It has been ages since I was able to get on the blog (I am adding it to my "morning coffee" -- a Firefox add-on -- so that I'll get to read it weekly). I found the note where I wrote down my password, so all is well again.
We got our new windows today! They worked very quickly, and all of the old were out and the new in within 2 1/2 hours. They cleaned up after themselves, and we got the "bonus" of having our back porch shoveled for us (until the storm tonight, that is).
Just a bit before Thanksgiving, Liam fell and hit his head on a wood chair. He split his head open, and required 6 staples to get it closed up again. I would post a picture, but I know that there are those who are squeamish that read this blog. He bounced back quite quickly, and claimed that it didn't hurt a bit when they pulled the staples back out. He can be such a brave boy!
We took Liam in to be tested by the Utah Department of Child Development, and the diagnosis is Asperger's Syndrome. We were told that if we get him into a therapy group, there is a good chance that he can learn the social skills that he is currently lacking. The psychiatrist said that while it will never come naturally to him, he can come to recognize the social cues that he otherwise misses and his social life will be only minimally impacted. I was so relieved to hear that. It is apparently a good sign that Liam enjoys being social and has no problem with meeting new people. There are many Asperger's kids that would be content to be pretty much solo all of the time, and are uncomfortable with approaching someone new.
I thought I would have a LOT of news to pass along here, but it seems that this is it (for now). I will be adding pictures of the new windows when my camera battery is recharged and I have light outside. The sun is going down now, and my camera is still charging.
Mom told me about the cracked-open head. Ouch! Thanks for not posting pics :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you really enjoy your new windows. Putting in new windows made a huge difference for us, both in temperature and noise reduction. Plus they just look so darn pretty.
I had mixed feelings when I heard about Liam's diagnosis. I know how challenging it is to face the uncertainties of having a child on the spectrum and I sympathize with you. But it also feels kind of good to know we're not the only ones going through this and to have family we can talk to. How are you feeling right now? I love you and your sweet family.
Leigh
I kind of felt the same way when the diagnosis came in as "official". I had been in complete denial for so long since it isn't like so many other autistic people I've known/seen, but when I watched him interact with the psychiatrist, I just couldn't ignore the symptoms that he DOES have. And since I already knew about Wyatt's diagnosis (somewhat, since I don't know just where he is on the spectrum -- we'll have to talk), I didn't feel so alone when I had to face facts. I also have a good friend who has an 8th grader that is autistic as well, and she is giving me a lot of support. I have to admit that I want you guys to move "home" again even more than before, though.
ReplyDeleteAs for the windows, I absolutely love them, and wish we could afford to do ALL of them now (we're saving for the rest). We got new windows in all the bedrooms upstairs, in the bay window in the front room and the middle window in the dining room bay window. Plus, we got a new sliding glass door out to the backyard. I liked the look of the french doors, and having a keyed access there, but the sliding door seals better, so it keeps the heat on the right side and the bugs out too. The person who did the install on the french doors didn't have a clue, so things were rotting out all over the place and there were actual holes left for vermin to enter. EEEWWWW!