Things that work are good.

That feeling you get when you find something that works is incredible. Folks, it is the little things in life that are the most rewarding and that is truth. We finally found a toothpaste that Daniel likes! I know it does not sound like a big deal, but trust me, if you had been a fly on the wall all this time when it was time to brush teeth you would be popping confetti with us right now.

We are now focusing on the sleep thing. Of course everything we do for Daniel in terms of charts and rewards has to be duplicated for Sarah. She is such an even stevens kind of girl. What we have been doing is this: We put printouts of stop signs on the inside of the bedroom doors. This reminds them that when they get out of bed in the night to stop and remember to go lay back down. They each have a bedtime pass that they receive at bedtime each night. If they get up in the night and leave their rooms I get the pass. Of course we have had to make some exceptions, they get one free bathroom trip because of Sarah's bladder and Daniel's diabetes. Also, if it is diabetes related it does not count against him. If they still have the pass in the morning they receive a sticker on the calendar that is worth .20 cents. They can cash it in at the end of the month or keep letting it build until there is something they want to buy. So far this has worked pretty well. We are trying a new thing for sleep issues now. Daniel will be sleeping in a sleeping bag. The deep pressure, tactile input a sleeping bag gives him, will allow his nervous system to relax. I so hope it works.

Next we will try aromatherapy. He can smell things I can't, or the odors are stronger to him than they are to the rest of us and sometimes this makes him sick to his stomach. It is not as bad lately in the house because we are keeping it closed up with the AC on due to hubby's MS, but it is still bad in the van when it is hot outside and the van has been closed up. I also want to try the essential oils that are supposed to help with focus. During school he would lose his place during class. We believe that it was due in part to the fact the class was large and loud. He trained himself to block out everything which leads him to get lost in his head. Next year his class will be split in half so it should be better but if there is a scent that will help him readjust to paying attention, it is worth a try.

I am still at a loss as to how to deal with his fears. He worries about things all the time but most of the time we don't know until it has him worked into a frenzy. The other night he told me that he just doesn't know how he will ever live on his own. Ok, he is 10, not something he should be worried about just yet. I asked him if he was going to live with me forever and I got a quick "NO" as the answer. He said that with his fears of the dark, being alone, etc. and his diabetes he doesn't know how he is going to do it. I assured him we would work on it all and have him ready when the time comes. I hope I can hold up my end of the deal. He so deserves a good start in life.

We adapted his chore/behavior charts for the summer and he and Sarah are both doing well with them. It is good to keep him in the habit so that when school starts back up it will be an easy transition. It is also good to get lots of help around here without arguments or the rolling of the eyes. =)

His grandmother and aunt are coming this week for a visit. They will be here for a week. We are all excited about the visit but I am a bit anxious too. These things throw his days off and we always end up with meltdowns. I guess it will be a good chance to address some of those emotional recognition items. The learning just keeps on chugging.

Sarah is attending VBS this week, she is having a blast. It was so weird to just let her go with her friends and not be there. It is not easy to switch gears between Daniel and Sarah. I am so used to having to be with him, it is surreal to be able to send her somewhere and not have to worry about diabetes or autism or well, anything. I am so happy for her and glad that she can just be a kid. Daniel can just be a kid, it just takes so much more effort to make it happen. I am trying to figure out how to come up with $1000.00 to let him attend Tech Camp next summer. That would make his world explode with joy, so I have to find a way.

Onward and Upward.