As many of you know Brycen doesn't sleep thru the night very often. Infact he might be lucky if he sleeps thru the night once a week. Melissa has to be with the kids all day the least I can do is the nights with Brycen. Melissa and Aubree sleep in their own bedroom to ensure that Aubree doesn't wake up. I sleep on a matress on the floor in the living room as Brycen attempts to sleep in his own room. Many times I sleep only four to six hours depending on how fast Brycen goes back to sleep. The decision to do this is the best decision for our family, it has to be better than giving my three year old son meds to sleep.
When Melissa and the kids were gone over thanksgiving I did not sleep well. I was awake not because I was used to it but because I missed that time with Brycen. At night that is sometimes my time to help him anyway I can. Some nights the thing Brycen needs (and I need) is cuddle time. The cuddle time (no matter how little sleep we are talking) is what keeps me "sain" at work. The strange thing is I missed waking up with my son during the night but I also know for my sake and Brycen's meds aren't just an option but a necessity.
The scary thing about the meds is the side effects. Could you imagine giving your son a med that makes other things much worse, or could this med (to help me sleep more) make his life miserable. I would rather NEVER sleep than let happen.
Infact when I hear other poeple talk about not slepping much or being tired, I say to myself "try sleeping on my darn pillow". Most poeple are so misinformed about autism that they don't know about the sleep issues (besides other things). I'm lucky that I have had some breaks when Melissa travels with the kids but I know that on most night about 2:30 a.m. I'm making it up to her and to Brycen. I think in small way Brycen loves having "Dadddy" take care of him during the night (and Daddy loves taking care of Brycen).
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."
Helen Keller
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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Autism and Our Family
"Autism"----It's one word that can change the life of a child and family in so many ways. Autism Spectrum Disorders are being diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 68 children currently. If you do not already know someone that has been diagnosed, the statistics say it won't be long before you do.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
Our son developed typically until around the time he turned 2 years old. We heard words...we saw him play with other kids...we watched as he played with his toys appropriately...we made eye contact with him...overall we understood his wants and needs. In a matter of a few months, that was all taken away from him. He began lining up toys, lost all of his words and signs except for one word "ball", ignored other kids, could not sleep through the night, lost eye contact and the ability to follow directions, and he had no way of letting us know what he wanted or how he felt. It was heartbreaking to see something happening to our child that we couldn't stop!
Brycen began receiving home therapy 1-2 times per month for about 6 months before we realized it wasn't just developmental delays. We knew it was Autism...we just didn't want to say it outloud to anyone. He was officially diagnosed with Autism (classic form and regressive), as well as Mental Retardation in August 2009 by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
We continue to learn as we make our way through this journey with Brycen and we will continue to share this journey with you on this blog! The blog has been a great therapy for us to be able to vent our frustrations and struggles with accepting that we have a child with special needs, while sharing how blessed we are to have a child teach us what life truly means. It has also been a great way to inform others of his progress and changes over the last couple of years.
Thank you for your support of Brycen and our family! We hope you are able to learn something through this blog no matter if you are a parent of a child with special needs or a neurotypical child, a teacher or therapist, a family member, or just someone that is interested in the journey that a family goes on as they learn their child is battling a life-long disorder.
So very precious! Very heartwarming and yes your post brought tears to my eyes. Such a great dad and loving husband! Melissa has truely been blessed. You are amazing Mike! :)
ReplyDeleteLove, Nancy
Mike, So glad to read your post. Yes, as grandma taking your place, I loved those cuddle times with Brycen also. Brycen is such a sweet boy and is blest to have the mommy and daddy that he has. Keep your head up high and keep smiling. love, Mom O.
ReplyDeleteWe always knew you were a nice guy, "Vinton Mike".... Monica and Jason
ReplyDelete