It's All About the Title

(Trey is 2 years and 7 months)

Titles are so important.  When I started this blog, I had no idea what the title should be. A good one is so vital! It must encompass everything you are trying to present. I didn't want something too serious or stuffy. I stared at the blinking cursor on the blog title page with no clue of what to type.  I wanted this blog to be about my silly, loving, smart son...who just happens to be Autistic.  I wanted to write about the journey we are taking with him...and for him.

So when I sat there thinking...trying to come up with a title, I thought of how I could sum up life with our little monkey boy on a daily basis? Suddenly two things immediately came to mind.  Alphabet magnets and chicken nuggets. Of course, that's it!

Trey and the Alphabets

Let me explain.  First, alphabet magnets are super important.  Trey has developed an alphabet obsession that began with a simple set of magnets.  He would line them all in a row on the fridge.  They weren't necessarily in the proper alphabetic order, but he certainly knew which direction was correct.  Not a single one would be upside down or backwards.  Then he began to speak... he would say the letters!!  Just a few at first..but more and more as the weeks passed.  Our little "non-verbal" boy was talking alphabets!  We were so proud... so daddy bought 3 more sets of alphabet magnets. His favorite T.V. character? "Alpha Pig" on Super Why!  We upgraded him to big foam letters, and alphabet puzzles, and an old computer keyboard (that he takes with him on trips in the van or to the store...he won't leave home without it!). 

Alpha Pig!

Now here we are, several months since the first set of alphabet magnets were stuck on our fridge. Our house is filled with letters in every room....and this little baby boy who is so behind where he should be on speech and communication and basic 2 1/2 year old skills (news that was hard to see on paper with his diagnosis), can now identify and speak every letter!  He knows upper and lower case.  He knows the order in which they go.  Tonight we heard him saying them as he was falling asleep in his crib.  Thank you, Alpha Pig, for being such a great influence.

The Keyboard

As far as the chicken nuggets, it's probably what makes up for 98% of his little body.  He is very picky to say the least...and sensory issues about texture are the cause.  He won't touch anything slimy or soft.  No noodles, no fruit, no veggies.  He literally gags at the sight of applesauce.

Needless to say we worry about him.  That's why we are learning to get a little creative to avoid chicken nuggets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, you can bet they will be on the plate for at least one of these meals everyday!  Here is a few "nuggets" of information for those interested in our tricks:

• Toaster Scramblers - Big win!  They are pastry you pop in the toaster that are filled with egg, cheese, and bacon or sausage. We cut them up in tiny squares...he loves them!
• Toasted Ravioli - At least he gets a little beef
• Banana chips - Since he loves chips and crackers, these treats have been a great way for him to get a little fruit.
• Freeze-dried green beans - Epic fail! They were the perfect idea for a chip-like textured vegetable but the aftertaste was awful. Like a smelly sock awful.
• Yogurt covered raisins
• Veggie chips
• Baked cauliflower - found this on on Pinterest! They look like nuggets and they are crispy.

These are just a few ideas.  Please feel free to submit more!  I am always searching for ideas. We hope with therapy he will eventually overcome some of the sensory issues he struggles with and will be able to eat a bigger variety of foods.  But we will always remember his love for chicken nuggets... and alphabet magnets.