Caleb and the School Nurse are BFF's

The school nurse wanted me to call her.... *gulp*.... Ended up getting a chuckle out of the conversation and ending with a smile. 

When I returned the nurse's phone call, she began by telling me that Caleb had visited her four times that week for one thing or another.  It was either for a headache or a stomachache.  Since the building is not air conditioned, I was not surprised that he hadn't been feeling well, but I don't want this to be his "escape" from hard work.  (This does happen).  She could have told me (as I half-expected) that four times in one week is too much and unnecessary and to please talk to him about not going to the nurse for every little thing.

Instead, she took the conversation in a completely different direction.  Not only did she say that she was COMPLETELY "ok" with him coming to see her ANY time he needed a few minutes to regroup, but she said that when she asked Caleb what I usually do for headaches or upset tummy, he said...."Oh, we use my oils at home.....you know Headache Buster and Peppermint....things like that."  She was actually calling to see if I could send those in for him to use in school.  I was speechless and thrilled all at the same time!  Not only was she supporting our use of essential oils, but was suggesting that he bring them in, AND was offering other suggestions on how he might use them when he's not feeling so good.

I thank God that he's surrounded by great support and people that truly care and see him as an individual....  Unique and extraordinary with the need for some understanding, guidance and support.  We have been pleased so far with the support we have received from the staff at Haine Middle School!

         

The Proof is in the Pudding

Essential Oils... Don't Knock it Till Ya Try it!

 When working with essential oils, you don't really have copious amounts of scientific evidence to back up the effectiveness of each one.  So how do you know that they work?  Well just as the saying goes, "The proof is in the pudding."  I would also be quick to say, "Don't knock it till ya try it!"

The world of essential oil use relies heavily on testimonials.... the ones that come from those who dared to try and found, "Hey, it actually worked!"  Why do we find ourselves surprised that something God put on this Earth for our benefit actually works?  Unfortunately, due to many disappointments, broken promises and let-downs, we are a society of cynics... Conspiracy theorists even at time always adding, 'What's the catch?" 

I didn't start with essential oils with full abandon.  I had my doubts...  but again, it's because so many things haven't worked.  We've exhausted ourselves with websites, blogs, articles and conversations, all in hopes to find that one pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  I started with essential oils with a small amount of doubt.  "This can't be THAT easy."  Please don't misunderstand me.  It's NOT easy.  Doing life with any child is challenging....Doing life with a child that has exceptional needs is another realm entirely.  Even using the oils requires research.  It requires experimenting.  What might help with one issue with someone might help with something completely different for another.  Essential oils are extremely versatile and so is the healing.

So, if testimonials are what the essential oil world needs to see the proof in the pudding, here is one of ours!!!

Our church has run the children's area at the county's River Regatta for many years. We are there for four hours, both days, every year. USUALLY the frequently stated comment of the weekend is "where's Caleb?"  Never close by....bouncing from thing to thing. Way over-stimulated.....This year.....not only did he stay close by but he willingly helped....he ran one of the games for a good bit of the time and was so encouraging and gentle with the little ones. He kept a rhythm and stuck to it. A rhythm is good. He checked in with me frequently and managed to escape the weekend without a melt down. He even did trash pick-up.  What was the difference this year?  Age could possibly have something to do with it.  A couple of good days, perhaps?  I truly believe that the Essential Oils we've chosen to add to his daily regimen are helping.  

Praise God for the ability to use HIS healing oils.

Malachai 1:5

Your own eyes shall see this and you shall say, The Lord is great and will be magnified over and beyond the border of Israel!

You take the good, you take the bad...

...you take them both and there you have the Facts of Life!  Ok for those of you that are younger, that will probably go way over your head, but for others, you know you're humming along!  

I love sharing the good days, but have committed to sharing the challenging days as well.  Our challenges can sometimes help to bring the most growth.  Today was a not-so-good day.  As my son becomes acclimated to a new school, EVERYTHING is a process; including getting his support established.  Paperwork... evaluations...meetings....it all takes time.  Academic support cannot begin until the proper evaluations have been done and the proper evaluations cannot be done until the paperwork goes through.  Modifications and accommodations cannot be made unless the IEP is written accordingly.  This has left Caleb feeling a little lost the last few days.  Top it off with a pending move to another house and you have a recipe for a ticking time bomb.  The anxiety is rising and feelings of past failures have been flooding his mind.  I would venture to say that a little bit of "not this again!" entered his thoughts.  We talked about his day and what he was feeling as we have done so many times before....but this time was different.  He was different.  He was thoughtful about the words that he said and didn't seem as explosive as times past.  His sadness was still breaking my heart.  I can't help.  I want to help... but I can't.

As we got home tonight and he showered and got himself ready for bed, he asked for his essential oils.  He asked to put them on himself.  He chose vetiver, cedarwood, ylang ylang and lavender.  Within 20 minutes, he was relaxed and calm and ready to settle in for the night.  He asked if I would rest with him for a little.  Yeah....I've got time for that....

A little Peace & Calming and Lavender in the diffuser and all is well....Let's try again tomorrow.

Where are the answers?

WHERE DO WE GET ANSWERS???

Having children brings so many joys but it also brings challenges, questions, triumphs, feelings of failure and moments of laughter...having a child with special needs brings challenges of its own. 

Do we medicate? 

Go all natural? 

           Where do we find the answers?           

Who do we call? 

What do we do when the "emotional event" or meltdown is so intense it leaves us both crying? 

No one answer is a fix-all. Every child is unique and different and so is autism. What may overstimulate one child and leave them in the corner in the fetal position, may leave another in aggressive outbursts of anger. The key for me has been to stay in prayer and ask God for the right direction.

 For our son, Caleb, we chose to keep the route as natural as possible, but have also chosen to add non-stimulant medication support. We are doing EVERYTHING that we can from our end to give him the best chance of success. So grateful for the resources and information we have discovered and for the professionals that have come alongside us to work with him and teach us how to effectively respond to his needs. Aside from the medication, we use amino acids and adrenal supplements, try to keep his diet as natural as possible, and have begun an essential oil regimen. 



Medication-wise, we have chosen to medicate using Strattera and Guanfacine.  Strattera is a non-stimulant medication.  If we were going to go this route, the desire was to try using a medication that would have potentially milder side-effects than some of the other options.  Guanfacine, which is tranditionally used as a blood-pressure medication, has been shown to provide a helpful complimentary benefit to the Strattera.

As far as nutrition, We try to keep Caleb's diet high in protein, with no red dyes or high fructose corn syrup.  Studies have shown that a breakfast high in protein can help to boost focus and sustain it much longer than the short boost of energy provided from typical breakfast carbohydrates.  In addition, red dyes and artificial additives and preservatives can have an adverse affect on children with attention and focus issues.  After removing harmful dyes and increasing protein in his diet, we began to notice a decrease in aggression and angry outbursts. 

The amino acid supplements provide the nutritional support necessary to target and help to balance the neurotransmitters in the brain.

* L-phenylalanine helps to build the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinepherine which regulate mood and behavior 

* 5-HTP builds serotonin which can help to regulate sleep cycles

* L-Glutamine can help to increase stamina, energy and focus

* D-phenylalanine inhibits the breakdown of endorphins in the brain.

We have also begun using essential oils as a part of our daily regimen.  I started using them with kind of a skeptical attitude...kind of like "well if it doesn't work, at least we tried."
 My first clue that the oils were working was that he was asking for them because he felt better when using them. He is learning the names and what each one does and applies them himself with my guidance. We diffuse in his room at night and he falls asleep quickly and sleeps through the night. 

Our Essential Oil collection has grown significantly, but we have a certain few that are must-haves...

Lavender

Cedarwood

Vetiver

Frankincense

Essential oils such as vetiver, cedarwood and frankincense are high in sesquiterpenes, and have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing oxygen to the brain.  Lavender provides a great calming benefit, and promotes sleep and relaxation.

*****************************************************************************

Have we found "THE" answer???  Not sure yet but each one certainly provides "AN" answer and takes us one more step down the road to success and freedom for our kid to just be a kid.

Living Out Loud for a Moment...

LIVING OUT LOUD FOR A MOMENT....

     While messaging with a friend last month, I came to the realization that God is not bringing us through the journeys of our lives for us to remain silent.  Many times, our life lessons and the truths we discover hold the very answers that someone has been desperately searching for as well.  We need each other!  Even the dark places in our lives can help to shine some light on someone else's path if we'll allow it.

     Our son, Caleb, was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, which is a higher functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder....he has also been diagnosed with a cognitive developmental disorder, learning disabilities, mixed receptive and expressive vocabulary disorder and attention deficit disorder. These diagnoses came on the heels of several years of unsuccessfully trying to homeschool and both of us living in a cycle of frustration and failure. This left my husband feeling helpless as well because he would come home to deal with meltdowns from both of us! Although the smorgasbord of diagnoses seemed daunting and overwhelming, we had a feeling of hope for the first time. Hope because we knew that if there was a name for it, someone, somewhere has to have the answers.  What I didn't realize is that the answers would not come easy.

One answer is not going to unlock the door to the potential that these kids hold. What might work for one, might not work for another. However, I do know that if God is bringing us through this to "live out loud" and share His goodness and grace with others, that's just what we will do. I'm not intimidated by the labels or by what people might think and am getting better at tuning out the stares and whispers. This isn't Caleb's lonely journey nor is it mine. We are walking this together and we are walking it with everyone who has come alongside to offer therapy, encouragement, hope, answers, prayer and advice.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." (Lao Tzu). We are only on mile marker 162, with many more to go. If you ever want to know what treatments we are using with Caleb, please ask. I'm an open book and am happy to share what has worked and what hasn't. Many things are working but there's much that hasn't. I'm continuing to learn and discover new things every day and look forward to sharing those things as well. Not for my glory, not to show off all the wonderful things that Caleb does or learns but to say "LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE.". it is only by His grace and for His glory that we have come as far as we have and by the same that we will continue to see progress. Love you all.

Every. Child. Is. Unique. 

Beautifully handcrafted and created by God 

ON purpose, WITH purpose and FOR a purpose.