Meet Chaz
My life in the Aspergers lane. Chaz, my 10 year old was diagnosed with Aspergers when he was 5 years old. It explained a lot but I have so much more to learn to help my son. Seeking answers and documenting my journey here. Be the sunshine for your child when they come home with dark clouds hanging over them. Be the rainbow that brings hope by speaking up for them. "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." Psalm 30:5
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Suffering from injury and my handling my gaming obsession
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Aspergers and Losing Sleep
Is Melatonin Sabotaging Your Sleep?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Aspergers Obsessions: Is That All You Want to Talk about?
After I was done I went with Chaz, the boy, and his mom to the basketball court. I like to observe other Aspergers kids to see how they are similar. It was obvious his obsession was sports. The whole time we were there that is what he wanted to talk about and do. He never deviated. It helped me to see that I need to be careful about how much I get frustrated at Chaz's obsession with games. He likes to play them AND talk about them a lot. I don't let him play all day but he will talk all the time about it whether or not you are listening. I would get soooo frustrated sometimes but try not to show it. Watching this boy talk so much about sports made me realize that I can't change Chaz. I can encourage Chaz, but what's wrong with him wanting to talk about what he loves? Nothing. Sure, it's excessive at times but that's how he is and I shouldn't make him feel bad about it.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Parent to an Aspergers Preteen
Soooo, I'm a parent to a preteen. Should I be scared? I am! Aggggh! Okay, when I can say I'm a parent to a teenager I will officially feel old. I can see older people than me just rolling their eyes right now. To them I say, don't you remember that feeling too? I can't believe it because today Chaz turned 12. 12 years since I became a mom. It was the scariest day of my life and I'm not exaggerating. I had no idea what to do with a little one and had never really taken care of any babies. I felt it was a crime for anyone to let me take this little guy home from the hospital. I called the doctor every week with a new question, sometimes several times a week. Now Chaz is twelve and I'm wondering how to navigate the teens years that are coming. Oh well. We'll have this conversation next year on this day. For now, he's still my baby. Heh heh. Don't tell him I said that.
My question is, what will it be like to parent an Aspergers teen? That is one thing I don't want to be told about. I thought it'd get easier as they get older but it doesn't. If anything, it's gotten much harder. I'm glad no one told me that back when Chaz was six and I was new to the word Aspergers. I had to take just one day at a time back then. Today, I just love my son with the good days and the bad days. He's funny, challenging, and keeps me on my toes. For real! Ha ha! I love you, Chaz.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Maturing with Aspergers
Chaz (right) and his friend Dexter |
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Juliet Desiree is Here!
I'm writing from my cell phone in my hospital bed. Yesterday I got the balloon to cause my cervix to dilate. It worked so well that I went from a 1 to 5cm dilated in one hour. I wasn't in any pain at all but needed to go in to the hospital. While in the hospital my contractions were every 5 minutes but still had no pain and was 6 cm dilated. They wanted to break my water but I asked them not to do it till I got an epidural. So basically I had Juliet pain free! 3 pushes and she was out. Juliet weighed 6lb 12oz and is 20 inches. I'm in baby heaven! God gave me another little blessing.

Friday, April 13, 2012
Autism Awareness 2012- My Son's Aspergers Diagnosis
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Chaz 11 years old |
Sometimes I don't mind talking about it but other times (like now) I have a hard time with it. It's not because I'm ashamed or because I am in denial. Sometimes I get sad because I want the best for him in life and it kills me that I can't just fix everything for him.
My baby Chaz |
Chaz (left) playing with his brother 12 months younger |
You can see the scar where Chaz was stitched up |
Chaz 8 years old |
I've made mistakes along the way with trying to stumble along different paths. Do I put him in a self contained classroom? NO. I discovered that he copies behavior and since the rest of the class was pretty wild, cussed, and threw tables and chairs, Chaz would also do these things. After a year of that mess I found a different school and wonder of all wonders I found an angel of a teacher. She just happened to have trained to work with Aspergers kids in New York for 3 years. NO WAY! She taught regular first grade and said it was no problem whatsoever to teach Chaz in her classroom. She taught me everything she could about Aspergers and how to help Chaz. She was an angel teacher and I wish I could go back and give her a big hug for everything she did. She took one of the times of my life and made it feel like it was gonna be okay. She gave me the confidence I needed as a parent to help him. Chaz no longer was rolling on the floor but doing very well. He was given a seat in the front-left. He was still sitting with the kids but much closer to the teacher's desk. He was given a visual schedule and 5 minutes warnings before each task was to be done. He was given an assistant to sit with him during math and language arts hour to help him focus. Chaz was given more breaks and was even allowed his own snack time. Since his legs were more sensitive than usual the teacher bought a cushion for his chair he had to sit in every day. This lady UNDERSTOOD Chaz. I will always be so grateful to her. Unfortunately when kids advance in grades they change teachers. It pretty much went downhill from there trying to find teachers who could work with Chaz. I think most of the problem is just ignorance. If teachers don't understand Aspergers then they aren't going to know what works for them. I communicated as best I could but often was just treated like my son was naughty and he just needed to be punished.
Chaz and I 2009 |
Chaz's best friend Dexter also has Aspergers |
Our family at the Science Center 2011 (Chaz top left) |
One thing for sure is that I love Chaz with all my heart. He's my firstborn and my son. Chaz has taught me more about unconditional love, PATIENCE, forgiveness, and tolerance like no other. I can't imagine missing out on a kid like him. :)
Friday, January 27, 2012
How Homeschooling is Working for My Aspergers Son
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My husband teaching Kyle (my 3rd son) chess |
Anyway, that's just my own personal thoughts on it and how it's been working out. Chaz is doing very well and he's not overwhelmed by any means. Chaz has been doing fantastic in so many ways since I pulled him from a brick and mortar school.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
When Your Aspergers Child Finds That Perfect Friend....
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Chaz and Dexter playing puppets at Children's Museum |
It's hard for people to say goodbye to a friend but it's on a different level for Aspergers kids. It's already hard enough for them to find friends and even harder to find one they can completely relate to.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Is a Good Life Too Much To Ask For?
Chaz (right) playing on my phone |
Monday, November 14, 2011
Homefront in the Future Part 1
I want to make a new Homefront game when I grow up. This is my idea. I will make new guns and in the game a soldier finds a secret time machine. The general and his army have complaints about them losing the war, so when the soldier found the secret time machine the general decided to go in the future and beat the enemy in the future.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Busy Moms Schooling Aspergers Kids
Secondly, since being so sick I have greatly gotten behind on my house chores and I feel like with my house out of order, so are my thoughts. :) You know how that is? A cluttered house comes with a cluttered mind?
Thirdly, we are smack dab in the middle of some serious homeschooling and that comes first above anything else. My children's education is important and we will spend whatever time is needed to learn and stay on top of it. This is our top priority.
Chaz on Halloween 2011 |
I have started him back on his one cup of coffee a day to help him and it does seem to calm him down. I need to remember to do this every day. Does anyone else homeschool their Aspergers child? Do you do your own or use a program?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Being a Mom to an Aspergers Kid
I started K12 for three out of four of my kids schooling at home. Chaz doesn't do so well in a large classroom setting. Well, it was so great over the summer but when we started K12, Chaz regressed quickly. Today he was on the floor rolling around, screaming and crying. He is 11 years old but was acting more like a young child would. Maybe like a 5 year old. He cried till he passed out on the chair. I didn't have the heart to wake him up and force him to keep schooling when he was just at his limit. When I say limit I mean LIMIT. He had been doing so well but since using K12, he regressed and was getting violent again. Because it took so long to use that program, we were hardly having time to school my daughter Ivy in Kindergarten.
I was just sad because it broke my heart to see Chaz like this. To see him regressing and going backwards when he was doing so well. I was just hoping that as Chaz got older he would.... I don't know... maybe grow out of the Aspergers issues. Do you know what I mean? Like maybe it's been my imagination. Maybe we were wrong. But then we have days like this and it just lays me flat emotionally. I don't want to see my son struggle like this. I long to see him have friends, be able to talk normal with other kids, not have looks from people. Sigh. I just want to see my boy grow up and do normal things.
Sigh. I know I'm sighing a lot. I hope someone understands what I mean. I LOVE Chaz for who he is. I just want to know that he's gonna be okay when he's grown up and out of my house. I will never, ever push Chaz out of my house when he's 18. He's my son and I'll make sure he takes care of himself and will continue to be there for him as long as I can.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Fun Incentives for Schooling Kids with #Aspergers
Today he was working on his Spanish lesson and he flew through it in no time flat. You know why? Because they made it fun and he got rewards as he worked. In the beginning you have an avatar that you get to create. As you complete your lessons you earn "money". This money can buy you items for your avatar. He so much wanted to make his avatar look cool that he did about 3 days worth of lessons and did them very well. OHHHH, if only they could do this with every lesson. Chaz LOVES having positive reinforcement like this. This was right down Chaz's alley. Really, this idea works fantastic for lots of kids. :D
HINT, HINT to K12
Friday, August 5, 2011
Trying to Find Cause of Pain
Chaz is still having pain in his abdomen after his surgery so we are back again for an ultrasound. Its been hard for him because the pain is so random. Oddly, the doctor mentioned that his pain is pretty common for kids with Aspergers. He gets a lot of Aspergers kids in his office. He said he would give Chaz some medicine for him but the side effect is a possible stroke. Eek! I said no thank you. However, he is still unsure because of the type of pain. Have any of your children experienced this?


Thursday, August 4, 2011
Hesitantly... K12 It Is
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I will need my fix of Diet Dr Pepper daily. Haha |
Also, I have some news. Chaz will be schooling at home through K12! I didn't originally want to use that program because of how much work they put on kids but had no choice since the other program I use is too costly. HOWEVER, he would be assigned a special ed teacher that will modify things for him according to what he can handle. That is a HUGE blessing. I am schooling my other 3 kids at home also along with taking care of the two younger babies. So my hands will be incredibly full with six kids, caring for my household and schooling. I might not be able to post every day but I will always try to answer any questions. :D
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
I Will be Back!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Please Help My Son to Quit Screeching!
Hi, I have a 3 1/2 year old son and hes recently been diagnosed by 2 different doctors. And we are now working on getting him some help. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me to help my son to quit his constant screaming/screeching.
Thoughts from a mom:
The best solution is trying to find out what causes most breakdowns and prevent it. Watch diet, Cod Liver Oil (vitacost has best price on Carlson which is good ... want 500mg of DHA a day) helps with moods, check stimuli.
Get yourself some support and try and get a break every now and then if possible. A great board for autism support http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/default.…
Hang in there!!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Can You See Signs of Autism in Newborns?
IF you can't see video go HERE.
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Difficulties in Diagnosing #Autism in Girls
If anyone has any advice, I'm open to it and I will pass along to her.
In the meantime I happen to run into this article about the difficulties in Diagnosing Autism in Girls.
The symptoms of Asperger syndrome look slightly different in girls than in boys, according to a study published earlier this month in Research in Developmental Disabilities. This study and a spate of other recent ones suggest that with available diagnostic tests, higher-functioning girls with autism are being diagnosed either later than boys, or are altogether missed.
Go HERE to read full article!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
My Journey in Learning about Aspergers

Often I forget the past and how far Chaz has come so I'll look back on old post that are in my family blog before I created this one. I tagged some posts "Aspergers Syndrome" so I could link it here. Forgive me if some of my writing is not accurate in information. I was very new to the term Aspergers and knew very little about it. I would love to share my journey with you.
Click HERE to read posts tagged with Aspergers Syndrome from Chaz's early days of being diagnosed.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
When Aspergers Kids Long for Friendship
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Saying goodbye to his friends in the special needs classroom. This was the last time he truly ever felt accepted by his peers. |
I'm in the middle of reading Lonely Girl, Gracious God
Chaz wants friendship so special needs classroom it'll be. Thankfully it's with the higher functioning so Chaz won't regress. He tends to copy behavior so it's important that he's with kids at his level.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The Problem with Video Game Obsession
Sigh.
Watching that is hard for me. I encourage him constantly to play with his siblings but all he can talk about is his game when he is with them. Video games is his one obsession and to the point that he won't eat. I know it's summer time and his schedule is out of wack. Once school starts he'll have to be physically away from it.
Don't get me wrong, I don't keep the games on all day but he does have other siblings that want a turn if they can pry it from his tight hands. Or I'll make everyone get out of the house. Like walk the mall. But then when we're there I can see Chaz's hands wringing and the only thing he can talk about is games. Sometimes we have to tell him that we need a break from talking about games and so it's hard for him to make conversation.
Stuff like this makes me sad. It's SO hot here in the summer time so I can't tell them to all go play outside. We stay indoors when the heat gets unsafe. Gosh, when I was little I could ride my bike all over the neighborhood and even ride over to the community pool. These days I can't do that so my kids are stuck inside more often. I love having my kids home with me but something they get so incredibly bored and games help relieve the boredom.
Do video games affect your Aspergers or Adhd child in this way?
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Do Video Games Worsen Symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome?
Unhealthy Addiction?
The more time a person spends playing video games, researchers found, the more likely they are to show three specific traits usually associated with Asperger's syndrome: neuroticism and a lack of extraversion and agreeableness. Read more....
How much is too much for any kid? Aspergers kids? I do notice Chaz is extremely emotional when he plays too much video games. It is hard in the summer here because it gets so incredibly hot that it's unsafe to play outside. That means we get stuck indoors quite a lot. My kids tend to drift towards the video game rooms more than anything else.
- Do you think video games worsen the symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome?
- Have you created any sort of schedule for you child on how often he/she plays? Do you let them just play whenever?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Starting Sensory Therapy Book Review
Can order at Future Horizons. |
Pages: 132