tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post2597861361735155126..comments2024-01-26T03:49:33.080-05:00Comments on Rarer in Girls...My Daughter with Autism: Tired of feeling this waySuzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240262747073351481noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-26902343520961174762012-11-06T18:51:46.334-05:002012-11-06T18:51:46.334-05:00I'm with you...don't beat yourself up, you...I'm with you...don't beat yourself up, you can't change the past. You really can't even change the present...Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13897978493027374695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-19645064414570652282012-11-05T19:22:10.860-05:002012-11-05T19:22:10.860-05:00First of all, you shouldn't feel the need to a...First of all, you shouldn't feel the need to apologize for *anything* - this is your blog. Janey is your girl. You (and only you) know what you, Janey, and your family are going through. Your readers are here to help you, in much the they way you help them :). Please be kind to yourself; you have lot on your plate and being the support system for a whole family is difficult in even the best of times.<br /><br />My girl used to "shortcut" her way through communication because she was tired - very tired dealing with school and therapy. Home was her "safe place", her sanctuary. Words are work! Because we understood her so well, it was easier for her to get by with short sentences, miming (of sorts) and sometimes, yes, even yelling. I found out from visiting school just how tiring it was for her. I spoke to her teachers and found out that she was having difficulty with the more complicated directions in class. Kids were now noisier in class, so it was harder for her to block out their background chatter in order to focus and concentrate. <br /><br />Is it possible that Janey is dealing with something more challenging at school? Have her teachers seen any difference in her communication skills too? Sometimes we see a regression at home, but it's really because our children are stepping up in other areas. <br /><br />I used to try to use humor to eek more out of my girl. If she was in a good mood, I would copy her lack of words and mimic or mime what I wanted her to do. She would say, "What?? I can't understand you?" and I would smile and say, "Hey! You *can* use your words!" :) <br /><br />It's not easy because you (as the caregiver) have to be in a space where you have that energy to give (and be sensitive to ever-changing moods). I often think that we have to do as the airlines tell us: Breathe into your oxygen mask first, and *then* help those children near you. You can't help them unless you feel like you have the oxygen. Find out what you need first!audballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17499068870667071905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-27742498287526565712012-11-05T18:02:23.562-05:002012-11-05T18:02:23.562-05:00I understand how you feel exactly. And you know wh...I understand how you feel exactly. And you know what? Don't apologize for feeling this way. Regression is hard! It is horrifying and nothing that we as parents can ever prepare for or accept. My Sophie regressed profoundly. Where she was a year ago, she is nowhere near now. And it hurts. And I find myself missing THAT little girl, even while loving the one I have now. And its not fair. And you know we caught it early, and there was still nothing we could do but watch her slip away... Damn it, it sucks. Sophie's Trainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07774177895296697594noreply@blogger.com