Gluten-Free

We are taking steps to go gluten-free with an official start date of 1/15 (don’t ask why I choose the 15^th it just seemed easier than the first). We have done enough reading of parents of autistic children that have found benefits when going gluten-free and I belong to the Crossfit community that really adheres and supports Paleo.  Although I have attempted Paleo before with no long-term success, my menu just isn’t varied enough going in and I end-up eating the same thing everyday.  Boredom = not successful.

Our goal will be six weeks gluten-free and where possible paleo.  I will be tracking our progress, foods we have fallen in love with, websites with recipes and things that didn’t work out so good. The one big watch-out we have is Michael is picky when it comes to meals (snacks are fine).  We are concerned that he just won’t take in enough food.  Either way gluten-free here we come.  I will let you know how it goes and tips are welcome.

The Teenage Years

This week Austin went on his first official date. Although he has had a couple 'girlfriends' their contact had been limited to in-school and after-school functions, texting and spending time on oovoo.  This weekend he went ice skating with his girlfriend without parent chaperons and as a gentleman bought a hot chocolate and a cookie for the both of them.

I have to say I am not sure I am ready to have a son who is "dating" and all the fun stuff that this ultimately includes.  We had a brief talk in setting ground rules on not doing anything either of them are not comfortable with like kissing. Much too my surprise the response was "She doesn't mind that we kiss."  So mark that up as another first for Austin both a first date and a first kiss.  Here I thought the year would be firsts for Gabby and Michael not Austin.  Of course as a result this was shortly followed by more ground rules on behavior that is and is not acceptable.

Oh young love!!! I reflected just a moment on my 'boyfriend' in 8th grade. Before things got serious and complicated in relationships, when things were fun and exciting. Hopefully he takes the time to enjoy the simple things for a while because, I am not sure I am  ready to handle the conversations around the more "complicated" parts of relationships yet.

The Right Way to Play?

Did you know there is actually a way to play? It is called purposeful play. I am not sure if this term was around when I was bringing up Austin but, it is all over the place now. Just google “purposeful play” and you will find lots of links to research and what I found even more shocking was consultants for daycares. Now obviously I deal with consulting firms in business but, who ever thought there was consulting business in daycares?

Ok back to the topic at hand.  I have learned a lot about how to play, when to prompt understanding and when to just sit and watch, what activities to do.  This has not impacted the kids much as playtime for them is still playtime but, for me it has become much more of a thoughtful interaction.  For example: When you play with bubbles with your toddlers did you know how many opportunities exist to teach so many different things.  Our bubble time play now  consists of:   waiting for prompts to blow them, teaching on how to blow (and how to say the word), learning the word “pop” and learning to point when popping them.   Maybe all this took place before as a normal natural progression, but when I reflect I am not sure.  This of course is just one example of how our play has become a series of useful interactions (and bubble time is one of the easiest I think).

My thoughts are that all parents not just parents of autistic children or “differently-abled” children benefit from understanding how to play. I am seeing Gabby grow and develop through our new way of playing that I don’t know if I would see if we continued our previous playing ways.   Not that all of our play is structured because it isn’t, but you look at it through a completely different lens now. Every interaction really is a teachable moment and it is important to make the most of it. Now a parent-teaching play consulting group is an idea that could gain traction.