Traveling with an autistic teen!

We did it. We did it. We did it!

Our family went away for the weekend. All four of us.

Nick was a superstar. He cruised through the whole airport and plane experience. He didn't utter a murmur over the fact that he had to share a room with his brother AND sleep in a single bed.

We took him here, there and everywhere.

He was flexible, resilient and extremely chilled.

The only time he got a bit antsy was during a long walk, up a steep hill, that involved many steps.... and it started to rain!

This is Nick's, "I have had enough", face!

Our weekend did not revolve around Nick, although we did make a plan to give him supper at our accommodation before heading out to a restaurant. We also ensured that he got some down time.

The joy of being able to have a *regular* family weekend away without any hassles is indescribable.

A huge achievement.

~*~

A Year of Firsts

We are nearing the end of 2013 and I have been thinking about the last twelve months and the progress that Nick has made during this time. It has been a productive year and Nick has really made some great strides in all areas. The one thing that stands out the most to me is his resilience. He has been exposed to many different situations and places; and he has taken it all in his stride. He is an uncomplicated kid with a very endearing character. He is also a bit of a screen addict, but then again so are a lot of teens these days ~ well, that is our excuse! :)

The following words and pictures have been copied from my personal facebook page and my Bright Side page. The majority of them are *firsts* for Nick.

1 January 2013

Happy 14th Birthday, Nick.

Never in a million years did we think that Nick would ever speak! 

His progress in trying to sound out words has been delightful.

Nick made the big time! Thank you Autism World Magazine!

This is the link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ajtU95JcmE

The above picture was the start of our juicing adventure!

Nick hit the big time, AGAIN! 

Here is the link for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbJHKTSgORM

Dear Readers

Thank you for taking the time to read my posts.

I have really appreciated your support this past year.

This is my final post for 2013

Have a Happy New Year

See you all in 2014

xx

School's out!

Do I sense a little stress

Just a hint of angst

School hols were such a mess

No reason to say thanks

The empty days brought dread

My tummy was in knots

My shoulders felt the weight of lead

The anxiety of which were lots

My child just couldn't cope
It was stay at home or combust
Our journey was bleak without sign of hope
The many dreams were crushed

This went on for quite a time
Until not long ago, in fact
You see, with little steps we began to climb
The progress code RDI had cracked

Slowly, slowly I became his guide
And bit by bit, my boy welcomed me
It was with relief, I sighed
The weight lifted and we were free

What changed? you may ask
My boy became Mr Flexible
Life no longer a task
But meaningful and changeable

So comfortable with variation
No need for rigid routine
You can imagine the elation
felt by me and mine

No social stories for this kid
Or schedules of any sort
More freedom to do as bid
without a lot of thought


Our holidays are welcomed
No more angst or stress
More avenues to be explored
My worries a little bit less

We still have a way to go
Our explorations are close to home
I figure if we take it slow
Our future will provide more places to roam

Our SELFIE!
I held the phone and Nick pushed the button!

Sharing about sharing...

My personal facebook status this morning:  How are you feeling, Di? Bloody stressed, facebook! How about you?

This morning just didn't work out as planned and I was left with the dilemma of taking Nick along to an appointment that had been made for Thomas. It bothered me that I wasn't able to devote some time to Thomas. For once, I wanted to be there for my big kid, without any distractions, without Nick. Oh the guilt of a mother!

However, something happened, something that stood out for me as a big WOW moment.

Bright Side of Life facebook status:  Due to unforeseen circumstances I had to take Nick along to a specialist appointment for Thomas. Nick was amazing.... For 45 minutes he sat through the waiting and the consult. He did not need ANY screen time! HUGE! :)

How far we have come.......

I have been berating myself for not doing enough with Nick during this holiday season (four weeks so far and another one to go). All those days and hours wasted! Too much screen time all round! Lost opportunities and missed interactions. Oh the guilt of a mother!

But...

The success of our above outing/appointment serves to remind me of all that we have achieved during the last few weeks. 

Bright Side status:  We are getting brave! Yesterday, we took Nick with us to visit friends and have lunch (I took food for him!). Tomorrow night, we are taking him with us to visit friends and have supper (I will take food for him!). #nonickysitter #throwninthedeepend #itsworkingoutwell

Bright Side status: Nick's new milestones for today: First ever late night out with the old's. Happily ate supper away from familiar surroundings. Very relaxed about missing normal bath time routine. #tiredbuthappymum

Bright Side status:  Nick on top of a mountain and wearing shades!! It was quite a business climbing over small rocks to get to the edge! Very proud of my boy! :)

Bright Side status:  There has been a lot of exercise going on over the last few days!!

Bright Side status:  Hey, guess what....We are at a party (a very low key one!) AND Nick is with us!! Another first! Happy New Year to you all.

Bright Side status:  With a little help from the iPad, Nick made it until 10:30pm! He did great. :). Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013.

Bright Side Status:  Nick loves books! He is turning each page as I read the story. We pause a lot to make comments on what is happening in the story. Nick is very engaged and always keen to add his own opinion.

Bright Side status:  Nick coped well for about 20 minutes until a baby started crying... then he used his iPad. :)

Bright Side Status:  We got seriously lost trying to find our friends house. I was muttering at the husband as we were over an hour late. Nick gets our attention.... he holds up his fists and makes the 'sign' for "cross". He then said... "Sh..it". Very appropriate! :) 

(NO STRESS FROM OUR NICK... VERY CHILLED BOY!)

 

So, there we have it.... 

Our first ever *family* holiday season together, where we haven't had to make a plan for a Nickysitter!

As my husband said, "I feel normalized!"

~*~

I wish to thank Dr Gutstein, RDI and Kathy Darrow for empowering me as a parent and for guiding me on how to guide my boy. Nick may be severely autistic, however, the last two years have shown such wonderful progress. Onwards and upwards.

~*~

I don't generally post about Nick on my personal facebook page, however, I had to share the following.... 

 Thank you all for your wonderful support. xx

P.S. Thomas is fine... he just has to have four wisdom teeth out at some stage!

RDI ~ then and now (part two)

Yesterday, while driving home from our weekly speech session, I just happened to glance over at my boy. He was sitting there quietly, listening to music and watching the world go by. For some unknown reason I felt a little heartsore and this thought came to mind.... "The biggest worry I have in my life is - what happens to Nick when I die?" Is that a BIGGIE or what?

Oh boy!

I do know that our family life has changed for the better. We are more accepting of our situation and we tend to have a positive outlook. In fact, life is pretty amazing, regardless of the fact that we have a severely autistic teenager. 

And this young man of ours just continues to progress. Isn't that great? He is 13 and still continues to make progress. 

My latest facebook status:  "A little update on Nick's vocab.... He is trying so hard to verbalise what is going on around him. He sounds out the letters of familiar short words and he has progressed from saying individual letters (i.e.) c.a.r. to blending the sounds.... c.ar. Exciting stuff." 

Over the years I have watched Nick progress; and then plateau for a long period of time. We have had times where he has been unhappy or highly anxious or switched off. This was a fairly consistent pattern until I began to really focus on RDI, roughly two years ago. I can now say without a doubt, that for the last two years, Nick has continued to move steadily forward, step by step.

Our RDI journey continues to be a learning experience for the both of us. A big part of Nick's improvement is the fact that I have been learning how to guide him effectively. I know that it seems kind of crazy... being guided on how to parent! However, it really is beneficial and I definitely need help with the fine tuning! 

I want to share two video clips. The first clip (two minutes) is from around early 2011 and the second clip (four minutes) was taken in October 2012. In order to keep this post short and sweet, I am going to let you, the reader......

Spot the difference!

Early 2011

October 2012

So, what do you think?

That biggie still weighs on my mind, however, (yes, I know this is very corny and I am sure the line comes from a movie!) we are working towards a better future....

~ * ~