Challenges

Challenges

We all have different challenges to face each day.  I've learned over the years that having a positive attitude-- no matter what--makes all the difference in how you cope with what life has to give you.  I have faith that despite Aiden's challenges, he has the power to do great things someday.  We all do.  

Aiden's daily challenges:

Communication 

One day we were at the library and a little girl, about Aiden's age, tried to talk to Aiden and get him to play.  Aiden didn't respond or even look at her.  The little girl went to her mother and said, "mom, why won't he talk to me?"  I told the little girl and her mother that Aiden was still learning to talk.  Even though this was months ago, I'll never forget that moment.

We celebrated Easter today.  I don't know if Aiden understands the concept of a holiday.  We participated in an Easter egg hunt, but all Aiden did was run around.  I know I need to guide him, interact with him, and encourage him, but I find it very hard when he doesn't seem to understand or respond.  It makes me sad to see other kids get excited about simple things that aren't so simple for Aiden.

I've learned a lot from the speech therapists, but Aiden seems to want to speak on his own terms.  We've worked with Aiden for months on how to ask for things.  He continues to struggle with this.  He will only say "more please" when I say it first.  One day, without prompting, Aiden said, "more please mom" on his own.  I've never cried so hard.  Progress :)

Sensory Processing 

I never recognized some of Aiden's behavior as "different".  Sensory issues are new to me.  Aiden is our first child, so I didn't recognize things that weren't quite right until they were pointed out to me.  Aiden likes to put things in his mouth all the time.  He used to suck on his blanket so much that we had to take it away (it was disgusting).  When that was gone, it was something else.  Currently, he puts his hands in his mouth constantly.  He hits his head with his hand--not excessively, but enough to cause concern.  I thought he was just repeating things from "Sponge Bob" episodes!  He likes to be in enclosed spaces--the dog kennel, my hope chest, under the table, and in boxes.  A red flag went up for his teacher when Aiden didn't react to the fire drill at school.  It almost seems like Aiden needs more sensory input.  There are many classes available to learn more about this.  I plan to go to every one I possibly can.

I'm not sure if this is related to sensory concerns, but Aiden thrives on routine (as do many children with or without autism).  Aiden used to wake up screaming every morning.  The only thing that worked was a morning routine.  We would give him milk, put him in the rocking chair, and turn on a movie.  We learned to leave him alone for "his time".  It worked!  We did that every morning for about a year until just recently.  He finally gets out of bed pleasant and playful without a movie or milk :)

Diet concerns~

Aiden has a very limited diet.  He only likes really salty, spicy, and/or sweet foods.  Ok, who doesn't, and there are many, many children who are "picky eaters".  However, this was a concern for the Speech Therapist, and a red flag for the Waisman Center.  He won't eat fruits or vegetables at all (he puts them in his mouth and spits them out).  Thankfully, he will drink vegetable juice and fruit juice.  He loves spicy pumpkin seeds, baked beans, and peanut butter (with the sugar of course).  He won't eat meat of any kind except beef jerky (just what a Dietitian wants to feed her 3 year old).  He will only drink chocolate milk, and he eats yogurt.  The rest is all refined carbs--sweet cereal, salted crackers, tortilla chips.  I make a healthy dinner, and Aiden will eat the croutons off the salad, eat only salad dressing, or eat a little bit of bread.  He finally ate a PB&J for the first time this month!  Mixed food?!  What?!  Progress! :)  

Motor Skills

While Aiden can "run like the wind," jump, and walk a balance beam, he can't ride a bike, or swing on a swing.  I'm not sure what age is appropriate for such things, but apparently it is a concern.  He also has a hard time using utensils according to the Occupational Therapist.  My assessment of Aiden indicated little if any concerns in this area.  However, the OT's assessment was dramatically different.  Again, I don't know what is age appropriate for a 3 year old.  I'm grateful Aiden learned to walk at a young age.  Now if only he didn't run away all the time!!!!  I can't wait to see what Aiden can do with the help of his OT! 

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One day I noticed a woman talking to herself and pushing a doll in a stroller up and down the sidewalk.  I thought, "what lessons does she have to learn in life, if she doesn't comprehend how life works?"  A thought came to me.  Maybe it is us who need to learn our lessons through her.
   
The "pieces" are slowly coming together in my mind.  Aiden is developmentally delayed.  But, Aiden is still Aiden, and I love him for his energy and his sweet spirit.  He is in my life for a reason, and I wouldn't change anything about him :)