Single Moms Raising Autistic Sons


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Sunday, September 16, 2007

It Has Been Awhile Since My Last Post

I have been such a slacker lately and haven't posted on the blog nor have I been reading other blogs which really stinks because it gives me such a great feeling to stay in touch with my blogger friends and to keep up with what's going on. I just recently found out that the reason that I am so unmotivated and feel like hell, can't sleep at night and having a hard time staying awake during the day is because my depression has snuck up on me again and the meds that I was taking stopped working for me. My psychiatrist changed my meds around and put me on Risperdal. I know that there are several kiddos on it for behavior issues and I didn't realize that it was also used for Bipolar Disorder also. I have been on it for about 2 weeks and it hasn't helped yet which is really quite frustrating because I was doing so well before this depression started to get the best of me. I think that perhaps I may be one of the lucky ones in that it hasn't caused my appetite to increase so far and I am thrilled with that. I have been going to the gym to workout and it just wipes me out for days even though I am taking it easy and some days I only walk on the treadmill it stills kicks my butt and it takes me a couple of days to recover from only 15 - 20 minute walk. I am hanging in there with a positive perspective and with hopes of feeling better real soon.

I posted some time ago , right after we had moved to S.C., about Griffin's bus driver using her personal cell phone while she was driving and how unhappy I was about it and how I made phone calls to everyone I could possibly get in touch with about this. The response that I got was that it wasn't part of their policy to allow that to happen but nothing was ever done about it. Back then I didn't have a car so I had no choice but to let him ride the bus but now that I have a car I do not plan on letting Griffin ever ride the bus again because I am concerned about his safety. The reason why I mentioned this is because a reporter/anchor for a television station a few hours away from here contacted me through this blog. She is doing a story on the dangers of bus drivers talking on cell phones while driving and asked me if I would like to do an interview about it. I was happy to be interviewed and to help her take the information that she has gathered to the state legislators in order to make it illegal for bus drivers to use their cell phones while driving our children. I hope that the interview made some difference and will help to spread the word that it is going on and create awareness throughout the state. She had informed me that there are only 13 states where it is actually illegal. I was not surprised that this state was not one of them. South Carolina is so concerned about people having alcohol on Sundays and people missing church on Sundays because they might want to go shopping it is absurd! How can it be that such issues are far more important than the safety of our children. I am not going to spend too much time writing about this but I will keep the blog updated as the story is aired and once I learn more from her about how it is going at the state level. I also need to get to bed but first I want to brag about my wonderful little guy.

Griffin is doing awesome at school and at home and in his therapies (Speech, O.T., and in his swimming). His speech and language are progressing at an amazing rate and his handwriting and spelling is phenomenal. I am so proud of his progress and to top it all off he seems to really enjoy learning and even doing his homework. His teacher is wonderful and ever so organized and really seems to love what she is doing. Griffin is once again a happy camper as he used to be when he was in Anchorage. He has come a long way and has adjusted to this environment quite well and is having far fewer meltdowns than when we first got here. I will do my best to stay on top of things and to let you all know what's going on with us.

8 comments:

Casdok said...

My son is on Risperdal, it took about 4 weeks to kick in. Hope you are feeling better soon.

GClef1970 said...

LORA! So happy to hear from you!

First, the Risperdal. As you know, Conor is on it and it has done AMAZING things for his anxiety and his social interaction. It has actually been a med for schizophrenia and bipolar for years and years because of those very attributes. It should eventually help with the depression, but might still make you sleepy. Are you only taking it once a day? You might want to take it in the evening 30 minutes before bed (that's when we give it to Conor) because one of the side effects is actually sleepiness. Conor also has not been affected by the appetite increase and it is my understanding that it really only happens in doses above 3 mg.
As with Casdok, Conor took a couple of weeks and dosage changes to get it right for him. You know the drill about all that. Hang in there and just try to stay tuned into whether you feel less anxious, less depressed, etc. Keep a chart so that you can see whether you need to increase or decrease your dosage.

As for the bus driver? I would be INSANE about that! Why in the world is she talking on her cell phone ON THE JOB anyway?!?! What is so darned important that it can't wait until her route is finished?!? Yes, please keep us posted!

As for GRIFFIN!!! I am sooooo very happy to hear how well he is doing! I have been thinking about you two a lot lately because Conor's new thing is typing on the computer and using his Word Whammer letters to make lots and lots of words (in or out of the Word Whammer!)

Lots and lots of hugs to you. I miss you, dear friend!

kristi said...

Glad to hear Griffin is doing well, and I hope the meds help you feel better!

Anonymous said...

Can't really speak to the drug issue as we're in well over our heads at the moment.

Definitely agree with the bus driver nightmare - what a nerve!

Glad to hear the Griffin is doing so well.

Best wishes

Dadof6Autistickids said...

I found an 'Autism guide' for parents and teachers on the website of the National Education Association (NEA). It has a LOT of good info that parents should make sure their school district and teachers of your children have AND use. I thought you and or your
readers would find it useful.

I have more details and the link on our blog.

http://autismbitestheblog.blogspot.com/

Good luck!

gretchen said...

You should be so proud of yourself for speaking up about the bus driver and I know you are so proud of Griffin!! He is doing great!

Hang in there Lora- we're still here reading! Post whenever you can.

KC's Blog said...

You are doing so many good things for your community Lora. This could save lives! Bus drivers should not be allowed to talk on their phones when transporting our kids! I totally admire you lora. You go girl!
Risperdal has been a real blessing for K.C. I can't imagine him getting along without it. He is much more focused, less SIBS and just happier all around.
So glad to hear it's working for you honey.
Griffin is amazing! That little boy is a super trooper!

walking said...

Wow, another mom of an autie who once lived in Alaska (we lived in the Shumagin Islands for two years) and now lives in South Carolina!

Waving to you and Griffin from the Midlands!