Under the Weather

It took a while for Boy Wonder to settle last night. He became engrossed in talking about bodily functions, namely the benefits and the inconveniences of going to the toilet. It really is quite amazing how long this subject can be 'discussed,' without the author becoming bored. 'Discussed' is another one of those terms that we use loosely as very often there is no discussion, it is more being talked at rather than being talked to.

This morning Boy Wonder woke and complained of the right side of his Adam's Apple hurting and also his bladder.  He is one of those children that has 'altered pain threshold' written in his medical notes due to sustaining injuries and not being aware of them and not being able to communicate discomfort particularly well.   Historically he has broken bones and just stopped using them. No tears, no acknowledgement of the injury. More recently he put his tooth through his tongue whilst on the trampoline. With a mouthful of blood and looking like a scene from Dracula , I rushed to his aid. Boy Wonder asked me what was wrong and I had to point out that he was dripping with blood! Anyway back to this morning. Boy Wonder looked a bit warm and under the weather. He attempted to tell me specifics of any discomfort that he was feeling but really struggled. He became bogged down with when if hurt, how long for.... I gave him some paracetamol and he went to Holiday Club hoping that this would distract from the symptoms.

I explained to the staff that Boy Wonder may be unwell and if they were at all worried to ring me. I asked them not to rely on Boy Wonder telling them anything.   I rang at dinner time and was told that he appeared fine. When I picked him up, he was complaining of a headache and bladder ache. 

We missed Kubudo tonight as Boy Wonder doesn't look too great and went to Auntie and cousins for a little while instead. 

All is quiet (ish) this evening, ssshhhh

Have you anything to declare?

Boy Wonder did indeed settle at a reasonable hour last night.  I would hazard a guess that exhaustion took hold, unless that was just me so I didn't notice the time that he fell to sleep! However, come morning time, Boy Wonder was up and at it bright and reasonably early!

Boy Wonder went to Holiday Club today. We packed the car with what we needed, this included a variety of replica weapons that he uses in Kobudo ( sword, sai, nunchaku.) It always makes me wonder what the Police would say if ever I got pulled up, hopefully I will never find out! On arrival at Holiday Club Boy Wonder finds out that the theme for the week is 'Food From Around the World,' He opts for Lego. 

When picking Boy Wonder up after work he is in the playground scooting. The staff observing the children comes to greet me, sign out medication and tell me how wonderful  he has been. At this point I observe Boy Wonder throw a ball hard into a little boy's back and  then call him an idiot ( at least it wasn't 'cock!') I mentioned the altercation to the staff member in case the boy was hurt, to which she replied that the other boy had been trying to wind Boy Wonder up all afternoon so she wasn't surprised and not to worry. ( it will become evident over time that Boy Wonder is seen as a 'butter wouldn't melt' kind of child. We completely understand that due to his condition he gets himself in tangles and often misreads situations but we also try to ensure that matters are explained to him so that he can try and learn from them. Others however often prefer the protect, protect route!)

On the way to Jiu Jitsu/ Kobudo Boy Wonder decides to play at being a Sat Nav. For 30 continuous minutes he parrots off phrases such as ' in 300 yards turn left' and ' at the next roundabout take the third exit.' He uses the navigation system in the car to prompt his next instruction. On the longer roads he proceeds to comment on my speed, proximity to other cars and other equally annoying facts to fill in the gaps! 

With a sigh of relief I drop him off at Jiu Jitsu and pick Cat Girl up from her session. I spoke to Sensi about the next Kobudo weapon that we need to order ( hoping for something small and discreet.) He announced that it is a 5ft bow! Wonderful I say. 

Later in the evening, Super Man decides to sort out travel insurance for the holiday. There are thousands to choose from initially, then he adds Boy Wonder's list of  diagnosis and treatment. That made if much easier, now there are twelve to choose from and a little price hike as a bonus! It really does amuse me as to what they think a 7 year old autistic kid is capable of!! 

Boy Wonder returns from his class and joins me in the bathroom where I am having a bath to tell me what a number 1 and number 2 means. He says it is a lot more polite to call them this rather than wee and pooh! It's going to be a lively night again I feel!

Dangerous Rabbits, BEWARE!!

This morning awoke a very, very hyper boy. Pretty amazing really as to where the energy comes from as his sleep last night was restless to the point of non existent. Boy Wonder was incapable of listening to anything I said, so I reduced the wordiness, keeping essential instructions brief and forgot about the less important stuff. 

We managed the morning routine whilst he ran from room to room and then attempted breakfast as he darted around the house. At this point going to work seemed very appealing although it was with mixed thoughts as to whether Boy Wonder was in any state to go to Group Inspire. I took my chances, after all the group are very experienced. I kept the phone close to hand! 

After work I met Boy Wonder and Cat Girl at home with Grandad and all appeared fairly settled. Grandad reported that Boy Wonder's hyperactivity had continued right up until getting him on the Group Inspire bus for the Zoolab trip. On picking him up, his presentation wasn't dissimilar to that of the morning! Poor Grandad! 

On the way to Boy Wonder's swimming lesson I asked him if he had enjoyed the Zoolab activity? He stated that they wasn't allowed to handle the rabbits due to safety restrictions but was allowed to handle snakes and lizards .  Maybe this was Boy Wonder's fragmented thinking and interpretation of events but surely that was meant to be the other way around? I couldn't resist questioning Boy Wonder on this to which he gave me a 'How dare you not believe me look' and explained that the corn snakes don't live in Britian and they don't eat people so they are safe but the rabbits have sharp claws! Of course . 

Boy Wonder went on to tell me that a boy at the group has a cobra in his garden. Someone left it there and hasn't collected it. It has bitten him once, if it was twice he would have died. I suggested that maybe this boy was joking? Oh no he wasn't stated Boy Wonder, he is not allowed to lie so I know it's true!   

Swimming lesson complete along with extended shower, we drove home. Cat Girl asked how Grandad was as he had been in hospital for a little operation today. I started to explain that he was on his way home and was okay when Boy Wonder went into his spiel of ' Is he going to die? Has he had his lungs removed or his heart?' I stopped him mid flow and explained that it was a little operation to remove a bit of flappy skin from his leg ( hoping that this brief description would reassure him.). However what came instead was ' Urrgghh don't talk about skin flaps and cut skin it makes me feel sick!!' and that was the end if the discussion.

This evening Boy Wonder's specialist education worker came to do some stuff with him on 'What is Autism?' and to go through his holiday schedule for Bulgaria to see if he had any worries or questions. They designed two new characters for his social stories, one of whom has Autism. Using the indirect approach of social stories works well with Boy Wonder and has tackled some pretty difficult matters in the three years that he has been using them.

Session complete, Boy Wonder goes upstairs with Cat Girl to organise her Sulvanian Family houses and all is quiet.....

Pre Birthday Celebrations

A nice Sunday morning lie in, followed by a relaxing breakfast and ..... Okay so it wasn't quite like that. Up at 7am ( which does constitute as a lie in in this house) due to the phone ringing with urgent work stuff. Boy Wonder then woke up and announced that his bed was all sweaty not wetty. Changed his bed but he had already changed his P.J's and got in with Cat Girl, much to her dismay!

Super man and I took the opportunity to go outside and clean out the animals, bag up garden waste for the tip and sort out the veg bed which has had way too much rain and sun!  Ten minutes in, Boy Wonder joined us. He had dressed himself ( all in grey as he thinks co ordinating actually means same) and went to collect eggs.  Cat Girl joined us shortly after but had no intention of mucking in, she supervised!   Boy Wonder moved onto the veg bed and scrutinised each remaining product for suitable growth, colour and worthiness. The sweet corn, garlic, potatoes and carrots survived the cull!

Superman took Cat Girl for her swimming lesson and Boy Wonder joined them on the understanding that he didn't have to swim! This agreed off they went to 'Play' in the water whilst I stayed behind to prepare dinners for the week ahead.   On their return, dinner eaten, Boy Wonder wanted to bake a cake for the visitors expected later. He decided to bake a chocolate cake with orange flavoured butter icing. He achieved this all by himself but just as it was about to go into the oven, the visitors arrived. Boy Wonder greeted them with ' I'm not expecting you yet, you are too early!' I reassured him that they would be happy to wait for cake. Boy Wonder then decided that the cake needed to have a purpose so proceeded to ask the visitors whose birthday it was soon? The earliest birthday was October - this will do! The only birthday candle was a ' birthday girl' candle, the birthday visitor was a boy - this will do!       ( but just in case, Boy Wonder turned it around!) 

Whilst waiting for the cake to cool, Boy Wonder decided to test the smoke alarms which are situated in the hall and and top of the stairs. He shouted for some help and one of the visitors were first to respond. He found Boy Wonder about to climb onto a chair at the top of the stairs piled high with cushions! He dismantled the make shift, rather unsafe testing platform and suggested to Boy Wonder that maybe Superman should help him? Superman promptly responded and tried to explain to Boy Wonder why his idea was not a good one although was not convinced that he really understood! 

Cake cooled and decorated, Boy Wonder ( with assistance) lit the candle and the birthday chorus was sung to him as well as the 'birthday' guest. ( Boy Wonder's birthday is also in October).  Once the celebrations were over, the visitors left for home laiden with eggs and cookies baked by Cat Girl.

This evening we settled down to watch Smurfs the movie and then Diary of a Wimpy Kid before Top Gear. Due to the colourful content of the latter two choices, Boy Wonder has now extended his vocabulary with - ' Dirty Diaper' lyrics and ' cock ' ( Thank you James May for that one in particular). It's a good job he has a few weeks to loose the additions before going back to school!  

A lesson learnt!

Up, bright and breezy this morning all ready for Jiu Jitsu grading for Boy Wonder. He has been doing Jiu Jitsu for nearly three years now and it has to be said that it has been the perfect way to teach him respect for others, discipline, confidence, self esteem and team work skills, none of which come naturally or indeed easily for those on the autistic spectrum. 

The Sensi examining gave feed back at the end of the grading and commented that Boy Wonder has boundless energy and stamina and very good technique. He then asked us what we fed him on?! I told him that we have his ADHD to thank for the boundless  energy and stamina and his autism for the excellent retention of technique.  Absolutley he said, his ground fighting was particularly impressive! Boy Wonder came away with his 8th Mon, Green belt. A very happy boy! 

We went over to Meadow Hall afterwards to get my phone repaired, Superman a new watch battery, dinner and the cinema. It was midday at this point and it was very busy. Boy Wonder went into hyper drive and spacial awareness went out of the window, walking into people, railings, walls! We retracted back to a quieter area and had lunch. 

After lunch we went to Apple to get my phone repaired. Boy Wonder was very intrigued by the gadgets and intensely questioned the young man sorting out my 'issue.' He commented that Boy Wonder seemed to have a good knowledge of the products to which I replied that he was a 'mini geek' in training! Luckily he had a sense of humour! 

Despicable Me 2 was the film of choice and Cat Girl was very amused when the minion went skinny dipping and showed his bum! Boy Wonder seemed more taken with the rocking seats!  Film finished, we excited the cinema and headed for the car. Boy Wonder took the opportunity to list all of the films that he wanted to see, Cat Girl was still giggling about the bum! 

This evening Mamma and Grandad visited. Mamma mentioned her Kindle Fire and all of the new games that she now had. She then went in to say that Boy Wonder's additions to her kindle had cost her the grand total of £12! Boy Wonder had added the games thinking that they were free because there was no password on the account like on his iPhone.  Boy Wonder apologised and said that he wouldn't do it again for two years! I explained to Mamma that she shouldn't rely on Boy Wonder's last statement and that maybe she needs to set up a password! 

Visitors gone, Boy Wonder and Cat Girl settle down for the evening. After a couple of hours crashing around upstairs, Boy Wonder finally falls to sleep, must have been all the exercise he has had today! 

When I Grow Up....

Wow what a long night last night was, even by Boy Wonder's standards! At 11.30pm he was still bouncing off of the walls so it was another night of sleeping with him using firm hold technique. By 12.30am he finally fell to sleep, yay!! He awoke at 5am and asked me to go now as he needed space. Beautiful !!

At a more reasonable hour I attempted to wake Boy Wonder. As he stirred he shouted out ' Okay, I'm in Combat, I do it every year! It's okay I'm in control! He then promptly turned over and went back to sleep. This could take a while!

Once up and at it, breakfast eaten and bags packed, Boy Wonder goes to Holiday Club. He is excited about Fish and Chip day but makes it clear that he doesn't like fish and chips are unhealthy. At this point I make my swift exit to work!

Superman picks Boy Wonder up from Holiday Club with Cat  Girl and the kittens and they go off to the vets for kitten injections. Boy Wonder takes the opportunity to interrogate the Vet on EVERY aspect of 'Kitten.' BoyWonder makes it clear that he wants to be a vet when he grows up so needs to learn. Injections complete, the Vet ushers them out of his room so that he can have a sanity break before the next patient!

This evening Boy Wonder and Cat Girl attempt to settle down together and watch tv upstairs. Night medication brought forward to encourage earlier sleep and fingers crossed!!  Boy Wonder has his Jiu Jitsu grading in the morning so needs a bit of sleep. Mmmm .....

Through the barricade

A slower start to the morning allowed Boy Wonder to awake naturally and gather his super powers. As a result he became very giddy and hyper rather quickly! He attempted to play mum's, dad's and babies with Cat Girl but this didn't work out. Boy Wonder struggled with the point of the game and as a consequence everything went to pot. Cat Girl asserted herself and removed Boy Wonder from the role of 'dad.' Time to go to Group Inspire I think! 

Today Boy Wonder is going to soft play and a picnic with Group Inspire. He is very excited! 
He is then spending the late afternoon with grandparents. 

On return from work, Boy Wonder is still at Grandparents. He arrives home about 8pm, very tetchy and tired. He hadn't eaten so Superman makes beans on toast. The beans were too mushy and the toast was not how he liked it. As a result it got piled up on the plate and left. I asked Boy Wonder about his day to which he responded that he had nearly smashed a window whilst playing ball with the dog and had filled the Granparents Kindle Fire with lots of games that they didn't really want! Sounds productive, hmmm. 

As the 'conversation' continued,  it was clear that Boy Wonder was not reading expression too well, accusing me of laughing at him when he spoke, when in fact it was a simple affectionate smile.  After some further misinterpretation over minor things, 
Boy Wonder ran from the room, slammed the door and barricaded himself in his room. 

Okay so the procedure from here is to give him time out, listen for signs of activity that requires immediate response I.e loud bangs, items leaving the bedroom window .... Anyway after five minutes I break through the barricade and squeeze through the gap. I am met with an angry little boy telling me that I have ruined his life and that HE IS NOT TIRED!!! No of course not Boy Wonder, I reply! He is really quite cute when he is angry!  I leave him to have further time out. 

A few minutes later, Boy Wonder bounces down the stairs dressed as a magician. He promptly pulls a fluffy white rabbit out of his trousers and shouts 'Ta da Magic!' After a few more 'non tricks ' he returns to his room to practice further.

Boy Wonder finishes the day by making himself a snack and a milkshake. The kitchen looks like he has had a party and I think maybe he has!