We've had a few ups and downs this week. A highlight was Autism Awareness Day and an autie party that we went to on Saturday. There is a new centre for autistic kids opening up and they had an opening day party. All the kids there were autistic, as well as the mentors (some were ADHD), and it was great. Everyone was inclusive and understanding of needs. They even managed to find a pair of socks for Arley to wear on the jumping castle because he hates being barefoot. They had a mini ferris wheel that the kids went on, and they gave them water pistols to shoot each other and bystanders with. There was cotton candy, donuts, popcorn, slushies...the kids were in heaven. I haven't seen Arley eat so much ever. He told me he was trying to get in as much of the food as he could, and that is exactly what he did. The kids had a blast, and Jeffrey and I learned about the centre, which is great, so we are signing the kids up for their social activities when they officially open. This is what I mean about the great services here. So thankful!
Carmie has had a quiet week. She is weaned off her sleeping pills and is taking long-acting Clonidine. She's not sleeping as much as she should, but she is doing much better than she was before, so we take that as a win. She had a great session with Clint yesterday, and apparently she climbed incredibly high in the trees. I'm glad I didn't see it! Arley didn't have such a great session - he got stuck on a rather low branch and couldn't get down. He got embarrassed and anxious, and kept telling Clint to go away. I had to go find them and rescue him down. He told me he was going to stay there for three hours, so I tricked him into holding my phone and got him down when his hands were busy. He got really mad at me, but he was on the ground! After Clint we stopped by the kids' friend Lexi's house to see their new puppy, who is gorgeous. The kids want a little puppy like that so badly. We've got old lady Bella, and we love her, but she's pretty sleepy these days.
Because it's school holidays there are some different activities on, and I booked the kids into one of them. It's called Wildlings, and it's a forest school. Basically a beautiful place in the woods with a large creek running through it, gorgeous nature, and very few rules. They were booked into the 'Wizards, Wands and Potions' class on Tuesday and the 'Primitive Weapons' class today. Tuesday didn't go so well. I was supposed to drop the kids off and go home and actually spend a few hours in the house alone, which I haven't done since I moved here. But Arley's anxiety got the better of him and he refused to stay without me. I told the workers there what was going on, but they were very little help, which was very disappointing. I had to stay and do the activities with Arley. I have always wanted the kids to try forest school, but after this experience, I realised it just isn't for them. They need a whole lot more structure than was offered, a lot more support and guidance, and more stimulation too. So, we cancelled the session for today. I think Carmie would be OK there, but not Arley. He actually yelled at me about it to his psychologist this morning. But we had to try!
This afternoon we had a playdate with potential new friends for the kids. It was rather awkward at first - all the kids were too shy to speak to each other. The new friends were a 12 year old girl and her 10 year old brother, both autistic, ADHD and with anxiety, like ours. Things got a little easier when Arley and the boy realised they both love Roblox. Carmie and the girl soon started chatting, and there is a potential for friendships there, so keep your fingers crossed.
The kids and I are heading to Ulladulla on Saturday. We are very excited, but sad to leave Jeffrey. We might not be able to see too many people because we can't risk the kids getting Covid before their assessments, so we'll play it by ear. My good friend Mark has Covid right now, and I was supposed to have dinner with him on Tuesday. Fingers crossed everyone is clear by the time we get there.
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