Weird Pain Regulation

Commented to my partner on the weekend just gone about weird pain regulation. He seems to be a lot more pain sensitive than me. Currently I have the flu, and I do feel sick, but I don't think to the degree that other people feel it.

Something there about the nervous system regulation and people with Autism/Aspergers ... there are studies done on it like here for those inclined to read further.

I have got the aches and chills, so I am signing off :D
nite!

The Autistic Family Table

It can be a huge challenge to feed three people on the spectrum (myself included), and NT Dad just gets whatever the family is eating. There are families who prefer to eat gluten/casein free diets ... I have absolutely to admit that I did try those!!! I still have my recipe books ... I remember making a GF pizza, and my husband wasn't too keen on the idea of GF pizza base, so I ordered him some takeaway pizzas, and made the kids a GF pizza.
The kids told me that they didn't want the GF pizza, they said it was (something very impolite) and refused to eat it, and told me they wanted their father's pizza from the store.
Fast forward something like 8 years later, I have converted them to home made pizza out of choice, necessity at times, and definitely as a health preference. I haven't gone back to the gluten free base, but I have compromised and endeavour to make most things that we eat from scratch.
I became food additive and trans-fat neurotic a few years back. Is it easy to make stuff from scratch? Not altogether, it takes planning, and definitely there are some useful tools that make life infinitely easier. With websites like Taste, Best Recipes, and All Recipes - you can all but do away with a collection of recipe books, because they're pretty much infinitely packed with everything you can think of (mind you I maintain quite a collection of recipe books). You can also find plenty of gluten and casein free recipes too.
I have got one youngster that hates fish, and pretty much anything that looks like salad, and for fruit will only touch apples. The other one (now a teenager) has got a humungous appetite, but his protein variety is limited to fish, home made rissoles, burgers, sausages, chops - which is fine really, but you can throw out any variation of pasta bake, mixed together food, casserole or otherwise, and especially things like spaghetti bolognese ... (yuck, its made with mince). He told me he wasn't too fussed on meatloaf either. He wants to know why people bother to make mince. It is a cheap source of protein, and for an ultra low fat variety, I prefer turkey mince. But he won't touch things like shepherd's pie, lasagna or anything like that. When we have a casserole, or anything he won't eat - I keep some frozen fish fillets in the freezer on standby to steam so that at least he will eat something. Ahhhh ... the challenge.

Knowing when to slow down

I have been at a totally frantic pace for the last month, or even longer ... the days have slurred together into one big blur, and I can't remember specific days ... my brain is tired.
We had a huge 15th Wedding Anniversary celebration on the weekend, which was completely amazing. But then there was a family get together on the Saturday night, and then another get together on the Sunday. I feel like I have become a virtual whirlwhind, and I need to slow down - right down. My head is just dizzying.
It is so necessary to take a mind vacation! When everything is going crazy, especially at this seasonal time of year with all of the Christmas celebrations, and end of year parties - it is especially important to take time out to relax. So tonight - for me it is a no-brainer. I wanted to have a no-brainer last night, but I got asked to reinstall the operating system on my husband's computer, and I turned it into a dual boot Linux system. I got to focus, but I don't know what to focus on, there is just so much!!! I have even much neglected my writing, so sorry !!!
nite all

Patience, Persistence, Endurance

I have been putting together a resource book for parents of children in a special education unit. I hope to give them some hope - I am hoping to do some serious community engagement with these parents.

Sometimes as a parent, life just gets really rough. I got spammed today by somebody telling me that she was interested in my writing. LOL she has been banned off Twitter for spamming. Sigh. Only took a quick Google search to weed that one out.

Yesterday at the movie club with the kids, I had them for about ten minutes, then they got up and said they had enough - one after the other they got up and said that they were bored and wanted to do something else.

So my movie club is a struggle. It is really about my son - helping him, but I was hoping to give the kids some social skills too.

I have been in a real slump of a mood these past couple of days. I really miss my father in law, who was into the local cine-club. He and his mates all used to get together and really enjoy life making movies.

I know that you didn't come here to listen to me whine and bang on about how hard life is - you already know that.

If you are a parent with a child with Autism, do me a favour - go into your son or daughter's room while he or she is asleep, and look at how wonderful he or she is. Stroke his or her cheek gently. This little miracle needs you to keep on going and be his or her champion.

It takes real inner strength, and endurance. Life isn't about a high speed sprint - it is about an endurance test. My inner strength comes from trust in Jesus. You may think that is corny - but honestly - my trust in God my creator, and in the work that He did in His precious Son on the Cross, and the gift He offers of relationship with Him has held me back from literally at one stage driving off a cliff.

There has always been that small, still voice in the darkness, the light that burns consistently in the darkness of my mind. The light will and has overcome the darkness.

I don't hate myself anymore - that in and of itself is a miracle. Eighteen months ago - I hated and loathed myself. I know that other people don't like me, and have issues with me, but I am ok with that - because I only live before the audience of one - my Creator.

One day I will answer to Him for my life, and the gifts he gave me and how I used them.

I know that the days are hard, laborious, and that hope at times feels futile. Don't ever give in to the urge of destroying yourself. You are precious. Your life here is a gift - you have purpose and a destiny carved out for you. Whether you are looking at yourself in the mirror, and then going to the cupboard and the fridge and binging, then purging, or taking laxatives, or taking substances that will slowly kill you, or are contemplating hurting yourself - cry out for help - please - call your local suicide prevention line!

Don't give up hope, ever!!! You are a wonderful, beautiful, masterpiece of creation. I have seen that God has masterfully made each of us a complete masterful work of art. You were created, you weren't mass produced or manufactured. God can align the fractures and splinters in your life to look like the cuts on a beautiful diamond.

There is a popular song that says something that every scar is a battle that has been lost - no - it isn't. A scar is something that you have healed from. There are beautiful scars too - like the two incision marks I have on my stomach from my two caesareans.

God has a plan for people with Autism. He can equip them, strengthen them, and give them destinies of victory and blessing.

Don't give up - be patient, persistent, and endure. Nothing in life that is worthwhile is ever instantaneous!!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me - He is my inner strength. I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency.

Don't chuck in your life. You are too precious for that, and loved also. Don't deny the beauty and marvel of the creation that you are.

Does Autism Come Bundled with Allergy Problems?

I have spent a good part of the last ten years abusing my body with chemical junk. Additives, sugar, hydrogenated trans fats ... yuck yuck yuck ... it has left me obese and grouse - thankfully I am undoing a lot of that patterned behaviour of self abuse.

A side effect of all that exposure to chemical additives in my food however has resulted in my being sensitised to a lot of different things - particularly along the lines of body products.

I bought a night cream just recently - and thought how lovely it smelled - and smoothed it all over myself before I went to sleep. The next day my husband came home and asked me what the heck I had done to my face!!! It was all red and it had started to blister and peel - so I have stopped using that product.

The ingredient list reads like a commercial chemical laboratory. So, I went to the health food store today and purchased an all organic, chemical free, not tested on animals night cream. It has all kinds of things like grape seed oil, jojoba oil, shea butter and rosehip oil. I thought why not give it a try - what can it hurt??

So, I figure I have pretty much now decided to join the natural revolution. This summer I am going to be planting myself a vegetable garden & take much delight in knowing that I can grow my own vegies without chemical additives.

I also bought myself a natural health book. And I have also signed up to study naturopathy.

This chemical sensitivity and allergy thing isn't a joke - it is very real - and can be quite frightening. My brother cannot work in his trade properly because he is allergic to the chemicals that they use.

I remember a really awful incident where my brother went and got himself a burger from a large chain takeaway store, and after he ate the burger his neck swelled up and he couldn't breathe!!!

I know that many years ago when I started work after leaving school, and studying part time, I was doing fibreglassing - I ended up being sick in my air filtration mask, and with rashes all up my arms from the chemicals. I ended up having to leave due to ill health from the chemicals.

I used to think that I got bad dandruff - turns out I actually have psoriasis on my scalp. My son has psoriasis on his scalp too.

I can't use a lot of cleaning chemicals, because they make me wheeze, and I noticed that when the floral carnival was on in town, my youngest son's eyes ended up red and inflamed from all the pollens flying around, and he was also wheezing.

I tried a deodorant recently, and it stung and burned like crazy - I had to wash it off.

I remember a lady I met a number of months ago saying that she had a clean diet and that it helped her greatly.

Come to think of it - my cats now can only eat a Bones and Raw Food Diet (Barf Diet). With the dry food or the canned food they ended up spewing it up all over the place, or having really smelly and loose stools, and excessive thirst.

Seems a little more than coincidental that since I put them on a BARF diet they have stopped all the bad gastric symptoms and are much happier within themselves.

And since reducing pretty much down to almost no processed food whatsoever - my liver has perfect function.

Interesting ...

The Home Spa Session: Tips to revitalise and invigorate you

Enhance your wellbeing and vitality with a simple and affordable home spa treatment session.

In the 21^st century, people are working more hours than ever before. Stress and working excessive amounts of overtime are factors that can contribute to coronary heart disease. There are studies that support this.

Taking care of yourself to improve your health and increase your sense of wellbeing will help to reduce your stress. The option of a DIY home spa treatment provides an opportunity to unwind, decrease your stress levels, all without leaving your home, or going to any significant expense. This is particularly favourable option, because when you are at home, in your own time – a DIY home spa treatment fits in with your lifestyle, and if you are busy and can’t get away to a spa retreat (either because of time or expense) then you will find this opportunity hard to refuse.

The trickiest part is finding the time. Once you have found the time – and it is vital to schedule me-time into your day to day life – by having a few tools, treatments and some know how, you can get right into the DIY at home spa experience.

Focus on Indulgence of all of Your Senses through a Tranquil Spa Sanctuary

A really good at home spa experience will be a delight to all of your senses – touch, smell, taste, hearing, and sight. By incorporating a soothing environment to your at home spa venue, it will help you maximize the pleasure of your experience.

A spa is generally associated with water – so creating an atmosphere in your bathroom is a good start. Make sure you have fresh, fluffy towels. If you line-dry your towels, you can fluff them up a little by putting them into your dryer for five minutes on warm. Soft fluffy towels are one of life’s greatest pleasures, especially if they are slightly warm to the touch.

For a relaxing scent – if you don’t prefer candles, a reed diffuser is inexpensive and convenient. It takes about 2 days for the scent to fully ripen, so keep this in mind when timing your spa. Otherwise, for instant olfactory pleasure, you can’t beat the aromatherapy candle. For safety it is wise to use a holder for the candle, and keep well away from small children and pets.

A sound machine that plays soothing sounds is a great option to use over and over, otherwise you can’t go past the MP3 player dock, or the CD player. You can pick up tranquil soundtracks from your local library. Either play these directly on your CD player or load them onto your MP3 player. Make sure you keep either device well away from water.

Detox with Green Tea

Hydrate yourself with some water, and then make yourself a wonderful detox indulgence – a cup of green tea. The health benefits of green tea are endless. This is a good way to start off your DIY home spa experience.

Moisten Your Skin with a Steam Facial

After you have had time to wind down with your cup of tea, take ten minutes to give yourself a steam facial. Boil 4 cups of water. Add some dried herbs such as chamomile, and leave to cool slightly, as you don’t need to burn your face. When the temperature of the steam is tolerable, put the water into a bowl, and put a towel over your face and the bowl, and allow the steam to circulate in your little steam tent for about ten or fifteen minutes.

Sooth Stressed Hair with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Before you have your steam facial, get a couple of teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil, and apply it throughout your hair. Wrap a warm towel over your head and leave for about twenty minutes. When you hop into the shower next, simply shampoo it out to remove the residue.

Treat Your Body with a Natural Exfoliating Treatment

Next it is time to get into the shower for an excellent body exfoliation treatment and to rinse the olive oil out of your hair with shampoo. For the body exfoliating treatment get yourself a handful of sea salt and add a teaspoon of honey to it for an excellent salt scrub. Rub all over yourself, and then rinse off in the shower. Alternatively, you can use brown sugar, as it is less abrasive and more suitable for sensitive skin.

For a Wonderful All Over Moisturising and Soothing Body Treatment

Get a handful of regular rolled oats, and either put them in a muslin cloth, or a handkerchief, and run yourself a bath. Drop the oat-filled muslin cloth into the bath and then enjoy a luxurious soak in the tub that will soothe and moisturize your skin after an exfoliation treatment.

Don’t Forget to Treat Your Feet

Using a pumice is a great way to shape up dried out heels, and remove dead skin. Use the pumice on your feet while you are in the bath. Once you are out of the bath, rub some vitamin E cream over your feet to soothe them. A foot cream containing peppermint is also a good way to soothe and revitalize tired and aching feet. Palmers have a great foot balm – it is rich, moisturizing, soothing, and smells great.

Moisturise Your Body with Oils

Either jojoba oil or sweet almond oil are wonderful to apply on your body, while you are still damp. Don’t dry off until you have applied the oil, being slightly damp will aid in the oil being absorbed into your skin. Once the oil has absorbed, then towel dry yourself, and your skin will feel amazingly soft and supple.

Add a Dash of Glamour to Finish off Your Spa Treatment

To finish off your spa treatment, a quick manicure will never go astray. File your fingernails and toenails to the desired length, and then apply a good quality hand cream. Once your hands have absorbed the hand cream, ensure that there is no residue left on your nails beds, and then apply a quick couple of coasts of your favourite polish.

You Have Just Soothed Away Your Stresses in Around an Hour

This at home spa treatment would have probably taken around about an hour. Considering that the most important person that you need to take care of is yourself – that is a very minor investment of your time. Self-care is so important, when you feel better in yourself, you are better able to take care of all the other things you need to do.

Go and take some time out to self-care without guilt and increase your wellbeing.

Source:

Wilde, L. 2005, The Busy Woman’s Home Spa Book, London: Ryland Peters and Small

Further reading:

Home Spa Index (accessed 27^th October 2010)

Home Haircut Tips and Advice for People with Autism

My hubby and I decided to save ourselves some money by buying a set of hair clippers, and went down to the mall to the Shaver Shop. They were selling some hair clippers for $10 with another purchase. I purchased a bikini line clipper for $20, and in total we spent $30.

Don't get me wrong, trying to save money by cutting the kids' hair is not stress free - they keep wriggling, and the younger one kept dropping various expletives and told me he couldn't bear the clippers' power cord near him, kept telling me how much pain he was in, and kept fussing around and screaming that he was itchy.

Whenever the hairdresser cuts their hair, they are perfectly behaved. I figure they probably know me pretty well, so they feel comfortable enough to lose composure with me, but not the hair dresser.

To cut hair - invest in some clippers, that is a given, or at least a good pair of scissors. To minimise the pain - ensure you have a good cape, or an old sheet. I would also recommend mixing a small amount of conditioner with some water into a plastic spray bottle that you have purchased from the dollar store to spray over the child's hair to minimise the tugging and fussing that occurs when their hair is knotty and not too nice. A wide tooth comb would also be useful to help remove knots, and then a fine comb to assist in cutting the hair.

I also borrowed a book from the library called Cutting Your Family's Hair by Gloria Handel. Another good book with some excellent techniques is Scissors and Comb Haircutting: A Cut-by-Cut Guide for Home Haircutters.

I don't promise that your results will be perfect - but with practice you are likely to improve; and there is always the option of the number one step to cut it all off.

Try to go slowly and patiently - this will minimise the risk of cutting off too much. You are better off cutting a little at a time rather than going right into it. Once it is cut - that is it, you can't put it back, and you have to wait for it to grow back - which takes a few weeks.

With a child with Autism or Aspergers, you do have somewhat of a battle, depending on what kind of day that they have had at school. I cut my kid's hair after they had been out having fun with their disability support worker.

A little bit of bribery goes a long way also - to my younger one - I promised him an ice block after he was finished - I know this is not the most ideal thing to do, but when one is faced with a desperate situation and the hair does need to get cut - use your best judgment for your own child's situation.

My two children do object very much to having their hair cut - they would prefer nothing more than to leave it alone totally. For the sake of hygiene though, and to minimise maintenance, I prefer to keep their hair short. They don't like having their hair combed, so the shorter style tends to lend itself to not having to be much of a fussy hair cut to groom and style.

After the ordeal, both of mine head straight into the shower. Cutting each one's hair took me about 15 minutes, so that gave the first one long enough to wash his hair out and get all the hair off him (still had hair all over him even with a cape because he fidgeted so much). He is a reliable hair washer, so I pretty much leave him to his own hair, but my younger one doesn't tend to rinse his hair out properly, so I have to go and assist him.

He doesn't like it much having me wash his hair either. It has always been a fairly big battle to keep their hair reasonably neat and tidy. Nits are my worst enemy, but that is another post altogether.

I remember the occupational therapist saying to me that a lot of her young autistic clients would have their hair grown really long, and then their parents would have to clipper it all off to almost bald, such was the ordeal of having their hair cut.

She said that it was not the most ideal situation however, as it leaves the child looking quite severe - my sister-in-law, a teacher, told me that children who have their hair shaved really short get picked on at school because they look like they have had nits, and get victimised. Some children however like this style, as it suits them, and for those who are confident with their style and individuality - be flexible in allowing a child to have a say in what style they want their hair in.

I had the situation recently where my eldest son decided he wanted to cut his hair because his fringe was growing into his eyes and annoying him, so he cut his hair off in the taxi. When he came home, I had to clipper it all off, and it took a good number of weeks to grow it back.

So probably keeping hair clean as you can, often as you can, and groomed as best you can will see you through. Sometimes the at home hair cut is less stressful than having to take a child out to the mall. Sometimes you have the option of a hairdresser who comes to your home, so look at your options.

I would advise the least stressful option, and the one that you can best afford.

Hair cutting is one of those things of living with autism that can be quite tricky - because of the sensory integration dysfunction - but you make the best of a situation with the tools and resources and comfort level that you have.

If you or your child do experience significant distress when it comes to having your hair cut, groomed or washed, it may be a good option to seek the advice of an occupational therapist who can recommend some effective techniques to minimise discomfort.

I am off to go and de-stress, after having done some hair cutting this evening, LOL.