The past couple of weeks I've been watching Brinn carefully. I'm always very sensitive to any signs of autism that she may have. I've had one major concern and I have brought it to the attention of my family and Jason and we all have noticed it. Brinn doesn't respond to her name or noises made in order to get her attention. She also avoids eye contact most of the time. This was a sign Jaden had at her age. It worried Jason and I at the time, with Jaden, but we weren't sure because the delay in speech wasn't known for sure.
So now that we are seeing it in Brinn I'm a little sad. I hope I'm just ahead of myself but I don't want to be in denial either. So we've decided to watch her carefully for the next few months and to work hard with her on talking, listening, and eye contact. Then who knows we may have to sell the house to pay for both our kids' therapy. Life never gives you a holiday.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Antibiotics?!
Jaden had a ear infection and we took him to an instacare and they perscribed Jaden cefdinir. He was on it for three days and those were the worst three days I've had in a long time. I had to call for help from my mom to get me through each of those days. Jaden has huge tantrums once a day or more some times. But this was a continual thing for the whole day. People tend not to see the huge tantrums because I always stay home. But my mom was a part of the whole experience. It was nice for me to have someone see what it is like to have an autistic child who has these sort of outbursts. My mom told me it was such an eye opener for her and she never realized what patience is necessary for these tantrums. But since these tantrums were an all day thing I was going berserk myself. Thanks to my mom's help we were able to handle the storm. We took shifts as each of our patience ran out.
We couldn't figure out why such a change in personality. The only thing I could figure out was that is coincided with his antibiotics for his ear infection. I took him off the medication and the next day he was much better. He wasn't totally normal but I could handle him for a good period of time without breaking down in tears with despair and hopelessness.
So we did some research online and found out that antibiotics can affect the symptoms of autism and some people think contribute to it. I called the doctor and he prescribed some different antibiotic that he had been on before and Jaden seemed to do well after that.
So I wonder if an antibiotic can make such a difference, what could a diet do or not do for Jaden. I've heard a lot about gluten free and dairy free diets helping autistic children. It will mean more work but I'll have to do what I can to help Jaden.
We couldn't figure out why such a change in personality. The only thing I could figure out was that is coincided with his antibiotics for his ear infection. I took him off the medication and the next day he was much better. He wasn't totally normal but I could handle him for a good period of time without breaking down in tears with despair and hopelessness.
So we did some research online and found out that antibiotics can affect the symptoms of autism and some people think contribute to it. I called the doctor and he prescribed some different antibiotic that he had been on before and Jaden seemed to do well after that.
So I wonder if an antibiotic can make such a difference, what could a diet do or not do for Jaden. I've heard a lot about gluten free and dairy free diets helping autistic children. It will mean more work but I'll have to do what I can to help Jaden.
The Bumpy Road Ahead
So since we last had that consultation we have had quite an experience. We continued to keep going to the place Jaden was going to preschool and therapy. It was the cheapest for the quality of therapy he is receiving. So since January Jaden has started to say a few more words. I should keep a tab on the side of this blog just to keep track of his words. He is doing better at trying to say words and also saying the first syllable or sounds of words.
We have increased his therapy by two more sessions. So he is attending thereapy 4 days a week Tues- Fri at a hour each session, along with 4 days of preschool at the same place for two hours each, and on Wednesdays he has preschool at the school district for an hour and a half. I have to drive to each of these places and back and it takes 25 minutes to drive to each place. I'll let you do the math. I'm sure the car is as tired as I am.
Jaden now can say: hi, no, hey, banana (some of these words don't sound exactly like the word), apple, car, night-night, bye-bye, candy, cookie, tree, see, yeah, shoes, toes, eye, nose.
I'm still waiting for mommy. I'm working hard on that word. For those mothers out there who get frustrated with your little ones be grateful that your kids can call you mommy and probably that they love you because this job is ungratifing and to only hear those words makes it worth it. But if you can't hear those words it is hard to tell if someone really appreciates the endurance and work.
And he can point to : hair, eyes, toes, mouth, belly button, nose, chin, tummy.
But we are still wondering if we are doing enough.
I would love to enroll Jaden into Autism Journeys and keep him in preschool. I've heard great things about this place. But it would cost $2,000 a month. We are already paying $1,200 a month. We have spent all our savings, and all excess income and are calling in all IOUs.
I wish we could get student loans for our autistic kids because if they get all the help they can before age 5-7 they are more likely to be mainstreamed and not have any problems. It is only a couple of years of intense spending for therapy for these kids and then they can be mainstreamed and live a normal life. But if you miss that small window it may cost more money for therapy to make the same difference in those kids' lives in the future.
We have increased his therapy by two more sessions. So he is attending thereapy 4 days a week Tues- Fri at a hour each session, along with 4 days of preschool at the same place for two hours each, and on Wednesdays he has preschool at the school district for an hour and a half. I have to drive to each of these places and back and it takes 25 minutes to drive to each place. I'll let you do the math. I'm sure the car is as tired as I am.
Jaden now can say: hi, no, hey, banana (some of these words don't sound exactly like the word), apple, car, night-night, bye-bye, candy, cookie, tree, see, yeah, shoes, toes, eye, nose.
I'm still waiting for mommy. I'm working hard on that word. For those mothers out there who get frustrated with your little ones be grateful that your kids can call you mommy and probably that they love you because this job is ungratifing and to only hear those words makes it worth it. But if you can't hear those words it is hard to tell if someone really appreciates the endurance and work.
And he can point to : hair, eyes, toes, mouth, belly button, nose, chin, tummy.
But we are still wondering if we are doing enough.
I would love to enroll Jaden into Autism Journeys and keep him in preschool. I've heard great things about this place. But it would cost $2,000 a month. We are already paying $1,200 a month. We have spent all our savings, and all excess income and are calling in all IOUs.
I wish we could get student loans for our autistic kids because if they get all the help they can before age 5-7 they are more likely to be mainstreamed and not have any problems. It is only a couple of years of intense spending for therapy for these kids and then they can be mainstreamed and live a normal life. But if you miss that small window it may cost more money for therapy to make the same difference in those kids' lives in the future.
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