For the most part, it has been a good week. Carmie went to her new friend Annabelle’s house on Friday, and it was a great success, except for the fact that Arley was so upset that he wasn’t invited. And he shouldn’t be invited, but he just can’t take the fact that Carmie can have separate friends to him. He felt very sorry for himself. They have never really had separate friends before, and I think he’s taking it quite hard. But the good news is that Carmie had a great time and was cross when I showed up so early after only two hours. We had to go get our hair cut, we were all looking so shaggy, so she had no choice!
On Saturday we met with my friend Jo and her son Flynn at the Botanic Gardens again. There is a nature play area there, and it was lovely. The gardens are very natural and peaceful, such a quiet place to go. I will endeavour to go there without the kids one day. They like the gardens, but they’re not nearly as peaceful as they could be for me!
The kids’ mentors came again on Monday, and Arley’s mentor Josh said he’s never seen Arley as happy and engaged as he was this week. How good is that? On Tuesday when I took him to Rob’s house, he got out of the car, ran in and didn’t even say goodbye. After the kids’ sessions on Wednesday with Clint, I took both the kids to the mall to see Lexi, and we were out for ages and Arley didn’t complain once. I had to leave the kids in the car for a few minutes, and they weren’t even fighting when I got back, they were playing with my phone and singing together! What the hell?
It’s not all roses though. On Wednesday morning while Carmie was having her session with Clint, Arley and I were waiting at the picnic area, and a mother and daughter came up and asked if we were part of the homeschool group that meets there. The group wasn’t there yet, but I told the mother to sit and chat while they waited, because her daughter looked to be Carmie’s age. We got to chatting, and the daughter is lovely, so the mother took my phone number down so we could get the girls together. When Carmie came back we introduced her to the other girl, and it was Arley’s turn to go with Clint, but he wouldn’t get out from under the table. Arley was just so upset that we had found another friend for Carmie. He thinks everyone likes her and hates him. After 15 minutes he came out from under the table and he put his head in my lap and sobbed. It was awful. Clint finally got Arley engaged in a play, and now Clint is on a mission to find Arley a friend to match him with too.
Arley went fishing again with Rob on Tuesday, and today Rob took Carmie kayaking. Arley had his psychology appointment today, but he couldn’t do something she asked so he hung up on her! Haha. It’s ok, I called her back (video chat), and we had a long talk. She says Arley is very rigid and has black and white thinking, which is very typical of autistic people, but she says he is pretty extreme. She said whenever we are trying to help or teach or discipline Arley, we have to apply logic and write things down so he can visualise it, for example make positive and negative lists. After the session, the kids’ new OT came to the house to meet them and do their first session. Both kids really liked her, which is great. I did too, she seems very knowledgeable and professional, but fun too.
I had an appointment with the paediatrician this afternoon regarding Carmie and her insomnia. He said she has the worst case of insomnia he has ever seen in a child. Carmie takes the prize. We have a plan going forward, so keep your fingers crossed.
The kids and I are making the trip south in a few weeks. We have to go to Sydney so their psychologist can do cognitive assessments on them. So, we will find out just how smart they are, and where they are lacking in skills, so that we have an idea on how to move forward. Given that we are headed to Sydney, we decided to go down to Ulladulla for a visit to Mum and Geoff and to see old friends. We can’t wait. The sad thing is that we will be leaving Jeffrey behind, and it’s over Easter. This is the only time available though. After Ulladulla we will be spending two nights in Bowral with my sister, and then Mum and I are taking the kids to Sydney for their assessments. It will be a stressful trip, but it will be fun, and the assessments will help us a lot going forward. Poor Jeffrey will be home alone for Easter though :(. Carmie has asked if we can postpone our egg hunt for when we get back, so he won’t miss out on it all.
The weather is still really hot here, but the days have been beautiful, and I’m so grateful! Hoping for another good week coming up!
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