New Insights

We've known since kindergarten that Maggie has ADHD and we've been able to accommodate how she learns and what she is capable of doing at each age.  Since Mena was a year old, we've been left to wonder what was causing her struggles and how best to help her.  She struggled following my surgery and her psychologist called for a parent meeting.  Dr. Klinkebiel talked to us about how she was seeing red flags for autism in Mena's behavior.  We agreed to further testing.  Mena now has the diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Adjustment Disorder with Depressive Symptoms, and highly likely for Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Even her physical struggles with the left side of her body can be explained by the poor motor planning that comes with autism.  Anxiety and struggling to adjust also come with autism.  Another psychologist will test Mena with the ADOS this summer to confirm autism.

I read a book on females with autism and was shocked at how much not only Mena fits the description, but so do I!  It would explain so many of my struggles.  The difference is that I grew up in a small town with the same people in my class from kindergarten through 12th grade.  My social skills were just chalked up to just who I was.  I'm compiling a list of characteristics and behaviors that I struggled to learn and will take those to someone who can test me for autism.  It is common for adult women with autism to have learned to mask the symptoms by my age so a thorough history will help determine if I have it.

 

Heritage School

Due to Covid-19, fourth graders had to attend Heritage School via zoom rather than going in person to the one room school house.  They did get to dress up in the 1800s style.

 

ER Visit!!

Maggie broke a Corelle bowl Saturday morning and when it shattered, a shard got into her right eye.  The white of her eye started bleeding and she was really crying.  I called Complete Children's Health, but they told me to take her to the ER.  We arrived at St. Elizabeth's with only one man ahead of us and they were speedy at getting both of us checked in.  By the time we'd arrived Maggie was starting to calm down and said it didn't hurt as much.  She probably washed the shard out with her tears, which was good!  It took two of us to hold Maggie down while the doctor put a dye drop into her eye.  We were then able to look under a black light and see that she had the one abrasion that bled, but it was surface level only and didn't go deep into her eye.  Whew!  They sent us home with a Rx for eye drops.  I got the girls drinks and snacks at Walgreens while we waited for the Rx to be filled.  She was doing fine by the time we got home.  I was a tough mom and told her she needed to sweep up the mess.  We also talked about not banging bowls together when you're angry!  I don't think she'll ever do that again!

 

One Week Back at Work

I was tired but enjoyed my first week back at work.  To celebrate, we got pedicures and manicures.  Then we went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner.  I really enjoyed a fun evening with the girls.

 

Maggie's Curtain

I sewed Maggie's flat sheet into a curtain for her bedroom.  She was happy with the result :)

 

Henry Doorly Zoo

I thought the zoo was a great idea for Saturday, but it was really chilly when we were walking around.  We stayed maybe an hour.  Then we drove to BK to get some lunch and the dining room was closed so we ate in the car.  An hour to drive to the zoo, an hour in the zoo, 15 minutes eating in the car, and then we drove an hour home.  Not the best 3 hours but oh well.

 

Clean Your Backpack!!

I'm not sure how Maggie fit all of this into the backpack!  She was overdue to clean it out!!

 

Mowing

Mena has decided to mow the lawn for $20.  $10 goes into savings and $10 she can spend however she wants.  It's hard work but she's sticking to it!!

 

Lemon Cookies

The first zester I bought wasn't that great, so I spent more and got the Pampered Chef Juicer & Zester.  Maggie declared it was the best!  This batch of cookies turned out better than the first batch.  We just had to tweak the recipe a bit.

 

Family Egg Hunt

Saturday afternoon, our family gathered at Peg & Jon's house for snacks, drinks, and outdoor egg hunt.  It was a beautiful Easter weekend!!

 

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday morning the weather was nice so I hid the plastic Easter Eggs outside.  They were filled with candy, except for one egg each with $5.

 

More Time in the Kitchen

Mena tried a granola bar that she may submit to the 4H fair.  Then the girls dyed Easter Eggs.  It was a fun "no school" day.