Colins Med Update

Last last post was obviously old, and before we had upped Colin's meds. I had it saved in my drafts, and have just not gotten around to posting it. Since then, we've gone back to see his Pdoc and have him re evaled for his meds. Which have thankfully been readjusted and additional dosages added. He now gets them 2 times per day, in the morning when he wakes up, and in the evening. The morning dose helps him manage his day schedule, and the evening dose (usually around 5:30/6:00) helps him manage his evening and sleep schedule. Since we've began this, Colin has slept though the night EVERY. SINGLE. NIGHT!! Because he is sleeping through the night 1 - he's not as tired/dopey at school & 2 - he's more focused! AND 3- I get a FULL night sleep in my bed in my house in almost 5 years!!! It's a wonderful feeling to wake up feeling refreshed. We were working on sticker charts for patience, and I ended up changing it up to sleeping through the night, so he too can feel accomplished and confident that sleeping all night long is a good thing! He really enjoys waking each day and getting to put a sticker on his chart :-)

So .. In addition, since we've played with his dosage, he really is a whole new Colin. It's wonderful honestly. Sad that it takes meds to make him this way, but, if they level out his chemicals and do their job, who I am I to say it's a sad thing?? He is SO Loving!! This is something we really really missed out for the past 4 years. He was never the one to come and sit on your lap. Or give you a hug or kiss. when he got hurt the last thing he would want is comfort. He now will sit on our laps in the evening when we watch his bedtime show. He'll crawl on our laps to be read too, with out us even saying, "Colin come and sit with me" He'll tell you he loves you, just because and if you ask for a kiss?? He'll come up and give it to you!! How awesome is that? he's so focused as well. he is able to stay on task for numerous minutes now, as opposed to only a few. Tantrums are now a few weekly instead of NUMEROUS ones daily. Anxiety has decreased dramatically. It is still prominent, but so much less!! Unfortunately his anxiety makes him scratch himself, and hes not aware of it. Lately we've woken in the morning to blood on his sheets or pillow cases. 2 days ago he came home from school saying his head hurt (it was his fore head, right smack in the middle of his birthmark) so he continued to scratch it until it turned into a brush burn :-( It's much more noticeable since it is on his birth mark which just makes it more red. Poor babes.

All in all, the meds are working as they need too. We are going to continue working with him in counseling (every 6 weeks) so he is able to learn how to control the anxiety that is left over, which will in turn, help him to cope all day long.

So the progression is positive.

Oh!!! I almost Colin was accepted into a food study program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders! I am so excited for this. We are only in the beginning stages, but eventually, we'll get to the point where we attended a meal time workshop and he'll be offered different types of foods. Most children on the spectrum are VERY picky eaters, due to OCD, or tactile issues or whatnot. Colin being one of them, so I am very excited to see the outcome.