toy until the last few weeks. I have tried taking photos but as soon as the camera comes out he deliberately messes them up if I get caught.

We have also noted whilst he knows how to say his alphabet and count out loud to 13 perfectly well he has no ability to recognise the written letters that well. so we have started the letter of the day. Using flash cards, and colouring sheets creating activities that hold his attention and give him the chance to know his letters. Then be able to work on his name.

Autism has also featured very heavily in the media this last few weeks, with parents speaking out about how it really is. One mum even allowed them to film her taking her son for a hair cut. Yes life is that hard. Whilst the interviews were cut short the snap shot they did show was very real.

Services are hard to come by in some areas of Australia, Funding is not always reaching everyone. And when you don't have this funding Raising these children is incredibly expensive. With the world standard being that these children need 20+ hours minimum of therapy a week. And simply many families can not afford to do all of this professional therapists.

So many try and make do with 1-2 hours of outside therapy and do the rest at home.
We worked out that Thomas gets 5 hours EI at ECDP a week, 2 days of kindy - not essentially therapy but is social interaction, then he does 1 hour a fortnight with the OT or speech therapist. The rest we do at home.

Next month is Autism awareness month. It should be a great month. I will be hopefully attempting to blog a lot more through out this month.

The school boy

Well this year has been a huge change in day care and education. We changed to main stream day care and started a state education based pre prep program. It has a been an amazing change so far and he seems to be growing up more and more every day.
It also means he is playing with children of a variety of abilities within his own age grouping. He seems to be enjoying being around other children of his own age bracket again and has bonded to yet another little girl. I wonder if she knows he is bonded to her yet?

In fact it took a good month to work out who his "friend" was. He spent the first month mispronouncing her name. Even the day care staff could not work out who he was talking non stop about. It was not until she arrived the same time as Thomas one morning that I clued on to who it was.

The mainstream day care are more flexible too. It does not matter too much if I am running late or a touch early. I am not growled at as his parent needing that extra time occasionally or in an emergency.

The pre prep program at "little people" school has also been great. It is a small group of 4 students with an aide and teacher in the room. They give chill out time and work great on the sensory play. He is getting that intense therapy time so close to home. The other thing is the group is 4 little boys. All different yet all brought together for an intense learning program.

He also seems to really like all of his teachers and aides this year with no real detest for anyone. Touch wood that is amazing and has made for very little separation anxiety and home time meltdowns.

Therapy with his speech therapist and Occupational Therapist have been going well too with the recommended Trampoline being delivered and well used all ready with positive results especially if I can get him on the tramp before any appointments or days at school where he needs to have a little bit of stillness to him. I not sure how long the effect is lasting but I am really trying to get him to bounce for 20-40minuets. And witht he tramp we choose he can do "activities" on the mat that give him focus and movement all at the same time.

The new year woes.

Well after a quiet new years eve we found ourselves on new years day at the after hours Dr's.
It seems the "off" behaviour of Thomas was not due to the moon, or the excitement of Christmas but the fact he had a raging ear infection and we did not know it until his ear drum popped. We felt like fantastic parents that day. Having said that there were no other classic symptoms like fevers to go with it.
This start to the year was not what we anticipated. But it happened. We had two courses of antibiotic until he was over it. Mummy not so lucky. Yes because in classic style what ever Thomas gets mummy gets too, except mummy does not have the immune system to handle even the run of the mill bugs.

We also have had some appointments with the Marter Sleep and respiratory clinic. For one week before our visit we had to wear a special watch. This was not like a time watch but was an activity level watch. Whilst he wore this watch we had to fill in paper work to note his sleep v's activity times of the day.

The results were less than satisfactory but did cement EVERYTHING we had been saying about our little man since he could walk (at 8months!). He NEVER stays still. He is always on the go. But more alarming was his movement level in his sleep. They were way too high. Even on his "good" nights, they were not even at a satisfactory level of stillness.

This lead us to more testing, this included a very large blood test that was the most grueling experience for all involved, including the pathology staff. I tried so hard not to cry during this process. But mummy had a plan to help forget the pain. A Bravery award. A good bravery award, or so mummy thought.

So for a month Thomas has been asking for Hiro the train from the Thomas the Tank Engine series. It is quiet expensive for a single toy but I found patchwork Hiro at an awesome price and grabbed it. Well evidently it was the WRONG one. and didn't I hear about it, actually I am still hearing about it.

Yes the ASD child who must have the correct toy for his set suddenly appeared. I was floored. Devastated in fact. Had I not raised him better to be grateful for any gift? Evidently I have been told this is not an uncommon issue that many ASD parents face. searching for that right train, or lego or Cars car to avoid the fall out after wards.

So now I know, work out exactly what train, Lego, car he has his heart set on (All I knew was he wanted the Hiro train, I had not paid enough attention to the detail of what Hiro train to buy.). Then go hunting it down. In fact I am still hunting the right Hiro train at the right price as i refuse to pay a fortune for these toys.

November December update! (LONG post)

Sorry it has been so long since our last update.

Mumvember ended mid way through. Yep I got to busy and too stressed as well as hitting some challenges that were simply not applicable to us.
November was a month of last days at School, dealing with changed routines (day care mum had holidays) and even more full on behaviours. He is really starting to show more signs of Autism to others now, not just the lots of little things we saw. From barking at people in public to inability to focus and stimming in public (something he used to just save for home).
We also had a result on our MASS application for the buggy. It was denied simply because he can walk. No other needs were taken into consideration. But like all good plans we had a back up. They came through in the nick of time. We picked it up on the 11th December (but more on that soon).

The end of November saw the Christmas season come into full view. Starting with our first Christmas party at Aussie world (on the sunshine coast) with the crew from Camp Autism. It was a blast and honestly can not wait to go back there again. It is like stepping into a time warp. good old fashion fun for all ages with out the huge expense.

The next Christmas party/end of year party was the following weekend. The Ipswich Parents/Carers ASD support group had it's Christmas party on the Friday with our normal meeting. Thank-fully this was a morning where it was just mummy! Sunday we then followed it up with a family sausage sizzle at a local (fenced park) so everyone could meet, fathers, older children ect. But in typical style Even though I had nearly all the items for that day, Thomas fell ill with a nasty infection in a wound on his knee. Thankfully a local drop in Dr's clinic and great support from others meant that the show went on and no one was the wiser (other than one hyperactive child sitting quietly in a pram that he was too big for).
Did I mention we had been busy!!
The following weekend was yet another Christmas party. This time it was something to behold. A wonderland of amazement for special needs children and their carers. Also the day we got the new buggy. I am talking about the famous Variety Children's Christmas party. The day was amazing but very full on. The children were suitably spoilt and entertained with non stop concerts and performances on stage, plus rides, jumping castles, fire trucks, Ambulances, assorted police vehicles and horses, SES, Brisbane City council bus, The Railway work shop display, Food, drinks, The Coffee Club stands, Santa and his present cave, balloons, ice cream from home ice creams, face painting, Mater - Variety bash tow truck done to be a replica Mater from the Cars movies. Plus Special Needs Solutions.

Special Needs Solutions needs their own special mention. These are the suppliers (not the funding body) of the new buggy. The SOS call was made to them the Monday before that we needed the buggy due to Thomas currant injury. They then did their best to have it by the end of the week (est delivery was not until 20th December). On the Friday they called me to say it had arrived in their office the courier was coming to pick it up, but they were not sure if it would be delivered until Monday. When I expressed my disappointment that it would be handy to have for Sunday for the Christmas party she put two and two together and worked out we would both be at the same Christmas party. We made the deal to pick it up that morning. Maureen did not disappoint me.

So we don't have all of the components yet. But we have the buggy and seat lining, which for now is getting us out and about! Thomas loves his new "fire engine". He has his own space and we no longer have to put him in a highchair when we go out. The buggy sits him at the table at the right height.

Thomas with his mate Naython at his favourite cafe - The coffee Club.

But the parties don't end there. The next one was I can't believe it is not Christmas, family Christmas dinner. This is the dinner party held every other year when John's sister (Thomas's god mother) comes up the week before Christmas with her (now fiance) to have an early Christmas.
Thomas got suitably spoilt and had a great dinner with other extended family as well.

During this huge week, Thomas also finished up with his day care mum. Sad endings mean new beginnings though. In the final weeks Thomas was getting highly stressed about going. He was more anxious and was stimming so much more, and as the mother I was being dismissed in my observations more and more by the carer. But the final straw came when she refused once again to provide the emergency pick up service she was hired to do.

So then came Christmas weekend. 3 parties, 2 days. ASD parents nightmares. But in general we survived. With the worst meltdowns started on the 27th over a missing train. But like all parents who hate shopping centres at the best of times and definitely during sale time. I found and ordered it on line. Should be here Tuesday LOL.
So we survived the Christmas party season. Can't wait for the new year to start. With a new day care centre, a new school and more independent days there is bound to be teething issues. But also new opportunities and hope that we are heading in the right directions with therapy and treatments.

Thomas's new year resolutions:
1. To be toilet trained (at least day time).

2. To start learning emotional regulation to lesson violent out bursts.

There is probably more. But these are the two big goals and probably the most important.

MUMvember day 8 & 9 and going to the dentist.

So yesterday there was not much to tell in regards to mumvember challenge. Was it a flop, well no, just not appropriate for the child. I was to leave a love note in my child's lunch box.

Well A) he can't read being only 3. and B) no lunch box yesterday.

We did have our own attempt. Whilst at an appointment I tried to see how much sign language that we had tried previously had sunk in. Sadly I think none. As I was signing "I Love You" to him, but he just was not understanding me. Can't say I did not give it a go. Just know now that more effort has to go into sign language in the coming months before he goes to school two days a week next year. (They use sign language a lot in the special ed unit so that they can communicate with the non verbal children.)

Today was to make an appointment for me. Well I kind of cheated and did make an appointment yesterday afternoon for me next week when Thomas goes back to day care. I am off to the long over due dentist appointment yearly check up LOL. Yes it is for me.

Oh yesterday John had a dentist appointment. So that in the future Thomas is not scared of the dentist our dentist wants Thomas to come to our appointments. To watch us be brave in the chair and then at the end Dr Mc checks Thomas and lets him have a ride in the chair. Even gives out stickers.

What a great idea. So there is no fear built up about going, it is seen as fun and gentle. Dr Mc is gentle as anyway. I spoke to Thomas about each step so that he knew what has happening. He was not keen on the noise of the drill or the suction hose, but I am not surprised. But lots of reassurance he did not meltdown nor did we have to leave the room.

MUMvember day 7 and Peads visit.

Well for mumvember today it was all about the look good feel good approach. To ditch the mum uniform and put something nice on and a lick of lipstick.

So today I started out wearing a dress, nice hot pink frock. Nope not suitable for the days events. it was too low cut. Whilst this mum likes the new improvement in my wardrobe, I am not lowering my dress standards and showing too much cleavage. LOL.

So in the end I choose some nice beige pedal pushers (they are not snug as they should be :)) ) and a cream and brown cotton top that has fine lace timing around the neck line and other embroidered detail around the scalloped edged bottom. Classic, cool and comfy. But still nice enough to visit the Dr's and do a spot of lunch and shopping with Thomas.

So today we had our five month review with the Pediatrician. He was suitably impressed that we were in the process of organising the Maclaren buggy. He was also very happy with how we were progressing with therapy plans, sleep clinic and early intervention especially with the school choice.
I have been told that they are one of the few ASD suitable ECDP's in our area. Whilst I am not overly happy with the program so far, I relieved that I am in the right direction. So we go back next June. He did mention he was not impressed with what happened at the sleep clinic and adding more stress to our life.

Today we also started our Christmas prep and wrote our letter to Santa. What fun. This also made shopping today easier as we needed stickers to put on the letter :) So this meant we went into stores that he would refuse to go to simply because we had a certain item in mind for the task he wanted to do. Something to keep in mind for future reference.

MUMvember day 6 and other events.

Ok so first things first MUMvember day 6.

Write to the mum who I most admire

Today I ummed and arrrhhed over this. Truly torn between two beautiful mums who I have been blessed to know over the last 3 months. Who have taught me a lot, shown me that I do have the strength and courage. I am not going to publicly name these two lovely ladies, it is just not my thing to do. So sorry no write and tell about today, but I promise I did do my challenge.

The other news of the day. Because we were away this weekend, we skipped church. And the family we now go to church with, their youngest boy missed Thomas. So upon hearing this I asked if the boys would like to have a play date. N answered YES straight away.

So after nap time (and a quick lesson on the drums) we headed down to their beautiful home. the boys played with each other. Whilst there is a 4 year age gap they did ok. Both boys had their issues with playing, but with some intervention, and kind words the squabbles were kept to a minimum until it was time to go. Sigh.

Both boys were over playing with another person. It showed. This is something I have to learn is his ques to being over a social situation. Something that will come with time for both of us. But each day we learn and grow. Something that I love being a part of for my son.

MUMvember day 5

Kiss your sleeping baby.

Was that even a challenge, well yes when you have at child on the spectrum, sleep is precious and usually too easily disturbed.

But today I was the one who managed to get Thomas off to sleep. 3 others tried. And yet no one worked out what was going on. So I shut the windows, closed the heavy curtains, turned on some music. He was asleep with in 30 seconds. So I kissed my baby, relished the calmness that is rarely seen.

Sorry about the poor image quality it was from the front camera on the iPhone.

Mumvember day 4

Ok so today was to have fun in the kitchen and bake something.

Well this timed in well. Today we had the Ipswich ASD Parents/Carers support group meeting. Also Thomas was home with me. So we made chocolate slice to take along. You know the classic chocolate slice you learnt to make in grade 8 home ecconomics class.

Easy peasy. Thomas even got in on the act and helped me mix the wet ingredients in. He loves helping me bake things. So we did this over breakfast.

Here is the results:

MUMvember Day 3

Today's activity was to take some time out for you. To take a small amount of time to relax.

Well given the lack of sleep last night it was going to be a challenging thing. I was tired, slightly emotional and irrational. But Thursday is a school day! Every other Thursday is what is known as mytime.
My time is a program in which we take the children into one classroom building, and drop them off like you would day care. They have qualified carers/teacher aids in there looking after the children. The parents then go over to the neighbouring classroom building for an information session or chat with other parents. It is good. It provides time out a chance to have coffee/water and adult conversation. It goes for about 2hours.

Today I did get some answers about school next year (yippie!!) and chatted to another mum who I used to work with many moons ago when I was an aged care assistant nurse. We also had a physio talk to us about choosing shoes for children with low tone. I guess they are seeing a high volume of these children coming through with inappropriate foot wear for their disability and the activities for the day. This was a good chat as we are in desperate need of visiting the specialist shoe store for new shoes. This store is in a VERY BUSY shopping centre with atrocious amount of fluro lighting. Till we get a pram it has to wait.

So on the way home he fell asleep in the car. All good I thought. Got in the door, sat ate some lunch (or tried to with out much luck) and then laid down on the bed for a nap. Not ten minuets later. Somebody was awake. Sigh. You can't say I did not try. I was semi successful. It was not perfect.

Later on whilst play school was on I did however fall asleep on the couch. Despite the roaster I did not know I had tried waking me up. But that is the joy of raising Thomas. Never a dull day or moment.

Tomorrow is to bake something. Well we are going to try and do this before the support group meeting. Wish me luck, we have to be out the door by 8:45.