Families of Autistic Kids

Debbi 42, Female Taunton, MA United States: Share

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christina and Debbi are now friends

June 3

Debbi and Jennifer Landstrom are now friends

June 1

Profile Information

Your Name

Debbi

Where Do You Live

Taunton, MA

How Did You Hear About This Site?

A friend of mine, Judi

Relationship Status

Single

About Me:

I am a 41 year old single mom, I have 2 children - my youngest is 28 months old and has Autism. I am a stay at home mom right now so that he can recieve all of the treatment that he needs - it makes for some tough times financially but the other rewards are amazing - his progress is mind blowing. I love to read, listen to country music, watch movies and spend time with my family.

About Your Autistic Family Member:

Nicholas is 2 years, 4 months old and was diagnosed Autistic in Dec. 2007 - he was non-verbal and completely unable to communicate in December with the exception of signing "more" for anything he wanted. This despite nearly 3 months of early intervention, and my trying to teach him signs. He started ABA in January 2008 and his progress amazes me - he's learned more signs, he uses his PECS book to request things, and he has words now! He has about 40 words that he knows right now and has just started putting 2 and three word phrases together - and we are all so proud of him!! He does have some pretty big articulation problems and only me and the people who work with him on a daily basis understand most of what he says, and there are times that even I don't understand him and I feel so bad because he'll look at me and say something and it just sounds like gibberish - there are times that I wonder if on these occasions he's lapsed back into "Nick speak" that he was doing from about December to April - you could not understand a thing that he said but he had a blast talking to himself and his toys. He makes more progress every day. He knows his ABC's, can count to 30 - loves numbers to the point where they can be an obsession, loves colors and coloring/painting, knows most of his animals, loves to dance & sing. Nicholas is a very happy little guy - he's got a quick temper and huge stubborn streak but 99% of the time is the most easygoing child I have ever met - and I simply love him to pieces!!!

Favorite Thing To Do With Your Autistic Family Member:

Spending quality time - playing with blocks together, curling up on the couch to watch a movie/show - for the couple of minutes he will sit still, coloring with him - any activity that gives us quailty time.

Thing You Hate Most About Autism:

The things that it steals from him - mainly when he wants/needs something and he can't communicate it and he's really upset and I can't figure it out or help him. It makes me feel useless to not be able to know what he wants or needs and it breaks my heart.

Website:

Nick's Kicks - Southern New England Walk Now for Autism:

http://www.walknowforautism.org/sne/team/NicksKicks

My space:

http://www.myspace.com/sassyautiemom67

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Debbi's Blog

Nicholas' one year anniversary!

Exactly one year ago today Nicholas started ABA therapy. He was non-verbal. non responsive to his name or most external noises {unless you put a Disney movie on then he was right there!}. I never knew when he was hungry - so I had him on a very strict eating schedule, and when he was with other people they frequently forgot to feed him he was so quiet. He knew one sign - more - and would ask for more when eating something when prompted. Any response that I got from him to anything was always a p… Continue

Posted on January 2, 2009 at 11:08am — 1 Comment

The Clothes Wars...

It started with shoes - kicking them off in the car, stores - you name it and if we were there the shoes came off! Socks too - I thought it might be because they were getting too tight so we went and got him new shoes - the size chart showed his foot was just big enough to go into the next size - he has growing room in these. So it was not the shoes - and it continues! I put him in the car and when we get to where we are going he is barefoot, I put his shoes and socks on and go into the store an… Continue

Posted on October 27, 2008 at 9:00am — 3 Comments

Least restrictive or most effective....

Nicholas is due to start pre-school in April - a ways away I know but I've been told that it's best to get your ducks all in a row {so to speak} well in advance - within 6 months of the start date. So I do know that the EI woman who takes care of getting the children into pre-school has already gotten all of his paperwork and will be calling me any day now to meet with her. And from things his OT {NOT my favorite person in the world} has said she thinks that the school is going to push for the "… Continue

Posted on September 30, 2008 at 9:00pm —

His sweet voice...

I just love listening to his voice - I'm sitting here while he's having his ABA session and they just went through his flash cards and I get to just sit here and listen to him say his words. I love the way he says some of his words - he has articulation issues and can't say "s", "f" and some "d" sounds {and only gets the intonation of most other sounds} - cookie sounds like "oogkie!" with his sweet little New England accent. And yep car is "caaah" - LOL I'd have that one no other way. There are… Continue

Posted on September 25, 2008 at 8:34am — 3 Comments

Nick's Kicks - Walk Now for Autism

Wow! Today was my first time walking with Autism Speaks and it was AWESOME!!! Last year when Nicholas had his regression and I was driving to a new job every day with so many worries I could not think straight half the time - my radio station was doing an month long autism awareness campaign to kick off their first annual participation in the Walk Now for Autism and they had families who shared their stories to shed light on autism. Well I would drive to and from work listening to these stories… Continue

Posted on September 21, 2008 at 8:30pm — 1 Comment

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At 4:50pm on October 9, 2008, Judi said…: Thank you Debbi. It's been a great birthday:-)
xo~

At 10:21am on September 28, 2008, Papa John said…: Hi, good to hear from you.The Walk is put on by Autism Speaks.org It is the 'New Hampshire Walk Now for Autism' on Sunday Oct 5th in Greeley Park at 105 Concord St. Nashua N.H. Registration is at 10:00am and the walk starts at 11:00am. There will be a band, Special guest speakers, short walk of a mile or so. Stuff for kids like bubble bounce rooms Etc..My 14yr old grandaughter Kristina, was invited to sing her original song she wrote to here brother who is 15 yr old severly, nonverbal autistic. That is to be at 12:15am afte the walk. There is a place to just sit if you are not up to walking. Hope to see you there.

At 11:48am on September 26, 2008, CAROL SLONE said…: Hi Debbie, Thanks for the request. I will ttyl Carol Hope you have a great weekend.

At 6:19am on September 22, 2008, Diana Terry said…: Hi Debbi...the point system is actuallt my daughter Melissa's idea. So far so good..we'll see, time will tell.. We iniated it when she was here from Idaho last July. She is in school for teaching with a minor in special ed. She is also on the site.........Melissa Mays- Strain....I hope you have an awsome day!!!!!!!...LOVE AND HUGS

At 3:59pm on September 19, 2008, Judi said…: Hi Debbi..I've been thinking of you today and hoping all goes well with your MRI.
Hugs~

At 5:23am on September 18, 2008, Anita said…: Have a good day!!! x

At 4:51pm on September 16, 2008, Papa John said…: Hey neighbor, if you're ever out by Lynn, look us up. My grandaughter is performing a song she wrote about here 15yr old Autistic brother, at the New Hampshire AutismSpeaks.org walk. on Oct 5th.

At 7:40am on August 21, 2008, Judi said…: Hi Debbi, I hope all is well with you and Nick. I haven't heard from you over at the group in way too long!! I'm missing you.
xoxo~