Autistic Meltdowns

I have often felt like I deal with more tantrums than other parents with toddlers. I have said this so many times and one day I finally found out why. It’s two simple words, but say them to the parent of an Autistic child and watch that familiar look of understanding cross their face. An Autistic meltdown is an animal all its own. It’s not a typical temper tantrum. This is the nightmare of tantrums. These can come on suddenly, with what seems to be no warning. I am here to tell you what an Autistic meltdown is. How can I tell the difference between an Autistic meltdown and a "normal" temper tantrum? How do I stop it?

What is an Autistic meltdown? This is the most misunderstood phenomena in Autism, but it is also the most common. An Autistic meltdown is brought on one of two ways. The first way is the most expected, the child does not get what they want. The second is not so simple. When an Autistic child suffers from some kind of sensory overload (such as sudden bright lights, an offensive odor, or loud noise) it can launch them into a seemingly unexpected tantrum. Often time’s parents or caregivers have no idea what has caused the meltdown and understandably so, they are busy dealing with the outside world as well as keeping track of the needs of their child. Meltdowns are not exclusively suffered by Autistic children, they can also be found in other neurological disorders. Imagine the meltdown of a nuclear reactor, that is what is happening in the mind of the child.

A child in the midst of an Autistic meltdown is caught in a constant cycle of frustration, which feeds the behavior of the tantrum. The stimulation overload enters the child’s senses, the child's brain is unable to cope with the input, the child begins to give cues of discomfort, if no change is made the meltdown occurs. The cue can be as subtle as closing their eyes tightly or as major as pulling away and trying to run off. The cue can be repeated multiple times before a meltdown or may only be given once. Cues vary by child and you must figure out what your individual child's cues are. As a parent the first few meltdowns will be very memorable and highly frustrating. It will almost always happen in a public place. You will feel embarrassed, which may cause you to add to the stimuli already overloading your child. Every parent is guilty of yelling at their child and sometimes children need to hear that stern change of voice to understand what they are doing is wrong. An Autistic child in a meltdown will not hear your words; they will only hear the volume change in the world around them.

Pause here for a moment to consider your feelings while reading that last paragraph. You may have just begun to figure out what your child's cues are. Every parent goes through a phase of trial and error. Children do not come with instruction manuals. Please do not beat yourself up for getting frustrated with your child at times. Understanding what is happening with your child will help extend your patience fuse, but it will not eliminate the eventual feelings of frustration and maybe anger. Take a moment to remove yourself from this situation. You will feel like everyone in the world is staring at you, judging you, and I'm sorry to say they are. Why do you care? You were raised in a world of societal rules and norms. Your child was not. Your child will not understand these unwritten rules and all their exceptions.

As a parent of an Autistic child you will begin a curious transformation, you will find yourself breaking societal rules. It’s a liberating feeling. Why do boys need to only have short hair? Why should I smile at total strangers at the mall? Why do I need to continue this ridiculous small talk in the grocery store checkout line? You will find yourself granting societal norms to people on a limited basis and when you do you will think ‘Wow that was nice of me'. This is not rude. This is not inappropriate. It’s honest. You will not be struck by lightning and the world will continue to turn if you do not cut your son’s hair or smile at a passing stranger. I'm not saying you are going to turn into a complete robot, but you will begin to change.

So how do you tell the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum? That is simple. A tantrum will end when the child is offered what they want. Tantrums in Autistic children do occur and they should not be allowed to get away with any of it. Determine an appropriate punishment and be consistent, just like any parent of a "typically developing" child. A meltdown on the other hand will not end, for any reason and will increase in intensity the longer the child stays in that location. A clue to a meltdown could be its seemingly sudden onset. The child has asked for nothing, is seemingly fine one minute and then, all of a sudden, the world is coming to an end. During a meltdown the child or individual will not look at you for feedback. During a tantrum a child will stop and look to see if they have an audience.

What do you do if your child or Autistic loved one is experiencing a meltdown? Stay as calm as possible. A meltdown is like a seizure. You cannot stop it until it is done. If at all possible and most of the time it is, remove the child from the area. You are not doing this for the peace of mind of others; you are doing this to remove the stimulation that is overloading their system. Get them to a safe environment and let them run through the meltdown. If your loved one is an adult with Autism, you will not be able to physically move or remove them from the area. Instead move items they could hurt themselves on. Allow the meltdown to finish its cycle. Child or adult the outcome is the same; you will both be exhausted from the ordeal.

It is very likely police or security will be called by an onlooker, especially if the meltdown is particularly loud or violent in appearance. Do not physically intervene with any police officer, but articulate to them the child or individual is Autistic and is going through an Autistic meltdown. Advise the officers that restraining the child is physically unsafe for the individual and for themselves. Restraining an Autistic individual requires considerations that I will discuss in a different post, but basically this is due to their anatomy. Remember an Autistic child does not know what they are doing during a meltdown. They will not remember if they have hit you. They will not be able to tell you why you are hurt. The event will be very fresh in your mind, so it will be hard to understand how they can have amnesia of the incident. It is not uncommon for the child to be particularly affectionate after an event like these and it is not uncommon for you to feel less than ready to give affection after these events.

I can tell you that as my son has aged, I have learned his cues, and we are experiencing less meltdowns. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Some parents with moderate to low functioning loved ones teach them to give verbal warnings before the onset of a meltdown. They can feel the changes in their emotions, just like you can, expressing it is difficult. For instance a good verbal warning is: "Help me". This is simple to say, easy to remember, and is easily understood by other people. The verbal warning should be easily understood by others and should not be an odd code word like "panda". If your Autistic child walks up to a police man and says "panda" they will not get the help they need, "help me" elicits a completely different response.

Though you cannot stop an Autistic meltdown, you can try to delay or prevent it. How? Talk to your child. When my son was two he was functioning on the cognitive level of a five year old and was very strong in his vocabulary. I can talk to my son and prepare him for what we are going to do and what he may experience. I can say to him "loud noise" and he knows what to expect. Don't be afraid to say "wow that was loud" or "wow that was bright". Address what they are experiencing so they do not feel alone in the experience. It shows them you understand what they are going through. I may look at you and see you squinting, but an Autistic child does not understand why your face looks scrunched up. Living with Autism almost turns you into a walking comic book strip. You begin to talk out loud a lot about things that invade your senses.

We distract our son with a silly question if he starts to slip into a fussy mood. Aiden usually begins to fuss and becomes visibly disturbed while on his way to a meltdown. We ask "Are you Santa Claus?" or "Is the sky green?" He will usually laugh. Just continue to ask silly questions if you find this works. If your child is drawn to music, try singing to them in a stressful environment. The sound of your voice in a melody maybe enough to distract them, especially if the song is familiar (ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, etc) If your child or loved one is verbal, try getting them to sing with you or count with you. Do anything that engages their mind and forces them to think of something else.

For more information on meltdowns vs tantrums please feel free to read this article: http://www.examiner.com/article/autism-meltdowns-versus-temper-tantrums If you find you are unable to curb the meltdowns, despite your best efforts, and they are frequently occurring, please look into other options. Discuss these concerns with your healthcare professionals. One option is a service dog for Autism. These therapy dogs do exist and are wonderful options for Autistic children. Here is a link to one organization that provides therapy dogs for Autism: http://4pawsforability.org/autism-assistance-dog/ If you already have a family dog and do not want to add another do not fear. Your family pet may be able to act as your child or loved one's therapy dog with training. For more information please look into this link: http://www.autismspeaks.org/resource/service-dog-tutor

Autistic meltdowns are terrible the first time around, but they are inevitable. I hope this helps you understand these meltdowns and to realize there is a real reason for why they occur.

As always if you have questions, please feel free to ask here or on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/AidensHereos

Safety and Childproofing

I know what you're thinking. Child proofing? Didn't I already do that when my child was a baby? This is not just plug covers and toilet seat locks, this is childproofing for a genius version of Houdini. The National Autism Association estimates that 48% of Autistic individuals will attempt to elope from a safe environment, which is approximately 4 times more than their "typically developing" peers. Autistic children, even if they are non-verbal, should never be considered less intelligent than their "typically developing" peers. In fact most of them are incredibly intelligent. So let’s discuss how to keep your big or little Houdini safe.

Before getting into to many specifics here are some quick tips for safety:

1- Secure doors and windows.

2- Test sensory reaction to fire and burglar alarms.

3- Have your home address flagged with law enforcement and fire fighters.

4- Get medical ID bracelet and work on getting your child used to wearing it.

5- Purchase some ID Cards you can carry with you.

6- Teach your child to swim! Talk to local swim instructors to find the best fit for your child.

7- What to do if your child wanders away?

Doors: My child was teaching himself how to turn the deadbolt at 18 months old. Could you imagine going to the bathroom and coming back to find the front door standing wide open and your beloved child is gone? What a nightmare, but it happens very frequently in Autistic families. So how do you secure your doors? First please consider fencing in your property or at minimum your back yard. That provides one more obstacle for your Autistic loved one to overcome and may buy you precious time in the event of an elopement. An easy way to secure your doors is through a simple door latch, especially for young children. Please install this latch at adult height, so even if they stand on a chair the child could not reach it. Eventually the child will figure out they cannot get the door open and will lose interest in trying. For those on the spectrum in the moderate to low functioning range they will be homebound or in a facility for life. These children eventually grow to adult height and may realize they can undo the door latch. Please consider installing a door chime on your doors to alert you to a door being opened. These items are readily available at your local hardware store and are generally inexpensive. These items are a tax write off, so please keep your receipts.

Windows: Windows are usually more secure than doors. On my home we have to unlatch to locks, and then press the handle inwards while lifting the window. I struggle to open them at times, so I, personally, do not worry so much about my child escaping through a window. I have also never shown my children how to open a window. My children are still very young, so they would not need to know how to open a window in case of an emergency. Autistic children will remember what you teach them and it does not take very long for them to learn pesky habits. One of which could be opening a window, if you teach or unknowingly show them how. Some children have an affinity for tinkering. Autistic children are very curious and explore all the time. So if your child figures out the windows do not panic. Get window bars with a quick release tool in case of an emergency.

Alarms: Every child is different; please use your digression as a parent in determining the mental and physical capabilities of your child, especially in emergency situations. I strongly urge you to purposefully test your fire alarms and set off your home alarm to gauge your child's reaction. One night my husband came home late from work and the alarm went off in the house. I was asleep in our room at the time. When I heard the alarm I came out of our room and found my then two year old, Aiden, in the hallway. He had escaped from his bedroom by climbing the baby gate we keep in front of his doorway. The alarm is extremely loud and this caused my son to go into an autistic tantrum. I will talk about autistic tantrums more specifically in another post, but to give you an idea an autistic tantrum is a temper tantrum on steroids. My son covered his ears, screamed, and dropped into a ball in the hallway. I quickly shut off the alarm and went to Aiden. I gently touched his shoulder and tried talking to him. Aiden lashed out at me for the first time and took me by surprise. He hit, kicked, and tried to bite me.

That story sounds horrifying. You're probably thinking "What a terrible child" or "You should discipline him more". The thing you must remember is this: My child, being Autistic, has no idea what he is doing during an Autistic tantrum. His fight or flight is on overdrive due to the sensory overload. I tell you this story to show you the importance of understanding your child's reactions in emergency situations. I am glad I discovered this before the police or fire fighters had to respond to my home.

Let’s imagine for a moment the outcome of a house fire. The smell of smoke, the heat of the fire, the house alarm, sirens, flashing lights, people talking, and add in fear or confusion. Then, almost suddenly, a strange looking monster in a weird suit will try to grab you. It sounds like the making of a great horror movie, but this is real life. Now try to imagine handling all of that and suffering from sensory processing issues, which most Autistic children suffer from. I will also discuss Sensory Processing Disorder in another more in depth post, but SPD, in a nutshell, is an inability to filter out input from the world around you. Now let’s imagine being a cop or firefighter responding to this house. Panicked parents are outside; their child is trapped in the house. Every parent's worst nightmare is coming true before their eyes. The first responder makes entry into the home and finds the child or young adult. Now imagine having to physically fight the very person you are trying to save. Imagine how frustrating that must be.

Flag Your Address: I am a first responder in the Orlando area. I am begging you as a mother and a first responder, please call your non-emergency hotline, every agency has one, for law enforcement and fire fighters. Ask them to flag your address as the home of an Autistic child or individual. Whenever you call 9-1-1 one of the first sentences you say should be: "Please take care when responding to this address, an Autistic individual lives here". The agency should ask you for a basic description and what the child's tendencies are. If your child has a violent reaction under stress, TELL THEM THAT. It is not bad, but they need to be prepared for the possibility and understand the risks involving that person's behavior. It helps first responders react better and faster if they know every variable involved.

Medical Alert ID's/ ID Cards: One more scenario to discuss is the horrible possibility of wandering. Autistic children wander away or bolt from their caregivers on a frequent basis. This event occurs often, is dangerous, and is understandably extremely scary for the parent. Please consider an ID bracelet for your loved one with Autism. My son has one. We got his from company called Vital ID. Their website is: https://www.vitalid.com/ These types of items can also be purchased from Amazon, EBay, or any other retailer like this. Some companies have developed tracking devices of all different kinds, please look into these options if you feel you need them. We also have ID cards for Aiden that attach to a lanyard. We travel with one at all times, we have one in the house, and both sets of grandparents have one. Why an ID card? In the event that your child goes missing and cannot be immediately located, most parents are incredibly distraught. Almost to distraught to offer an accurate account of the situation or an in depth description. We used a company called Kids Travel Card. I did not know this at the time, but the owner has an autistic grandson. Of course you may feel free to use any ID card company you wish, but here is the website to Kids Travel Card if you are interested: http://www.kidstravelcard.com/ Somewhere on your card please indicate the warnings for your child. For example mine says: "High Functioning Autism. IS verbal. Scared of loud noises and sudden light. Is sensitive to temperature changes, such as extreme heat. Will fight if afraid".

Swimming: According to the National Autism Association drowning is the leading cause of death among Autistic individuals. They further add to this statistic by stating in 2009, 2010, and 2011 accidental drowning accounted for approximately 91% of deaths reported in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from the ages of 14 to younger, subsequent to wandering or eloping events. Children with Autism are drawn to shiny objects and water shines or glistens in light, even moon light. This is one theory that explains why drowning deaths occur in such high number among Autistic individuals. Please put a fence around your pool, encourage those in your neighborhood to do the same. Be sure to frequently check the locks on your gates and the integrity of your screens, if used. Also enroll your Autistic loved one in swimming classes. The YMCA is one organization that offers special needs swimming classes. You can read more about swimming facts and safety tips from the National Autism Association here:

http://nationalautismassociation.org/resources/autism-safety-facts/

What to do if your child has wandered away?

1- Search the immediate area around your home and inside your home thoroughly. Even if you find the door standing wide open, search the inside of your home. Favorite hiding places, under beds, in closets, behind couches. Be methodical and quick. Ideally your significant other will be home at the time of the incident. One of you should begin the search, while the other begins step 2 and then 3. Time is of the essence in these situations. It is better to be over react, than under react, but over react in a controlled manner.

2- Call 9-1-1, do not wait longer than a few minutes. Try to be as calm and articulate as possible. Understand you will be in a panicked state, but if you cannot clearly articulate your emergency the dispatcher cannot give good information to those responding to assist you. Be clear the child is Autistic. You may call from a cell phone if you are searching, but a police officer will have to meet with you in person. There are multiple reasons for this, but when they ask where to meet tell them a place and immediately go to that place. You must be the point everything and everyone revolves around. As a parent the hardest thing to do is sit still when your loved one has gone missing.

These matters are handled very seriously by law enforcement. The fastest way to activate the largest group of people at your disposal is to call 9-1-1 first. Law enforcement across the nation has begun more in depth training in the area of Autism, what steps need to be taken, and where they need to go. Please do not hang up with your dispatcher until they tell you it is ok to do so. You may ask to hang up once you have told them where you live, where to meet with you, your child's description, and provided them with a description of yourself with a contact phone number. Remember do not hang up until the dispatcher says it is ok, sometimes they have very specific questions they need answered and those questions vary by agency. If and when they say it’s ok, hang up and begin step 3. If they do not want you to hang up, stay on the line and do not worry about step 3. Retrieve a previously worn article of clothing and ideally place it in a paper bag, if a paper bag is not available use a Ziploc or plastic grocery bag. This can be used for a possible K9 track.

When your police officer arrives stay with them. Tell them you have an article of clothing available for a K9 if they need it. Some agencies do not have a K9 at their immediate disposal, but it is helpful to a vast majority, do not make a pre-determination on your agencies capabilities. Try to speak clearly and calmly to the officer. Answer their questions directly, they ask very specific questions for very important reasons. You may feel like you are repeating information, repeat it anyway. Be sure to tell them where your child likes to go and how they are used to getting there. Autistic children are very habitual and will take familiar routes or transportation modes to get to familiar locations. Taking the bus to grandma's house is a simple, but effective example of this situation.

3- If your dispatcher gives you permission to hang up, continue with this step. Have an emergency plan in place. Keep a list of your neighbor’s phone numbers, call them. Discuss this with your neighbors before the event and determine who would be willing to help. Tell them your child has wandered away from home, ask them to help you look for your child. Ask one to go to the nearest community park, ask the other to check any bodies of water (pool, lake, streams, etc.) in the area, etc. Tell them what the child was last seen wearing. Do not dwell in this conversation; you need to keep your phone line open. The conversation should go something like this: (These are made up names and people.) "Kathy, this is Sue next door. Mike has gone missing. Please help us find him. I need you to please check the park. He was wearing a red, Spiderman shirt and black jeans. If you find him please bring him (to your agreed location: home, park, etc.) or flag down a police man. I have already called 9-1-1. I am hanging up." Then hang up. That conversation should take a minute or two at the most.

Also consider a phone tree. That way you call one person and they know who to call next. It just continues in a trickle effect. This is the most effective and productive method, but it also requires good relations in the neighborhood.

For more helpful tips on wandering, including work sheets and packets, please be sure to look at this link: http://www.autismspeaks.org/wandering-resources

I hope this post offers you some guidance and valuable information. For continued updates and futher suggestions, as well as references to other helpful resources and information please like our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/AidensHereos

So Now What?

If you're reading this post you've probably been on a crusade to find information. Maybe you were referred by a friend, family member, or care team professional. Truthfully we have been brought together for one purpose and all because of one word: Autism. Do not fear. Most parents don't hear much after receiving that diagnosis, at least the first time. It sounds scary at first, but take it from a mom who has been there, it gets less scary the more you face it. The best description I have ever heard of Autism goes like this: "Autism like a rainbow, has a bright side, and a dark side and even though it can mean rough weather, it can be beautiful."

The first thing you must realize is you are not alone. Autism affects approximately two million people in the United States and tens of millions worldwide. My son, Aiden, was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism in 2013. We suspected he may have this disorder due to family history, but we weren't sure until that fateful day in May when our psychologist confirmed it. So, what do you do now? Research, learn, educate, and explore. Promise yourself and your child you will never stop searching. The more you know the better you can advocate for your child. Dedicate yourself to this path. Autism is a lifelong diagnosis. There is no known cure and scientists cannot find one direct cause.

 Can you do anything? Y-E-S! You can always do something. A diagnosis like this one has the evil tendency to make you feel powerless and hopeless. You are NOT. You are the parent and your child needs you. A lot of this will sound scary and it can be. It is better to know and understand what is or maybe headed your way, than to find out as it comes and have the rug pulled out from under you.

Let’s break down the next 10 steps you need to take on your Autism path:

 1- Read any information your psychologist gave you. They may have given you an informational pamphlet or fact sheet, which is a good start.

 2- Call your family, friends, and talk. You need to talk. Some people feel this diagnosis should be kept a secret. My family did not come "out" about Autism for a year. Every family needs an adjustment period. Start by telling those closest to you. Secure your support infrastructure. Understand some people closest to you may reject the diagnosis and refuse to believe it. Ensure them the child is not damaged. Your child is the same child both you and they have come to love; this is part of who they are. Approximately 36% of mothers with Autistic children were found to suffer from depression and anger. This can be damaging to your marriage or relationship with your significant other, or to the relationship you have with your child. Remember there is no shame at all in seeking guidance for you. There are support groups in place to assist with acceptance of diagnosis. Talk to your diagnosing specialist for more information.

 3- Get in touch with your local government fixtures. What do I mean? In Florida we have a government program in place called Early Steps. Early Steps provides intervention services and therapies for free to families with special needs in Florida until the child turns three. Aiden was 2 and a half when he was diagnosed, this did not leave us with much time. Most children with Autism are diagnosed at school age, we were lucky enough to catch it early. Call your service provider ASAP! Time is of the essence. Here is a link to Florida Early Steps:  

http://www.floridahealth.gov/alternatesites/cms-kids/families/early_steps/early_steps.html

 4- Call your insurance company, if you have one, and get all the information you can about services they will or will not cover. Get them to mail or email you a copy of your explanation of benefits. Know it, study it, commit it to memory, you will need it. If you do not have insurance in the State of Florida offers a program called Florida Kid Care, you can find them here: http://www.floridahealth.gov/AlternateSites/KidCare/

 5- You were probably told to get an ABA Therapist. ABA Therapy is a type of behavioral therapy that involves one on one interaction between the ABA therapist and the child. This type of therapy is frequently used to assist Autistic children gain control of their behaviors. Find an in network ABA Therapist, your insurance company will be able to provide you with a list of in network providers. If they cannot, you must find one that will accept your insurance plan. Be sure to articulate your concerns to your employer about this lack of information, if you find it to exist. When selecting an ABA Therapist, be sure to stress that you want to observe the sessions. You as a parent need to be involved in your child's therapy to maintain consistency when the therapist is not in your home. Here is more information on ABA Therapy:  
http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/applied-behavior-analysis-aba

 6- Apply for Medicaid. You may get rejected, but you never know. Medicaid is available as a secondary insurance to your primary insurance. It is extremely helpful to have a secondary insurance when dealing with chronic medical issues. Do not rely on Kid Care to forward your application to Medicaid, they will not. I have personal experience with this situation, Kid Care failed to do this for us, despite their literature on their website. Kid Care is a primary insurance organization. To apply, search for the Medicaid application that applies to your state. Here is a link to Medicaid's website: http://www.medicaid.gov/

 7- Apply for SSI benefits. I would suggest opening a minor checking account for your child and direct deposit the SSI checks into that account. This way you can pay for medical care out of one account. Doing it this way keeps all your financial transactions in one place, making things easier for taxes. Keep records of each and every financial medical transaction you make for your child. It all adds up for tax season. Use the SSI money for your child's medical needs; this will alleviate the "money scramble" as I like to call it. To apply for SSI go to the Social Security Administration's website: http://www.ssa.gov/

 8- Be on the lookout for sensory processing issues. Your child may throw their hands over their ears, sit on the floor, scream, and kick or hit you when you touch them as they hear loud noises. Does your child frequently complain about bright lighting, drastic changes in temperature, or refuse to touch or eat certain textures? Any one or combination of these could be an indication of Sensory Processing Disorder. This is lumped into the ADHD or ADD diagnosis. If you suspect Sensory Processing Disorder please speak with an Occupational Therapist. To read more about SPD you can check out this link:  http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html

 9- Also be on the lookout for seizures. As many as 1 in 3 individuals with Autism also have epilepsy. There are six different types of seizures, so don't just watch for the stereotypical gran mal seizures. You also need to watch for absence seizures, tonic seizures, clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, and atonic seizures. Don't panic, just be aware. If you suspect seizures in your child please contact a neurologist and get them tested. For more information on epilepsy as it relates to autism and types of seizures please read this article:  http://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/epilepsy

 10- Seek out informational classes, meetings, groups, and organizations. Become a member and get involved. I am a member of the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and have attended classes through my local CARD program. CARD is a free resource and stands for Center for Autism and Related Disorders. CARD is housed in all major universities in Florida and they provide free events and classes to you and your family. These are a great benefit to you and are surprisingly informative. Please do not pass up this great program and what it has to offer.

This is a link to Florida's CARD program: http://www.autismfl.com/card.html    

Here is the link to CARD's website: http://www.centerforautism.com/

A bonus tip for you: Start a filing system for your child's Autism. I have two, twelve pocket, accordion folders currently and they are both full. Use whatever works best for you. Your care professionals will thank you for your diligence and will be impressed with your organization.

 Please remember, I am a parent posting through my own experience, I am not a medical professional, but I am here for you. You can post questions on this blog or on our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/AidensHereos

I hope this information has helped you break through the haze and gives you a clear road map to help you begin your journey. I leave you with the quote that got me through my first month of restless nights, crying spells, and frustration: "Love Conquers All".

 May you find peace and blessings on your journey. Come back frequently for updated blogs and friendly advice.