krystaltps

I'm not sure on this one, but I used to have the same problem until just recently, then it all stopped and became nice. It may have been the wee circular arrows button at the top of the page when you're writing your post - let your mouse hover over it and it says "switch between standard and rich text editor". Not sure if clicking this was what sorted it out for me though. But it's worth a try.

<'> <'> <'> Hev. Hope things have settled down a bit for you now.

The joys! C still hasn't grown out of it, but he at least confines it to the area around his bed. E was the worst though until she was about 5yrs. In our lounge we have a 3-seater, a 2-seater and an armchair - all leather. DD thought she'd brighten every seat cushion and back cushion up with red biro when she was 3. I have to admit, I totally freaked out . I made her help clean it off... a combination of turps and ink rubbers eventually did the trick. She was not to be deterred though, and a few months later drew little people all over her bedroom walls. I just left them, until she ended up not sleeping in her room because she was scared of the "people". C's worst one is digging holes in the walls... we go through a lot of polyfilla!

I have seen more traits with C as he's got older... I think basically for the reasons that Mumble mentioned. The twinkles are only a year younger than C, so the difference seems to become greater the older they get... and C is often aware of this too. Often he'll "grow out of" one and replace it with a new one. For example - C lined things up from about 14 months til about 2 and half, stopped that and began spinning instead. What I have noticed increasing steadily as he gets older are the sensory problems (I posted about that a few days ago).

and the top gets tucked into the trousers? and if there's a hood, it goes up too? It'll be masks next !

oooh goody, we're back to cake ! This won't tie in with the diet thread though - are we all sure that virtual cake is fat and calorie free?

television

Just posted on the other thread... I'll join in but I don't weigh myself every week when I diet, especially at the start. So I'll update whenever I have stepped on the dreaded item. Love the idea of a diet thread.

I'll join. T'was my New Year resolution after all. I just haven't been able to work up the motivation yet, but once I get the twin's birthday out of the way tomorrow I'm all set to go. I could do with losing about 1 - 1 and half stone before Florida in July so I don't frighten people when I turn up at the water parks in my cozzie .

Well done Clare and Pearl!! We're going to have to "quotiest" forum around now.

Hi Faye. This is a tricky one isn't it? I'd love to say I have an easy answer for you, but I don't - my twinkles still don't get the exception to the rule thing. They were six when we told them about C's AS, and they accepted it very well - but they already knew he was different anyway... children are surprisingly perceptive. Their only concern was that it was contagious . I have always explained to them that C thinks differently to them and most other kids - which they also accept. And part of this "thinking differently" means that sometimes he does things he can't help and he doesn't understand the rules in the same way as them - and that is why he sometimes doesn't get into trouble for something that they would get into trouble for. They are fine with this... the problem we have is when C has achieved something momentous for him and we pile on the praise... they get very jealous and say "but we did that last year" which totally deflates C. In the most part, however, they are very understanding - for little people. They just accept C as he is, even when he's hitting them. I suppose they are lucky that they have each other, but I do worry about them and the impact that living with C must have on them. I have requested that the psychologist who sees C also speaks to the twinkles, and I always make sure that I praise them for being patient and understanding. I do think it's important to be open about things and explain situations and the reasoning behind your decisions - children are much more accepting than adults, but they do need to know the reasons behind things. Hope this helps a bit.... and congrats on your first topic

C tucks his trousers into his socks. It looks so odd, but he says he feels safer that way

to you! Hope you have a wonderful day and get lovely presents. You're exactly 17 days younger than my clever wee boy, C.

proper

bug

It may be worth your while looking into some sort of CCTV system as well, or even just a dummy camera. I'm no expert on these things (living on an island means we can be out all day with the door wide open and nothing bad happens... we have actually done this by accident - we'd never survive in a city ), but I know you can get dummy cameras that have motion sensors and are quite convincing. If it is someone who's trying to hassle you, they may think twice if they are going to be caught on camera. A basic CCTV system only costs about �50-60 these days. I got one to keep an eye on R during the night when his seizures were really bad, as his alarm would go off when he was turning in bed and I was up and downstairs like a yo-yo. It would mean you could just check the monitor to see who's at your door, then decide if you want to answer it or not - a bit like call-waiting but for doorsteps (I LIKE that idea ).

Just as well, methinks - wouldn't go down too well at the grand old age of 18

Actually, that would be quicker and less "footery". So not technoclot, just a time-saver

Ahhh, alas all the things C wont eat!Not for the want of trying (on my part). Not even the baked beans - food mustn't be wet. He has enormous issues with texture as well which is why beans and pulses are out. Food must have the consistency of bread or cereal in order for it to be consumed, with bacon and ham being the only exceptions to the rule. No vegetables whatsoever - they cause meltdown simply by appearing on his plate, and the only acceptable fruit comes in the form of apple juice. Hadn't thought of soya products or tofu, however. I used to use them a lot (I was vegetarian for 12 years... unfortunately for me though, not the thin and weedy kind ). I'll certainly give them a try... fingers crossed. Thanks BD.

Baddad, just wondering with Ben on dairy-free, how do you get enough calcium into him? C has been on a self-imposed DF diet for years now and is seeing a dietician who's helping us find non-dairy foods that have calcium which he will eat. Aside from nuts and bread, we're not doing well, and it's looking like he'll be started on a calcium supplement soon.

Have been offered them, but always avoided them as I didn't like the sound of the potential side-effects. I usually find that my body hates meds - I struggle to keep anything more than paracetamol down . Have often wondered though if it would make a great difference to the anxiety side of things.

Hurrah! Thanks David. I see I don't need the speech marks though. I shall become a quote expert.

fingers crossed

I did it!! Thanks ScienceGeek! I no longer have to wonder. I'm going to be doing this all the time now, aren't I?

maybe this time?