Our Autism Story, Part 1

As a ASD mom sometimes I am struck with how many kids there are on the spectrum and some that haven't even been diagnosed, but you can tell that it's in their future.  Honestly and full of naivety I guess, I thought or maybe I didn't think that autism is something that I would never have to deal with.  I am not sure why I thought that.  I guess just like most moms out there I thought, "That will never happen to my children.  They are perfect so how could they be diagnosed with something like that."  Are you following what I am trying to say?  

As hard as it is to explain these feelings, it is also even harder to deal with the feelings of sitting in that doctor's office.  Hearing, but not hearing the words coming out of some stranger's mouth telling you that your son(s) is broke.  Some guy is telling you that there is a monster that has taken up residence in your son(s) head and won't be leaving anytime soon.  Does this sound extreme or intolerant to you?  Maybe, but that is what every mother thinks no matter what the diagnosis.  Autism, Cancer, Diabetes, etc.  A mother cannot process at that moment that there is one single thing wrong with their child.  Not me.  Not you.  Not anyone.  

In those moments, ears go deaf.  A buzzing sound grows loud in the room.  You hear this loud wale sound grow louder and louder.  Is it raining in the room?  Why is my face wet?  Oh, I am bawling and that loud sound is me... mourning the thought of what my child was going to be.  Again, ignorance and intolerance for the Autism community, probably.  

At that moment you have no idea of the amount of people that are going to enter your life.  They don't tell you with Autism things like occupational therapy, physical therapy, eating therapy, speech therapy, therapy, therapy, therapy is going to follow ABA therapy.  And, what the hell is ABA therapy?

Long story short, this post was born as I was standing next to a young mother watching our children play skee ball at the local Chuck E.'s.  I noticed the tell in her son.  The same one that my son has.  The one that I thought was so cute when he was little.  The reason I call him my bird and to be careful not to fly away from me.  I decided to chat her up since most mom's are silent on the subject (I am not.  I am LOUD and PROUD to talk about ASD.  Awareness people!).  I asked innocent questions that would normally tell me if there was a diagnosis or if she was aware of what her son was doing.  Starting with the clothes (very cute by the way!) and moving right onto school.  It was at that point that I realized that she knew her child was different (since he didn't speak the whole entire time...unusual for a 3 year old), but there was no diagnosis.  

Another one will join our ranks soon when the nagging mommy brain is too loud to ignore.  Will she feel the things I did?  Probably.  I'm sorry for her right now because she doesn't know the road ahead.  The struggles will only grow greater until the right people will come into their lives.  It will be extraordinarily overwhelming before life starts to grow...a little easier.... maybe.  For some yes, for some the same, and for some it will get worse.

This is why I do what I do.  I want to help the ones who fight daily for a bit of normalcy.  I know what it is like.  I have two on the spectrum.  Every child with Autism is just one child on the Spectrum.  They are ALL different.  No two kiddos are alike.  My two are different.  "I" is 5 years old.  He was 4 years old when he was diagnosed.  It wasn't something we went in for.  It was happenstance that it was caught.  He was so smart and fairly high on the Spectrum that we were able to make excuses for the odd behavior.  

My other son... the one that I write the most about, "N" is 3 years old.  We knew when he was a baby that something wasn't right.  I had to jump off buildings to pull a smile from that kid.  He is middle of the road Spectrum.  Or, Classic Autism if you will.  Nonverbal until after 2 years of age then it was uncommunicative speech.  He could label everything in the world, but couldn't ask for a glass of milk.

So, this is part of our story mixed in with a little bit of today.  Long, I know.

Blessings and peace,

p.

Another Day, Another Blanket

Forgot to post the new blanket that I am working on.  This was the first day of construction and I am nearly finished with it.  This is for a 2yo boy.  :)  So happy to be able to make this for that little guy!
Will post pictures of the finished product.

Primary Curtains

Stepping out and doing something different this past weekend, N's teacher Mrs. S asked me if I could sew some curtains/valances for her classroom.  She had purchased fabric in primary colors to decorate her bulletin boards and wanted curtains to match.  I haven't made curtains in over 10 years.  They came out very nicely despite some struggles.  My sewing machine is O L D.  It will sew along fine on a project and towards the end it gets a user glitch.  ;)

Weighted Blanket Finished!

Well, folks, as promised, here is the weighted blanket that I have been working hard putting together for a sweet young man.

It weighs 8 whopping pounds and it's going to make him feel so snuggly and secure.  It just warms my heart thinking about it.  He loves Thomas the train and I backed it with the softest Minky dot fabric.  Enjoy RTP!

In other news, the yesterday "N" was having a rough day.  He was just having fits about going to the potty and shutting down.  Just a mess.  So I grabbed his weighted blanket and draped it over his shoulders.  He looked like a super hero.  He was able to calm down long enough to use the restroom.  Uses# 141 for weighted blankets!  lol!

Have a great day!

I know I haven't posted much lately.  I have been sewing my little fingers to the bone.  lol.  This week I received 3 orders and one had to be done pronto.  Man, I have a backache from the sitting.  I love sewing though.  Love going to the craft store and searching for the right fabric for my customer.  I wish that I could see the faces of the recipient.  How blessed that would make me feel!  I know I am already blessed that I have a talent that I can share with individuals with special needs.  :)

Finishing up a couple of projects and I will post pictures as soon as I am finished!  Have an awesome week.

Custom Lap Pad

As promised, here are pictures of the lap pad that I was working on for one of my customers.  It turned out very nicely and man is it ever heavy!  This is going to make one little boy very happy... or at least I hope so!

Mom shared with me that her little man has a rough time sleeping through the night.  This reminds me SO much of another little man that I know and love who always made our bed his home.  The one on the right literally moved in and never left our bed.  Once I made the weighted blanket, he started spending more and more time in his own bed.  Thank Heavens!

Here is the link where you can order one of these fabulous lap pads. https://www.etsy.com/listing/200258458/customized-weighted-lap-pad?

They are wonderful for transport when the blankets are just too much. Going out to a restaurant and having them jump around and scream because of sensory overload isn't any fun for anyone. I have noticed that when we bring one of the weighted blankets/lap pads. Everyone is much happier. Noah is able to sit and concentrate on what he is supposed to be doing.... eating!

Lap pads are an essential tool to help them sit.  They get the added pressure which gives them comfort when their environment is causing them to "ping".  (That is what my husband and I call it because they are acting like the ball in a pinball machine.)  Try one today and see if it helps your special kiddo like it did ours.  

New Fabrics!!!!

Look at these great fabric combos that I have for some blankets on order!!!  Aren't they fun?  I can't wait to see what these are going to look like all stitched up.

Just purchased amazing fabric in such vivid and fun colors with amazing textures.  Will post picture later of how cute they are!  It is going to make some amazing creations.

New Idea!!!

Stay tuned people.  I just thought of an excellent sensory toy for the wonderful people in our life.  Can't wait to make one and see how it turns out.  :)  Also, have another fun new thing that I will be making and posting in the shop.  VERY excited!!!!!

Weighted Blankets Coming Soon!

Do you have a child or family member that has a Sensory Processing Disorder?  Autism?  Then I am sure you have heard of weighted blankets.  They are an incredible tool to have for those hard moments.  My youngest child N has Autism.  Taking N to restaurants or public places can be very overwhelming for him.  The lights, the sounds, the smells, the pressure of sitting on his behind for so long, etc.  It was almost to the point where we couldn't take him out to eat with us anymore.  It was just too much for all of us.  It was at that point when my other son's BI (educator) asked if I had ever tried using a weighted blanket.  Curiosity piqued I researched them.  Made one.  Our life has been MUCH better ever since.  Now when we go out to eat the "Heavy Blankie" and Ipad comes along with us.  He has something to focus on and he gets the deep pressure stimulation to help him cope with all of his sensory bells ringing.

I am going to start selling these in my Etsy shop for a reasonable price.  I want all parents to feel the relief that we did at being able to help calm their loved one.  It has made a huge difference in our life.  N never slept well before.  He was up ALL night screaming, wandering and basically preventing us from sleeping.  Now he covers up with his "Heavy Blankie", takes his "Nigh Nigh Vitamin" and he is off to slumberland.  He has made huge progress both physically and emotionally.  I'm not going to say this is a cure all or that it was directly related to the above or that it will even help your loved one.  I will say that life after a weighted blanket has been SO MUCH HAPPIER!

My blanket has a visually stimulating cover with a soft minky back for all of those touch sensory lovers.  Unlike many weighted blankets, mine are machine washable on the gentle cycle.  No bleach please!  When you contact me, we will go over your loved one's weight, their theme and colors that they love.

Welcome to Ciao Ciao Brown Cow!

Welcome to Ciao Ciao Brown Cow!  I have just opened a new store on Etsy at CiaoCiaoBrownCow.  I am very excited to share my passions with you.  I will be adding new awesome things all of the time.  I love to cook and craft!  I also have two boys that have Autism and I will be sharing some great items for parents that share our world.  Stay tuned and add my page to your favorites!!!