Gratitude

Having my kids has changed me as a person. It seems pretty common for most parents, whatever personality your child brings to the table molds the outlook you have on life and people around you. 
What has been inspiring are the changes that have happened to the people around us because of our children. Family and friends have told me learning about autism and knowing E-man and Little Buddy have given them a new perspective and that it has changed their actions. 
My 18 year old niece told me she went to a friend's party awhile ago. This friend had a special needs family member in his teens as well. He was a little awkward but eager to talk to people and my niece sat down and had a conversation with him. She told me later she thought about when E-man was older and trying to talk to people how she would want them to treat him. That she hoped a girl wouldn't shoot him down immediately because he was different. 
My sister said she doesn't judge parents who have kids that might act a little funny in public. Now she understands sometimes there is more to the story than what you see at a check out lane at Target. Not only has she had this realization she defends those kids to others not so accepting. 
Their grandparents have also changed. Knowing the kids' unique likes and dislikes, have gone out of their way to provide special things and time to spend with them. 
Sometimes it feels like I talk endlessly about their autism because I'm almost afraid family will forget. Obviously that isn't going to happen but it's this weird anxiety that I have. What's awesome is seeing that what I have said wasn't in vain. Our families understand when we have to take Little Buddy to a quieter location when things get loud. There have even been times I am so stressed out at a social gathering a quick thinking grandparent guides me in what to do, suggesting something I told them worked previously. People are listening, more than I thought. 
It means so much to me that not only are my children loved and accepted but fully embraced. Their oddness is OK.  Not every family facing similar challenges has the support we do. It makes me feel so lucky, so grateful to know my friends and family are listening, hoping, praying and loving us and the boys. I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you.

Stressing Out

Things have been going fairly well around here. We were a bit nervous a few weeks ago because E-man's IEP was coming up. Typically to continue with the same program (basically justify the school district funding) the kids have to meet 80% of their goals. While E-man has been doing well in many areas, language continues to be a struggle and he wasn't quite meeting the 80% mark. Through some stroke of luck they approved the funding anyway and we will continue with the program. It was such a relief! 


The team we work with really cares about E-man and Little Buddy and are constantly tailoring lessons to meet their needs. We have great communication with them and developed a friendly rapport. It's like the dream team of autism! 
Now we are contending with insurance. Legislation was passed that requires insurance companies to cover autism therapy. This all great, especially for people in crappy school districts or counties that aren't helpful. For us it means jumping a lot of hoops in order to continue therapy. 


We had just started the process of getting the paper work going with our insurance when we found out my husband's company is switching insurance providers. After eight damn years this place decides to change? It must be some kind of karmic twist of fate because really we need more aggravation right? 
Anyway, it looks like we will be switching to Kaiser. 
And of course the kids have to go through a "rediagnosis" process so Kaiser can determine if they qualify for ABA therapy. You know because having a diagnosis from the MIND Institute of UC Davis, a leader in autism research and treatments, isn't good enough. 
Oh! And just to spice things up in May of 2013 the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual)  is being updated with new and "improved" qualifiers for autism diagnosis. 


UNIVERSE I AM DONE!


I'm not sure what else could be thrown in to stress us out but I can't exclude a natural disaster. 
So now we play the waiting game because we don't switch to Kaiser until January 1st. 
I am stressing out. I'm tired, I'm worn thin and this is just the beginning. Sometimes it's overwhelming what we have to do in order to obtain the best for our kids. Sometimes I wish it were easier. So I'm letting myself be upset and stressed out today. Tomorrow I'll rein it in and keep going. Thanks for listening.