THANK YOU

Today I just want to say thank you all for your support it's very much appreciated!!!Thank you for stopping by and reading the blog! Mav is doing pretty good I think things are getting better like i said it will be ok. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH!!!!!

Sick Dude

Yesterday Mav came home from school sick. I got the call around 8:20 to come back to pick him up. I felt so bad because he was fine when I dropped him off then I guess it hit right after they got to class. He came home took a shower then we relaxed the rest of the day.He is at school today was doing fine lastnight and this a.m. so I have my fingers crossed i think today will go ok. Still adjusting and figuring things out. I found out yesterday Mav is going on his first field trip in a couple weeks he is going fishing with his class I get to go too if I want which YEs I do. I was assured that he would be totally safe it's all fenced in and lots of helpers which is cool. I'm excited and nervous. He gets to ride a bus for the first time so I hope that goes ok. I'm sure he'll love it.
He's loving the rain we have been getting the last few days he likes to sit and watch it, play in it, and just sit and listen he's so funny. He is loving sleeping in a sleeping bag at night now too. I think his sensory issues are getting a little bit more sensitve he's hokding his ears more, more sensitve to touch and the screaming is not so great.Working on figuring out what to do about it. I am kind of excited that we only have like 4 weeks left of school then we have Summer Break I'm so ready for it. School is going great for him and it will take time to adjsut to the new schedule but I think he will like sleeping in and just hanging out at home.

I think that is all for today. Sorry I haven't been posting everyday like planned but as you all know life sometimes throws you a curve ball and things don't go as planned. lots going on that i didn't have planned that is for sure. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

ENT and Surgery

Mav had his ENT appointment on Friday he will be having surgery on June 1st to remove his tonsils and adenoids(sp?) I am trying to preparew myself for the week of hell that is also known as recovery.
We have been going through many changed with the dude lately and I have been trying to take some time for myself that is why I haven't been posting or doing much of anything for that matter. Sorry for not updating on here. Mav is having some mood issues and trying to adjust to his new meds its been really hard I feel somedays as if I'm failing as a momma maybe I'm missing something maybe there is something more I can or should be doing to figure this all out for him. Everytime we take a step forward we take 10 steps back. We'll get through it like we always do I just hope its soon.
Thanks for stopping by have a goodnight!!

A Day for Mav

What's a day like for Mav? Sometimes these things very but this is what it is usually like during the school year.

6:45 am wake up go straight to bathroom for shower (always uses the same shower gel)
7 a.m. get out of shower and dressed (always in the same order diaper, shirt, pants, socks)
Eat Breakfast or watch cartoons depending on the mood he's in whether he eats. Takes meds
Brush teeth
7:35 am get shoes and coat on (coat must be zipped otherwise we have problems)
7:40 get into car this sometimes can take forever with sisters
7:45-7:50 drop off to Miss Carissa and Mrs. Crozier
From 7:50-2pm Mav attends school
2pm momma waits for Mav by the same door
Get home takes off coat runs for bedroom.
maybe a snack maybe some play or a nap
watch some toons
6pm Dinner usually one of a very few things he eats
hang out with the family play
8:30 pm get ready for bed
usually he's up and down unless he sleeps in my bedroom on a little bed we have for him in there. some nights he is up and down all night long others he is so tuckered out he could sleep through a tornado.If he sleeps in his room he eventually ends up in my room around 1-2 am

most days are long but if he didn't have his medicine they would be even longer like before when he could go on very little sleep the whole week long.

What happens every 20 minutes?

Scary isn't it? Imagine stopping every 20 minutes for the next 24 hours to think about a child being diagnosed with Autism and all that family is going through. Just thinking about that gets me emotional that is 72 children/families.If you or a family member are not currently affected by Autism at this rate you soon will. It's time to learn the signs, become aware, make a difference this puzzle needs to be solved!

Just hanging out today playing with some trains, watching Thomas ans friends, eatin a little, and just plain chillin. It's raining and it's Sunday which is relaxing day for us. We have had a pretty good weekend. Mav is a little moody still getting use to new meds but he's doing good. Back to school tomorrow.Have a great evening!

What I heard today....

Something I think about....

A December 2008 Easter Seals and MassMutual study, Living with Autism, found of parents having children with autism:

74% fear their children won't have enough financial support after the parents die

52% say caring for their children drains the family's current financial resources

Nearly 80% are extremely or very concerned about their children's independence as adults

14% feel that their children will be able to make life decisions

17% think their children will make friends"

All parents worry about their children's future, but for parents who have children with autism, these worries may never disappear," said John Chandler, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of MassMutual's U. S. Insurance Group, "that's why MassMutual has sponsored a new research study focused on the challenges of families living with Autism Spectrum Disorders
."


This is not ment to be a downer post but this is part of my reality and being a momma to my special little guy. The following are my thought.
I think all parents think about stuff like this but when you have a special needs child you really think about this stuff and often. Louis and I have been talking about this lately what if something were to happen to me or both of us? Who would take care of Mav and the girls?Who would be able to do what we do for Mav? because Right now people think and say they can handle it but seriously once I'm gone you can't just pick up the phone and say hey Mav needs momma, you need to come get him I don't know what to do, how do I handle or take care of him Mandy?I'm scared that if something were to happen to me that things would be very hard for Mav and those that would be caring for him. Mav and I have a bond like no other its hard to put into words I know him better then anyone else.Like Louis has said no one could take care of Mav the way I do they wouldn't know how to.We haven't figured this out yet.I know that the good Lord has a plan for me and its to be Mav's momma and I probably shouldn't worry about this because we have many many many years ahead. Alrighty have a great day!!
Off to spend time with my fam its my Birthday weekend woohoo!I have a special treat for tomorrows post so be sure to check it out.

Came across this today

Autism in Film
For many years, if you wanted to rent a movie about autism, you had only one choice: Rain Man. Although it never hurts to revisit such a classic, in recent years there has been a virtual explosion of movies featuring autistic characters very different from Rain Man’s savant.

The most recent and critically acclaimed of these films, The Black Balloon (NeoClassics Films, 2008), is a story of two teenage brothers, one of whom is severely autistic. Both film critics and autism advocates herald the Australian film’s realistic portrayal of the disorder. Elissa Down, who wrote and directed the movie, grew up with two autistic brothers and no doubt drew on her own experiences when creating the characters and dialogue. (The Black Balloon is available on DVD in Australia and will be released in the U.S. later this year.)

In 2006’s Snow Cake (IFC), Sigourney Weaver plays an independent autistic woman who helps a guilt-ridden stranger, played by Alan Rickman, come to terms with his issues about love and death. The film received mixed reviews, but Weaver’s performance was praised by many in the autistic community.

Mozart and the Whale (Sony Pictures, 2005) is a more light-hearted film about a romance between two young adults who have Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism marked by high IQ and social difficulties. The film, starring Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell, is based on the book of the same title, which chronicles the relationship highs and lows of real-life couple Jerry and Mary Newport.

The next few years promise more autism-related movies, including both documentaries and feature films. There are even reports of a biopic of Temple Grandin, the autistic veterinary researcher made famous by Oliver Sacks in his book An Anthropologist on Mars (Knopf, 1995), with Claire Danes in the title role—so stay tuned. *info from Scientific American April 2009 issue*

Thought this was interesting and I'm going to rent those movies that are out so we can watch them.I'm looking forward to seeing the ones that are coming out too. Thanks for stopping by have a great day!

WINNERS!!!! and another giveaway

Heather and Kristen you are the 2 lucky ladies that will each be getting one of the kits from last weeks giveaway please email me your addy at mad4mav@hotmail.com THANKS!!!



Ok this week I have something that anyone with a sweet tooth is going to love. Miss Teagan aka Mav's big sis is a Brownie Scout and this week we got our Girl Scout cookie order in so she has decided she would like to give 2 boxes of those yummies away to one lucky blog reader. So please leave a comment here or email me between now and next Tuesday April 21st at 11:59 pm I will post the winner on Wednesday.You will get to pick from Thin mints, Samoas, Tagalongs, DulceDeLeche, DoSiDos, Trefoils, and Sugar Free Chocolate Chip (i think that is all of them off the top of my head).And you'll get something special from the Dude too.
Mav's Orthopaedic appointment went good today. We are going to wait 3 more months have another xray see what the change looks like if any then go from there. I was happy no surgery for now so the Dude won't be miserable in casts this summer. Thank you for all your support , thoughts,and prayers for Mav I so appreciate it! Have a good evening!

Mav's momma

One of my Favorite everyday things

Is picking Mav up at school. I pull up he waits at the door with the class aide while I walk up to the door as soon as it opens he looks at me and grabs my hand. I get the lowdown on his day whether good or bad or whatever then as we walk to the car we chat I ask him how his day was he grumbles or just listen. I love that short walk to the car. I open his door put him in then get in we head home I chat he mostly listens or stares out the window. Then my favorite part comes I get to go through his backpack he always has things in there what he did at school his work,notes,drawings/coloring etc. Today while going through his bag and getting excited to read about his day I find the masterpiece of all school work he traced his name by himself again it looks awesome and I'm so proud but one thing that catches my eye is the note on the side from his aide she wrote about him doing this himself but its not just what she wrote it was how she wrote it it looks like she was so happy and excited about it too. She was proud of him.I love it!! Yes you can call me crazy for thinking I see this in the note but seriously when you look at handwriting you can really see someones expression if you really look at it at least I think I can. I need to scan or take a picture so ya'll can see it. I'm so happy and proud. The Dude is Awesome!!! I have to give a big huge thanks to those wonderful ladies that get him from 8-2pm everyday its amazing!
There is still time to get in on the giveaway you have till 11:59pm the winner will be announced tomorrow after we get back from Mav's Orthopedic appointment.
Thanks all!! Have a great night!!

Mav's Momma

Good News and some pictures

Today the Dr.'s nurse Miss Barb called to let me know that Mav's electrocardiogram came back good such a relief I was happy to hear that. Today was his first day back to school after spring break I figured it would probably be a little rough and it was but it's Monday and Monday's usually are. We added another hour to his day at school so he is now there almost a whole school day. He came home wore out so he took a nice nap.

ok here are some pictures from the last week of Mavness.

Playing SpongeBob computer game with dad.

playing with domino train and Thomas & Friends trainsPointing and naming animals on the TV at the end of a movie Helping Momma with laundry Hanging out

Waiting room @ the Dr.'s office

Long ride home

Easter Egg hunt with the cousins

Trying to get a picture of all the kids together was so not happening today but here is the best one i got i think.

Diggin in the Easter Bag (no baskets this year momma made all 3 kiddies their own felt bags that the bunny filled for them)

I have tons more Easter Pictures but I thought this was a bit picture heavy so maybe you'll see them on a scrapbook page soon. Thanks for stopping by.

Mav's Momma

PS don't forget you still have time to get in on the Giveaway just look over o the right the pic and link to the 2 kits is there or you can scroll down too.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to you all!We had a fun day yesterday my cousin Kortney and her 3 kids + our teen cousin that lives with Kort came over to spend the day with us the kids had so much fun together! We had an Easter egg hunt Mav was sleeping while we were getting everything ready I wasn't sure if he did get up that he'd be interested but I was proven wrong by the Dude he loved hunting for the eggs that were full of goodies. It was funny because all the bigger kids have the thing where they take Mav under their wing we kept hearing Mav,Mav over here buddy look. He was all smiles and had fun. Louis took all 6 kids outside to play gave Kort and I some time to chat it was nice. We had Mav's fav pizza for dinner and played the night away.
Today we got the bunny bags here at home,made a stop at Mamaws,then we had dinner at Kortney's tonight. It was a good day and I hope you all had a wonderful day too!!! Will post Easter pictures tomorrow.

Xoxo
Mav's Momma

Sorry long post

I'm sorry for not posting yesterday it was an eventful day for me and so long and so tiring. Mav and I started the day out by sleeping in then heading out to run errands before going to Grand Rapids for the Dr. We made a stop at Miss Carolyn's house to pick up diapers and woolies(wool pants) Mav loves going to her house she's got some cool toys and he loves his pants. Thank you Carolyn for the wonderful diapers and woolies we love them!!!Then we were off to the DR things went ok at the DR he added a medicine then checked Mav over ordered a Electrocardiogram, then told me to make an appointment with the pediatrician because Mav's breathing he thinks is due to Mav's nostrils they aren't open very much he couldn't take a full look with that light thingy they shove in your nose and look at your throat with. Then he tells me to make sure the Pediatrician checks Mav's adenoids and tonsils because they are large and probably need to be taken out. At this time my mind is whirls and I'm thinking are you serious?come one. He says I know that you have so much your dealing with but be persistent about this and I'm sorry to give you one more thing to worry about. at that time I'm kinda numb so I tell him ya know what don't be sorry I'm getting use to the fact that every time we see a DR there is something more wrong, there's another test to be done, more this or that I mean heck the last DR told us we'd never get to the bottom of everything medically wrong with Mav because he is such a complicated case. Don't feel sorry for me. Then he says do you have any questions well after going over this and that listening to this and that seriously I don't even know what I'm thinking there's so much swirling around how am I going to ask a question I'll call next week with my 50 questions. On to the cardiogram we go this was ok not fun to put it mildly we did have a very nice and patient nurse for this thank goodness. Mav flips out at the sound, sight, feel of that white paper they put on exam tables at the Dr offices and she wants him laying on his back with the wires and machine at his head um not happening he flips to his tummy screams and crys grabs her sticky monitor things and sticks one to his back yep that's what your getting from the dude. She tried to flip him over to do it and he was having no part of that so she let me put him on my lap hold and chat with him while she tried to do the test we did it a few times and she was ok with what she got i guess cause Mav was done and so was I. We drove the almost hour back to town to get the dudes meds only to find out you need prior approval to get the meds so they weren't going to fill it till they talked to the DR and that might be Monday come on what else could go wrong is what I'm thinking at this point so I called the DR office talked to our wonderful nurse Barb she called within 5 minutes had approval and the pharmacy fillin the meds. Got his meds headed to Gpa and Gma by this time he passed out and it was 5pm we started in the car at 10:45am. We get to Gpa and Gmas and remember i asked what more could go wrong I should have kept my mouth shut because they tell me Avery took a spill from the pony (she fell off) and her arm is hurt so I look (she was sleeping) she has it wrapped up and when she wakes all she does is cry. I headed home with all the kids meet Louis and head back to the walk in clinic Urgent care place. I am at the point I don't want to step foot into another medical facility again anytime soon at least till Wednesday when Mav has his orthopedic appointment. Ok back to Miss A we waited for over an hour went back had Xrays then the Dr came in as far as she can tell Avery's wrist is sprang but she is going to have a radiologist look at the Xrays today to make sure. Finally headed home at 8 something pm after having one wrist wrapped and getting A's McDonald's. It was so good to be home ahh the couch felt so nice seeing Louis was nice. SO this my friends was why I did not post yesterday I felt bad but was so tired and ready to just relax and not have to think or do anything. Will try to post some pictures later my cousin and her 3 kids are coming over to spend the day with us.Have a great day all thanks for stopping by and reading.

xoxo
~Mav's Momma

Have a minute?

I have something really quick to share with you right now and will be back later with more.

If you have a quick minute go to Ask.com today they are teaming up with Autism Speaks. If you go there peel back the top left corner and it will reveal and explain everything to you.

We are heading to Gpa and Gma's house here in a little bit. The girls are going to stay the night with them while i take Mav to the behavioral specialist to get new meds and check him out then the nurse said we may have to go get and cardiogram done on Mav's heart he's having some issues because of the meds he has been taking and they want to make sure all is ok with his heart. So if you all could say a little prayer for the dude that would be awesome and very much appreciated.

ok be back later. till then have a great afternoon!

XOXO
Mav's Momma

UPDATED: ok not much more to share the Dude had fun at Gpa and Gma's watched some dvd's, ate some sweets,chatted,enjoyed hangin with the G-rents(great grandparents) and we actaully made out of there with not meltdowns Mav helped carry the goodies gma gave me out to the car then got in just like a big boy. I was so proud of him!I had prepared myself for a bad scene and heck of a ride home but none of that happened we had a nice ride home listened to some tunes chatted a bit and looked at the scenery passing by. Got home hung out and played outside while waiting for daddy to get home. Just chillin hangin out at home ready for bed. Chat with ya'll tomorrow.

Wednesday means a WINNER and another Giveaway!!

The winner of the Week 1 Giveaway is Lisa T Howard. Congrats girl shoot me an email with your addy at mad4mav@hotmail.com .

ok are ya'll ready for another one? I have put together 2 scrapbook kits one that is boyish colors the other girly so that means we will have 2 winners next week. To be entered to win one of these kits leave a comment you can tell me if you prefer one over the other if you'd like.You can leave a comment between now and 11:59 pm April 14th the winners will be announced on April 15th.
I just want to thank you all again for visiting the blog and the wonderful support you are giving us!!!

Kit 1 has Heather Bailey, Bazzill, Basic Grey,MME, Tinkering Ink, AL stamp & more

Kit 2 has Making Memories, Collage Press, October Afternoon, Scenic Route, AL stamp & more

Sharing some cool finds

I wanted to share this link with you all it's the place I go every other day to see Autism News. It's updated daily with the latest Autism News articles from around the world.

I know we all love ETSY (if you don't know what Etsy you must check it out it's a wonderful site full of handmade goodness for you to purchase) while browsing I came across these awesome finds which not only do I just like them they also are benefiting Autism which is so cool!

One of my favorite finds today this beauty from polarity it's an interchangeable magnetic locket

This Beautiful necklace is from cravejewelrydesign

This cute little Tooth Fairy doll from CourtneyBenton she also has some cute art prints in her shop.

This Beautiful Bracelet from rocknbauble

How cool are these? Fingerless Gloves by TinkerAndPo

This Beautiful artwork by cREaTebyRET

This beautiful necklace is in the wiresNpliers shop and it is for Artist with Autism Awareness Month - Art Careers- Sarahbushka's there are so many more beautiful pieces in this shop that are made by Sarahbushka who lives daily with Autism.

This pretty earrings from lariescreations

Ok seriously how cute are these? FeltHungry makes this cute felt play food for kids.

Who wouldn't want to sport one of these beautiful handbags by kcrainehandbags

This beautiful pin is by nanichan

This cool necklace is by OleanderTea

This caught my eye the minute i saw it. It's just too cool! It's made by uncorked

Love the Screen Prints by thentherewere3 this one is my fav I also love the Green one they have in the shop.

Ok I got no where near all the way through my search so be prepared for another post like this sometime this month. There is just so much cool stuff on Etsy you really have to check it out.

Have a great day see you tomorrow.

Mav's Momma

PS Don't forget the Week 1 Giveaway ends tonight at 11:59pm I will post the winner in the morning along with another giveaway.Thanks for reading today!

Today....

is better! If you read yesterdays post thanks! Mav and I stayed up late lastnight and slept in the morning. I woke to a little man on the floor in my bedroom laying there just a jabbering away. He is smilin and so am I. I think he needs some momma time just the 2 of us and he's getting it today. The girls are with mamaw till later and dad's at work. We are just hangin out taking it easy it snowed lastnight ahh. I did call the Dr this a.m. and the nurse is going to talk to the Dr about changing meds and get back to me.
Thanks again!Have a great day!

Mav's Momma

Straight Up Sunday

Ok first let me apologize for a late post today I'm sorry. We have had a rough couple days with Mav meltdowns, screaming, just not a happy camper and seriously not fun for me either. We will get through it and have a good spring break.

SO on with the Straight Up Sunday stuff...
After reading the above your probably wondering what I mean when I say meltdown.. Mav's meltdowns go something like this he gets upset or mad over almost anything or nothing, he throws himself down, kicks, screams, crys and most of the time you have no clue why. He can get physical too with grabbing, hitting, or sometimes worse.
What do we do when this happens? We try to figure out what's going on, change the situation, redirect him,talk to him, sometimes we use this wrap holding thing kinda like a big hug that the behavioral specialist advised us to use, we try to do the time away thing too. Sometimes things help sometimes they don't. For example yesterday we were out in about we had to go to the big city of Grand Rapids and make a stop at a small mall so Louis could get license plate tags so I took the 3 kids to JoAnns (they have carts woot) put Mav in the cart got all done looking he was screaming and wanting dad we had looks finally dad got back but still not a happy Dude. We leave he screams and instead of getting upset and trying some technique or discipline I walked briskly and talked to him as he screamed after a minute he got it and it was over.then it started again in the car ahh but we got through it. Today he's just not happy not sure what's going on so I plan to call the Dr to see if maybe we need to change meds or something.

Yes life is not always peaches and cream but it's life. I try to be upbeat and positive sometimes it gets so hard but we always get through it one way or another. This is life, this is part of our journey. It's not always like this thank goodness. Mav is a true blessing to us all and he has changed our lives for the better!

ok on to another question.
Is Mav potty trained? NO he is not this is one thing that we have always said we can deal with we are working hard on everything else and this is something that really has to just come to him not like we can make him go on the toilet when he really doesn't know what is going on down there. Yes diapers for him are expensive and we go through alot so we are have found a wonderful lady named Carolyn from Grand Rapids who has designed some cloth diapers for Mav which will be using this summer and on the weekends here at home. He really likes them and hopefully it will help towards the potty training thing too. You can visit Carolyn's Etsy shop HERE Awesome stuff!

Sleeping Habits
Mav was going on very little sleep I'm talking like a few hours a week and it was killing me so we talked to the Dr about it and Mav was put on medication to help his moods and help him sleep at night. It goes in spurt where it's been decreased then increased, it works then it doesn't work. Right now I think were going through another one of those times where its not working and he is needing something different actually at the last Behavioral specialist appointment he wanted to switch Mav's meds because he is chunky and should probably try something different for his moods and sleep I choose not to at the time and have been really been paying more attention to his weight and breathing lately and I'm actually getting scared about it so that is another reason I will be calling the DR and saying that I guess I'm ready for the med change now.

What does Mav like?
Mav goes in spurts of what he plays with, watches, and likes. As of a few weeks ago Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends have made a comeback there for awhile he didn't play with them now we take them everywhere I'm making Mav a Man purse to carry his goods in. He is into computer games the learning kind but gets frustrated easily with them most of the time. He isn't int his movies as much anymore he use to love watching them but now we watch about 20 minutes of each movie then it's on to the next which drives everyone crazy but he likes it. He loves Boomerang on the satellite which is kinda weird since most kids love the new cartoons Mav loves the oldies.

Is Mav on a diet? Does he eat certain foods?
Mav is not on a diet unless you count the picky eater Mav Diet which consists mostly of bread products. He hates noodles! they don't come in his space or he flips out. We try to get him to try new foods which usually results in a real throw down meltdown which is not good for him or us. We have tried the Gluten Free Diet but we didn't get the results other have with it and it was way harder he was cut down to nothing and for a kid that bases his intake mostly on bread stuff um that diet just doesn't work. We gave it 6-8 months to see how he did on it so it wasn't like we tried it for a day or two. I do know that the diet does work for some kids it just wasn't right for him.

Health?What kinds of Dr's does Mav see?
I would say Mav is pretty healthy he does have problems with his legs, feet, and nervous system. Mav sees a Behavioral specialist,Pediatric Neurologist, Pediatric Orthopedist, and of course his Pediatrician. He has been given multiple diagnoses he has a cavus feet and metatarsus adductus ( foot deformities), charcot marie tooth(nervous system disease), and a disease in his foot which causes the blood to be cut off from the bone making the bone harden before it should. We have been given other diagnosis too but these are the ones that the DR is concerned with and focusing on right now. Mav goes to the orthopedic DR on the 15th this month to see what is going to happen next and when he will have surgery on his feet. We have been told that he needs surgery on his feet where the DR will break the bones in both feet and reconstruct the feet. This surgery will need to be done multiple times its is very very scary more poor little Dude going through all that.
When Mav does get sick with the normal stuff like the rest of us it seems like it hits him alot harder and it takes him longer to get over it.

Mav has alot of sensory issues which is why he has problems with foods, noises, touch, movement etc.If you google sensory processing problems/issues it will give you an idea of what I am talking about. Mav is both hyper and hypo sensitive to most things on the checklist which baffles us all because usually kids are one or the other.

ok I think i have wrote enough for today.Reading this I hope you don't think this is negative or sound like I'm dwelling on the bad stuff because I don't I'm just trying to show you the REAL life stuff too.Mav is a blessing to us!Thank you for your support! I really appreciate the visitors and the comments you all are wonderful!!! I Will be posting another post something like this next Sunday hoping it will be Louis' thoughts or maybe Teagan's. Thank you for reading this!

~Mav's Momma

Statistics Saturday

Autism statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that cases of autism spectrum disorder have risen over the past several years. Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is the term used to describe a number of developmental disabilities that stem from a problem within the brain.

Autism is the most common form of ASD, and it is now prevalent in 1 out of 150 children in America, according to the CDC's 2007 autism statistics. This number is even higher for boys, where nearly 1 out of 94 have autistic disorder. And those numbers are rising, as is evidenced by autism statistics provided by the CDC and other organizations. Here are the facts and figures that have been discovered over the past several years:

• Autism is usually diagnosed before a child turns three years old, but symptoms have been noted as early as four months.

• Autism is a lifelong disability and life expectancy of autistic individuals is normal.

• Anywhere from 10-20 out of every 10,000 people are affected by autism.

• Estimates show that 1-1.5 million Americans have some form of ASD.

• Autism is currently the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, with an annual growth rate of 10-17 percent.

• In the United States, a new case of autism is identified almost every 20 minutes.

• In the past 10-15 years, cases of autism have risen 172 percent. In this same amount of time, the U.S. population grew 13 percent, and cases of disabilities rose 16 percent.
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• Care of autistic individuals costs approximately $90 billion per year. This dollar amount is expected to more than double, or even quadruple, over the next five years.

• Early diagnosis of autism can cut down on costs for lifelong care by about two-thirds.

• About half of autistic people score less than 50 on IQ tests; 20 percent score between 50 and 70, and 30 percent get a score over 70. Only a very small percentage of people with autism are savants, showing genius-level abilities in a particular area.

• About 17 percent of all children have some type of developmental disability.

• Autism became a special education exceptionality in 1991, and it is the sixth most commonly found disability acknowledged in public schools today.

• Autism is diagnosed more frequently than Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and all forms of childhood cancer combined.

Autism statistics are always changing as research and observation is completed and shared. The growing numbers have led to some societal concern, and hopefully this will lead to new treatments and eventually a cure.

*information from Autism Diagnosis.com*

Thanks for reading some of you may have already read this stuff but I feel its always important to share again.

Tomorrow is going to be titled Straight Up Sunday I will share and try to answer some question about Mav that you all might have like where he is on the spectrum, what some of his quirks are, his health, sleeping issues, potty training, just more Mav stuff in general and what it's like to be his momma.I'm also going to get Louis in on this so it won't just be my view I know and have experienced how different and difficult it is when it comes to being the Daddy and having your only son diagnosed with Autism by watching Louis these last few years.Love picking his brain too lol he usually isn't much of a talker. If you have any question please please ask away I am open about anything when it comes to this I want to share our story so please don't not think your asking a rude or bad question because the only bad question is the one that never gets asked. The more I share or answer the better off Mav's Life and others like him will be.

XOXO

Friday Photos

Some of my favorites from lastnight. The Dude was so happy to get outside he was running, playing, laughing and smiling it was good! Yes he does have shorts on and I do realize it is not summer but that is how he decided to roll yesterday he's taking the whole Spring Break thing to heart and it was nice out I wouldn't let him go out in shorts if it was freezing believe me.I love that smile! Thanks for stopping by today!

World Autism Awareness Day

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States. This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges. World Autism Awareness Day shines a bright light on autism as a growing global health crisis. WAAD activities help to increase and develop world knowledge of the autism epidemic and impart information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention. Additionally, WAAD celebrates the unique talents and skills of persons with autism and is a day when individuals with autism are warmly welcomed and embraced in community events around the globe.By bringing together autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to inspire compassion, inclusion and hope.

What can you do to make a difference today? Here are a few things:
Visit Autism Speaks this in my opinion is the best site to go to for information.

Take a Walk with WOW!WOW!WUBBZY

Download this WUBBZY Coloring Book

You can make donations HERE and HERE
Or by purchasing from the Autism Speaks Store

You can purchase this fabulous Songbird Ave Bloom and Grow Digital kit designed by Ali Edwards and the designers at Songbird Ave 100% of the proceeds will go to Autism Speaks you can read more about it HERE. This is so cool!

Send E-cards
E-cards

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We had Mav's conference at school last night I am so proud of the Dude her is making awesome progress and doing great in school. It amazes me the things he is doing or trying to do. I love how his teacher and aide always smile when they see him it makes me know things are good. He loves going to school! His therapies are going well his speech is doing good he surprises us every once in awhile with something new it was so cute last night his teacher told Louis about Mav walking with her and another child down the hall he usually holds her hand but her hands were full so he stop and said "what about me?"for him to out 3 words together is amazing he just doesn't that. We are going to work add another hour of school after spring break he currently goes till 1 pm. He is doing really good I'm so happy with the change in classes I was so nervous about it a year ago but it's the best thing that has happened!
NOTE: Mav is currently in a cognitively impaired classroom there are 6 other kids most are full time a couple are part time. He has his Teacher and his Aide so with the small class size if he needs the assistance more it's there. These 2 ladies and his therapists do a wonderful job with him seriously it amazes me and makes me feel so good when I drop him off to them in the morning I know my little man is going to be safe and well taken care of while he is there.

ok I think i will be back with some pictures later I have been documenting with words and photos for Mav's book i am making.

Have a great day! Thank you so very much for visiting today! Don't forget about the giveaway there is lots of time to leave a comment.

xoxo

April 1st

April is a month that has always ment something to me it’s my Birthday month, Gma’s Birthday month, you can see the start of Spring, Easter (most years), and Spring Vacation. Now April means a little bit more you see April is Autism Awareness month and my precious little Dude Mavrick has Autism. Many of you reading this blog know Mav or have heard part of his story but in case you haven’t you can read it HERE. I am just one person, one momma trying to make a difference for her little boy while brainstorming of what or how I could make a difference the idea of blogging daily whether it be Autism information, pictures of Mav, or daily doings would somehow in someway reach one person and that person may tell another and it would make a difference. Help me help those living with Autism help me a difference please.

Tomorrow April 2^nd is WORLD AUTISM DAY so be sure to check back here tomorrow or you can visit www.worldautismawarenessday.org

Today I have a giveaway and a challenge for you leave a comment in the comment section here on the blog or email me for a chance to win this mini journal/notebook and pen combo plus a special surprise from Mav (you‘ll like it believe me I'd like to keep it :)). I thought this would be good for our first giveaway since I am documenting Mav’s life here on the blog for the next month.

Leave a comment between now and April 8^th when the next Giveaway will be posted there might be something in between but you’ll have to come back to see.

Thank you so very much for stopping by!

*edited @ 3pm est on 4/1 with different pictures showing the giveaway*

~xoxo