I read a post from Nancy Kale's daughter on a site I think is Froggy.com ( I can't remember). She came up with the idea of writing a thank you note to people or businesses who show kindness and willingness to help/understanding toward customers with autistic children. I like that idea. There are a lot of cashiers at Wal-Mart and various places that I have thanked a thousand times for little things that are actually big things for us. When we shop, Calen will take strong interest in something I place in the buggy. I don't know why or what it may be about some particular object, but he will hold on to it as if his life depended on it. One time, it was a box of blueberry waffles (this was before the gf/cf diet). Of course, he would have a minor meltdown at the register when I had to take it away from him so it can be scanned. One cashier at Wal-Mart came out from behind the register and used the scanner gun so we wouldn't have to upset him. That was so sweet. Sometimes, I will just pick up an extra of whatever he has taken hold of so we can avoid the screaming altogether. Then, there are times where people make me so angry. My baby did not have a nap all day at the daycare, and we HAD to go to Wal-Mart. When we got inside the store, he saw the bananas. He wanted one (they're his favorite snack) and I walked past them without getting him one. Normally this isn't a big deal, but this time....COMPLETE AND TOTAL MELTDOWN. I've never seen him have one this intense before. I decided to take him to the bathroom by electronics. One lady actually stopped in her tracks and gave my son a dirty look. I became overwhelmed with anger at her...I couldn't hold it in even though I wanted to. I said, "What the hell are you staring at?! You've never seen a child cry before?" Her dirty stare was now focused on me and that made me feel better. Glare at me....NOT my baby. I took him to the bathroom and inside the largest stall, there is a seat with safety buckles. I put him in the seat and strapped him in and allowed him to kick and scream all he wanted. I wanted him to get it all out. I also wanted him to wear himself down. After about 10 min, he was still going but not as intense. When I saw him wearing down, I unstrapped him and picked him up and just loved on him and talked to him. He stopped crying and we were able to check out and leave the store. The only reason I didn't leave is because we were totally out of food and I had to get us some things to eat. Otherwise, anything else would have been left behind. When we got home, he wouldn't eat or drink. He took me by the hand and led me into the bedroom. That's his way of saying he's ready for bed. I undressed my babies, washed them up, and put them in the bed. I have to lay down with them or they will get upset. Calen was asleep in less that 10 minutes. My poor baby was worn out. I hope I did right in the store that day.
Dr. Kalb is Calen's DAN! doc from TN. I e-mailed him about the show my sis saw "How It's Made". They featured canned veggies and the fact that they are cooked in the can. He responded and stated that he isn't aware of any tests for tin or aluminum levels in the veggies. He advised me to stay away from canned veggies as best we can. No problem for me! I also purchased a stainless steel saucepan. The Teflon coated cookware isn't good to use. The Teflon has things in it (I just read it and can't remember exactly what's in it) that can get into the food and into our bodies. I also read that microwaving food in plastic bowls isn' t good either. The ingredients in plastic can latch onto the food during cooking and get into our bodies. This is stuff I never thought about. I've changed a lot of things in my kitchen that will be better for all of us. For more information, go to GenerationRescue.org Defeatautismnow.org
Calen loves to be in closed, tight spaces. I don't know what it is, but he will run to something that he can crawl into or under. I have a little pool I blew up for them. Everytime we get ready to use it, it rains...but that's another story. Anyway, he will get the pool and flip it over and lay under there. He loves it. The slide outside has an area underneath that he loves to crawl in and sit. He will come out and slide a couple of times, then he will crawl underneath and sit. He loves when I pretend to be a monster. I will roar real loud and reach in to try to get him. He giggles and moves away from me. Then he will come out and I will chase him around the slide, then he will dive under the slide again. He giggles the whole time. He his so funny. He cracks me up. I love playing with my babies.
Thank you Mr.T for your help
