Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Over Eating
For the past week or so I've noticed that Carson wants to eat constantly. At first I was thrilled because usually Carson is a very picky eater and eats very little. Well since we started him on the gfcf diet he has only been eating rice cakes and cereal. He now has developed a fixation with his rice bars and wants to eat them non stop. We were thrilled that he was eating so we were giving him as many as he wanted until we realized he was eating an entire box in one day!!!
We both noticed he was starting to look fuller in the face and he was gaining weight which isnt an entirely bad thing because he is so skinny as it is. We decided we should probably cut back on his snacks and see if he will eat more meals instead. To our surprise he has been eating actual meals for the past 3 days but his fixation for snacking has only got worse!!! We have seen some of the most severe meltdowns from him the past two days. I decided to do some research and found that over eating is a common characteristic of autism because it is comforting. He isnt wanting to eat because he is hungry but because it calms him down and soothes him.
We learn something new everyday but now what to do with this new information and with this new challenge? We both decided that as hard as its going to be for all of us, we have to eliminate snacks between meals. Today was the first day and it was not easy and he did not like it and he doesnt understand why now he cant eat an entire box of rice bars a day! We will tackle this challenge and take it day by day and hopefully we will conquer it!
We both noticed he was starting to look fuller in the face and he was gaining weight which isnt an entirely bad thing because he is so skinny as it is. We decided we should probably cut back on his snacks and see if he will eat more meals instead. To our surprise he has been eating actual meals for the past 3 days but his fixation for snacking has only got worse!!! We have seen some of the most severe meltdowns from him the past two days. I decided to do some research and found that over eating is a common characteristic of autism because it is comforting. He isnt wanting to eat because he is hungry but because it calms him down and soothes him.
We learn something new everyday but now what to do with this new information and with this new challenge? We both decided that as hard as its going to be for all of us, we have to eliminate snacks between meals. Today was the first day and it was not easy and he did not like it and he doesnt understand why now he cant eat an entire box of rice bars a day! We will tackle this challenge and take it day by day and hopefully we will conquer it!
I couldnt resist adding this picture! I made my first batch of gluten free cupcakes and Carson loves them!!!!!
Friday, October 28, 2011
October 2011 UPDATE
Our little guy has been doing so great! He is trying to say something sooo bad! He wants to but still just cant get the words out. We have seen a really big difference in him since he started the gfcf diet. We are just plugging along and hoping for the best for him. The day he utters his first word will be the greatest day of this journey!!! I want to see him improve and strive!
He has become a lot more tolerant of Madison and I acutally think he is starting to like her. He will look at her and smile and laugh. He does really well when she wants to play with him. We arent seeing a lot of interaction yet but in time that will come.
School is going great and he loves it still! His BT has told us on several occasions that he is very smart and picks up on things very quickly. He is still meeting his goals and mastering many of them. We couldnt be happier with the progress he is already making. I really think Carson will have a bright future ahead of him and he will continue to amaze us every single day!
I know that we still have a very long way to go. We will still have so many struggles and difficult days but we will take it one day at a time and give our little boy every opportunity that is available to him!!!
He has become a lot more tolerant of Madison and I acutally think he is starting to like her. He will look at her and smile and laugh. He does really well when she wants to play with him. We arent seeing a lot of interaction yet but in time that will come.
School is going great and he loves it still! His BT has told us on several occasions that he is very smart and picks up on things very quickly. He is still meeting his goals and mastering many of them. We couldnt be happier with the progress he is already making. I really think Carson will have a bright future ahead of him and he will continue to amaze us every single day!
I know that we still have a very long way to go. We will still have so many struggles and difficult days but we will take it one day at a time and give our little boy every opportunity that is available to him!!!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
First quarter goals
Carson has finished his first quarter of preschool and he met several of his goals! We are so proud!!! He is doing better than we ever expected and we are thrilled. He is starting to respond to us and follow directions. He is starting to communicate his needs and wants using the picture exchange system (PEC's) and has completed phase 1. He is learning to be independent and he has started pretend play! He is able to maintain appropriate behavior when near peers and he is able to greet adults when prompted. We are so proud of him and his progress!
A blessing unlike anything else
Having a child with autism is difficult but also a blessing unlike anything else. Seeing the world from Carson's eyes is amazing! I am so blessed to be this special little boy's mother. Carson is an inspiration and every little thing he accomplishes is a celebration to us. We have days where we feel defeated and we have days where we feel so blessed and inspired by this amazing little boy we are lucky to call our son!
Monday, October 10, 2011
GFCF Diet
We put Carson on the gluten free, casein free diet about 3 weeks ago and wow its amazing!!! We have seen improvements in his sleep, eye contact, bowels and behavior!!! He is such a picky eater as it is and he has a very limited diet anyway so we did a lot of reading on this diet and decided to give it a try. We have eliminated wheat and dairy from his diet. So far it seems to be working for him :)
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