Some people are just RUDE

Hey Flash Fans ,

So last month we visited a water park about 3 hours away.
It was expensive and far and really crappy service so I left a review on their Facebook page regarding our experience just incase anyone else with special needs children go. It was not a good review and I also contacted them via Facebook and I was told to contact their company directly so I did and received 0 response.
Today someone decided to take it upon themselves to be rude and comment their opinion regarding my review and our visit, what they said was uncalled for. It was a reminder of how rude and cruel our world can be with simple little words. It also reminded me that I do not know what the future holds but for as long as I am alive I will do my best to protect not just Cash but ALL of my kids.

Our special needs children deserve to be treated just like any other child and do the same things all children do without discrimination. If our special needs children need certain accommodations to make visits possible it should be given so they can participate just like any other child.

Here are some screen shots that I took of this woman's comment towards me and my response back.

Remember Flash family we are our children's voices take a stand and never be ashamed. Teach your child/children to use kind words and to use them wisely. Educate whenever you have the chance change someone's perspective.

Why I started Cash The Flash blog & Facebook page

Hey Flash Family ,



I wanted to give you all a little insight on why I started this Blog and Facebook page it's going to be a long post but worth it.
I received Cassius DX May 2014 towards the end of the month shortly before he ended Kindergarten. Cash was always a bit different from the time he entered this world via C-section in 2008 he was crying before his head was even all the way out. I remember the Doctor stating "Wow his head not even out and he is crying". This was a pattern that continued throughout his toddler years. Here are some of the thing's Cash experienced as a infant/toddler prior to DX

Crying often
Screaming
sensitive to sounds (especially this dog toy pig)
Scared of people ( Except those in his comfort zone)
GI issues (From birth until even now)
Biting
Pinching
Scratching
terrified of water
hated having his hair washed and toes/fingers clipped
Night terrors
The list seriously could go on and on

Due to his stress levels he also had severe eczema which spread across one of his cheeks and his back I am just now making this link.

Around 3-4 Cash started talking to things in his bedroom that were not visible to us. He would get aggravated and stay up all night even sometimes yelling saying "No don't touch that it's my property" Or "I can't play I have to sleep"
One day around 4 years old I caught him kneeling on his toy box looking out the window and he said "NO I don't want to go yet I am not ready to die"  this is when we started to see that something was definitely off. A few months later he had his 5th birthday and started kindergarten a few short weeks later.
I pre-warned his teacher that he would be a handful but school just made his behaviors escalate even more. His hoarding behaviors became worse collecting paper , sticks , bugs  , his flight or fight response clicked on he would often leave the classroom without permission and he started talking to things and covering his ears frequently.

I contacted our pediatrician who suggested that we take him to a therapist so that is exactly what we did.

Our initial visit went well and she had to give some possible DX so our insurance would cover continuing visits

PDD-NOS
ADHD
possible Schizophrenia
mood disorder

After we left that initial appointment I got online and read about different causes while Schizophrenia was pretty high on my list I wondered how 5 year old could possibly have something psychologist rarely see in children so young.
We came across Autism and I was in shock this fit Cash to a T no doubt about it

Over the next 6 months Cash received therapy to help us out and in May of 2014 we finally received the DX Autism and because of this Cash got discharged from therapy because they were not able to "treat" Autism at the clinic he was attending.

From the moment of DX I have been on my own with the support of my awesome husband. Cash was changed school and put into a SLC program 6 weeks prior to end of kindergarten.  Cash also attended therapy and OT for a short period of time in Jan 2015 both asked to take a break from seeing him and his behaviors escalated.

We are still currently on our own trying to figure out this awesome autism life since Cash received his DX he has also been DX for Sensory processing and ADHD and he still has that lingering possible Schizophrenia.
Our oldest has received a DX of SPD , ADD and is awaiting a DX for Autism (High like Cash)
Our Daughter has Severe dyslexia and Anxiety due to her not being able to read and she may have a brain developmental delay (Sorry I am unsure of the Formal name for this
yet)

I started this blog and Facebook page so I could share our story with others and give other hope. I am passionate about Autism and "abilities" Our kids can continue to grow and learn just like any other child just in a different way.
I hope you will learn something by reading and following us I did not create his page to get the most likes (Although it is nice hehe) But because we need to spread awareness and acceptance it is important.

Thanks Flash Family we love all of you

DIY sensory bottles

Hey Flash Family ,

Today I decided to have a little fun and create some Sensory bottles with the kids. This is a great way to get the kiddo's hands dirty and do a little learning and get them fully engaged.
Cash has a love for all thing's messy so no doubt he had a blast. I managed to get his sister and Daddy involved and we all created one big brother was too busy on Minecraft. We may have added a wee too much of food coloring but hey learning is learning.
Cash loves to create he has a great imagination which surprises a lot of people because people are lead to believe spectrum kiddo's do not have one BUT I can attest that children on the spectrum of some most brightest and have some of the best imagination's.
I believe that Cash is doing so well because we never hold back we engage him as much as possible in daily life and embrace his obsessions.

So what you will need for the Sensory bottles we made

Plastic clear bottles with lids (We used gatoraid bottles and small juice bottles)
Water
Oil (We used vegetable BUT you can use baby or mineral oil)
Glitter of all colors (Purchased at our local dollar tree)
Confetti (Purchased at our local dollar tree)
Food coloring
Hot glue gun and glue

Step 1: help your kiddo fill up the bottle about 3/4 of the way up with tap water
Step 2: help your kiddo fill the remaining bottle up with the oil of your choice (the oil will remain at the top)
Step 3: have your kiddo pour in the glitter , confetti and food coloring I recommend going slow and maybe even helping your child.
Step 4: Parents please put the hot glue around the rim of the water bottle and then screw on the lids tightly and let dry before letting your child shake and watch the sensory bottle.

These were so easy to make we will be doing them with different items next time.

Enjoy the photos and feel free to share and have a blast making one.

We did not use the Super Scents :-)

This is so fun to watch

Great Sensory play

Finished product and endless Sensory imput

Cub Scouts

So Cash is with his big brother who is also on the higher side of the spectrum and a total smarty pants who takes things too literal if there is such a thing. They are currently camping with the scout pack at the beach , Lucky ducks right! I have to stay we are beyond blessed for the big thing's cash is able to complete. Before scouting would have been an issues but because we have such amazing people he has grown used to being with them and feels comfortable around them.
I would encourage most of you who have kiddos on the spectrum or an disability to try to get them involved scouts or other activites it takes a lot of time and dedication but in the end it is so worth it. I will never hold any of my kid's back from the life they deserve to be living I will always keep pushing them forward.


Autism Mommy

Why I want my Autistic son knowing how to loose

Losing is something that just happens in life and as parents I think it is our job to show all of our kids that loosing does and will eventually happen to each and every one of them at some point in their life's. I want my Autistic child to experience everything the good and the bad I believe that is how we teach life long lessons that are important to our children. If we single out , shelter and not allow our children to experience the good and the bad than I personally feel like as parents we are letting our children down. My son hates loosing , you can see it burning in his eyes when he is about to loose his little eyebrows furrow and he puts on his angry Godzilla face his little hands ball into fist and sometimes he slams them on the table and it's like the world is about to be crushed around him but , he has to know that it happens you loose you do not always get to win it's important. Don't get me wrong we are still suckers and let him win every now and then because lets face it he is only 6 and it makes him happy and that smile could crush you. My biggest thing is him knowing that it's okay to loose it does not mean the world is ending it will not shatter and you will get other options to win maybe not now , maybe not even the next time but in life you can win and loose and most of the time it will still be okay.

Open letter to Katie Hopkins

Dear Katie ,

Firstly I would like to personally thank you for your bad behavior towards the Autism Community. Surprised? You should be. People like you make it harder for others and easier for some. For us , you will make it easier to ease my son into the real world when he is old enough to wander out into it. He will come across cruel , heartless and cold people like yourself and with our help he will understand how to handle himself. See my son right now is an awesome 6yr old little boy who has AUTISM. Does it rule his everyday living? YES! Is Autism my son? NO. My son is an awesome child who loves Dinosaurs , Godzilla and can tell you just about everything regarding them. See Katie my son doesn't like to be cruel or heartless he has feelings just like any other child just like your kids. Surprised yet? He gets upset when others are hurt, when people are in pain. My son would feel bad for you if he could understand the cruel things that come from your mouth or even your hands as you type them out. Right now as I type this out I am watching my son play like a typical child. See your words hurt not just our kid's but the parents as well. We never choose to have a child with Autism but it was the hand we were given. I personally would not trade my son even during one of this bad days because my son is who he is and I love him regardless of what is noted on his medical chart. My son was my son before he was diagnosed with Autism and he will remain my son until the day I die.

Sincerely

Mom on a mission

5 Must read books for parents with kiddos on the spectrum

I have compiled 5 must read books for parents with children on the spectrum. I enjoy a good laugh and some of these you may not like , but I love hearing and seeing people living "normal" lives when they have special needs kiddo's. We try hard to not treat our children different even though they are unique. It's nice to know you are not alone on this journey and that so many people now and before have walked the same path. I hope you enjoy this and maybe even read one or two of them.

1. Ten thing's every child with Autism wishes you knew by Ellen Notbohm - Excellent book full of great advice and really gives you an understanding of how ASD really is for our children.

2. The reason I jump - Naoki Higashida & David Mitchell
Nothing is better than a ASD child giving you a glimpse inside their mind

3. I wish I were engulfed in flames - Jeni Decker
Hilarious book , raw and real and so worth reading

4. Elephant in the playroom - Denise Brodey

5. Chicken soup for the soul Raising kids on the spectrum - I am still reading this one hopefully it will be a good one.


I hope ya'll decide to pick one of these up , you're local library is a great resource and free at that what more could you ask for.