Running Ryans

Last Saturday we participated in the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism. Thank you to everyone who sponsored us! Ryan and every other child out there affected by autism are thankful. Rory agreed to walk even though we had to set foot on the UW campus :)

Vacation

Yes, I am finally writing a new entry! We have been very busy this summer, and I don't necessarily mean with activities. Just day to day living around here is busy. I am just trying to find a balance between Ryan's floortime, time for the other kids, time for the baby, and time to clean and cook. Its just not easy and it won't be but its certainly worth it. I'm sorry to say my getting up extremely early isn't working! We have been sick for a while and I'm trying to get everyone lots and lots of sleep so we have been sleeping in. A couple weeks ago a mean virus attacked us and I ended up with a sinus infection, Kaylie with croup, Bella with pneumonia, and everyone else with a bad cold. Weird for summer, its usually our break. The end of last week Kaylie got chicken pox and had it while we were on vacation to Long Beach. She had two doses of the vaccine so her case was pretty mild.
We had a fun time on the beach, shopping, and at the pool at Long Beach this year.Rory and I and all our kids,my niece, my mom, my brother and sister in law, and their two kids were all there. However we had a lot drama too. My poor sister in law ended up in the emergency room after a bad fall from a horse. It was wonderful seeing everyone and meeting my nephew, Kian, for the first time.
Our next big upcoming event is Jessi's Bday party which she has been planning since last winter. Vacation Bible school is coming up too. I can't believe how fast summer is flying by.
We decided to participate in an autism research project at the University of WA (I know, I know the Huskey school) and I have been taking Bella for assessments and things. It has been a lot of fun actually, driving in to Seattle. The older kids had fun playing games with a babysitter while Bella and I were participating. The study is for younger siblings of children with autism because of their higher risk of developing it themselves. Anyway Bella got tested by watching movies, playing with me and the researchers and things like that. She did very well and scored above average over all so I thank God for that. It was a fun experience and everyone is really very nice there (even though they are Huskies!) Bella will go back at 8 mos and 12 mos. Its great for me to get all the free assessments all the way up to 2 yrs old.

Happy Birthday Jon and Kaylie

Happy Birthday to my now 9 year old Jon and now 5 year old Kaylie! I know everyone says this but 'they grow up so fast'! It really is true, I can't believe how fast they have gotten big. Yesterday we had a party for them with some of their best friends. I think they had a good time. Ryan was a continual source of entertainment for all. He climbed on all the kids and at one point took off his diaper when I wasn't looking and streaked through the girls room. Oh boy, sorry to those parents who do not want their children exposed to nudity at a young age! Such is life at our house though. Happy Birthday guys and no matter how big you get you will always be my babies!!

Floortime

Last week at occupational therapy our therapist, Jade, started a new intervention program called Floortime with Ryan. I had picked up a book about it recently and so I knew a bit about it. In Jade's opinion Ryan will do better on this program than he would doing ABA. I had thought it made sense when I read the book and so I was thrilled to hear that Ryan could have a chance at it. She's going to train me to do it so I can work with him at home and I may show the rest of the family as well. He needs eight 20 min. sessions a day. I will do most of them but the kids and Rory can do them as well.
The basic idea is to join him in his play, in what he's interested in, and connect with him then gradually challenge him to come into our world more when he realizes he wants to learn because he wants that shared connection. We learn better when we are emotionally connected to what we are learning and its the same for kids like Ryan. I am hopeful that this intervention works well for him even though I am struggling for time to clean, cook, take care of the other kids, etc. It really is a lot of fun, I still like to play so it works well for me! Its the getting up at 4 in the morning so I have enough time to clean the house that is tough! The other kids can be involved in the play too so it works for everyone.
Last but not least these are some pics from Memorial day weekend at my Mom and Dads and some from our house. Grandpa was working on some bikes with Jessi and Jon.

Milestones

My little 5 month old Bella has dicovered her feet! How cute to watch her contentedly playing with her little toes. She can now add that to her list of milestones including laughing hysterically when something strikes her funny, rolling over from tummy to back (she wants nothing to do with going the other way), splashing in the bath,skooting around on her back by pushing with her legs (she can get quite far doing this!) and blowing raspberries. She is such a sweet bright baby, always looking to communicate with everyone. I can't believe she's already 5 going on 6 months old already. My little petite thing, she's still in 3 mo. clothing most of the time. I love you Bella Boo!

Operation Rescue Ryan

I'm reading a book about a family fighting autism and the little boy in the story is also named Ryan. I copied their operation name "operation rescue Ryan" A few days ago I checked out just about every book the library had on autism. I have been reading every chance I get and my brain hurts! I've decided not to give up on getting ABA therapy so soon. It seems so many children have been recovered using it. I have launched my own Operation Rescue Ryan to find a good ABA program and find the funding for it. So far I have found some promising funding options and have stayed up tonight until after 2am to put together a packet to apply to the Division of Developmental Disabilities, they say they may pay if Ryan qualifies. I'm also looking into social security income for disabled children and have called about DSHS (we already have a coupon but there are no guarantees for this type of intervention. Unfortunately almost no insurance will pay even though it is the top recommended treatment for autism. I found a resource online that provides you training and a plan for your child at a much lower price. They will train you and any person or therapist. I've heard you can sometimes find college students willing to work with your child for college credit. I'm going to work with Ryan as much as I can at home and his progress in school is already amazing. He is saying a small sentence just about every day now! Thank God for all he already has in the way of therapy. He starts occupational therapy on Thursday, I think he will love that. Well I ask for your prayers for funding for an ABA program for Ryan and a waiting list thats not too long. I put him on one today thats a year long (but am putting him on all the lists to see who can take him first)! I won't stop until he gets the best help possible if I have to go to the ends of the earth! Every child with autism deserves to have the best therapy options available.

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day to you Mom, Rita, and Johnnie. You are all wonderful!! Rory and the kids bought me a brand new picnic basket and Rory made everyone lunch. After mass we went over to Wildwood park for a picnic. It was perfect, I had a great time and we played a great game of watch the flowers go down the stream under the bridge and over the waterfall, kind of like pooh sticks. Ryan and Daddy started the game and then all the kids, including a friend Kaylie made at the park, had a great time playing. The winner of our last flower race was Jon and I don't think he cheated this time :)
Here are some pics of our day