Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Son Rise Therapy; A New Beginning

After years of speech and behavior therapy Sara finally discovered Son Rise. In essence it is all about them and the world they live in, and becoming a part of their world. The goal is to dive into their world until their world doesn't exist as a "secret place" any longer. If we are doing what they do, eventually they will do what we do.

This is our first part dedicated to explaining and creating your understanding with Son Rise. Anyone can do this easily on their own at home without spending lots of money!

What you will need:

- A dedicated "playroom" with a door
- A small trampoline
- Two yoga/body balls
- Plenty of your kid’s favorite toys

To start: Lock the door and stay in for at least an hour; once they leave the room it is over!

The 4 Principles:

JOIN THEM
     Mimic whatever they are doing, as precise and as sincere as you can. This will develop a level of comfort between the two of you and you will eventually see the "green light".

CELEBRATE THEM
    Whenever they are doing something that should be acknowledged like eye contact or word use; congratulate, encourage and celebrate them! Be enthusiastic like "That is so awesome!" or "I love that you’re looking at me".

BUILDING
    As they are interacting in a sequence with you, continue and then add on it. For example, say your both tickling each other on the foot back and forth, add a tickle on the neck into the sequence, etc. 

REQUESTING
     You have to wait until you get the "green light” to ask a question. This principle is insanely hard to follow but will encourage a trust bond results if followed correctly.

What is a "green light" I am sure your asking, and the answer is easy; anything that shows contact or interaction with you such as eye contact, touching, language etc. Any green light behavior should be celebrated and built on. If they do not respond to your request after two tries go back to mimic mode until they give you another green light, always push for more wordage. If they said 2 words, try to make them say 3, 4 or more.

It is generally good to use a theme for every therapy session. Use themes that you think will motivate your child. If they love Toy Story, then dress up as a cowboy and act as if Woody came into the session. Buy toys that encourage effort thus producing "green light" behavior. A great resource for activities and themes is "Play and Grow", a book written by parents who came up with many different activities for their own children in therapy.



Another important thing to remember is that in the playroom there is no wrong behavior. Always keeping their safety in mind, you never want to say "no". In our playroom we let it go as far as writing on the walls, this is their world so let them rule it. If they are doing something dangerous, re-route them before using the words “no”. The rest of the world is constantly "shhh-ing" them and making odd faces at their behavior, Son Rise shows them they are just as awesome as other kids, building confidence, phasing out their silent world and merging them into the real world right along with us.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Sara's Favorite Salad Recipe

Simple, yummy and HEALTHY

2 cans of organic lentils
1 can of organic Garbanzo beans
Splash of apple cider vinegar
About 1/4 tsp Bosari Original (available at whole foods)
Drizzle with lemon avocado oil (available at whole foods)

store in refrigerator

Tip: Great as lettuce wraps!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

GAPS Waffles

Heat your waffle iron

In a bowl mix:

6 Eggs
1/3 cup Half almond flour, half coconut flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tbs of sea salt
3 tbs raw honey (can use less if desired)
4 tbs ghee (melted)

Pour in waffle maker for desired time

Smother in raw honey or raw agave nectar (not strict GAPS) when done, enjoy!


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

World's Greatest Mom

After hearing this story I absolutely had to post about it. It broke my heart to think of how many parents go through these exact same feelings on a daily basis.

The other day Sara, the mother of our splendid monsters, was making herself a cup of tea in the kitchen. It was a rather large mug so I proceeded to comment on it. Sara, with an enthusiastic smile on her face, explained to me that she had purchased this mug for herself a couple years ago, on her birthday. She went on to describe how it was her birthday and her husband had not gotten her a birthday present. She saw this HUGE pink mug that read " World's Greatest Mom"...and she bought it for herself. What the heck right? Someone has to encourage her! Even if it is herself!

I fell in love with this story because if you only knew Sara! Working a full time job, and then committing every single penny towards helping her two autistic kids meet their full potential. Every moment of free time spent enjoying her children and creating a positive environment for them, researching the latest therapies, diets and supplements; breaking the bank account to staff a dynamic team that helps to enforce her strategic plan. How ironic that she would have to buy herself a mug to remind her that she is the "world's greatest mom".

I don't know about you, but I am nominating her for the mom of the century award!

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

To be Be Allowed is to be Embraced

In the earlier years of our kids Autism we were always running after them, blocking them, taking them apart from things and saying "no". Upon reflection of the reasoning behind our behavior was exactly, it came down to WE WERE AFRAID WHAT OF PEOPLE THINK. If our kids ran up to a birthday party, picnic, moon bounce or what have you, it was the 100 mph obstacle course to prevent any sort of interaction or interruption  Shame on us!

Part of our children's ability to feel accepted is our allowing them to embrace things around them and by doing so, be embraced in return. How can we expect them to feel secure in themselves if every time the are excited for something, we say "NO". They can sense our discomfort, our fear and our shame.

We have learned that the best way for acceptance is to ALLOW. For example, a couple of weeks ago we went for a walk in the park by our house. This park pulls out all of the stops boasting a stable yard, old fort remnants  covered picnic areas and jungle gym's galore. It's the perfect sport for family reunions and company picnics. This day was no exception; The pavilion was swarming with giggling children, music, food, and a giant moon bounce. Our little boy took off running and, before we could even try to stop him, his shoes were off and he was inside jumping with all of the kids.

Now consider this for a moment. From a behavioral perspective, nothing about this should be discouraged. He is interacting with strangers (even if non-verbal) and putting himself out there. The only reason it seems wrong to us is because we are wondering what people are thinking. Can we handle our kids? Do we have manners? What is wrong with our family? So we decided to "fix it". No we are not going to toss our morals out the window but we are going to loosen up a little. So we simply say, "my son and daughter are Autistic; They don't understand the concept of this is a private party", and 98% of the time we are greeted with warm acceptance.

All of these years we have said no and the rest of the world was willing to embrace us. We as parents are responsible for creating an environment that is stable for progress; even if for the little things.  Everything will add up over time so start now; start saying yes.




*Photo borrowed from http://www.iloveachildwithautism.com/AutismShirts.html, they sell awesome T-shirts to helo support autism awareness 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Holiday Edition: A Glimpse Inside

Most families get really enthusiastic about holidays. With time off from school there are many fun things to fill their day with. Not for us! having TWO Autistic kids staying home for Columbus Day, our first response is "oh #$%@". 

It is hard to convince the average pedestrian what we go through on an everyday basis; days off of school being no exception, so here is a little look into what it is like around here:

3am, 13 yr old wakes up to tell mommy she is dreaming about Florida....stays up until 6am.
7am 10 yr old wakes up and in doing so, wake up 13 year old, who wakes up mommy.
745am, finally done preparing breakfast, giving 15 supplements and nasal spray.
815am Paper plate lit on fire, trouble extinguishing fast
830am glass breaks
....
11am 10 yr old draws numerous pictures in library books
1115am 10 yr old punches holes in all newly purchased bags of rice pasta.
1130am 10 yr old sticks entire hand in jar of raw honey
1135am... 10 yr old removes lamp shades from chandelier over dining room table
1145am 13 yr old tries to cut bottom of plastic jack O lantern bucket with kitchen knife
...
1230pm10 yr old fills balloon with water and carries down hall, untied...
1245pm 10 yr old jumps out bedroom window
1245pm 13 yr old goes outside in shorts and tank, no shoes...it's 50F!
1pm 10 yr old finds saw and runs to playground to "cut it down"
127pm 10 yr old is still climbing out the window... with bare feet

So next time you think your child is driving you crazy, take a second to be a little more patient and thankful for the little things (like smoke detectors).


Friday, October 5, 2012

GAPS Pizza Crust

preheat oven to 400F

You will need:

3 eggs
1 tbs homemade applesauce (or organic unsweetened if must)
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp Bosari* Original
1/2 tsp dried, organic oregano
1/2 tsp dried, organic basil
1 cup 50/50 almond flour/coconut flour

with a mixer or food processor beat eggs, oil, applesauce and seasonings
Add flour


On a flat sheet or pan place parchment paper, oil well with olive oil (about 1tbs)
make a rounded clump of dough and press down into desire shape, circle is best.
Press with hands until it is about 1/3 inch thick

Bake in oven for 14 minutes, let sit.

Top with Gourmet Gaps Meat Sauce (see previous entries)
or
Take our Gourmet Meat sauce, place in blender with a little water and olive oil, spread over top

*Bosari Original can be found at whole foods

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Have You Seen my Keys??

Always funny when you get a text wondering if anyone has seen their keys, especially when you have TWO Autistic kids in the house. Even better when one of them respond 12 hours after you needed to go to a dinner party, "IN MR. POTATO HEAD!" Now THAT is Autism awareness for you :)

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Little Things are HUGE

While most people would overlook their 10 yr old doing a puzzle or hanging out quietly in his room we should  throw a party for it! Consider how much progress it is for him to sit still, focused and intentionally put together a puzzle? Not to mention sharing in dialogue about the pieces, where they need to go and what the picture is creating! We celebrate these "small" things because they are the building blocks to our foundation; a typical life.

Gourmet GAPS: Chili/Meat Sauce/Pizza Sauce

I worked hard to develop this recipe so that everyone in the GAPS household could enjoy food without missing out on flavor or nutrients, enjoy!

Prep-time: 45min-1 hour for first time
Cook Time: 3-4 hours

Preheat oven to 400F

You will need:

16 organic, vine-ripe tomatoes
2./3 pint of organic cherry tomatoes
2 organic, red bell peppers
1 large yellow onion
1 cup raw, organic spinach
1 can of organic lentils (if on strict diet, fresh, soaked lentils)
3 tablespoons organic, roasted garlic (can buy at whole foods or make on own)
6 fresh basil leaves
4 stemmed pieces of thyme
2.5 stemmed pieces of marjoram
1 tbs organic garlic paste
1 tsp fresh ground pepper
2 tbs dried, minced onion
1/2 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp dried oregano
1.5 tbs Bosari* Original
4 tbs olive oil
2 tbs ghee
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbs apple cider vinegar

Slice bell peppers in half, remove seeds and stems, cover in olive oil and bake for 20 min in oven.

Cut tomatoes (any way you please), place in large soup/stew pot  with 1 tbs olive oil on medium heat.
Dice 2/3 onion and add to pot.

In a frying pan, brown ground beef, 1tbs ghee, 1/2 tbs Bosari*, 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper, set aside, add to pot.

Add all remaining ingredients to blender, puree and add to pot.

Stir and cover, cooking on medium heat for 2 hours, then uncover and cook on high until most of the water has evaporated leaving a thicker, meat sauce (this could take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending, be careful to stir occasionally as the bottom could burn).

Serve in a bowl as "chili" or place on top of GAPS pizza crust as sauce/toppings or place in blender to create a smoother consistency for your pizza sauce, enjoy!

*Bosari Original can be purchased at whole foods

-All seasonings should be organic per GAPS requirements



GAPS Raw Milk Smoothie

We LOVE this smoothie!

Pasteurized milk kills all the living proteins and enzymes essentially leaving you with DEAD WEIGHT. No wonder most people have lactose intolerance  All of the benefits are stripped away with the harsh heating & cleaning of the milk! With our raw milk kefir you use raw milk that is left unpasteurized  heated to room temp and cultured. It is jam packed with extreme nutrients, enzymes and probiotics such as "lactobacilus acidophius". GAPS considers this drink the MECCA of enzyme punch, packing foods your Autistic kid can eat, and don't freak out! I have drank this myself and it is SO YUMMY! 

It is invaluable to make sure you order your raw milk from a reviewed, reputable source and A2 cows only. If your state does not allow purchase or sale of unpasteurized milk you can buy your own cow and the farm will keep it for you, we did!

Following GAPS protocol, should be drank in the morning and evening.

For 2 smoothies:

1cup Raw Milk Kefir
1.5 Cups mixed berries (I use organic frozen raspberries, blackberries and blueberries mixed)
1/4 cup water
3 droppers full of alcohol-free liquid stevia
1 raw egg

Blend in blender, for thicker smoothies just add ice!