at my wits end | Autism PDD

My husband and I were trying to sleep this morning and we woke up to our oldest who will be 7 this month beating up Grant and he bit him too. He had apparently beat him with his water bottle said it was because Grant would not eat his pudding

Tammy

I really appreciate all of your support. I did have a discussion with my oldest telling him that behavior is unacceptable and if there is a problem to come and get us. Not beat up his brother because Grant does not understand for one and also that does not show a good example. We try to teach Grant not to hit. We have told our oldest that there will be no birthday party for him if he does not improve his behavior.

We just got approved from the state for some care hours for Grant. It is not a whole lot but they are probably going to send someone to come for a couple hours a night which will help me because that way I can be able to cook dinner without so many interuptions or clean house or something

I'm glad you're getting some help. But at least some of the time...use it for yourself...maybe make some hamburger helper and help yourself to a nice bubblebath or read a good book

We all need a break sometime...don't know when mine will ever happen, but hey, if you got a chance, take advantage of it!!So far I cannot get it for overnight. They only gave him 33 hours a month. So it will probably be a couple of hours 2 to 3 times a week so that we can stretch the hours out. When he is 5 he might get more hours. That is in November that he will be 5 so not too long to wait. Overnight would be nice though because as it is I never get a full nights sleep. I end up coming out to check on him several times a night. i am just glad that they gave me something so far. We are still fighting with welfare to give us more food assistance, they say that my between Grants SSI and my husbands job we make too much. How can we make too much when we have bills to pay, a mortgage and buy food and then by then there is no money left.

Oh that is a pet peeve of mine. I looked it up one time and according to the federal guidelines for food stamps, they are suppose to take into account how much you pay on rent/mortgage and utility bills but the states don't. I was told it is the way the law is written. From my understanding tho federal always overrules state laws. So why doesn't it overrule it in these cases? I was told the state law has to be changed. Yeah right, like politicians would ever listen to us? Well, they might if we voted them out of office, but highly unlikely. Here the law is written that they don't look at the exact amount you pay. Like the allowance for rent/mortgage is like 300-500 bucks. Like to know where they are living and in what area. Not that if it was a high crime area would I move there.

Tammy

Oh for sure, take all the breaks you can get from the state. Before they attempt to cut any more services

Tammy

Maybe I will give that a try because there is one in seattle and Seattle is a ways from us and it sure would be nice to have one close by.

We were givin some hours but I am not giving up. I am still going to search for any other available help for him. Whatever it may be, the right meds or something so maybe he can get a little more under control. It is just so hard when Grant goes into his "fits" because he starts hitting and throwing things. His big brother can easily get away from it (though sometimes my oldest over does it and tries to get Grant back) That part I do not like but Grant's little brother who is 22 months does not know to leave Grant alone so basically I have to "referee"

Is there a day treatment facility for autism disorders where you live at? I know here in the twin cities there are two. And both of them offer in center respite, as it is called. Do you have any options like that available? Also can you appeal the amount of hours he gets? He definitely should get more than he is getting. Good luck!!

Tammy

The closest treatment facilities to us would be either in Oregon or Seattle which Seattle is about 4 hours from us and Oregon is about 3 hours from us. We are kindof stuck in the middle. I have contacted our state representatives and the governor about this issue that we need an Autism disorders treatment center or something like it here in the tri cities because there are other parents here wher I live that have children that need help like me and we should not have to travel so far to get the help we need.

We may eventually end up moving to somewhere where Grant can get the help he needs but right now we are stuck here. If we had known that Grant was going to need so much help we would have stayed in California.

You live in Washington state? Hey didn't Bill Gates open an autism research center in Seattle? I mean if you feel like it why not try contacting him? He really won't miss the money to open up another one. I would try it at least.

Tammy

Hope it helps. It is worth a shot at least.

Tammy

Thank you for the information. I went on and I asked if they could get one here where we are. As you had said it cannot hurt. I know that it would benifit our area.

Yeah I would suggest that. I mean talking to a trillionaire can't be more difficult than speaking to a politician can it?

Tammy

Your welcome.

Tammy