From day one, my boys have had a lot of bouncy energy. With my oldest, I figured this energy was typical of boys in general, which of course, it is, however, his need for movement constantly is what I missed. When my youngest was beginning to walk around and climb, I realized just how much movement and energy there was in my kiddos. Having other children around on occasion also helped me see that my boys were not just typical boys. Other children were able to sit for at least 5 minutes at a time to get through a cartoon. My kiddos, needed to be upsidedown, literally on their heads while watching the cartoon that was supposed to give me time to fold laundry or do dishes etc. They started climbing the walls…I do mean this literally! My little one, at 18 months would try to scale the fireplace and get up on the mantel, or try to climb up on the sideboards around the dining room. We had a tiny tree outback in our small garden, he broke many key branches off of it climbing up to the tip top; I am surprised the tree survived!
During this time, my children were still not diagnosed. My older kiddo may have gotten his SPD label and been in speech therapy, but no ASD yet. I was still doing home make-shift OT trying to cope with these little monkeys while my husband was still trying to come to grips with the fact that there was something amiss, and if so…what? Because SPD could not be it, that was not a real diagnosis.
GOOGLE. Thank you GOOGLE for existing!!! I honestly do not know if I could have survived without being able to research and find that out there, people were looking up answers to the same difficulties. I discovered trampolines. I call it “trampoline-therapy” because that is what it is for my kids. I came to find out later, post diagnosis, that trampolines were utilized in almost every OT setting.
Our first trampoline was a small indoor one with a bar to help keep them from bouncing off. We had a strict rule they had to hold on. The one we picked was Little Tykes.
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Today this trampoline is in our family room where some of their toys live and there is enough space for it. It is used regularly and has been used over and over by both my boys while watching TV, or in between playing or activities, or just on a whim. We keep it out always, availible for whenever the urge hits them. Does it help? Absolutely. Will it cure anything? Of course not. It is an outlet for their endless energy and itchy legs.
After 4 years of jumping indoors, my boys have not lost the pleasure or comfort of their trampoline so we keep it. On the other hand, my youngest needed more recently, his energy far exceeds his older brothers and definitely seeks more joint compression and body slams. This year he turned 5. It was a terrible birthday, (for another post), but also quite typical of ASD. His only highlight and joy was recieving his giant trampoline outside!
For those of you who have the space, I would definitely consider getting one!
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OK. These are my recommendations for the day…the second most useful tools we have ever invested in! The small trampoline indoors is still used daily even though we have a large one outside. We have not regretted these investmensts. Start small if you are unsure. Hope you find it as helpful as we have!
Author: Vic.E.
I am a Mom. I am a Caregiver. I am an Advocate. I get paid in unconditional love, in progress and by the amazing support of my very hard-working husband who is the greatest Dad to our two boys.
Our first child came in 2011. He was orange haired and big, 9.5lbs…yikes! He was a butter ball. Just perfect and delicious! His eyes came out green like Momma’s and his skin tone white with freckles like Dad’s. He will be taller than both of us, over 6’ according to the trajectory of his health chart! He has his great grandfathers build. He is smart, has an amazing memory, is super creative, and is sensitive, so empathetic. He is my first born and just perfect. He is also diagnosed with Autism-mild, ADHD, Anxiety, dyslexia, possible dysgraphia and possible other things…really, just all things to help him get the supports he needs to thrive in life. At his core, he is who he is. Full of silly laughter, big smiles, a warm heart, intense loyalty, a strong justice gene, and a fundamental belief in the good.
My second and last child, was born in 2013. The boys are a year and a half apart. He was born looking like an old man. Poor kid was induced early, for fear of another large infant and my ignorance I had a say. He had the umbilical chord wrapped around him and was blue as can be. He recovered fine though, no need for oxygen or anything. But he was checked on a lot to be sure. His skin would be tan like mine, but he won’t go outside much in the daylight. His eyes are closer to Dad’s and his Gran’s (my husband’s mom)…hazel green/dark blue. He has moles rather than freckles, but other than the should be darker skin and moles, he looks just like his Dad. A little mini-me of my husband. Same sandy dark blond hair, same darker eyes, same features. His body is more like my husbands as well. However, he is due to grow over 6’ and will most likely be taller than his big brother! He had a level 4 tongue tie. Something I thought would stretch and break on it’s own. I was a naturalist momma. Keep those sharp objects away from my babies!!! He was able to nurse just fine, and we got to take him home. He was diagnosed first, his symptoms were classic…development fine and then massive regression. He was around a year old when we noticed. The doctor at my other son’s check up saw it, and referred us to an “evaluation” which I did not understand at the time. Anyhow. He is Severe-Autism, ADHD, non-verbal. Although, 10 years on, I don’t like that term for him. He chats all the time, mostly scripts, mostly needs and wants. Rarely anything novel comes out, but when it does it is brief, but magical!!! He progresses every day.
My life went from social to isolation pretty quick. Other’s noticed the differences with our kids, my youngest was unsafe to take out for years. So, here are our stories. Jumbled up, in reflection, looking forward, retrospective. I try to write about our progress, our hopes and show the raw side of living a life in a house of neurodivergence. You are not alone, we are many. It’s time we showed ourselves to the world and stopped hiding our kiddos away. They deserve to be celebrated, included, loved.
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