Homeschooling Fun

WOW !!!
Where has time gone. It has been a while since my last blog, so I thought I better put a little update on.
Anna is almost done with HBOT treatments and school is in full swing. We are trying to get use to K12 for Scarlet, and getting Anna back into a routine as much as possible. This is kind of hard with daily treatment in the middle of the day. But Anna is doing ok spreading things out a little before and a little after treatments (some even done in the tank).
We even went on our first field trip for the year today to Harmon Farms after Anna's treatment. On the way Scarlet said wow that is beautiful (Farm with beautiful old house, pond, animals, etc). We both said I would love to live there. Well we changed our mind after a quick reminder at Harmon's. Lots of dust, sandspurs, and biting bugs are not our thing. LOL
We all got at least a couple of mosquito bites, but I think Scarlet recieved the most. She was whining the whole way home. She is a true drama queen. I do love her dearly.
Oh well I will update more on treatments, and homeschooling later. I am tired and need to finish a few more things before I turn in.

Anna HBOT : UPDATE

7-20-2009 HBOT * Scarlet joined us in the Hyberbaric Chamber. Don't let Anna's face fool you she hops right in and does not seem to mind doing this. She is watching a movie on the DVD player. We usually pass the time with books, Leapster Game, and Movies. The hood is another story we are slowly getting her use to it. When/If she ever does it will have a neck piece to keep it in place. So far her max. is 22 minutes. We are in it for 70 minutes.

HBOT Therapy Begins

It has been a while since I have blogged, so I decided to sit down before treatment this morning to play catch up.

The final test for Anna all came back and she tested very low to no signs of any heavy metal. So we do not have to do the Chelation treatment. Anna's problems are yeast in her gut, bacteria feeding off the yeast and inflammation (restricts air in blood vessels). She is taking a ton of supplements, and vitamins.

We squeezed in a mountain trip to Franklin NC last week and began treatment this past Monday. It was really the best trip I have had in a while. The place was great, and I think everyone had a great time.

No it is Thursday and Anna has had 3 HBOT Therapy treatments so far. She does well hoping inside but does not really like the Buzz Lightyear looking hat they have for her to wear. Dr. Weaver said about 3/4 of his clients do not like to wear them, and he did not see a significant difference in the results either way. I have yet to notice any changes in Anna's speech, but it is early yet. This will be a 40 day adventure, every Monday - Friday.

I am posting pictures of Anna and me in the Chamber.

I sure am glad I am not claustrophobic :o)

1st Allergy Test Back

Well test are slowly coming in. Thanks goodness the test for cat allergies came back *0*, yeah I did not want to tell Scarlet she was going to have to get rid of her best friend. Also dog came back slight allergy, so Penny is staying also. ;o)
Other allergies were a few different types of grass were at the highest level 4 (we don't have in our yard, but neighbors do), so I will have to watch out for when they cut grass not to take her out. Inside dust mites, mold spores (most everyone I know are allergic to these), and Darrell has every modern AC filtration, UV lights, and built in Humidifiers on the house you can think of.
Now for the fun part for some of the normal food allergies, Anna is allergic to :
Dairy
Wheat
Soy
Peanut
Eggs
and slight allergy to
Corn
Shellfish
Fish
Well I guess that will cut her food choices down a bit more than I already was doing. :o(
Dr. Weaver said we will look at the more extensive test that is coming back hopefully next week to see which foods she has more of an allergy to than others. Then we will go from there he will tell me what foods to not give Anna. I think it would be easier to make a list of can haves!!

Supplements Supplements Supplements

Well Anna has been taking the Supplements for about 2 weeks now. It was a slow process adding a new one every couple of days. She now takes 6 in the morning, 4 at lunch, and 4 at supper.
I have noticed that her belly seems to be smaller (Yeast Supplement ? maybe), and she seems to have more energy.
We have the results back for Cholesterol and it was good. So we are still waiting on the rest of the test results.
I will post more when I have more time. It's late and I am trying to get everyone wrapped up for bed. ;o)

Here is a youtube link that shows what HBOT is and how it is said to help children with Autsim, and other learning disabilities.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Mjndq5Q74&feature=PlayList&p=E7F88EFAA4EF1182&index=0

HBOT Therapy

Well Anna had her first meeting with our new DAN! Dr. yesterday. I have tried everything else to help Anna and now that there is a local DAN! Dr. I am really excited and am praying hard that this will be helpful for Anna. I am not looking to make her a typical child for her age I am realistic, but I would like to make life easier for her if possible. My main prayer is that these treatments will help with her speech at least a few more words that everyone can understand. He has started her on a new daily multi vita men, along with 5 other items to help with various things. We have to go to Lab corp to get several test done for extensive food allergies, one for environmental allergies, Heavy metals testing, etc. etc. The visit went well and Anna even received her first Chiropractic adjustment. I will be posting results on my blog as much as I can. Everyone just say a little prayer for Anna that God will do his miracle and let Anna at least be able to communicate with others with some normal speech. Here is the Dr. Website in case anyone is interested in checking him out.
www.autismandHBOT.com

This was Anna's best Olympic outing ever. She had so much fun, and enjoyed seeing people she had not seen in a while. Thanks to Jessica (1-3 teacher) we were able to go with her old school Oak Grove. It was nice to see everyone I saw on almost a daily basis again. I heard "OH MY GOSH look how much Anna has grown!" about twenty times. We started the day with Anna smiling, clapping, and waiving her way down the long hallway. She is always game for a big party, and that is what she thought this was. To us it really is like a party - meeting up with old friends, making new ones, games, fun, and of course lots of food. :o)
We then went to the Track and Field to meet up with everyone when they came off the bus. We made the victory walk around the track and kicked off the events. While waiting for the games to begin we had a picnic blanket and enjoyed books with new freind, and lunch. With a new program they started this year called Project Unify Anna had plenty of helpers. http://www.specialolympics.org/schools_and_youth.aspx. What a GREAT idea!!!!
Thanks to Mrs. Chewning for Anna's three helpers, Anna really enjoyed them helping her. I appreciate the patience they showed to Anna, the encouragement, and the memories they gave Anna. She participated better this year I believe because she had them to help show her what to do, encourage her, and help her along the way. During the bean bag toss Anna made the bulls eye on the first toss, she made one basket in the hoop, she was able to do the long jump with one helper on each side (me behind), she followed her helpers as they showed her how to cross the balance beam, and ran (fast walk) to the finish line during her race. She only had one tumble that was at the end of the race center and that did not take the smile off her face. I helped her up, dusted her off and ask are you ok and with a big smile she said Yea.
I am so glad some schools are allowing the regular classrooms to help with the special needs classrooms. I think both parties learn so much. The children realize just because someone is a little different it is ok and it also teaches them to be thankful for the things they can do. It helps children like Anna because she looks to others to learn how to do things, and it teaches her so many proper socialization skills.
Thanks again to everyone envoled in letting Anna have the best Olympics ever.

The Black Balloon update

Well I found out more information on the movie "The Black Balloon". I emailed the website and they responded with :
The Autism Society of North Carolina is actually featuring the film during a special event on April 26th at the Rialto Theater in Raleigh. This is our first screening with an Autism group in the US, and we hope that based on the society’s response to the film, we will be able to use the clout of the various Autism societies to convince some of the Theatres in the country to take the film in their locations.

Alternatively, we may have a series of similar events in the state-wide.

As far as the DVD, you can expect a national release towards the end of the year.

So I guess I will have to wait a bit longer to see it, or make a trip to Raleigh to see it.

The Black Balloon

http://www.theblackballoonmovie.com/Default.aspx

I have just watched clips of a movie that is a must see for anyone with an Autistic child, knows someone with an autistic child, or would like to understand how the family of an autistic child is impacted. Just click the link above to see a few of the trailers for the movie. I have not found it playing locally yet. I will keep looking and see if and when it will be coming to our area.

The movie is about a family with a per say regular son, and a son with severe autism. It shows how autism not only effects the parents, but the sibling. I can not wait to watch this, of course I am sure I will need a box of tissues, and maybe my sisters shoulder to cry on. Love ya Deb.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

March 16, 2009

Well today was a rainy cold day and we have started our lesson on St. Patrick's Day. We read about the life of St. Patrick, and then another book on St. Patrick Symbols. We are going to a St. Patrick's Day Party tomorrow with our homeschooling group. At the last count there are going to be right at 25 children coming. I am really excited that the group is growing so well. Anna is really benefiting from the social outing at the park, parties, and other outings.

I found an amazing website while looking up Easter activities for our next Party. They make the most unique I guess you would call them a pamphlet/booklet for learning scriptures, bible stories, and even the plan of salvation. I have even placed an order for my husband's business cards. The front / back will be regular business card, but inside will be the plan of salvation. What a great way to witness, and spread the word. If you would like to look at them go to the bottom of my blog and you can see a movie clip of them and a link to their website.

God Bless and Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day tomorrow.

March 13, 2009

I have decided to have a teachers in service day today. I am getting paperwork together from the past few weeks, downloading pictures, and updating paperwork for homeschoolers association.

I will try to post more of Anna's book a week theme as I post updates on our family. She is really enjoying doing these and learning a lot. This week our book was Bubbles Bubbles, and we also read Bubble Trouble. We explored how to make differnent types of bubbles, made bubble art, counted bubbles, and had fun outside with making bubbles of all shapes and sizes.

Today is going to be a cool rainy day, so we will stay inside. We made the best of this weeks beautiful weather by going outside everyday. I can not believe we went from 80's to 60's in a days time, that is South Carolina weather though. LOL

Ten Black Dots / Five Little Monkeys

Mrs. Wishy Washy / The Farmer

Family update

Today is my first time posting so I am going to put a little information about how everyone is doing in general.

Darrell and I are both doing well. I am still enjoying being a stay at home mom after 14 years with UPS. Darrell is still in outside sales with Gateway Supply, and is still active in Bass Fishing Tournaments when he has time. We recently went on a trip to Atlantis, our one trip away from the kids during the year. We had a really nice time, and had many adventures while there.

Our oldest daughter Scarlet (13) is creative, compassionate, and a loving teen. Scarlet enjoys typical teenage things : phone, friends, reading, drawing, piano, basketball, and next year track. She also wants to start piano lesson again, but we are still looking for a teacher close by. She is in 7th grade this year in the public school system. She is doing 8th/9th grade work and is an honor roll student. I blinked my eyes and she has become a young lady overnight it seems.

Our youngest Anna (10) has a rare chromosome disorder and Autism. She is now in what they classify as grade 5 (K) special education. At her age she would have been in the 5th grade but her education level is that of a Pre-K/Kindergarten level. I home school her and we have done the book a week theme last year and this year. It keeps learning both educational and fun at the same time. We base everything science, math, Social Studies, English, and Art all around one book for the whole week. Anna enjoys this technique and has learned a lot over the years. We also add in Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy activities that I try to incorporate into the lessons. Her daily living skills are coming along also. She is even learning to help with daily chores put clothes in washer/dryer, putting dishes in the sink and putting them away when I dry them. She is non-verbal (few words & uses augmentative device), and slow for her age she is doing well. She loves music, books, and Wow Wow Wubbzy (as well as other Nick Jr. shows).