Phoebe has bad teeth.  Yep, she does.  She had perfect teeth until she went through puberty and was diagnosed with allergies.  I mean perfect.  Starting about 5 years ago, they started to decline.  We have been to numerous dentist, and she hates having anything dental done.  She gets sensory overload.  (who doesn’t)  There is a serious lack of information for dentists on children with autism, and a lack of people who can help in our area.  We have some awesome dentists here, and some have helped her as much as possible.  The essential question is WHY does she have bad teeth?  WHY?  I have never stopped helping her brush.  Twice daily and sometimes between meals.  This child never cleans her mouth out with water or her tongue, and leaves food in there like she is a chipmunk.  Not sure if she’s unsure of her next meal, but that has to get cleaned out!  I have started a vitamin therapy that I researched and hoping that will help a little bit.  It’s a never-ending guessing game with this child, and one that takes it’s toll.  Next week, I will take her to Detroit Medical Center so that she can have surgery to fix all these problems.  It’s not ideal, but has to be done.  I just want this whole thing to be done.  This autism mom is a nervous wreck.  Seeing any child have surgery is excruciating on a moms soul.

On a brighter note, I have seen some advances this summer so far.  At a soccer party for my son, Phoebe went out on the field for the “parents vs. team” game.  She stayed out at the game for the whole time.  This would never have happened 2, 4 even 6 years ago.  She didn’t really play the game, but she was involved and talking the whole time.  It was quite the sight.  Then, I took my son and some of his friends to a local arcade, fun place and Phoebe came along (when doesn’t she?).  She played with these boys the whole time, and never once complained.  She played mini-golf, played games and even did laser tag.  Who is this child??  We were there for over 2 hours…and only at the end did she complain that she had had enough.

After many weeks of no extended break from the kids, I sit here and drink my coffee enjoying the quiet.  While cleaning out Phoebes room this morning I found some of her classic LISTS.  She has made lists since she could write and pointed to lists when she couldn’t.  This list said, “People I like.”  Then it listed, Riley, Greg, Grant, Carter, Mom, Brendan, Nana, Joey, Charlie, Sadie, and the last one said…Phoebe.   That made me smile.

We like you too Phoebe. 🙂

Happy Summer!