All Worth It Comments

Mom: "Mckelsie, quit... you're driving me crazy!"

Mckelsie: "Good, then I'll have company."

(If anyone knows Mckelsie....this comment is heeeelarious!)

All Worth It Comments:

Mckelsie talks pretty frequently about her Grandpa and it never fails she ALWAYS wants to stay home from school with him. She'll say the darndest things to try to get out of going to school. One day while trying to talk her teacher into letting her go home (or to Grandpa's) she mentioned that her Grandpa was "retarded". Her teacher questioned her...asking her to clarify what she meant as it didn't sound quite right.....

Mckelsie said, "You know...when an old person doesn't work anymore and stays at home".

Her teacher replies with a really big smile, "Oh, you mean "retired"....".

Classic! Don't worry Dad...we don't think you're "retarded".

Summer = Fun

Jayden got the "game ball" for best hit of the game!

Grandpa and Mckelsie enjoying the warm weather at the baseball game. Our new found past time.

Mckelsie LOVES the snack stand at the baseball fields.



Big sisters are good for practicing baseball with.

Cousin Fun!

Hollywood.

Summer = Water

(boys....only boys would think of that)

Jayden had a blast playing in the water. Probably spent a good two hours out in the water.

What's water if it's not on the trampoline?

Summer = Yardwork

(costs me a dollar)

God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

- Rick Warren

Notes:

Life with Autism... extremely difficult. There are not words to explain what our little family goes through dealing with and loving each other given the obstacles of Autism. Frustration festers as time after time I try to come up with new methods, rewards, punishments etc to deal with less desirable behaviors. Mckelsie does not "fit in the box" that everyone thinks she should and never will. That is "ok" with me. It's family, friends, teachers and society in general that we have to contend with who have their own views of what a parent ought to do for a child with any behavioral issues. I get so tired of "explaining" Mckelsie to anyone and everyone. My baby girl deserves the very best life and that is what I'm striving to give her.



We had a doctor's appointment with Dr. Paul Carbone, a behavioral specialist, who works with Autism regularly. It went well. He gave us some direction with regards to medications and is willing to work directly with the Neurologist to help facilitate these changes. He's recommended to the school district that Mckelsie be tested for Autism. Once that happens she will be able to have further resources directed her way. Hopefully with the added help of occupational therapy, speech therapy and medication we can provide a bit of normalcy to our lives. Unfortunately I'm learning that the school/government system is not willing to help diagnose my child with Autism as then they would definitely be obligated to provide additional services for her.



We've increased one of her medications and will slowly go up a bit more. She seems to be doing well with the subtle increase so far. We have not seen any seizures since last week, Tuesday. She slept alot of the morning but by the afternoon was doing much better. Wednesday she was completely defiant and refused to go to get up, get dressed, brush her hair etc. She did not want to go to school. I ended up finally getting her there but not without a completely erratic hair doo, Mckelsie in tears as well as myself. Behavior is the same...extremely emotional and touchy. We did have a really good morning today. A rare occasion that I value very much.

The goal as of today. Increase her Klonopin to 2 mlg's a day. Keep her on the regular dose of Trileptal. If in about a month or so we do not have any success with her behavior address the issues again in an email to Dr. Carbone. Requested the Autism testing in the school district and keep focused on them completing that. Follow up by email with the doctor in about two weeks. Stay sain.

Below is Mckelsie's first email to her Aunt Janet. Soooo cute! It took her about 45 minutes to figure out what she wanted to say and to type it out. Waiting for a email reply back was almost too much to bear...she was so excited at even the thought of getting a response!


dear janet I am sorry that I got mad at you.I hop you got my message's.I just want to see mikale.I't feels like you don't like me anymore.When am I going to see mikale? When am I going to sleepover? I miss you.do you love me so much.do you like me? When are you going to come over? How much days are going to stay over at my house? How much do you miss me? I love you. Do you love me? I wanted to send this note
From :mckelsie

Notes:

Mckelsie has done fairly well with her medication changes. I'm not sure whether this is the complete answer to her emotional struggles and anxiety but I "think" it has helped. She is extremely talkative! Holy cow...she doesn't stop! However she's been a bit happier and at times has seemed to be able to be more reasonable. Checking in with school, yesterday her teacher said that she slept during her 4th period, which does concern me a little. She had called me earlier and said that her head was hurting and she was dizzy which can be a sign of oncoming seizures. Further with her sleeping, I fear that she may be having smaller seizures that no one is noticing. But....it could have just been a fluke thing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she's not having any seizures at all.

Happiness is a journey - Not a destination.

Author Unknown