Thank you both. I'm just... gah. You know. Thanks.

Stephanie, it's not that you haven't been around much; it's that I haven't been around much.

Cindy, yes, and Stephanie, yes.

I had never heard of blindisms before I met his new early intervention specialist. I think the one from the sight center had said it early on, but I hadn't actually heard or understood what it meant, other than that he'll stick everything in his mouth no matter what it is.

So, yes. The paper I read about it was actually directed to people who deal with autistic children, and it explained blindisms to help explain why autistic children do the things they do (too much sensory overload causes them to discount some senses, such as vision, and that makes them act as if they are blind, causing these behaviors, which are called blindisms).

So, I think this was a case of me applying distortions 3, 5, 7, and, probably, 10, to Aidan's situation, describing his actions to his doctor in a way that made them more seem more intense than they really were, and his doctor not understanding blindisms.

{{Juliana}} the counselor will not tell you it's all your fault, or all Z's fault and he or she will help you fix things, not break them further.

It's very scary, and yet you're doing it anyway, and I'm impressed.

Somewhat relatedly, I feel like a newbie again. Long-time lurker, first time in a month-of-sundays poster.

Deena, it's good to see you around and I'm glad to hear that you have more clarity on Aidan's situation.

{{{Juliana}}}

Susan, I'm sure bringing up your concerns at the pediatrician's can't hurt. But Deena's comments (and those from other folks) sound pretty wise to this non-parent.

Speaking of parents, I have good news about one of mine. Mom's doctor declared her officially in remission yesterday! She may be home from the rehab. clinic by then end of the week. She's already feeling well enough to find ways to drive me crazy, which is reassuringly familiar. And now that she's officially in remission (typing that never gets old) I'll feel much less guilt stricken when the time comes (soon, very very soon) to tell her to get stuffed. Yay!!!!!

Calli, that's great news!

Big squishy Deena hugs, cause I miss her.

Honestly, I'd be more concerned if Annabel *had* been talking and started to lose words. That's more typical of autism.

Yeah, that's my understanding as well.

Get the tests if they will ease your mind. And (this is just an opinion I've come across after reading lots of crap that makes lots of sense to me) validity of vaccine concerns aside, any kid being evaluated for autism-like stuff should have their heavy metals tested. There are so many similar symptoms, its treatable if caught early, and there are so many ways for children to be exposed.

Carp.

S-I-L S called a little while ago. One of dh's uncles died this morning. He and his wife were driving home from Canada. He didn't feel well. His wife took the wheel. Apparently he died of a heart attack. My m-i-l (who has had enough worries with her own health, her husbands, and two of her daughters having cancer--one twice in as many years) is heartbroken. I decided to call dh at work and tell him. Now, I'm thinking I made the wrong decision. I feel sorry for him going through the day knowing this, because his workplace is an utter madhouse, right now. I just figured he would want to know, and I figured he'd want to call his mom. He just sounded so beaten down.

I just got off the phone with m-i-l. I think this is the first time in fifteen years I have heard her cry. My f-i-l got home while we were talking, so I let her go.

I volunteered at the school this morning, and because I hadn't yet had enough coffee, I ended up volunteering for lunch room duty at noon, because one of the lunch mother's will be home with her sick kid, and the other is on our Cultural Arts committee and had to go to some demo to choose exhibits/arts-related performers for our school. Now all I want to do is go over my in-laws.

{{{Cindy and her DH's family}}}

I'm so sorry, sweetie.

I'm sorry, Cindy. Do you think "death in my family" would be the sort of thing where they'd get the other volunteer back from the demo or get someone else in to cover for you?