The Sound of Music

     The sound of music is something Teagan has been affected with, for as long as we can remember.  We first noticed it at age 2 when he was seemingly having seizure-like episodes every time he watched "The Wiggles".  Of course, for those parents who have been forced to watch hours upon hours of "The Wiggles" will know that their shows and movies are packed with musical numbers.  Which isn't a problem, we love them (or did, until they replaced Greg - that new guy sucks!).  But ever since, different types of music, or something in the music, affects Teagan.  Sad songs will make him so physically and emotionally upset that no amount of consoling will suffice.  Other songs, and this isn't restricted to specific types of music, it's a wide variety of music, so it must be something in the music, a tone, a beat, who knows!, that causes these seizure-like episodes. 
     Last year, I tried talking to him about these episodes, to see if he was aware that he is having them, or if he could explain how they feel, and he said, "The music is in my blood."  And that's probably exactly how it feels to him.  Because of his sensory issues, I feel this is probably the best description for how he feels when these things happen to him.  If someone feels like the music is in his or her blood, what else could they do but overstimulate and try to reset his or her system? 
     We have tried for nearly 7 years now to get these episodes diagnosed, but after EEG's, video EEG's, 24 hour video surveillance, MRI's, and various other tests, nobody can explain it.  I honestly believe it is a form of Epilepsy called Musicogenic Epilepsy.  My mother and I researched this, and it's the only thing we can come up with.  It only happens with music, and not all music, but most.
     You want to know what doctors have told us?  We explained that it happens a lot during movies and shows he likes, and always in the car when the radio is on.  They said, "Don't let him watch Thomas the Tank Engine" or "Don't let him listen to the radio."  Seriously?  Basically, they are asking us to take music away from Teagan, and he loves music.  We all do in this family, music is a big part of our lives.  We aren't musically inclined, but we do enjoy music with everything we do, and a wide range of musical genres, so taking music away from him is like taking away all of his toys because they might have small parts he can choke on.  Of course, he's too old for that, but seriously... take away music and movies he loves?  Not going to happen.  Unless of course, we get definitive proof that the music is causing him mental or physical pain or adversely affecting him, we will not take it away.  I really hate doctors.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!  You Super Dad's of Autism, here's a poem that sings praises to your strength, support, and all-round coolness!  You rock!

Recipe For The Perfect Dad

Take the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

And the depth of a family need.

Combine these qualities,

When there is nothing more to add,

You know your recipe is complete,

And so, you call it... Dad.

~Unknown

http://www.timothycolt.com/

Please visit the website I built for my step-father & husband's business.

http://www.timothycolt.com/

Daily Holiday - June 11

Today is Corn on the Cob Day! 

Probably one of the most delicious days of the year!  And because it's summer and corn on the cob is rampant in all the local stores, grab a dozen ears, boil or grill them mothers, drown them in butter, and get your bite on!

Daily Holiday - June 10

Today is Iced Tea Day!  For all of you iced tea lovers out there, grab a large glass of that thirst-quenching amber liquid and enjoy this gift from the Tea Gods.  But for me... I say "Blech".  No Tea For Me!

Daily Holiday - June 9

Today is Donald Duck Day!

Today we celebrate the screen debut of Donald Fauntleroy Duck, that lovable, crazy, special needs duck that Disney gave us on June 9, 1934 in Donald's first cartoon, "The Wise Little Hen".

http://hicards.com/platinum/bizarre/6-9.html

Daily Holiday - June 8

Today is World Oceans Day!

http://worldoceansday.org/?page_id=33

Celebrate the world's oceans with Dr. Seuss on this day!

Daily Holiday - June 7

Today is VCR Day!

How we all love and miss the first video recorder and playback machines of our youth.

Here's some history!

The Telcan, produced by the Nottingham Electronic Valve Company in 1963, was the first home video recorder. It could be bought as a unit or in kit form for £60. However, there were several drawbacks: it was expensive, not easy to put together and could only record 20 minutes output at a time in black-and-white.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videocassette_recorder

Our first VCR was a BetaMax.  For those of you who have no idea what this is or for those of you who had the pleasure of owning one of these beasts, here are some photos for your nostalgic pleasure.

Daily Holiday - June 6

Today is D-Day.

The Normandy landings, also known as Operation Neptune were the landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, in Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (D-Day), beginning at 6:30 AM British Double Summer Time (GMT+2). In planning, D-Day was the term used for the day of actual landing, which was dependent on final approval.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_landings

Daily Holiday - June 5

  

 

Today is World Environment Day!  We love our world, let's keep it safe and clean while we can!

It is also Hot Air Balloon Day!  So what if it's full of hot air?  It's still a hot mess of fun!

Media Player Issue

Hola Victims of Attack of the Autism.  I have had a request to turn off the autoplayer on my media player.  Because it is only one request, but also because it comes from a dear friend, I was wondering...

Is my media player annoying you when you read? 

Let me know, and I will turn of the auto, but it will still be available for your listening pleasure.  If I do not hear any responses, it remains as is. :-P

Daily Holiday - June 4

Today is Hug Your Cat Day! 

So go ahead... give it a try.  They will love you for it.

It is also Do-Dah Day (Salute to Silliness)! 
Live a day in your child's mind.  Let loose and get your silly on!  You will love it, trust me!  I still haven't grown up.

And on a more serious note...  it is also the

International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression.

Daily Holiday - June 3

Today is Chimborazo Day.  Now, like me, you are probably wondering, "What the heck is a Chimborazo and why are we celebrating it?"

Mount Chimborazo is in Equador. It is the point on Earth that is closest to space.  That's because the distance from sea level to the Earth's center is 13 miles greater at the equator than it is at the North Pole.  Therefore, if you stood on the top of Mount Chimborazo, you would be closer to space than anywhere else in the world.  And who said this blog isn't edu-ma-cational?

Autism & Grief - Take 2?

     On the day I had already posted the "Autism & Grief" post, Teagan had a complete meltdown that came out of nowhere, and not about what you would expect when thinking about the people he normally grieves for.  We were at my mom's house, and we were setting the table for dinner, and I happened to look down into her dog's water bowl and saw a 3 inch millipede, which is just about the ugliest bug ever, by the way.  So, without freaking Teagan out (he hates nearly all bugs and completely freaks out), I had my mom look at it.  We were trying to figure out how it got in there, when Teagan caught wind of something going on, and came in to investigate.  I had already scooped out the bug and put it into the trash, and he saw it in there and starting freaking out, but not in the normal way.  He was crying about it being a "baby millipede orphan" and begging me not to put trash on top of it, so it could breathe.  I explained to him that it was dead, and where I had found it, but he was completely irrational and insistent that I not put trash on it.  He was so distraught over this dead bug, it was really starting to concern both my mom and I. 

     So after about 10 minutes of him crying and fussing over this dead thing, and me trying to tell him it was dead, it wasn't breathing, and him telling me, "You don't have to yell at me," in a sulky voice (I did not yell at him, I was just trying to explain the situation to him), I decided it was time to take the trash out and be rid of this bug for good.  He followed me out crying and begging me not to throw him away, and could we take him home for a pet so he wouldn't be an orphan anymore, and I had had just about enough of this. 

     So I told him I would say a eulogy for him, but then we were going to have to throw the trashbag in the can.  So, the eulogy went something like this, "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to say goodbye to Brother Millipede, whose life was tragically and quickly ended when he tried to take a swim in Abbey's waterbowl, and forgot he couldn't swim.  He is survived by Teagan, who was probably his only friend." 

     Funny to me, but obviously the situation was heart-wrenching for Teagan, and it was just very sad to see him so upset over something so small and insignificant, or at least it was to me.  Needless to say, we are searching for a new therapist for Teagan, because I don't think we are capable of successfully handling these types of situations in a way that he is able to understand.

Daily Holiday - June 2

Today is Leave The Office Early Day! 

Go ahead! 

Whatever it is, it can wait until tomorrow.

It is also National Running Day!

Put on your sneakers & get your run on!

Daily Holiday - June 1

 

Today is National

Go Barefoot Day!
Kick off those shoes! 
Let those toes breathe!

It is also Say Something Nice Day!

If you ain't got nothin' nice to say, don't say it!

Autism & Grief

     How do we explain death to Autistic children?  For a child so young, Teagan has known more grief than he should, in my opinion.  His first experience with grief was when his most beloved Great Great Grandmother Libby died when he was 5 years old.  He didn't understand it then, but as he gets older, he understands the loss of his Mamaw, understands that we can't see her anymore, but doesn't really understand why.  Then he lost his first dog, Polo, who had to be put to sleep.  Then, a few months after that, we learned that a year before, his best friend, his very first best friend for 3 years since he was 3 had died by drowning.  He was also Autistic. 

     These losses, especially those of his Mamaw and his friend, Grayson, are really starting to affect him, he cries for them several times a week, and I do not know how to console him or make him understand that death is a part of life, and sometimes we can't keep those we love.

     So how do you explain to an Autistic child the ways of life and death?

This Month is National Safety Month!

This month is National Safety Month.  Below is the link to the official website, and for ways to stay safe.

http://www.nsc.org/nsc_events/Nat_Safe_Month/Pages/home.aspx