Autism Awareness Month, April 2014!!

Happy Autism Awareness Month to all!

Here at the household we live with Autism each and every day.  We have highs and we have lows, but every day is a new beginning for our family and our daughter who has Autism.

We've made a conscious decision at our home to focus on the positive and know that there is always a tomorrow if it's been "one of those days"!  We are lucky enough to have amazing family (and friends) support, who look at our daughter with loving eyes.  They have embraced our way of life and continue to help us out in times of need.  That ranges from things like babysitting (.....it's care giving with Autism, let's be real!), learning how to cook my daughters allergy free meals to just being a supportive listening ear and so much more.  All of it is big to us.

Fairy Wings and Pixie Dust Cooking and Autism Blog has come about because of my youngest daughters Autism.  When she was first diagnosed and after we started the onslaught of tests needed to start making her feel better internally, we found out it was impossible to include her in family meal times with her massive amount of food allergies.  As a parent you never want your child to feel left out and food was a huge factor.  So I started recreating recipes.  

-Why should she have to miss out on what everyone else was enjoying?  

-Why couldn't everyone, with or without food allergies, enjoy the same food she was now needing to eat?

One of the best parts about cooking is that it is a constant learning process.  You are never done. It keeps your mind going and your creativity engaged.  

It's my passion!

My daughter is no different than any other kid or adult in wanting to enjoy life and all the delicious treats that come along with it.  You shouldn't have to feel like you have to give up taste just because your body rejects certain foods or ingredients.  

I hope you can enjoy some of my recipes or pass them on to someone in need.  
Celebrate someone with Autism by showing your support to them or their family and Light It Up Blue!!

........"Normal is a dryer setting".......embrace diversity

The "Hair Bean"....

The Hair Bean!
You have probably by now seen this "As Seen On TV" product.  Let me tell you....it's the bomb!  If you have a kid with sensory issues you have to check this out.
My daughter, because of her Autism, wakes up each and every morning with a mass of tangles.  She has very fine hair, but a ton.   We have had many days where I would just let it go to give us both a break!  She would cry and scream and dread every hair comb-out session.  And I'm not kidding when I say "session".  I would use detangler spray, a brush and a pick.  And as gentle as I tried to be, it of course pulled and hurt.  
I struggled with making the decision of cutting her hair.  But then having sensory issues, getting it cut was another battle.  And her hair is beautiful....and she loves it long.  
My wonderful Mom (and amazing Grandma...) saw it at one of her favorite stores and ended up buying us 2 to try.  It looked odd, but we were willing to try anything at this point.  When we used it the next morning I was amazed!  It gently brushes through the hair.  It doesn't yank the hair, as the bristles are a soft plastic, and very small.  
It was almost funny to watch her just look glazed into the mirror as I first brushed because it actually felt good.  (A lot of people actually like having their hair brushed!)  She hasn't felt that since before her Autism.  It's been a long time!
And the best part is she said it made her "happy"!   She even uses it herself, which is HUGE for a kid with Autism.   
When her hair gets really bad (way worse than these pictures) I will still spray it with her detangler and sometimes use her small pick with the Hair Bean.  
My only complaints with it is that the shape of it (a bean) is hard to hold onto.  I drop that darn thing often while brushing.  And it could be a lot sturdier.  Ours hasn't broke, but it seems like it could easily.  My mom picked us up several more just in case they broke or wore out and we couldn't find them in the future.  She luckily found them for cheap!  
I hope this review of the Hair Bean is helpful.  I think anything that gives our kids a "break" is a good thing and we should spread the word! 

This is a mild "hair morning" for her.  Her hair is  

usually much worse than this.

before:

This is after using the Hair Bean.  I didn't need to 

use her detangler spray this morning, but after

I brushed it I ran some water over the top of 

the brush to "smooth" her hair down a bit.

(her top is different because she spilled on it

and had to change, but this is right after

I was done brushing it)

after:

This is what the package looks like without the brush in it.

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture with it in it!

This is what the brush bristles look like.  They are a soft plastic

tip.  But not poky by any means.  There is a small case that

it fits into with a tiny mirror inside.  

*note:   This is my own personal review and wasn't asked to do it by any company.

Autism Awareness Month!

AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!

Lets all turn on our blue lights and show our support for Autism.

Lets all think about how Autism has touched our lives and the lives of the people we know.

Lets all remember that Autism has taught us to be patient, loving, forgiving, diverse, inspired, motivated and warrior parents to say the least!

I learn from my daughters Autism everyday and it is ever changing.  She has taught me things I never thought I needed to learn and hopefully there are others who are as blessed as I am.  

Autism.....and tying shoes!

Sometimes with Autism, it's the little things that mean the most.  Like, tying shoes!  My amazing youngest daughter, who just turned 11, has been working very hard at mastering this skill.  I really can't think back to how long we have been practicing it, but in the world of Autism, it isn't how long things take, it's accomplishing them that's the triumph.  The joy of seeing her proud smile when she realized she got it was priceless.  I thought I would share the learning board I made from which we practiced this skill as part of our daily learning.  We had tried many different way to learn this, but for some reason she took to this one the best.   

I just used a piece of cardboard, shoe laces, sharpie and printed instructions I thought she could relate too, printed off the internet.  I ended up going with the type of tying that starts by looping the shoelaces as "bunny ears".   At least that is what we called them because she liked it!  We first criss-cross tied the first part.  Then we made up a simple saying together about making bunny ears, crossing them and then having one bunny ear jump thru the the hole.  For some reason having the bunny ear jump "into" the hole instead of coming from under and up, was easier for her.  

I hope by sharing this, it will help another add just a little more independence to their own life!
Priceless.

That darn yeast.....

Well, here we go again.....you get into a groove of things, thinking everything is going fairly smoothly and then you notice slight changes.  My little angel is acting a little more picky, having a few more sensory issues, stimming a bit more, not getting as much sleep, etc. .  Thinking it must just be her reaction to the change of seasons, which can't seem to make up it's mind.  Or, perhaps it's hormones kicking in, she is 10 and all.  But then you regroup your mind (sleep deprived and all) and really try and focus.  It hits me,  she hasn't had a anti-fungal  in awhile......hhhmmm.  You would think after these years of bio-meds and figuring these things out it would come a bit quicker to me?  Nope.  I am pretty sure (you never know with Autism) we've got a case of seasonal yuks and a kick of yeast.  Lovely.  I started a natural anti-fungal this time and hopefully that will kick it in the butt.  It is a slow process, and makes her feel pretty icky, but hopefully we can get her back to a better place very soon.

Can the season just make up it's mind.......

If you have Autism in your life (my youngest daughter, 10 yrs. old) you know that the change of seasons can knock the poor kids around a bit.  For some odd reason it can really aggravate certain aspects of their autism.  It is the craziest thing.  And in Washington State, this has been one odd Spring.  We've had some extreme changes in weather and it has done no good for my girl!  We've done no changes in bio-meds, food etc., but her stimming is worse than ever and her sleep was really suffering there for a bit.  But thru it all, she has that beautiful smile on her face and keeps us laughing at her jokes!  And I'll take laughing over crying any day!  We are just counting the days until summer.......

How can new teeth be so bad?!

Growing new teeth and having Autism (my youngest daughter) equal nothing but stress.  Since she is now double digits in age, you think I would be use to this by now.  But it becomes quite the opposite, you anticipate what is going to happen.  Usually my daughter ends up being so overcome by the stress she won't eat, drink, take her meds (bio) and then becomes sick to her stomach.  The thought of loosing a tooth to her is equal to you or I loosing a arm.  Seriously.  She wants to keep it in her mouth. Period.  Her left pointer finger looks like it has been soaked in water for at least 48 hours, it is white and wrinkled, from trying to hold her tooth in.  (OK-kind of funny)  The worst part this time is that there is a little piece of gum holding it in.  Not that I could actually stick my fingers in her mouth and yank it out- and yes, I have tried that!  Try biting down as hard as you can and then try prying your mouth open.....impossible.  There is no explaining to her that  this is "great news!" , not only do you "get" and new tooth, BUT you "get" to keep your old one!  She gives me that look like I really am an idiot.  (to be debated at a later date)  I do get it, but when you are a parent you will do just about anything to relieve you child of angst.  The hours we will put into this new tooth will exhaust us and will overjoy us when it is over.  My daughter has this magical way of making me realize what is truly important in life.  One week before Christmas and a million items on my to-do list and the only free day I have, will not be spent getting things done and making sure everyone has the "perfect gift".  It will be spent making sure my angel is well.  Mentally and physically.  It will bring me more joy and satisfaction then opening the "perfect" gift.  And it will make me thanks our lucky stars this is happening the week before Christmas and not on Christmas.  I know, terrible.