Tired today

[BlsdMama]

Do ya'all want to come over for coffee?  

 

Getting down to where I mustn't put off school planning any more.  I need  to get this laid out and get my plan in place.

 

Getting new evals for one and debating whether or not to seek an actual Aspergers diagnosis for another...  And I don't feel like planning school.

 

Grandpa came and picked up four kiddos last night and it really struck us how peaceful and quiet our house is without the one who picks and causes conflict.  Man,  I hope this school year with this kiddo is better than the picture in my head I'm preparing myself to handle.

[Heathermomster]

Rest when you can.  When are you planning to start school?

 

I have been putting the school room/office back together all week, sorting books, and getting rid of things.  DH painted the room for me and it looks much better.  I still need to purchase and hang new curtains, replace the ceiling fan, review curric one more time, and type up our yearly goals.  We start on Aug 1, and I don't plan to ramp up with the classes.  We are just going to start. 

[Kat w]

Heather, I'm doing thst too. Everything is in such disarray and I'm tryin to still school in the process.

 

I'm in Florida and it's hot here. I usually treat this as our 'winter' months . too hot.

 

I agree blsdmama, take a break when you can and rest, take a nap if you need one . I've been needed more sleep lately. I'm tire too. Really tired. Hubbys lime, why you so tired? I'm like, gee, I dunno. I only school 2 SN kids and have my grandbaby part of the time :)

Gee, no clue. :)))

 

Rest, have coffee. I'm having coffee too. I'm taking today off.

 

I use any opportunity I can to have a break too. Helps refresh us some. Dad take them to the park and ice cream. Go to their older sisters for the day ( when possible , she works)

 

But, we deserve a break today haha :)

[Kat w]

Blsmama,

Did I read your tagline right?

You have 10 kids?

 

Yes 'Em. Take that break lol

When all 5 of mine were at home. I definitely used any opportunity I could to rest my brain.

[Kat w]

And...I just remembered ...helping my 20 yo navigate the college maze. And all that goes along with that. Fin. Aid. (Army payin for it) . they drag their feet so much about getting paperwork to the college.

 

I always forget the college part when I 'explain'to hubby why...I'm

So tired right now.

 

I have to admit , I'm no looking forward to another first year college student. It's work. Helping them with writing ( DS 20 always hated writing)

 

Presentation of math in an all together different format. Professors who are grumpy or just a pain.

 

Oh boy , just made myself more tired thinking if it.

[OneStepAtATime]

Hugs. Take that break. I would love to come have coffee with you.

 

Are there opportunities for the child that is challenging to get out of the house and hone a useful skill with someone else for a few hours once or twice a week?

Edited July 22, 2016 by OneStepAtATime

[PeterPan]

I don't drink coffee, but I could bring you some of my apple crisp.  It made for a very yummy breakfast!  Might be just what you need.   :grouphug:

 

I think when you put aspergers and conflict in the home in the same sentence, it's time for evals.  I think when you're that tired and trying to figure out how to deal with it, that getting the help and funding that can come with the diagnosis can change that dynamic.  It's changing it here.  And waiting would not have changed it, because it wasn't something he was going to just outgrow.

 

So yes to evals.  It sucks to have to bring in help and admit you can't do it all on your own.  On the other hand, once you hit a really low point and realize how much it's wearing you out, it's nice to have the help. 

 

Edited July 22, 2016 by OhElizabeth

[kbutton]

It is very hard to figure out the big stuff like evaluations and potential diagnoses and also plan school.

 

How much do you have that can put on "auto-pilot" at the beginning of the year? We kind of went into that mode last year when we had evals throughout the fall (and then IEP meetings since we live in a state where it matters to homeschoolers to have an IEP). 

 

It's a lot of places to park your mind at once even aside from the practical to-do list part of it.

[Mom28GreatKids]

I am right there with you. The very thought of starting school musters up PTSD type of responses in me. But I have to start planning soon. DS is doing ever so much better these days and so I really should be hopeful that this year will be better. We have less appointments takin me out of the house, and the ones we do have are effective and fun as therapy goes. We are in a much better place than this time last year, so I better get busy. 😉

[Hilltopmom]

I've got curriculum bought, oldest enrolled in DE classes, & extracurriculars planned.

Not doing anything else.

 

Our curriculum is get ER done next year, do the next page every day type stuff.

 

Except math. That we need to do together during nap time. We are finally going to try some Ronit Bird stuff. If not, it's TT & just doing our best.

 

I need to add in life skills & cooking for Dd. And set up her volunteering. And maybe, get into neuropsych for a full eval.

 

Any wrangling the little ones. Playing preschooly stuff with the 3 year old. And driving, driving, driving.

Oh, & plan out a reading list for dd and add some of them to her audible account.

 

Gosh, I hope that's it.

Edited July 22, 2016 by Hilltopmom

[Kat w]

Hilltop, you've done a ton! Youre my hero lol.

 

Extracurricular activities . I wish we could do that for the fall. I jis don't see how I could. It's good for them socially but, therapies are going to start. I think that has to be aur extracurricular activities for now :). They like it..well not as much my younger one.

 

oldest may not like PROMPT tho, dunno yet. It's probably going to be alot of hard work thst is hard for him. To the gen pop. Hea pretty much unintelligible, and knows it. When we go our alot he will sign. He doesn't want people to know his speech issues.

 

I have a first year coeg student starting too. Be will need help with writing and probably how math is presented. I try to remember , the lil guys are not my only children.tho they are young and need me more.

 

And, I'm broke! No money for activities haha. Educating and evaluating and therapies cost so much for these lil guys. I don't know how people do it.

 

Op, not any of my business really , but by chance is the one thata the point of conflict on any kind if meds?

 

I ask BC fir us it was a life saver. We are on vyvanse. There are alot of pretty good meds our or coming out for this kind of thing.

 

I called the doc to come get his script and they said oh, you're not taking off the summer from meds? Most parents do that.

I replied, um....no. Not only no? But a BIG ah heck no. Lol.

 

I can't do one day without it. Totally different kid on I and off it.

On it h can regulate better his behavior. I started zones last year. It has helped alot.

No way tho, one day without the vyvanse and my other children pay the price. UB huh no way no how haha :)

 

Just something to think about .

[PeterPan]

Kat, don't assume how the dc will react to PROMPT.  When the dc is getting something he WANTS and is invested in, he may be cool with it.  And if he's not cool with it and buying it, the therapist won't do it anyway.  It's not like you're going to take a teen and force him to do PROMPT.  It will be a choice.  But meeting the therapist and getting the eval would give him that choice.  If you just assume, then he never got that choice.

 

Your county board of developmental disabilities may have funds.  Or insurance.  Or a state disability scholarship.  Or...  I used to say sell your cat, but our cats never would have fetched much.  

 

It's all real, sigh.  I definitely wouldn't assume how he'll react till you've at least done the VMPAC and let him meet the therapist.  But make sure the therapist has experience with teens, yes.  Make sure they're at least level 2, preferably working on getting certified or already certified, yes.  If you get that, they'll be experienced with teens probably.  LOTS of teens come in with this.  It's NOT an unusual problem.

Edited July 22, 2016 by OhElizabeth

[Hilltopmom]

I budgeted for extracurriculars & DE first. Then we took an income cut of $1500 per month.

SO... not sure how that is going to play out. Trying to sell a vehicle with a big loan that would really help out.

 

Mine need the extracurriculars. Dd found her niche in dance, art, & theater & it pulled her out of depression last year, I can't take those away from her now. Way more important than academics for her currently. But the cost, sigh.

[Kat w]

Oh OhE, I cried and laughed all at the same time. ....cats never fetched much Baha! :) I needed that thank you.

 

I needed to hear all of it. When I called around and phone interview Ed therapists. I didn't know to ask level yada yada.

I picked the one the most positive , seemed informed , and excited.

Those are good questions to ask. I will when we go in.

 

I'm so glad you said that. I was dreading speech. He dies work hard. I have to remember that. He even worked hard with our last SLP at ps that noone liked lol. He didn't like her either, but, he worked with her.

 

Thing that has me worried . he DOES NOT like his mouth or face touched esp by someone he doesn't know. I'm guessing may be awhile before he doesn't wig that she touched him.

 

He has no feeling in his mouth area..yet..freaks out bout touching it. He doesn't even want to kiss me BC of it ( and he's very lovey cuddly , in meds lol)

 

You're so right tho. Thank you...cannot tell you how much.

 

Anticipation of PROMPT is keeping me awake at nite and when I do fall asleep, wake up in a panic.

Whew. Tanx :)

 

I need to investigate more about funding. My husband did it couple years ago and we didn't qualify for anything out state offered.

 

We make just enough to screw us. I'm hoping there's a program that isn't based on that.

The other problem, his scores put us at a place that screw us too. Just over the ID mark, but not yet able to go without intensive therapy.

 

When he was younger like 2 or 3 they came out here and assesed him and were going to bring in ABA. Mostly it all on the States dime bu I can't rightly remember . but... We were too far out ( we live in very rural area) and noone came out this far. They said our him in our title 1 school around the corner so we did.

 

We checked into ABA when we brought them home . it had changed and was all goofy then. Politics.

I have a friend that always had ABA. hers stopped about that time. Can't remember exactly why.

 

Definitely need to see what's out there.

 

Our pay and our scores seem to be just over the line for assistance. :/

Will look again. Gonna delegate that to hubby again. It's so frustrating and he's good at that stuff.

 

Thank you so much for that. Please pray it goes well. I told him and touched him gently to show roughly what she will do, not right away of course, I assume she will build relationship with him first.

 

There are alot of them a few towns over. I have no problem changing therapist if need be. Just hate to uoset his Apple cart.

Ya know, new environment s can send him...ugh.

 

If he knows its going to make him speak better ir read better...he's always on board. The touching tho?? Mmm. Ima hoping lol

[Mom28GreatKids]

Kat, don't assume how the dc will react to PROMPT. When the dc is getting something he WANTS and is invested in, he may be cool with it. And if he's not cool with it and buying it, the therapist won't do it anyway. It's not like you're going to take a teen and force him to do PROMPT. It will be a choice. But meeting the therapist and getting the eval would give him that choice. If you just assume, then he never got that choice.

 

Your county board of developmental disabilities may have funds. Or insurance. Or a state disability scholarship. Or... I used to say sell your cat, but our cats never would have fetched much.

 

It's all real, sigh. I definitely wouldn't assume how he'll react till you've at least done the VMPAC and let him meet the therapist. But make sure the therapist has experience with teens, yes. Make sure they're at least level 2, preferably working on getting certified or already certified, yes. If you get that, they'll be experienced with teens probably. LOTS of teens come in with this. It's NOT an unusual problem.

I agree with OhE. I thought my sensory kiddo would never respond to being touched. But he goes and lets her everytime. Sometimes he bats her hand away, but most of the time he lets her. So you may be surprised at how well he responds. Our SLP has several teens who go because they want to speak better. They are kinda driving the boat so to speak. So don't loose sleep over it, though I did, lol, so I totally understand. Edited July 22, 2016 by Mom28GreatKids

[Kat w]

Hilltop ,

I hear ya. That was the case for us year before last. Activities was not an option. It was a must. So we did it. Team sports tho, private Ind. Too much money x 2 kds with the therapies we had to have. I did cut back on therapies then. All therapist have always til us 80% of progress comes from working at home.

We got a list and plan written out fir us before we took a break and worked in that at home. Made a huge help.

Plus really, soccer ....good "therapy" gymnastics oh boy. What my 12 yo can do.

I REALLY need to have him in it. It's a huge confidence builder fir him.

 

Ok. Thanks hilltop. Conversing about this , talked myself into it. He will def need it starting prompt.

Oh well, I'll look at WHAT ELSE we can cut in the budget. Uts 85. Per child around here. X 2 kids cuz my lil guy really needs it too. Good it. He's got tone issues still we are working on.

 

170. A month just went bye bye.

Don't know what I can cut but may be able to get part if it from the grocery budget. I don't know how I could shrink I anymore than u could but, first place for me to think of. And gas. Stay home more. We are out there. Just to get into town costs a good bit in gas.

[Kat w]

I typed out alot and Los it. Ugh.

Oh E.

Yes. I see what you mean now.

My oldest with mild cerebel palsy went back to speech at 16. Took her w me and the boys.

 

I'm gonna have her talk to him too. He loves her to peices .

Thanks :)

[Kat w]

OhE, I remember now watching the video you posted of your sin last year. He did do well.

I'm glad you said thst. Thanks. Makes me feel better :)

[PeterPan]

Please don't tell him it will be rough!  I've done PROMPT stuff with my ds for YEARS to supplement his therapy and carry it over at home, and it's NEVER rough!!  You may be giving him a totally wrong impression and freaking him out for no reason.  Seriously.  The therapist can handle this.  They can explain it.  He sounds like he really brings his volition and cognitive to bear.  I'll bet he's fine with it.  Did you find a therapist?  Do you haven an appt?  When you get one, I'm gonna be waiting with bated breath to hear how it goes!   :)

 

The precise answer is that the amount of pressure varies with what they're doing. For instance, /ch/ and /j/ are in similar places but differ in the amount of pressure and how long they're held.  NOTHING with PROMPT is particularly rough.  I mean, if you think it's rough to pick up someone's jaw, so be it.  It had to come up and maybe it got stuck down.  That might feel a little rough.  But the actual inputs, no biggee.  They've done it on me so I could know what to feel.  There's no way anything you're doing to him is reflective of what it will be like.  It will probably be a nothing.  They'll get him calmed down, and it will probably be fine.  This is the only population these people serve is kids with serious disabilities.  There's nobody walking in the door at our place who doesn't have ASD, CP, Downs, DCD, or something else equally global going on.  Even the people who don't have a label for it yet have so much funkiness going on that they're trying to figure it out.  I'm just saying he's NORMAL in that group.  He sounds like he'll be really nice to work with!  He can walk, so that's a plus.  Not all kids who go into our practice can walk.  He can sit, so that's a plus.  He wants the help, so that's a plus.  He's just got a lot going for him.

 

When you make the call and get us scheduled, let us know!  I'm psyched for you!  I'm all for kids with motor planning problems finally getting evidenced-based, effective therapy, rather than being left with imitation-based therapy and guilt-tripping (try harder, if you'd just do this it would work), blah blah.  I mean, what a terrible load to put on our kids the way traditional therapy does!  This jumps right through that hoop and gets to the motor planning deficits.  It's good to be excited!  It's crazy exciting!   :)

Edited July 22, 2016 by OhElizabeth

[Kat w]

Mom28

 

Sorry, I jus saw that was you that said that. Thank you.

 

And sorry. I'm on a really old slow small mini droid. It's dies twice and sin was able to being it back, somewhat lol.

 

I can't afford a new phone cuz I pay for stuff with kids! Lol

[PeterPan]

Kat, CP related speech problems respond to PROMPT.  Just for your trivia.  And no, I wouldn't have her telling him what it's like, because she might freak him out unnecessarily!  Unless the person has had PROMPT, just wait.

[PeterPan]

Some of these phones are free vision therapy.  Just think, you're going small print to large print, up, down.  You're doing yourself good using it.  Just keep saying that.  :D

 

Or blow my mind like my MIL who is in her 70s who still uses this older iphone with a TEENY TINY SCREEN with no glasses!!  Wild.

[PeterPan]

Op, what are you having for dinner?  I have leftover baked pasta with kale for lunch.  I need to decide something for dinner...

[Kat w]

No, I don't tell him it will be rough. He already knows it will be work. He insists on " knowing the pla" fir everything. He wanted to know if it would be like the others. He doesn't feel as much success as he wants from past therapy.

So I told him it's different and better way. He was encouraged but did not fancy her touching him. I told him, it would make it better than ever before.

 

Hes feeling the pinch. He so desperately wants to do Welland has anxiety anyway. It helped his anxiety to know lol bit about what would happen.

 

He will lose his mind the day or week before we go if I don't. Total meltdown. Trying to get in front of it now.

 

Oh I have to work on a schedule to post. All my electronic things have broken or are too full ir can't talk to the printer. I need to buy a new laptop but see?? Mo money mo money lol.

 

My 20 yo son gifted us his tablet that has barely been used. Loaded Meister Cody on that. Oh wow do the boys LOVE that!

Good share whoever told us about that.

[Kat w]

Yes , OP. How's your coffee? I finished fir the day.

I'm hangin with y'all :)

 

Kale mmmm. Yum. You healthy person you lol.

I haven't cooked dinner in days. Ad that wonderfully healthy Mickey dees lol.

Dishwasher broke. Yay. Lol

 

Op. Wats for lunch ? :)

[Kat w]

Hmm.you just hit the nail on the head. His last SL was always....try harder. Well whadya know. Bingo!

 

Yes I have an appt in August . middle if the month I forget when exactly. And yes I really liked her. Had 2 phone convos w her. I liked her the best. And think he will too.

 

Yea. He was having anxiety over what will be like eap someone and somewhere new. So I just gave a brief rundown.

 

Man... The try harder thing kicked him where the sun don't shine lol. Wow. Poor kid.

Thanks :) fir all of it. :)

[PeterPan]

Ooo you tried the Meister Cody already?  I've got it open in another window here.  I haven't looked into it yet.  

 

I have trouble finding things at McDonalds.  I guess you have to eat beef to eat there.  They got rid of their a little bit processed by tasty chicken wrap things.  The chicken nuggets are just, well addictively greasy and BAD.  I tell myself no, no, no.  One time, no more.  :D  We got smoothies there this week on our way back from speech.  Their fruit smoothies are tasty.

 

We eat a ridiculous amount of Wendy's when we travel.  Their baked potatoes are cheap and healthy.  I can eat those and not gain weight.  Not that I don't indulge in those Queso Bacon fries...  So bad.... But then I go work out!   :lol:  But yeah, I gained weight on fast food, so now I really have to slap myself and be a little strict.  Like if I want a root beer float, then I'm gonna have to run.  And if I want to lose weight, eat baked potatoes and be good.  

 

I guess you don't wanna know that I ate garlic rice cakes with the baked pasta and kale.

 

Uh oh, gotta go.  Ds has this idea to use some kind of laser bond glue stuff, and I need to redirect that, mercy. We can clean another frig.  Home ABA compliance drills: clean the frig.   :lol:

[Kat w]

Ha-ha....vision therapy.

 

Touche'

:)

[PeterPan]

Hmm.you just hit the nail on the head. His last SL was always....try harder. Well whadya know. Bingo!

 

Yes I have an appt in August . middle if the month I forget when exactly. And yes I really liked her. Had 2 phone convos w her. I liked her the best. And think he will too.

 

Yea. He was having anxiety over what will be like eap someone and somewhere new. So I just gave a brief rundown.

 

Man... The try harder thing kicked him where the sun don't shine lol. Wow. Poor kid.

Thanks :) fir all of it. :)

 

I'm excited for you!!!  Anxiety is a hard thing.  Have you considered seeing if your insurance or something would cover some time with a BCBA to work on the anxiety and use some strategies?  It might be a good way to fill this month while you're waiting.  It's not like it's the SLP's job to help anxiety.  

[Kat w]

Baha! Laser lmbo!

 

Yea I gain weight in it too. We have all day breakfast here. I get the egg burrito. Kids like Wendy's too.

Mmmmm I'm hungry now.

 

Op! What ya cokkin us fir lunch.

Oh wait you said , go OUT fir coffe didn't ya? Lol.

Panera...mmm.

[Kat w]

Yes to Meister Cody. My ds20 loaded it on his tablet he gave us. It's one if the few that I've seen that can be used with an Android.

 

They haven't out it down :)

Happy

[Kat w]

Yes, ins will cover some. We have good insurance but opted for what is sort of like an HSA Heath savings account. But it's an hra . after we get to 2500. We pay 100% of 1500 then start an 80/20 split. We go thru to quick. So now we're at our 1500 cash pay .

 

And really, the anxiety comes from not knowing. Once he gets there and gets comfy and familiar with it he does better.

 

That, and the anxiety med haha

 

He just wigs at ALL new places. Ugh

[caedmyn]

I'm pretty much done with school planning...DH and the middle two went camping for a couple days so I spent most of the day yesterday and half the morning today finishing it up.  Yes it is SO MUCH CALMER without the trouble-makers.  I still have to come up with a schedule, but it's mostly done.  Now actually starting school...that I have no enthusiasm for.  Battling the 5 YO endlessly, trying to keep the 7 YO on track, keeping the 3 YO out of trouble...not looking forward to all that.  Add in the baby...where I have no idea, I have no mental, physical, or emotional energy to give to another person.  I should be doing something to recharge while half the kids are gone, but there are so many things on my never-ending to-do list...

[Kat w]

Yup, nap when the baby does while they are gone. Put the toddler In bed with you with Winnie the Pooh movie or something.

 

Not discount mamas rest and sleep. It's huge.

 

Love when dad takes them camping lol

[Kat w]

Got it!

 

Difference is SLP (pathologist )

ST ( therapy speech only)

 

Was buggin me. I did what I never do , pulled out old reports haha.

 

I wonder if she jus didn't have as much school, training etc.

 

Or, gee, maybe she could have been an intern or something and thats why she constantly went and asked her mentor

[Kat w]

Oh. Wrong post. Sorry :/

 

*tip toes out of thread*

Lol

[Mom28GreatKids]

This is why I don't get school planning. DS finally just got to sleep and hasn't napped since he was 16 months old. Now all I feel like doing is staring at the wall in the fetal position. Lol.

[Kat w]

Hahaha awww mom28

Hey, I feel like that ( fetal position , staring) and don't have as many kids as you lol.

 

Id say, you're doin pretty good ;)

[Tiramisu]

Hahaha awww mom28

Hey, I feel like that ( fetal position , staring) and don't have as many kids as you lol.

 

Id say, you're doin pretty good ;)

Haha. I lie flat under blankets with my door locked, like a mummy in a sarcophagus. Edited July 23, 2016 by Tiramisu

[Kat w]

M

Edited July 24, 2016 by Kat w

[Kat w]

Hahahahaa :) tiramisu

 

Me too. I was too chicken to say it outloud lol.

Glad you did. *big smiles* haha

 

I get my bootie handed too me almost everyday lol

Still love my madness and "organized" chaos tho! (Ok, may e not so organized sometimes haha ;))

I know you do too :)

[Kat w]

Hahahahaa :) tiramisu

 

Me too. I was too chicken to say it outloud lol.

Glad you did. *big smiles* haha

 

I get my bootie handed too me almost everyday lol

Still love my madness and "organized" chaos tho! (Ok, may e not so organized sometimes haha ;))

I know you do too :)