Breathing In & Out Isn't So Easy

I am still going through my 100 Day Kit sent to us free from Autism Speaks.  It is designed to help you after you have a diagnosis of Autism.  I am going through all of the safety issues. 

A whole lot of fear has set in on me.  My Dominick is a "wanderer".  He will take off and not look back.  He is oblivious to his surroundings.  He doesn't even realize I am not near him.  He could run out into the middle of the street and have ZERO idea that cars even exist.

I have to worry about every window, every door, every cabinet, every drawer.  I have to worry about scissors, pens, pencils, cleaning products, medicines, tools, garbage, TVs, book cases and tall furniture that could fall over. 

I have to worry about him getting lost and not being able to find him.  He most of the time does not respond to me calling his name.  He would not be able to communicate with a stranger.  How would he be able to find me or tell someone who he is and who I am? 

HELP!!!  I found my saving grace and it is two websites...  http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ and http://www.lucasworks.com/.  I was able to get a safety kit which includes DNA ID, teeth impressions, fingerprints, ID tags with child info for wallets and car seat, ID bracelets and shoe stickers.  I also get a electronic child locator which attaches to his shoes and alerts me if he gets beyond 20 feet away from me and I can locate him up to 150 feet away.  It is a little blue bear he will wear on his shoe and I will have a locator i can carry.  I also got temporary Autism tattoos that come with a waterproof non toxic pen so I can write his and my info on him.  A medical alert bracelet.  I know I am forgetting some of the other stuff also.

My husband thinks I am going overboard.  I never want to be unprepared for a single event, circumstance or instance.  I do not want to have to look back and say to myself, "I could have should have done more to keep him safe and protected."

On both of the websites there is also great information and history about their children.  I spent hours last night on http://www.lucasworks.com/.  Lucas is a 17 year old with autism and is mentally retarded.  His mother Lauren is the one who started Lucas Works.  She has put so much helpful info on this site and has also shared her and Lucas's story.  I feel  truly blessed after reading about her story.

Next on my project list is getting together a flyer with Dominick's picture and information to have ready in case of emergency.  I am going to go around to a couple of neighbors to also make them alert of Dominick and our situation.  I will make sure to check the sex offenders websites before I do.  YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS.  Plus I do not want to end up on Oprah's couch crying.

I am going to also take Dominick to the police stations and fire department to make them aware and let him see what the police and firemen look like.  Also make sure they have flyers on file of him. 

Getting all the cabinets, windows, drawers and doors ready will be on Marty's list to do.  This will be a great time to get everything in my house organized.  A place for everything and everything in its place.

Therapy is going along great.  Mondays we have Gymboree and then Occupational Therapy.  Wednesdays and Fridays we have Speech Therapy.  Ashlee comes over on Wednesdays after Speech to work with us.  I am looking for a two day a week, half day, "Mommy's Morning Out" kind of program for him so he can interact with other children.  Now the only problem is finding one that will fit him.  He isn't going to participate like the other kids.  He isn't going to listen to the teacher like the other kids.  I am very afraid of him being punished.  Will the teachers be able to understand what his autism is and how it makes him different? 

I am going to sign him up for swim lessons.  Many children with autism are very very very very very very attracted to the water.  Whether it is flushing the toilet, which he must do and no one is allowed in this house except for him to flush, or watching the water come out of the faucet or watching it rain outside, he will stop what he is doing and go off into his own little world.  And it is very hard to get him to come back into mine.  We are going to try the YMCA first.

Breath in, Breath out, Breath in, Breath out.  It is so easy to feel overwhelmed.  It is so easy to feel sorry for yourself.  It is so easy to cry and just want to give up.  I never go down the easy path.