I don't think there is a day that goes by that I am not on the hunt for some product/thing/toy that's going to help soothe/entertain/engage/give sensory input to my kid. Honestly, from the time we started this walk on Autism Avenue till just last night. One thing is very clear. IT'S FREAKING EXPENSIVE!!!!!
Last night on the facebook page for this blog the topic of Epsom Salt baths came up and I once again find myself "Googling" like a mofo autism and salt baths to research. Between what people responded and what I found, yeah I'm going to give it a try. Even if the kiddo doesn't like it, Hell, I'll use it. Ten minutes in my own bathtub alone sounds likes like a spa treatment nowadays anyhow. :-) I'm not sure what it will do other than help unwind the spinning top that is my son. Maybe help him with his gut issues. It's not to costly to give it a whirl. But I couldn't help but sigh as I handed over my money today to the clerk at the pharmacy. It's always some product that's going to make the difference. And my boy is 8 and there's been A LOT of products. Yep been burned to many times.
I get that if he was typical I would be spending left, right and center for him. I understand that it would be for sports or lessons or whatnot. It just seems we parents with ASD kids kind of get well, screwed. Trust me, this is no pity party on my part. But there is a huge difference in just complaining that you have to buy new cleats because their foot grew and me frantically searching for a weighted blanket that won't break my piggy bank cause I just want him to get more than four hours of sleep in a row in his own bed. Yeah your kid is convinced those new sneakers will make him play better or feel cooler. I"m just looking for stuff that's going to help my kid not feel like he's jumping out of his own skin. You worry about your kid eating to much junk food, I just worry about mine eating period. If that means he will only eat the name brand whatever, this mom will go with the generic something else for herself.
The line that makes me twitch is when some very well meaning therapist or teacher says "Oh you should really get/pick up/buy.... for them". Yeah that's great. You treating? Cause I listened many times to those suggestions and many of them are sitting here collecting dust. So pardon me if you think I'm crazy not to run out and get it. You know how many times by now I have run out and got it? Yeah my good looks aren't getting any of these things for free. Juggle that with an overwhelming sense of guilt/confusion if I don't get it or if I do get it and it doesn't do anything. Broke if I do, damned if I don't.
Thank god fries are cheap. :-)
I thought I was the only mom to feel like upon being given a recommendation I was horrible if I didn't go right out and buy it. I google the bejeesus out of stuff too, because heck, the ABA lady could mean well but maybe she's never tested out the "insert new gadget here" in real life. The Epsom salts sound like a great idea. Thanks for the input.
ReplyDeleteand I agree, thank god fries are cheap. :)
I read online reviews like crazy. All over the place before I buy anything recommended now.
DeleteWow. You sound like me and my son is only 3. I wish you lived close by so we could talk over some fries. I don't think I can try Epsom salts as my guy still sips on bath water. Hugs and hope gift cards come your way.
ReplyDeleteHugs back. :-)
DeleteInstead of an epsom bath you could always use a wash cloth with the mixture or soak his feet etc. Look up other ways to use epsom baths.
DeleteIf THEY are not living it, then THEY are NOT GETTING IT!!
ReplyDeleteAnd they never will.
I have two teenage sons on the spectrum. NOBODY can understand unless they're going through it as well. And YES both my sons love fries -- and chicken nuggets.
I can't tell you how much money I have spent on the BEST THING FOR AUTISM/ADHD BEHAVIORS! Weighted blanket (ok- that works) mineral detox bath, (works but I get good results from the epsom salt bath and a lot cheaper) This toy, that computer program, this and this and THIS!! We should seriously collaborate on a book mama- then we could get rich and buy all the shit all the experts say we need!
ReplyDeleteWould love that. LOL
DeleteMy son is 14 and severely Autistic, believe me when I say that most of us feel the same way. We have tried so many things throughout thie years that looking back I sometimes wonder what the hell was I thinking? Other things I think, how did we get along before we got or tried that? Autism and life in general pushed us to bankruptcy many years ago and even though we have recovered from that for the most part we still struggle to do what we can for him. I often feel guilty about not being able to afford this or that, but I guess that is just part of being a mom. All we can do is support each other and keep on keepin' on. :)
ReplyDeleteKris, Mom of Devon.
I like your using the word "typical" instead of "normal".
ReplyDeleteNormal ain't nothing but a setting on the dryer in this house. :-)
DeleteAgreed...we have 3 kids, 2 on the spectrum and 1 that we refer to as neurotypical
DeleteEpsom salts non-aroma therapy are 88 cents at Walmart. Just a little tip. I'm learning just how insane everything is going to cost. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteIt will be the cheapest thing you purchase sadly. :-(
DeleteI have found some things(cheap to make) I made a coffee ground playdoh- its feels like sand and a mud pie all in one. 1/4 cup salt, 3/4 cup corn meal, 1 cup used coffee grounds and a half to 3/4cup water. Easy clean up.
ReplyDeleteI love this post my daughter is three and was just diagnosed with PDD-NOS and has been in therapy since she was one. And I have already invested way too much money in things that therapist have suggested and then the therapist change there mind about the items that I have gotten. So it is refreshing to hear that I am not the only one that has to deal with this and now I take things they suggest with a grain of salt.
ReplyDeleteMy autistic son hates fries darn it! LOL
ReplyDeleteDamn!
DeleteOh yes I have spent a ton of money on things for my son over the years and I am very dissapointed with most of it. Especially the indoor trampoline that got suggested and was broken within 6 months and my son is not a big kid at all and was atleast 30 pounds under the weight limit.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, that's one thing I got lucky with - the rebounder indoor trampoline. It was "suggested" by his special needs teacher at school.... so as usual.... I got one (I've got a ton of stuff collecting dust too!! lol). It works well to help him transition from activity to another. "Daniel, please finish *such and such*, then 10 bounces, then you can do *such and such*". It "usually" prevents a tantrum.
DeleteMany other things are now stored in a cupboard collecting dust.
Im constantly looking for cheeper alternatives. When I refurbed my sons sensory room I was overwhelmed with how expensive the offical equiptment was. I did a bit of googleing and found a website with some substitute ideas for fibre optics ect. He loves it! X x x x x
ReplyDeleteI have purchased so many items over the years and they just don't work for my son! I hear you. Love the blog!!
ReplyDeleteThank you all! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this!! My ASD diagnosed daughter is three and she loves balls. I am sure we have at least 100 of the around the house. BUT they are the only 'toys' she ever wants, so when she wants one, we buy it. Our other two daughters get to share them, when she lets them! So yes, I spent $15 on a ball about half the size of a volleyball and the check-out lady looked at me like I was NUTS! I buy anything and everything that she shows interest in.... hoping that this will some how help her say just one more word! ;-) and yes, expensive doesn't even begin to cover it!!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I agree!
ReplyDeleteAnd not only are all these items expensive, but we have no way of knowing if they will actually work! So, we plunk down all this money for some tool... and if it works then YAY money well spent. But how many times have you bought something that doesn't? And then are stuck with it b/c it's something non-returnable. Ugh.
Some things that were a saving grace so that I could work (I work from home) ...#1 a swing...its in the middle of our living room but who cares?! You can get them on ebay for around $40 (including shipping) Its similar to a sky chair and made for out doors but its perfect! #2 An 8 foot trampoline in the living room..its huge but completely netted and safe. #3 A big baby pool in the living room...Sometimes I will fill it with dried beans ....you can also go to your dollar store and pick up 40 pool noodles and cut them up...they make for a GREAT ball pit!
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ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. My two NT's (neurotypicals)get mad when I won't buy them everything they show an interest in, but hey, that's life with autism. Now to the real question, Why Hasn't Someone Figured Out How to Post Items that Don't Work for Us, But Might Work for Another Child With Autism? A kind of autism-gives-back trading board? Payable in french fry, or in my case, Starbucks, coupons...
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I could have bought for my son is an IPad. He has learned so much from using it. No one told me to get him one. My son has so many toys that he doesn't even play with.
ReplyDelete