WWE (Wacky Wrestling with Everyone)

"You wanna fight?" is one of Davids favorite phrases. It usually involves a lot of crashing, throwing, spinning, jumping, and "squishes". It is a GREAT technique used to ward of meltdowns.  When I sense a melt down coming on, or David getting frustrated, I start squeezing him tightly and initiate a fight. Sounds kinda crazy, right? A lot of people think that autistic children are sensitive to touch, and they're right! David has HUGE tactile sensitivities but in the opposite sense of what you would imagine. He loves hard, hard touch and can't stand it for someone to lightly touch him. He often shies away from kissing and cuddling (except with me) and hates for people to casually touch him in passing. He will give you a hug, but you better get ready because it is a "take a step back and run full force and jump in your arms" kind of a hug! He loves being spun around in a circle and slammed on the couch. Flipping and jumping goes great after a crash into the bean bag!

Tactile dysfunction can be overly sensitive, under sensitive, or a combination of both to touch. David is considered a sensory seeker which means he is constantly touching, crashing, and feeling objects to gain his knowledge about them. Sensory seekers are constantly getting into trouble for touching things they shouldn't, crashing into people, and generally being rough with objects. The important thing to remember is that they are not trying to get in trouble, but rather trying to get the right sensory input that their body needs.

Davids biggest sensory need time seems to be right when he gets home from school. After I observed this for about a week, I came up with a plan to counteract that meltdown time. I scheduled wrestlers to come over and wrestle with David! I called on the amazing men in my family to dedicate an hour a week to come over and wrestle with David for me. He loves the special attention he gets and the physical touch he craves. It is hard work and very tiring because he is non-stop for a full hour. He doesn't feel pain as much as other children and can dish it out as much as he takes it! Monday and Saturday night is Daddy fighting time. Tuesday is "Uncle Brian" wrestling time. Wednesday is "Uncle Cliff".  I pick up the slack three nights a week. It fills my heart with warmth and love to see these guys enriching David's life. Its a small gesture that will have a big impact on his behavior. He is forging bonds with them (and that is something that takes him a llloooonnnggg time) and whether they realize it or not, they're making a friend for life.

Squishes with Uncle Cliff

"He got me!"

Watching the road for Uncle Brian's car

"he's here!"

"oops... I forgot to take care of me!"

Parents all around the world  have learned how to put themselves on the back burner. You learned how to eat standing up at the counter with one foot rocking the infant seat . You  learned how to function on sleep that comes in two hour intervals followed by hour long nightmare calming sessions, feeding and burping , and sick breaks. You have learned the joy of having an audience in the bathroom no matter what it is you're doing in there (animals included). I think we sacrifice things without even realizing we're doing it. It's just part of being a parent I guess. It becomes second nature.

David requires so much of my energy and time that I didn't even realize I wasn't taking care of myself! I have spent the last 4 1/2 years of my life watching, analyzing, and trying to interpret every sound he has made. Before, when he was non-verbal, I would spend my day just trying to come up with ways to communicate with him and how he could communicate with me. We would have, on average, 5 different doctor appointments/therapy sessions a week for the past three years. So when I saw a picture of myself from last May, right after the Autism Speaks walk, I was shocked at how  big I looked. I knew that I hadn't been putting my health first, but I had justified it by the results we were getting in return with David! The diagnosis was was my only worry, treatment was my only focus, and results was what I worked on.

Here I am with my "simons" girls back in May 2012

The picture that opened my eyes to my weight

So here I am. 5'4" and 176 lbs.Size 16/14 pants and XL shirts. I decided right then and there that in order for me to be at my best for David, I needed to be at my best for me! I had an amazing example (mom) in front of me and slowly yet surely I started running, well walking fast at first! Learning how to control my eating habits and adding exercising into my daily routine, has helped me reach and surpass my goals!

went from a size  16/14 to a size 2 

Went from 176 to 118 lbs! 58 lbs total!

Excuse the face:) went from 36 inch waist to 26!

working hard on toning up and adding definition

I finally have the energy to keep up with him and the drive to work even harder with David on meeting his next set of goals. I feel good, look good, and now can BE good for the one who needs me most:) My main focus will always be my boys, I can't (and don't want to) get rid of that. I do realize now, how important it is for me to be as healthy as possible, so I can be around longer with them. I am excited to be a good example for them to follow!