Sunday, July 25, 2010

SPD Blog Carnival - Sensory Fun Photos

The last few months have been busy being busy, especially on the weekends. This past Saturday was such a rare treat to be able to really spend time at home to just kick back. Toots decided to hook the two little kids up with a little water fun for 3 reasons:
  1. Enzo has been incredibly…not his usual Enzo self in a good way I might add! “A happy Enzo is a happy family” is the motto around here….
  2. It has been soooooooooooooooo crazy hot!
  3. Lizzie and her trach aren’t exactly BFF’s with swimming pools or any standing water for that matter.
 
 

They were out there at least a couple of hours before we had to get cleaned up to head out for more family fun and food. But they had a great time…esp Lizzie since we don’t ever take her to the pool. We did have to remind a certain little boy a couple of times not to splash towards Lizzie’s trach, but nothing that 5 minutes out of the water didn’t fix!

 
 

Hope we can sneak in a few more pleasant weekends like this before summer is over!

Click here to read about other families and their summer fun!

Friday, July 23, 2010

ATEC Score

Any SPD families out there ever tried using the ATEC survey that is available online? And anyone use to to follow progression in your child?

Just wondering because the day we started the GFCF diet (we started with casein first), I filled out the survey. Actually I think I may have been a bit modest when filling out the survey because I didn't want to see this crazy result. Well that was the baseline score and today I redid the survey for the 2 week score (since it's been two weeks since we started - 2 weeks CF and only 1 week GF). Maybe I did something wrong because the scores are off...or maybe he really did improve? hmmm I'll get to that on another post but I do have updates on our GFCF journey even tho it's only been 2 weeks.

There was an SPD blog that I came across a couple of weeks ago that use the ATEC survey to follow her child along. That's where I got the link and the idea to do so, but now I can't find it...if that's you (I know I know it's a long shot but you never know who reads your blog) or you've come across that blog and you know what I'm talking about, can you send me that link pls?

Monday, July 5, 2010

Grocery Shopping Horror

Oh boy...I spent a little over 2 hours on a grocery trip that didn't even buy us a week's worth of food. I never realized how much dairy and/or food containing any form of milk products my kids eat. No wonder we don't have picky eaters; we only ever buy the foods my kids eat...dairy and gluten. I think I'm in trouble.

I just need to at least get past breakfast meals. The only foods my kids ever eat for breakfast is cereal and milk or waffles....all of which contain milk (products).

I have a feeling this is going to be a long week....this better be worth it!

Autism and SPD

Random question. How does a Developmental Pediatrician, who specializes in the diagnosis of Autism and related disorders, not acknowledge and believe SPD exsist? Is that even possible, seriously?

And what happens to the families or where would they go? Esp if there is only that one doctor in your area.

Currently reading

It's so overwhelming to read up on diet alternatives for kids like Enzo. While there's no guarantee it will help, alot of the stuff we've read seems to point that it helps with some of the symptoms/behaviors that SPD exhibit. He's not autistic but SPD is on the same spectrum. And even tho he hasn't ever been officially diagnosed with ADHD, that would not come as a surprise if he did.

So here we are...I'm terrified of the initial side effects or withdrawal symptoms that some kids get. Everywhere I've read says that these kids are 'addicted' to casein (dairy) and gluten just like a drug addict. They get the same natural 'high' that druggies get with their choice of drug, it says it's the same effects people get when taking opiates. So withdrawal can be like detoxing from drugs.

That sounds sooooo extreme! Hopefully we don't see anything drastic like that. I know the South Beach diet gives me the nastiest headaches and grouchiest moods....oh oh oh! Someone want offer to take Enzo home for a week or so while he detoxes from his food addiction??

I wanted to start the dairy/casein free today but we weren't prepared for it. All we have in the fridge/pantry is cereal, milk and buttermilk waffles for breakfast. HA! That's all dairy. oops we'll have to try tomorrow. Although I have this crazy thing about starting on a Sunday or Monday...starting Tuesday is so...mid-week? and makes it feel so chaotic and not right...but yes that the OCD in me. hmm maybe I'll benefit from the same diet! We'll have to see...