New starter today!

[bright sparks]

Sounds like maybe autism? How is nap going? Hopefully well. 5LM what handheld and monitor do you use! Is it easy to set up and use? I'd like to get one.

I've worked with autistic children very closely and this isn't like those I've seen before. It seems more like attention. He sat for 20 minutes like a zombie and watched dinosaur train while I put lunch out. Didn't flinch. An autistic child would be moving, fidgeting or something.

He was upset about going to bed, but he isn't a screamer, more of a sobbing cry He was asleep within 10 minutes thank goodness. That was my biggest fear. He kept sitting up but I just kept popping in and telling him to lie down which he did each time.

I really hope it works out and it's just a matter of accommodating his extra needs. Toilet training though...wow that's going to be a laugh a minute!

[5 Little Monkeys]

http://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/11895914.../6000187517415

That is the handheld one. I really really like it. It was on sale for $84 not $90 sorry, on Black Friday. It looks small but with the way I have it, I can see 3 out of my 4 kids so by default, I know it's the 4th child making noise even though I can't see them lol. Super easy to use and set up is nothing but plugging it in!

And this one is the one I got in the States from walmart. It's nice too but not being able to carry the monitor around isn't as nice

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Summer-Inf...nitor/23735522

[5 Little Monkeys]

Ugh....isn't that frustrating!! My 18 month old dck is like that. It drives me crazy lol. She's been here since November (I think? Terrible memory) and she's had ONE good week where she even ate meat!! That was huge progress and I thought we were good....but nope! Back to only eating fruit, cheese, yogurt, bread products and crackers. The only meat she has continued to eat is ham sausage. She's like this at home too. She's such a tiny thing too, I always feel so bad because she goes down for nap hungry. Usually only eats snacks.

[33 Daiseys]

I'm so sorry for that little guy. I wonder if grandma has avoided the doctor because she doesn't want to know. For mac and cheese, try grating orange cheddar in to it and mix, not as bright but is still orangeish. What's his fav flavour of bear paws? What about making muffies in the same flavour?

[bright sparks]

I'm so sorry for that little guy. I wonder if grandma has avoided the doctor because she doesn't want to know. For mac and cheese, try grating orange cheddar in to it and mix, not as bright but is still orangeish. What's his fav flavour of bear paws? What about making muffies in the same flavour?

Some great ideas thanks. Yes I feel bad for him too. I'm not sure why she hasn't gone to the doctors either. She is a young grandma in her late 40's and has 3 girls all in their early twenties. I think she is overwhelmed raising another child and I know she is just trying to make ends meet cleaning houses and driving a school bus. She recognized that her grandson needed socializing and was delayed and that was why she enrolled him in daycare. I think a preschool which would have been a more affordable option wouldn't have taken him but he isn't toilet trained. :-( Even with these obstacles, I am optimistic and will try hard to help him any way I can.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Off topic...my Mac and cheese calls for milk and cheddar cheese....is that uncommon? It looks orange/yellow when cooked.

Would adding turmeric make it more kd looking?

[bright sparks]

Those are all great ideas. Thanks ladies!

[bright sparks]

Day two for this guy and I'm actually pretty happy so far in his group interactions. Lots and lots of repeating but he is getting things fast and if I want to get him to give me info he seems to do better if he has his focus drawn to one particular thing. I think he may very well have some sensory overload so when he has one thing or one activity only he is more more focussed.

As for the food, I am a little wary of camouflaging foods or pretending because I am just "feeding" (ba bum) the issue. He needs to be allowed to try these foods without being tricked and realize that trying different and unfamiliar foods can be exciting and isn't something to be wary of. If I start making things look like junk food I will always have to do it further reinforcing this issue.

[5 Little Monkeys]

My kids really don't notice if it's KD or homemade so I'd just try it with him. Most kids love Mac and cheese regardless of look....as long as it tastes good, they're happy!

[bright sparks]

My kids really don't notice if it's KD or homemade so I'd just try it with him. Most kids love Mac and cheese regardless of look....as long as it tastes good, they're happy!

That is the meal for today!! I usually don't care what pasta it is but I made it with macaroni last night. For the other kids I have mixed cauliflower and chicken in but for the newbie initially I thought not as I want him to eat it and don't want to alter the taste and then I'll maybe add a puree or two in it after that another time and work from there. We will see. He was happy to come back today and his Nana said he talked none stop last night about his new friends. He clearly forgot about the whole lunchtime hard ass routine I pulled lol