School

I'm not sure what is going on, but for the past few weeks, I have been getting calls once or twice a week from Lonnie's teacher because Lonnie is refusing to do any work in class.   They changed her class and teacher after the Christmas break and I think the change is really stressing her out.   I also think her new teacher is a bit over her head in dealing with Lonnie.   I mean what do you do with a child who refuses to do her school work and the only reason you can get out of her is "I'm scared"?   At home, I talk to her about how she has to do her schoolwork if she wants to be a veterinarian or dog trainer and she says "I can't, schoolwork is scary".   I have resorted to threatening to remove privileges like computer time or DVD's if she does not do her work, but it does not have much effect.    I need to come up with something motivating.   The "carrot on a stick" approach has always been more effective with Lonnie that punishments.  Ah, well...I'll think of something.

Lonnie's Birthday

Hard to get my head around but our miracle child just turned 13!  Her birthday falls during winter break so it's hard to get kids here for a party - so we had cake with family and took Lonnie bowling.   She really enjoys bowling and is getting pretty good, but she gets really frustrated when she doesn't knock down all the pins.

Lonnie picked out a "How To Train Your Dragon" design for her cake - she really likes the movie.   She got the DVD for Christmas and watches it almost everyday.

Christmas

Christmas day was nice - we kept things kind of low key. Lonnie got mostly arts & crafts kits and some stuffed animals.

We went to my sister's to eat in the afternoon...lots of good food and good company.

Holidays

It seems like Thanksgiving & Christmas went by in a blur this year. We got a Christmas dress for Jenny.  She seemed to enjoy wearing it - prancing around.

Lonnie had some rough days, mostly stressing out when routines got changed.  Although she enjoyed her winter break, starting back to school was really tough.  She would wander around the classroom and refuse to do work - telling the teacher "it was scary".



Another Halloween come and gone

Unlike most children, Lonnie's greatest joy on Halloween is giving rather than receiving.   She loves to hand out candy to all the trick or treaters, tell them how great their costume is and to point out the happy-faced jack-o-lantern she helped prepare.    She always wants a costume for the school activities.   This year she decided on a Veterinarian.   I think it turned out pretty well.

I was surprised that she wore the hat.   Normally, she will not tolerate a hat or hairband, but this was part of the costume and she actually wanted to wear it.

Different viewpoints

I just finished reading a very eloquent open letter to a Dr. Kartzinel, who has some very controversal views about autism and how to "treat" it.    Most of the comments posted were extremely negative, but the last one seemed to be the best - saying keep an open mind and try to understand a different point of view - even if you don't agree with it.   Here's the link:

Dear Dr. Kartzinel

For myself, I don't really agree with Dr. Kartzinel's view, but I think it's important to listen to all sides.   You never know what tidbit you might glean from someone else's thoughts that could have an impact in your own.

As for Lonnie - she is happy, bright, learning new things, always full of surprises and the greatest joy in my life.  I take her as she is - help her all I can - and love her all I can.

Halloween is coming!

So, Lonnie has decided that this year her costume choice is a veterinarian.   So far I have found pink scrubs, a white lab coat and a stethoscope.   She insists that there must be a hypodermic needle and tongue depressor (where does she get these ideas?).   I have found some possibilities on line and I think I will be able to round out the accessories in time.   This is definitely easier than finding all the parts of the Minnie Mouse costume last year!

School is going okay (I think).  At least I have not had any notes from her teachers.   One of them did call me and said she was doing okay.    The main battle right now is getting her to do homework.   She is insistent that school work only be done at school.

Lonnie has recently started hanging out with a girl who lives on our block.  She is two years younger and they seem to get along well.   I hope they continue to play together - Lonnie really needs the experience of being with other children outside of school - in unstructured time.