Dropping Like Flies

By Sandy on March 31, 2015

There seems to be a recurring theme to my blog posts. I tend to dwell on these issues: sleep (or the lack thereof), recurring illnesses, behavior challenges or bathroom blunders. I guess it’s because these are the recurring themes with Josiah. If we could just resolve even one of these concerns, life would be easier. Today is all about illness. I just checked Josiah’s online school records. He has missed 26 days of school so far this year. With approximately 50 days of school left we are almost at a 15% absence rate.

Josiah gets sick at the drop of a hat. Picture dominoes in a precise line, then cough on the first one. It doesn’t have to be a direct-in-the-face kind of cough, just an in-the-general-direction one. BAM! Down that first domino goes; Josiah in this scenario. Directly behind him all the others collapse, ie,. the rest of the family. I can not tell you have many times our entire family has been wiped out once Josiah gets sick. I really should be keeping track.

We Need Guidance

By Sandy on March 23, 2015

Josiah’s pediatrician’s office called last week. His most recent blood work shows elevated prolactin levels, most likely due to the medication Risperdal. Prolactin is a protein that in humans is best known for its role in enabling female mammals to produce milk, It can also cause breast tenderness and enlargement. Josiah is not female. We really don’t want this boy wearing a bra or producing any milk.

We were instructed to call his psychiatrist who prescribes and monitors Josiah’s medications to see what needs to be done. A few days later, the psychiatrist called me directly to discuss the situation. I was quite impressed he took time from his busy day to consult with me. This is Josiah’s first elevated level which seems to indicate it’s not a grave concern. However, Josiah hasn’t had blood work done in an extremely long time. Maybe the levels have been high for a while and we’ve just not known until now?

Clear the Area

By Sandy on March 20, 2015

Every day is different with Josiah. We never know what to expect but try our best to be prepared for whatever may come next. Most recently, Josiah has decided clothes should be optional. Though non-verbal, he’s been communicating quite clearly his preference to remain unencumbered with clothing.

He rips off socks, shoes, glasses, jackets and shirts with lightening speed. If we are in the van as he disrobes, Josiah usually throws each article of clothing behind him. Sometimes he will hand us a shoe or his glasses, but only if we ask quickly before he tosses it out of sight. In the house, often times he throws each piece in the kitchen sink. Occasionally he will put his shoes and socks in the closet, again only if we remind him quickly before they end up in the sink.

It Will Never Happen to Us

By Sandy on June 8, 2014

I remember hearing about children with the dual diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism a few years back. Shortly after Josiah was diagnosed, I joined a List Serv to get a glimpse of what life might be like for us down the road. It was comprised of a group of parents who had children with DS-ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Most of what they shared was daunting. Josiah was 4 at the time. I read horrifying stories of very destructive children, trashing houses and destroying furniture. I read of aggressive children, hurting themselves and those around them. Most of these kids were 6 and 7 years old. I remember thinking, this will never happen to us.

Boundaries, Borderlines and Barricades

By Sandy on March 27, 2014

Well what do you know? After months of Josiah sleeping relatively well, we are back to partying til the wee hours of the morning. This boy just does not sleep at night. Seems no matter how tired and lethargic he may act during the day, once 8 pm hits, he comes to life. The sky gets dark, the world begins to settle down and Josiah revs up.