I am not saying I am a perfect housekeeper. I'm not. I just think that the bathroom and kitchen should be at the top of list of things to clean...daily!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Clean or Just clean enough....
Difficult to say, but when one is talking about the bathroom, I believe there is not such thing as too clean. I read an article once that stated that people shouldn't be afraid to use public toilets because, by law, the are kept super clean and usually have to be clean every six hours. (or something to that effect). They were basically saying that public toilets were cleaner then the one you sit on every day! Eww. So this spawned my obsessive compulsive bathroom cleaning disorder. I (for this post) went online to try to find out what the average person considers normal for cleaning their bathroom. The results were shocking to say the least. Once a month was common (gross), as was bi-monthly, once a week and when people come over. Seriously people. Two rooms in every house that should be CLEANED DAILY??! Kitchen and Bathroom. Seriously.
I am not saying I am a perfect housekeeper. I'm not. I just think that the bathroom and kitchen should be at the top of list of things to clean...daily!
The above picture belongs to: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/...go to that site...be amazed and overjoyed at the wonder you have found! :)
I am not saying I am a perfect housekeeper. I'm not. I just think that the bathroom and kitchen should be at the top of list of things to clean...daily!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Evaluation Meeting
Today I met with the fine people from Metro Therapy, the Southampton School districts special education team, and his Pre-K teacher. The outcome of the meeting was this. He is the smartest person in his class. He is beyond kindergarten level. He has issues with socialization and fine motor skills. Also with cognitive development. The recommendation is to have Speech Therapy three times a week and OT therapy twice a week.
Basically five days a week for 1/2 an hour he will be getting some one on one time with a specialist. In addition to going to school.
He will be re-evaluated in the Spring, to see whether he needs to continue his therapy into Kindergarten or if he can stop. All very positive, very good news. This will all start after the first of the year.
His teacher did mention that he was greatly improving in the last couple of months, and she feels that the delay is going to be a easy fix. That Cody is bright, happy well adjusted child who should have no problems once he gets this attention. :) Yay Cody!!!
The first half of the meeting though was all technical and I was a little lost!! Thankfully, the mediator was very kind to slow it down a little and take it test by test...the PDD-NOS is still in place, but over the course of the year, its possible that it will be taken off.
So that is it in a nutshell. Any questions? :)
Monday, December 13, 2010
We've been Downgraded....
....to PDD-NOS -
We finally got the report back from all the specialists. They say that Cody has PDD-NOS because he doesn't actually have all the characteristics of Asperger's. Instead he has just a couple, and they aren't sever enough. Good news right?
Yes and no.
Listen I had this whole post in my mind and here is the thing. I love my son. He is AMAZING. He has the most beautiful personality to those who are lucky enough to see it. He loves music, dancing, acting...he loves dogs and cats. Enjoys swinging and climbing. He is awesome at swimming, has a soft spot for that little red monster Elmo. He may not be social, okay. I know he needs to work on his communication, his reasoning. We plan on getting him the help he needs with communicating, cognitive development...
In regards to his social development, I am going to let that play out on its own for now. He has no problems in school (aside from not being involved), he enjoys going, has a great time and I don't see any reason to make the social problems a big deal at this time.
We are moving in a few months. We have friends, family at home. Thankfully these friends also have kids. I believe that after he has gotten some occupational help, the social problems he has will come together.
He may never be social or "Normal" (How I hate that word anyway) and that is FINE with me. Honestly, who wants normal anyway. He wouldn't fit in with our family if he was normal! He is a unique, beautiful spirit that is LOVED by anyone who gets to know him. That is good enough for me. I really do want to help him with his cognitive development and we will. But as to the test and all the information, you can't test a child's ability's. His personality, his potential. He can't be categorized by a number. And we aren't going to do that to him. He will get the help he needs to succeed at school, but I will not put a limit on what he can do.
We finally got the report back from all the specialists. They say that Cody has PDD-NOS because he doesn't actually have all the characteristics of Asperger's. Instead he has just a couple, and they aren't sever enough. Good news right?
Yes and no.
Listen I had this whole post in my mind and here is the thing. I love my son. He is AMAZING. He has the most beautiful personality to those who are lucky enough to see it. He loves music, dancing, acting...he loves dogs and cats. Enjoys swinging and climbing. He is awesome at swimming, has a soft spot for that little red monster Elmo. He may not be social, okay. I know he needs to work on his communication, his reasoning. We plan on getting him the help he needs with communicating, cognitive development...
In regards to his social development, I am going to let that play out on its own for now. He has no problems in school (aside from not being involved), he enjoys going, has a great time and I don't see any reason to make the social problems a big deal at this time.
We are moving in a few months. We have friends, family at home. Thankfully these friends also have kids. I believe that after he has gotten some occupational help, the social problems he has will come together.
He may never be social or "Normal" (How I hate that word anyway) and that is FINE with me. Honestly, who wants normal anyway. He wouldn't fit in with our family if he was normal! He is a unique, beautiful spirit that is LOVED by anyone who gets to know him. That is good enough for me. I really do want to help him with his cognitive development and we will. But as to the test and all the information, you can't test a child's ability's. His personality, his potential. He can't be categorized by a number. And we aren't going to do that to him. He will get the help he needs to succeed at school, but I will not put a limit on what he can do.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Word of the Day - Asperger's Syndrome
Which is what my son was diagnosed with today.
At his parent/teacher conference his teacher thought it would be good for him to get evaluated for OT therapy because he was having a hard time with his fine motor skills. (buttoning pants, writing his name etc). I talked to other parents and they didn't find this odd. None the less we decided it couldn't hurt for Cody to have a little extra help.
So the therapy began. First he met with the psychologist, then with the OT therapist, then the speech therapist. The psychologist is the one who has been the most communicative during all this. I filled out a behavior form, he evaluated Cody in school. His findings were the following:
Cody seems unaware of people/surroundings (only sometimes but enough)
Doesn't engage in social actives
Doesn't initiate conversation
Doesn't engage in imaginative play
Wanders
Stands outside a group, part of group but not involved
When I added his obsession for lining things up, which to be honest was the only thing really concerning me, he made the decision to diagnose Cody with mild PDD or Asperger's.
Doing my own research, sure I can see where this makes sense. There is something in my child's brain that isn't quite clicking. On the other hand he is very bright, and high functioning. Meaning he doesn't have any real tics. For example, you can hug him, he has no aversion to any material or food, or color. Etc. He does like his food to line up, therefore if its food you can't line up he doesn't really like it. Its strange, I know but hey I don't like my food to touch so...there you go.
At least he is high functioning. He allows me to hug him, he doesn't have fits, he will look you in the eye. The psychologist tried putting it like this, he has two toes in his own world and the rest of him is with us. To me, that isn't so bad.
His speech therapist said, that he has a hard time processing information and the relaying to others. This is where the big block seems to be. So this is something that we need to work on.
For the next six months (mind you I still haven't had the BIG meeting but I am assuming they are going to suggest further therapy!), so for the next six months I am going to have him get extra help. Then we move back to our home town. There, I will get him re-evaluated and see where he stands. Whether he needs more therapy or not. This seems like the best plan of action.
I considered doing nothing until we moved, but we would waste and entire year. I don't want to do that to him.
So this is what is going on. As the blog states, I am just Treading Water...but hey aren't all parents?
Some links:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/development-disorder
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
At his parent/teacher conference his teacher thought it would be good for him to get evaluated for OT therapy because he was having a hard time with his fine motor skills. (buttoning pants, writing his name etc). I talked to other parents and they didn't find this odd. None the less we decided it couldn't hurt for Cody to have a little extra help.
So the therapy began. First he met with the psychologist, then with the OT therapist, then the speech therapist. The psychologist is the one who has been the most communicative during all this. I filled out a behavior form, he evaluated Cody in school. His findings were the following:
Cody seems unaware of people/surroundings (only sometimes but enough)
Doesn't engage in social actives
Doesn't initiate conversation
Doesn't engage in imaginative play
Wanders
Stands outside a group, part of group but not involved
When I added his obsession for lining things up, which to be honest was the only thing really concerning me, he made the decision to diagnose Cody with mild PDD or Asperger's.
Doing my own research, sure I can see where this makes sense. There is something in my child's brain that isn't quite clicking. On the other hand he is very bright, and high functioning. Meaning he doesn't have any real tics. For example, you can hug him, he has no aversion to any material or food, or color. Etc. He does like his food to line up, therefore if its food you can't line up he doesn't really like it. Its strange, I know but hey I don't like my food to touch so...there you go.
At least he is high functioning. He allows me to hug him, he doesn't have fits, he will look you in the eye. The psychologist tried putting it like this, he has two toes in his own world and the rest of him is with us. To me, that isn't so bad.
His speech therapist said, that he has a hard time processing information and the relaying to others. This is where the big block seems to be. So this is something that we need to work on.
For the next six months (mind you I still haven't had the BIG meeting but I am assuming they are going to suggest further therapy!), so for the next six months I am going to have him get extra help. Then we move back to our home town. There, I will get him re-evaluated and see where he stands. Whether he needs more therapy or not. This seems like the best plan of action.
I considered doing nothing until we moved, but we would waste and entire year. I don't want to do that to him.
So this is what is going on. As the blog states, I am just Treading Water...but hey aren't all parents?
Some links:
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms
http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/development-disorder
http://www.aspergersyndrome.org/
Friday, December 3, 2010
Musing from Driving...Part 1
I love when I am cleaning and I run out of paper towels.
I love a fast food places, when you are standing in line forever, and the person ahead of you takes ten minutes ordering. You have been here the same amount of time, seen the same 'menu', as it were...how hard is the ordering?
I think the rat race is fun, know what is funner though? Picking your kid up from school. I swear its like a free for all. Moms, dads, grandparents, caregivers etc, all running through open doors (when they finally open), like the crazy people on Black Friday. Instead of the elusive 50inch TV for $100.00 they are getting a kid. I am not kidding. Go to an elementary school at pick up someday. Just don't be a creeper about it, we parents hate that.
Circulars - you know the ones you get in the mail once a week for the local drugstore and supermarket...WHY? I can find them online, THANK YOU!! Stop wasting the trees, and my time, with these!
That was just today...I wonder what tomorrow will bring....
Monday, November 29, 2010
Lets talk about Christmas....
It is completely commercialized which, of course, we all know. I don't like it. I am sure many people don't like it. Buy this if you want her to love you, buy that if you want your kids to be the envy of their friends...and it goes on and on. I feel like the Grinch, in this respect anyway. I feel like too many people either forget WHY we celebrate Christmas, or just don't care anymore.
Let me just set the record straight. I am Buddhist. Self-taught, still learning one, but that is my belief. That being said, I DO believe in the man Jesus Christ. Yes I do. I believe he was real. I believe he helped everyone he met, I believe he gave hope to people who had lost it. Compassion to those who had only known coldness, love to those who had only known hate. To me, he was a man who never thought he was above us but one of us. He showed, through example, that loving your neighbor, treating them as you would like to be treated, was the only way to live life. This man died for what he believed in, and died for the people who believed IN him.
Now that the bible lesson (or my version of it is done), does its seem right that we 'honor' this man's memory by becoming complete and total lunatics?? Black Friday...yea prime example as to how messed up this whole things has gotten and how very far away we are from where we should be. I like to buy gifts to. I love seeing my sons face on Christmas morning. That being said, he has known (although is probably too young to understand), that this holiday isn't about the toys, its about remembering a man who died trying to make our lives better. It's about a man who lived his entire life, for the goodness of ours. He didn't judge. How I wish there were more like him today...
I have things that bother me (and again I am a Buddhist), about this whole holiday season.
1. Don't call it a 'winter mix' when all you play are Christmas songs. Its just stupid, call it what is...Christmas Music.
2. For the love of everything I would ask all singers to STOP COMING OUT WITH CHRISTMAS CD's. We don't care if you want your boyfriend back for Christmas, or if you thong has a Santa Clause on it. I despise most Christmas Music these days. I would LOVE it if the stations would stick to the classics, you know the music about what Christmas is really about.
3. If one more store asks me to sign up for the credit card, I might kill them
4. Its NOT a holiday tree. Its a CHRISTMAS TREE. I don't call it a holiday candle set, so don't call it a holiday tree.
5. OMG and holiday stamps. Would you like wreaths or Santa...hmmm...so you mean Christmas Stamps. O.o
Okay so some people might find me hypocritical here. I understand that. A Buddhist lecturing the masses about how to celebrate a Christin Holiday. But I feel like I have just as much right to be annoyed as the next person. The toy companies, the card companies, jewelry, etc. etc...have all gotten rich off this holiday. they make you feel guilty for not buying the next big thing. Don't. Instead feel guilty for NOT doing for your fellow man. Donate to Charity (all year but hey double points for doing it now), lend a helping hand, give food to the shelters and food banks (they really really need all the help they can get), donate a toy to a kid in need, doesn't have to break the bank, most kids are just happy to have something, anything, under the tree. If you see a fellow man down on the ground, don't walk over him, pick him up. The Buddhist and the Christan's really go hand in hand here. Its all about compassion. Remember then man who lived each day with Compassion, and live each day of yours the same way.
And stop listening to Maria Carry's Christmas CD, its poison.
http://www.toysfortots.org
http://feedingamerica.org
http://www.stjude.org
Just a couple of sites to get you started!!
Let me just set the record straight. I am Buddhist. Self-taught, still learning one, but that is my belief. That being said, I DO believe in the man Jesus Christ. Yes I do. I believe he was real. I believe he helped everyone he met, I believe he gave hope to people who had lost it. Compassion to those who had only known coldness, love to those who had only known hate. To me, he was a man who never thought he was above us but one of us. He showed, through example, that loving your neighbor, treating them as you would like to be treated, was the only way to live life. This man died for what he believed in, and died for the people who believed IN him.
Now that the bible lesson (or my version of it is done), does its seem right that we 'honor' this man's memory by becoming complete and total lunatics?? Black Friday...yea prime example as to how messed up this whole things has gotten and how very far away we are from where we should be. I like to buy gifts to. I love seeing my sons face on Christmas morning. That being said, he has known (although is probably too young to understand), that this holiday isn't about the toys, its about remembering a man who died trying to make our lives better. It's about a man who lived his entire life, for the goodness of ours. He didn't judge. How I wish there were more like him today...
I have things that bother me (and again I am a Buddhist), about this whole holiday season.
1. Don't call it a 'winter mix' when all you play are Christmas songs. Its just stupid, call it what is...Christmas Music.
2. For the love of everything I would ask all singers to STOP COMING OUT WITH CHRISTMAS CD's. We don't care if you want your boyfriend back for Christmas, or if you thong has a Santa Clause on it. I despise most Christmas Music these days. I would LOVE it if the stations would stick to the classics, you know the music about what Christmas is really about.
3. If one more store asks me to sign up for the credit card, I might kill them
4. Its NOT a holiday tree. Its a CHRISTMAS TREE. I don't call it a holiday candle set, so don't call it a holiday tree.
5. OMG and holiday stamps. Would you like wreaths or Santa...hmmm...so you mean Christmas Stamps. O.o
Okay so some people might find me hypocritical here. I understand that. A Buddhist lecturing the masses about how to celebrate a Christin Holiday. But I feel like I have just as much right to be annoyed as the next person. The toy companies, the card companies, jewelry, etc. etc...have all gotten rich off this holiday. they make you feel guilty for not buying the next big thing. Don't. Instead feel guilty for NOT doing for your fellow man. Donate to Charity (all year but hey double points for doing it now), lend a helping hand, give food to the shelters and food banks (they really really need all the help they can get), donate a toy to a kid in need, doesn't have to break the bank, most kids are just happy to have something, anything, under the tree. If you see a fellow man down on the ground, don't walk over him, pick him up. The Buddhist and the Christan's really go hand in hand here. Its all about compassion. Remember then man who lived each day with Compassion, and live each day of yours the same way.
And stop listening to Maria Carry's Christmas CD, its poison.
http://www.toysfortots.org
http://feedingamerica.org
http://www.stjude.org
Just a couple of sites to get you started!!
Things that annoy me...Part One
~~People who yap on cell phones while waiting in line. I really don't care if doctor is giving you a video feed to your colonoscopy. Nor am I amused when because you are yapping on your phone to your nanny you can't be bothered to find your credit card, thus holding up the entire line.
~~People who don't use turn signals. Is it really that hard to inform the people around of your next move? I hear new all cars are equip with turn signals.
~~Parents who overly spoil their children I am not talking about treating your kids...no I do that as well and some may think my kid is spoiled. What I am talking about is that crap that you see in stores. Kids freaking out, parents giving them what they want to shut them up. People who let their kids dictate there lives. No bedtimes, no limits, never saying no to them. Its criminal. There are many forms of child abuse and that is one of them...
That is all for now.
~~People who don't use turn signals. Is it really that hard to inform the people around of your next move? I hear new all cars are equip with turn signals.
~~Parents who overly spoil their children I am not talking about treating your kids...no I do that as well and some may think my kid is spoiled. What I am talking about is that crap that you see in stores. Kids freaking out, parents giving them what they want to shut them up. People who let their kids dictate there lives. No bedtimes, no limits, never saying no to them. Its criminal. There are many forms of child abuse and that is one of them...
That is all for now.
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