• Where is everybody???


  • I was just thinking the same thing! LOL!


  • OK..I'll start. I have a 21 year old son who has autism and in mid August he started a new program (it is called a day habilitation program) since he graduated from school in June. I have been very stressed lately because if anyone knows anything about autism…change is very hard. Therefore, my son has been going through some of his own "changes". In 4 weeks, I will meet with a team of leaders to discuss my son's progress. Meanwhile, I am pulling my hair out of my head. Thanks for letting me vent.
    I know that this, too, shall pass!
    Jodie:)


  • Hi Jodie,
    I personally don't have any experience with autism, but there is a young boy in our elementary school who does. He's made wonderful progress in the 3 years that I've known him. I've talked a lot to his mother and she has echoed the same thing about change. Hang in there!
    ((Hugs to you both)) Keep us posted on how he does with the program!


  • Vent away Jodie, we all need it. I have a good friend that her son has autism and I see how hard it is for her, he is about 6 (I think) and it is very hard for her because of the school system and so on.

    to you.


  • Thank you. Hugs to your friend. Each time there is a "growth spurt" new changes and behaviors occur. I remember when Scott (my son) was 6. Oh did I have a hard time with him. He was always so frustrated because he was not able to express his needs, therefore, he lashed out. It was always at me! I got hit, kicked, pinched, bit…you name it! Thankfully, we got through that time and now he has grown into a person who absolutely hates when I am upset with him. He is a people pleaser!
    Jodie:)

    It's best described as being in a foreign country...you don't speak the native language and how frustrating it would be for you if you could not express your needs to another person!


  • @Jodie:

    It's best described as being in a foreign country…you don't speak the native language and how frustrating it would be for you if you could not express your needs to another person!

    I fully understand that part, lol, living in Germany. She is has also gone through what you describe with the screaming, hitting etc. She has now been able to get him on a medication and in a wonderful school program


  • I gather you are not originally from Germany. I had Scott on ritalin for a short period of time. It was when he was in school only and a very small dosage. After awhile, I took him off. Didn't really do anything except his speech therapist told me, it was masking his personality. Glad your friend's child is in a good program. There was only 2 choices of programs for my son when he first entered kindergarten. He was lucky (so was I). Out of the 16 years in his school, he only had 1 lousy teacher and I complained everyday. Thankfully, she was removed from the classroom. If your friend ever wants to vent, let me know and I will give you my e-mail address.
    Jodie:)
    PS I know we are really not supposed to talk about basenjis…however, your new addition to your beautiful family is absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could get another dog. It might sound crazy...I love dogs more than most people!


  • @Jodie:

    PS I know we are really not supposed to talk about basenjis…however, your new addition to your beautiful family is absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could get another dog. It might sound crazy...I love dogs more than most people!

    Thank you, and I totally I agree, I like animals better than people too 😃


  • Jodie it sounds like your DS has accomplished quite a bit! CONGRATS to all of you 🙂 I know a few children with Autism & getting them through social changes is absolutely HUGE…what a great MOM you are 😃


  • Thank you for that vote of confidence. It's definitely a tough but rewarding life I have. I know that NJ, like Staten Island, has a large population of people with autism. What do you think? Environmental? I think in my family, a genetic predispostion. I have a nephew with spina bifida and my other sister was diagnosed with an AVM in her brain. All neurological. Anyway, I have heard great things about the school system (private) in NJ for special needs kids. Much better than here! Thanks again.
    Jodie:)


  • The three kids I know of the parents believe it has something to do with the dispensation of their shots when they were at 2yo (I think it was Rubella & something else..I forget). Since nothing in the family history showed anything related to neurological disorders.

    Yes the private schools & depending which county you're in the public schools do have lots of support for parents & the kids.


  • @WBL:

    Where is everybody???

    Hi everyone. I haven't been on much in a long time. I have 2 basenji, Sayblee and Arwen. Sayblee had a lot of issues but am happy to say no more lumps in about 10 mos now! 🙂 They are 7 and 5 yrs old.

    Been a hard year here, lost my 32 yr old niece (medication interaction) in Feb, my elderly rottie Mukat in March, then my best friend, Sally, in April. Friend with brain cancer, who is younger than me and has two sons who are 14 and 16, is losing her battle though she has fought hard, tried experimental research, etc. They gave her 2 mos Sept 2006 so she has managed to buy herself a good amount of time but it is still very hard.

    The basenji had a MASSIVE fight several mos ago, unbelievable amount of holes in them but only split ear needed stitches. Figured I would NEVER get them back together but after 3 mos of them being bored out of their minds either in crate or outside ALONE, only together after a month in my bed, I was able to potty together and let out for an hour at a time a few times a day. I now can leave them out about 2 or 3 hours but then bring one in so they don't get bored with each other and snarky. Sadly for Connor, a 120 pound rottweiler, I usually make him go with them so they have someone to chew on 🙂 I cannot believe he will be 10 in Feb… old for a Rottie.

    Then we went through the "lump in breast" agony (thankfully they determined nothing to worry about) and now a new problem... recurring corneal abrasion. LOL My old Rottie is holding up in old age better than I am in middle age! 🙂

    Anyway, I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, have managed to do a couple of home visits and a few doggie transports and can do more now that I have a dependable car (gosh I miss my 20 yr old jeep though! 😞 ).


  • Hello welcome back. I haven't been a member too longer so I probably haven't seen your older post. Sorry to hear you've had such a rough time. I hope things start to look up. I had one B Deke, I just adopted Gracie and Britty from Brat on Saturday. I've been posting less due to….well adding two..can get a little crazy. Snuggle time in the evening makes it all worth.
    Hope to hear more from you...good luck with all.


  • I cannot believe this… after I posted yesterday it obviously jinxed me. The basenji got in another fight tonight so I guess it is back to limited time if any for a long time or life. Makes me rather depressed to run 3 packs... now none of my 3 bitches can be together (2 basenji and my chow... chow nice, senji aren't).


  • @DebraDownSouth:

    I cannot believe this… after I posted yesterday it obviously jinxed me. The basenji got in another fight tonight so I guess it is back to limited time if any for a long time or life. Makes me rather depressed to run 3 packs... now none of my 3 bitches can be together (2 basenji and my chow... chow nice, senji aren't).

    It seems that once bitches fight (and I mean a serious fight)… it is never to happen that they can be together... seems that it might work for a while... but you never know what is going to get them to "uncork" and start all over again... Boys seems to be much easier after they have a fight... and many times you can bring them back together... but not the girls.... which is of course another reason we all say opposites are best...


  • @tanza:

    It seems that once bitches fight (and I mean a serious fight)… it is never to happen that they can be together... seems that it might work for a while... but you never know what is going to get them to "uncork" and start all over again... Boys seems to be much easier after they have a fight... and many times you can bring them back together... but not the girls.... which is of course another reason we all say opposites are best...

    We've learned the hard way, Pat is exactly right. Once females get into a serious fight…..forget it.:(


  • What a bummer Deb 😞 So sorry you are going thru that with your girls…I so feel your pain....

    And hugs going out to you for all the other rough stuff you have had going on too.

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