No Words

I am absolutely humbled and amazed and just can't even hardly speak. A lot of people have donated to our therapy fund. It's just incredible. I could not say thank you enough. wow.
I'm still spending my own credit to get things done for now...like the audiology session today. I know what we're headed for, which is just a lot of scheduling and paperwork and stuff insurance ISN'T going to cover. So far, it appears that they will cover a pre-school hearing test. The audiologists were wonderful. They were prepared to treat a boy with autism, and they worked with him at his pace. Let me recommend them to you if you need that, ever.
It's like having 4 jobs: wife, mommy, nurse, and autism appt coordinator.
I am exhausted.
People are sending me amazing things to look at, and my husband and I are looking at all of the various  links, etc.
LOADS of good stuff.
I am especially excited about PECS. Picture exchange communication system. My son needs to be able to tell me that he is in pain, or tired, or scared, etc. The emotions app we downloaded is helping some. I know we aren't professionals and so I am REALLY looking forward to the meeting with the school and then the super awesome specialist that the NP recommended us to.
You know...he never pointed. Not until this year. RED FLAG. why did I think nothing of it? I hold back tears when I see neurotypical babies pointing for what they want. Saw one today. I just want to tell them...enjoy this. your kid is communicating his needs to you. Enjoy it. It's awesome and a blessing.

I'm still shocked and appalled at the lack of insurance enthusiasm for mental health.
You probably realize there is a mind and body connection.
My son had a rough week at home. He had some gluten and casein recently and it messed up his behavior and his bowels. The specialists we saw in Cleveland when he was 10 months caught the casein, and told us to try no gluten, but I had not been the most strict. Well, now I know how well he does when his guts aren't hurting him and I know I have to stick with it. He loves his gummy vitamins, he gets calcium and D that way, too, and he never complains about the probiotics I put in his "green juice." He's still a picky eater, but hey, aren't a lot of toddlers?
One of the scariest things for me, I think, was when I noticed his regressing last summer. I thought he would lose so many of the things he used to do.
I know they are still in there. I test him once and a while. But I won't lie and tell you I'm handling it. I cry almost every day. Don't get me wrong, I am so so so so so so blessed. I get hugs. Our eye contact drills are working. But I miss him telling me the animal noises, and some of the songs he used to sing.
We are getting some of it back, so I think we are on the right track. My husband and I like to teach him fun things to say, and he does bust them out at random moments. Like Dr Who stuff and Star Wars. so cute.
His teachers confirmed with me that the squeaking that he does at home, he does at school. When he doesn't have an echolalia phrase to use, he just squeaks. Or chirps. I can't wait to get speech therapy involved. I want to do more to help him.
He has said "I can't want it" when frustrated. Rare, but I will take it.
If people yell at him or are inappropriate or mean (and they have been) what they don't realize is, he has delayed echolalia and will, like a record player, say it back later in perfect intonation. That's how we knew Kindercare was mistreating him. That's how we know when his caregivers are having a bad day. "STOP SCREAMING!" is one we heard today from him.
Yikes.
I'm rambling now.
I have to get organized tomorrow, tons to do. TONS.