Menstrual Cycle A Reality 

                          Something that can't be ignored:

Every month like clock work we wait for "aunt Flow" to visit Amaya... Amaya started at a pretty early age. About 10. At first I was so confused on what to do. Not only the shock that my Amaya (the youngest) in our clan, was now a woman, but how was I to handle it?

The first thing I did was take Amaya to a doctor and ask what kind of options we had. He shrugged his shoulders and said "there are birth-controls that will stop it.. 

I had a lot of thinking to do.. What was not only better for Amaya but easier for her also? There had to be a compromise! She has no other need to be on birth control,what would the effects be on my 10 year old"s developing body? I wouldn't take birth control to get rid of my period.

                                    We Opted Out:

Amaya was still in elementary school at the time. They didn't like the fact that she might start at school, and had no idea how to handle it since it was after all an elementary school.So they decided to move her over to a middle school the next year. Which is another subject and story in itself..

                            What we have been doing

Amaya is pretty regular. We all know when she is PMSing.. Soo Chocolate. We give her some chocolate and sweets during her PMS time to Que her in. Sometimes with non-verbal people we have to give outside the box cues. Sensory cues.. 

When Amaya "starts" I keep her out of school until she is done. I have no idea if she has cramps, but she always gets lazy and cozy after she "starts". Lots of warm baths with lavender oils. Basically girly pamper time. We try to make it a positive experience. and it works! 

                       The hardest Part

 Standing up for Amaya's rights has been the hardest. There has been allot of people that think I should, or try to convince me to put Amaya on meds for this. Allot of professionals that try to take advantage of a subject no one talks about hoping that I am ignorant. Support has been another hard one, in fact I'm pretty sure there will be some autistic groups that will delete this blog when I share it. That's the hardest part. Not my daughter.. 

Diffusing Meltdowns step1

                                                 

                         Making meltdowns easier and safer to handle

There are times you cannot control your environment during a meltdown. Having a room where we can take Amaya to safely calm down has helped us out so much.
There was a time she didn't have somewhere to go and we where constantly following her around and trying to keep her safe yet at the same time we where getting beat up allot more because of this.

                           DIY Calming room on a Budget

Amaya's room has particle board on the walls so she can't punch through the walls... We screwed her dresser into the wall in front of the window,this way she can't throw her dresser or break her window. Also we put some cheap rope lights to help her calm faster. Amaya's bed is a blow up it's easier to clean and when she does throw it, it won't hurt her or us.

This has brought down the assaults and damage.
With autism  meltdowns  you have to think 10 steps ahead, and learn something new everyday.
Below I have posted a video of a failed attempt..

 

Mom Begging for your help!!!

                                Please give Amaya a voice

 As Amaya gets older the less amount of resources and help society has to offer.. I don't think they know what to do with Amaya's age group at this point. Amaya was born in 2000 the start of the up-rise in autism.. Not only does she have severe autism which makes it more of a conundrum but her age group is the first.. The older sibling I suppose..
                                                            

Patching over patched walls..

Resources for problems that we face don't exist, and if they do they are hard to find and out of our personal budget..

How can families make money when their time is spent taking care of another human being?
Things like furniture that need to be protected from urine,feces, and spills..
Windows that don't brake when hit
Locks and storage for people who can climb and have an obsessive nature to take items and make the biggest possible mess.. 
Car safety products for behaviors..
etc..
the list goes on.. I'm hoping for ideas! and lots of them! I'm hoping that at this stage of autism the future generations and families will have it easier than ours. Society has not been prepared for this epidemic..Instead of focusing on Spreading the awareness of autism.. We need to spread Autism.. Our society needs to change our thinking..  If you have a young child or know of one that has been diagnosed you will have quite the challenge ahead.. But your not alone.. Please share this blog.. or the video bellow... Things have got to change!!
Thank you,

Frustrated mama!