I am beginning to suspect that Ben has visual processing issues. When asked to write his name, the result is that in addition to issues with holding the crayon and pressing hard enough, he only uses the right side of the paper. Thanks to my copy of “Th…
Tag Archive: Ben
Apr
15
Feb
07
On the fringe
Today was a first appointment for Ben to be evaluated by a psychologist to look as whether his development is on track. We got to the appointment at the sane time as several older boys. I handed Ben a train and a Princess Leia Angry Bird stuffie. We ru…
Jul
04
A first for our family and Ben’s language development
Ben has graduated from physical therapy. This might sound like a small thing or even an expected thing. For most kids, they start a therapy, catch up, and then no longer need the therapy. That has not been our experience, however.&nbs…
Jun
15
Big boy bed, take 2….and car seat news
With all of our sleep problems, I let my boys stay in cribs as long as possible. Liam slept in a crib until right before he turned 3, and then spent a month plus sleeping in a pack-n-play as we moved from Alabama to Alaska. He moved into a …
Jun
05
Conversation with Ben
This video shows Ben’s articulation, his receptive language, his distraction, and his pragmatic language.How normal is his language for a 38 month old? His school district evaluation showed 20% delay, but I wonder if it is more. I know he i…
May
17
Ben’s "graduation" and IEP progress report/ OT re-evaluation
On Tuesday, Ben had his last day of both speech and of his special education play group. Ben’s teacher had a little graduation ceremony and nothing is cuter than a just turned 3 year old wearing a construction paper graduation cap.Ben’s IEP quart…
Apr
06
Three Years of Rocking my World
Three years ago I went in for a scheduled c-section, but the operating rooms were full and I was told I’d have to wait a bit past my scheduled time. During a contraction, my baby’s heartrate dropped and given my history of a baby not tolerating l…
Apr
02
It Rocks To Be 3
Yesterday we celebrated Ben’s 3rd birthday with a small group of close friends at the Alaska Moving Arts Center, which very well might be Ben’s favorite place on earth at the moment.Here are some photos to commemorate the last 3rd birthday I wil ever t…
Apr
02
It Rocks To Be 3
Yesterday we celebrated Ben’s 3rd birthday with a small group of close friends at the Alaska Moving Arts Center, which very well might be Ben’s favorite place on earth at the moment.Here are some photos to commemorate the last 3rd birthday I wil ever t…
Mar
30
Elgibility results and special education, the 2nd time
Today was my meeting to find out the results of Ben’s school eligibility testing…you know, the one he was so charming and cooperative for.The overall report showed that Ben is 25% delayed in social skills and 20% delayed in speech/articulation and ex…
Jan
30
Mr. anti-establishment
Ben refuses to be categorized. Maybe it is the long hair, but he has been doing it his whole life. As a baby, there was debate about whether he had colic or reflux….Then reflux or GERD….then GERD or failure to thrive. No one has e…
Jan
24
What percentage of this speech is understandable?
I am not sure that I am vieing Ben objectively. This video below shows Ben playing with his “dollhouse.” I don’t want to lead (with my opinion), but how much of what he says is understandable?The play he is doing is scripted. He …
Nov
22
Ben singing, Liam at karate, and a bit about Liam’s language
First some happy video fluff…..We went to a birthday party Sunday and Ben kept saying “Happy Day!” Then on Monday Dave came home with cupcakes. As Ben was eating it, he started rocking side to side and singing the birthday song…..kind o…
Oct
31
Ben’s OT evaluation and a video showing receptive speech
I got the written OT report in the mail this week, and it was interesting to see on paper how similar Ben’s OT needs are to Liam’s. The OT listed the following as areas of concern:-decreased fine motor skills -decreased visual motor skills-decreased bi…
Oct
20
Speech milestone
Ben is saying his name! He cannot answer the question “What is your name?” but while playing occasionally randomly touches his chest declaring “I’m Ben!” It very likely is just delayed echolalia as that is the phrase I use. I touch my…
Oct
17
Ben’s developmental ped evaluation
The appointment was suprising for me and completely unexpected. Beforehand, I said that I wouldn’t be suprised if Ben was found to be on the autism spectrum and I wouldn’t be surprised to find we wasn’t. The appointment had different result…
Oct
06
Half birthday for my half pint
I will use a Little House on the Prarie reference any chance I can get. I love those books, and miss the show.Today Ben is 2 and 1/2 and I REALLY need to stop calling him “baby” Ben. Liam has at least taken to calling him Benny.At 2.5, Ben …
Aug
29
Ben scheduled to see developmental pediatrician
Ben will be evaluated by the Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Clinic here in Anchorage. It is quite the process, and I am feeling guilty that Liam didn’t get as thorough of an evaluation as Ben will receive. There are a total of 5 appointments …
Aug
26
Bit by bit leaving the baby years behind
This is as close as I will get to a baby for a very long time:Last year we made a decision to not have anymore babies. At the time we decided that, Ben was 18 months old and was not yet sleeping through the night. It was nearly 2011 and I h…
Aug
09
A future without reflux medication?
Today Ben had a GI appointment to check on how he is doing weaning off reflux medication. He has grown so much recently, which is an indication that his body might be outgrowing the reflux. He measured in at 35.5 inches tall and 27.5 pounds…
Jul
31
Ben–language, reflux, and emotional development
It is hard to believe but Ben is now older than Liam was when Dave deployed (and I am forever grateful that I don’t have a 7 month old in addition to him at home).Ben continues to slowly add words to his vocabulary. He still frequently speaks in …
Jul
31
Ben–language, reflux, and emotional development
It is hard to believe but Ben is now older than Liam was when Dave deployed (and I am forever grateful that I don’t have a 7 month old in addition to him at home).Ben continues to slowly add words to his vocabulary. He still frequently speaks in …
Jun
29
Terrible Twos
Ben is well into his terrible twos these days.This is bad timing as Liam is in a defiant streak at the moment; in addition, I never dealt with the terrible twos….Liam didn’t have them due to his delays.I often say Ben is like a rock star: loud, moody…
Jun
29
Terrible Twos
Ben is well into his terrible twos these days.This is bad timing as Liam is in a defiant streak at the moment; in addition, I never dealt with the terrible twos….Liam didn’t have them due to his delays.I often say Ben is like a rock star: loud, moody…
Jun
09
He’s got that smoldering look down
Taken by S. Jordan Photography
AMFAS Update
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 4 of 4 May 24, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 3 of 4 May 23, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 2 of 4 May 22, 2013
- Finding Answers in Chicago at AutismOne May 21, 2013
- Experiences of Wandering, Part 1 of 4 May 21, 2013
CMKAA
- TRICARE Stalls on Implementing Treatments February 25, 2013
- FY2013 NDAA Includes One-Year Pilot Program January 2, 2013
- TIME Magazine Highlights Last Minute Kill of CMKAA December 21, 2012
Confessions from Household Six
- Please Stop the Ride May 12, 2013
- Autism Awareness Today and EVERY Day April 23, 2013
- Go Ahead, Laugh AT Me April 12, 2013
Captain Dad – Family Life with Autism, twins, and the Military
- Going on a Mission - and Skittles! April 6, 2013
- March Madness March 16, 2013
- Reading Tea Leaves March 2, 2013
Lily and the Roses
- Autism Mom – Finding A Balance May 22, 2013
- A Cure for Autism? Thoughts and Reflections May 8, 2013
- 87 Blue Balloons and 1 White April 6, 2013
Spouse,Kids and Special Needs aren’t things issued in a Seabag?
- Is there a Memorial Day Sale on the Ultimate Sacrifice? May 25, 2013
- The Flat Stanley Obsession.. Autism Style... May 23, 2013
- My Children's experience with Wandering.. May 20, 2013
Navy Chaplain: A Story
- Eloping and Autism: How to get a free safety kit for your ASD kid (or share with a family you love) May 22, 2013
- What is the difference? April 14, 2013
- THE BIGGEST SECRET EVER!! March 18, 2013
Who’s Teaching Who?
- Transitions: From Sampling to Eating March 21, 2013
- Today’s Lesson: Appreciation February 2, 2013
- First Impressions October 17, 2012
Oh What A Life!
- Let's all do the hop! May 26, 2013
- Married single parent May 26, 2013
- Well meaning antagonist May 26, 2013
Conner’s Search For A Voice
- The dreaded word. Deployment. March 21, 2013
- All our friends are different. February 18, 2013
- Sick in disguise. January 22, 2013
Red Green Lellow
- God make me a Warrior Mama. May 21, 2013
- Claiming my Namesake May 19, 2013
- Recovery for our kids with Autism: Getting out of our comfort zone April 28, 2013
The Holland’s Home
- We are low on funding so… February 12, 2013
- Book Review: Tent of David by Boaz Michael January 16, 2013
- Hey There Delilah January 2, 2013
Raising Soldiers 4 Christ
- Our thoughts on the new Boy Scouts Policy May 26, 2013
- Focusing on the Gospel this Resurrection March 28, 2013
- Tae Kwon Do and Special Needs March 17, 2013
Pathways in Autism
- Please Sign Petition For Sensitivity Training At Whole Foods January 14, 2013
- Expect Spin With Autism Mandates October 23, 2012
- Watch Your Little Eloper! October 15, 2012
Pieces
- Truth From the Fox February 26, 2013
- Again I Rise February 21, 2013
- Working Together February 6, 2013
Oh What a Life!
- Let's all do the hop! May 26, 2013
- Married single parent May 26, 2013
- Well meaning antagonist May 26, 2013
Autism Recovered
- Kate's recovery story April 16, 2012
- Fairies get a new swing outside February 29, 2012
- Craftiness February 25, 2012
Four Cannons
- BFF’s May 22, 2012
- An Emotional Glimpse Into My Heart… May 17, 2012
- Soooo Ready For Spring! February 20, 2012
P.R.E.K.P.A.
- OUTINGS with 3 small children, Autism and only 1 parent August 7, 2011
- NEW DIET FOR KAITLYN!!! August 7, 2011
- ALL GROWN UP!!! August 2, 2011
Michelle’s maniacal musings on mommyhood
- Kindergarten graduation May 12, 2013
- The battle with strep continues May 12, 2013
- Hello Kitty May 3, 2013
A House of Hagfeldt’s
- You say its your birthday! na na na na na it's my birthday too! yeah! na na na na na March 1, 2013
- What's the deal-eo February 16, 2013
- Christmas 2012 January 16, 2013
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
- Remembering Ramzi Doany 10 years later September 11, 2011
- And she'll have fun fun fun till her Daddy takes her t-bird away June 16, 2011
- And more June 6, 2011
Army Wife and Autism Life
- Crazy Beautiful life February 13, 2013
- What the... January 26, 2012
- A Beautiful Moment November 21, 2011
Pajama Camper
- Family Update October 19, 2011
- Open House August 12, 2011
- Been Awhile August 11, 2011
Parenting a child with Asperger Syndrome
- What a way to spend a day, hike challenge by W December 24, 2012
- My aspie's rude awakening September 26, 2012
- Me, the problem? September 18, 2012
Shot’s Spot
- Send a deployment hug November 8, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 6 - Writing August 6, 2012
- #photoadayaug Day 4 - Somewhere you sat August 4, 2012
Major Autism
- No one can tell you how to build October 4, 2011
- What causes autism? June 14, 2011
- Is this Autism (Money) Awareness Month? April 3, 2011