Dec
17
When I was in high school I can remember seeing “special” kids in our assemblies with big brown headphones on that looked as if they came from the reading room. I didn’t understand what they were for until I had my own little sensory cutie. Headphones can be a huge help in reducing noise and …
Feb
06
This is another example of how I found things around my own home to practice the skills my Autistic daughter needed and incorporated them into her daily routine. This was my way of a home-based early intervention for Autism. One of the many tasks at hand was to work on strengthening the muscles in her …
Jan
10
Making a video diary of your child with special needs can serve several needs. From helping with diagnosis to your own personal sanity and encouragement, grab a camera and start today. Below are the top 5 ways I used a video diary with my daughter since she was 20 months old: 1. Help professionals diagnose …
Oct
25
The idea of hosting any type of get together, let alone a baby shower for 30 people, was not something I would even consider before getting Sophia’s Autism Service Dog. When Sophia was first learning to talk, I remember her crying “I want to go home” when people would come to our house. She never …
Oct
09
I apologize for the delay in posting but it should be an indication that life at home right now seems a bit more complicated than life before Truman! We brought Sophia’s autism service dog home in the middle of August. Two weeks later all of our kids started school. For Sophia, it was her first …
Aug
03
Each day seems to get better and better. I don’t think Sophia agrees as she is getting very tired of this new routine. This organization is absolutely great and the trainers and dogs are wonderful but the stress of this schedule and lack of coping mechanisms for our autistic kids is already overwhelming. All of …
Aug
03
Okay. Maybe I’m a wuss, but I feel like I’ve been entered into a reality TV show called Amazing Race Autism Service Dog Edition. Every day brings a new challenge. I’m tired, a little frustrated, now have hives, and really wish I could fast forward through this and get home with our new dog, back …
Aug
03
Today was a really good day and somewhat easier than the prior days. The morning began with a lesson on “off leash” commands. That meant all of the dogs including our lovely Truman sat in the middle of the room with a tiny short leash. We practiced giving commands and walking with them with no …
Aug
03
Famous quotes from training so far: “Do you want a piece of bacon for your pocket? Something is tickling my foot. No, I will not take that bag of sh-t for you.” Yes, we have a whole new vocabulary with Truman in our life. Things I never imagined saying or having said to me. Share …
Aug
03
The last two days have been very hot. We are all getting really tired and the hotel room seems to be closing in a few inches every day. Last night we took a night to just sit by the pool for a few hours and relax with some of the other families. We are now …
