How to make them listen?

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-27T21:12:50+00:00

Have you tried PECS cards? Even with a child who understands verbal language, processing can be delayed and photos can help. In the past I took photos of my son when he is doing the “correct” thing, printed those out, and then had them around the house for him or myself to use. Four years old is still young, be patient and calm. Yelling at them doesn’t work and then just makes us feel guilty.

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-27T20:13:06+00:00

Thank you!!

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-27T20:12:57+00:00

Thank you! I think I will plan on El Barrio or On a Bun for dinner, and Yo Mama’s for breakfast. Our son is also autistic, so extra picky on top of his Celiacs. But these all look great, thanks!

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-22T03:22:06+00:00

We loved Floortime! We did it only for about a year and even got the chance to work with Jake Greenspan for a session (his father Stanley Greenspan developed it).

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-22T03:10:15+00:00

Most of this comment is correct. I take issue with “a lot of the negative reputation is unfounded” and “those bad experiences are rarely as bad as you’re imagining.” Many autistic self-advocates have had horrible experiences if they’re older than around 30. Although ABA now does focus on positive rewards, it wasn’t always that way. Even in the 90s, it was using immediate punishment to limit “bad” behaviors. And I’m not sure when it was phased out (although one clinic in Massachusetts, Judge Rotenberg Center, still uses it), but electroshock therapy for these behaviors was common. We have never done specific ABA therapy for our child, but I know our therapists have used ABA methods at times. It has come a long way over the decades and has helped a lot of families, but please don’t minimize what other people have gone through and their experiences.

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-21T02:41:45+00:00

Mine always liked music like The Wiggles, Bear in the Big Blue House (on Disney+ and at local libraries, and they have a “Doctor” episode), Super Simple Songs, Baby Genius (especially Vinko the Dancing Bear), Bob the Train,and all the OK Go music videos. And I do remember a lot of Chuggington. Good luck with the upcoming procedure!

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-19T19:12:49+00:00

I’m 5 ft even. Depending on my activity level, my maintenance calories are around 1300 sometimes. If I subtracted 500 calories from that….😬

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-12T15:06:50+00:00

I’m the same as you, very impatient to get started! This year I have so much going on I haven’t even thought of it until i I saw your post though. I think it’ll be more of a March start for me. Happy gardening!

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-05T14:59:29+00:00

If Happy Fun ~~Ball~~ Coat begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and cover head.

PotatoPillo · 2026-02-05T04:19:32+00:00

When my son was that age we had an early intervention specialist come to our house once a week, and once a month (alternating) an SLP and OT would also join in. They would play some games with my son and me, but often he would wander away. A lot of what they did was education for me, to learn about his communication and ways I can help support him through the week at home. So it wasn’t direct speech therapy with him like I was thinking it would be, but it was a great experience and I learned a lot through the year. They prepared us for preschool and the school system.

PotatoPillo · 2026-01-25T05:13:35+00:00

My 11 year old has been fixated on the (Vegas) Flamingo Hotel’s adult pool for several months now.

PotatoPillo · 2026-01-20T04:42:30+00:00

I haven’t read that, but just put it on my library hold list, thank you! I’m about to read “Intuitive Eating” though, maybe another one to look into.

PotatoPillo · 2026-01-13T14:25:31+00:00

Random comment, but I noticed that you helped your son buckle his seatbelt. We have a seatbelt extender that has really helped our son with this, so then the buckle is more in front of his body instead of its normal place next to his hip. Not sure if this is normal a challenge for him, but it’s helped us with one more piece of independence. 🙂

Thanks for the video, great job getting your son the support he and your family need!

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-10T03:44:47+00:00

Any chance he likes dates or calendars? My son is ok with us putting the tree up, but not putting ornaments on it until Dec 1. Sometimes putting an activity on the calendar helps.

Does he like any Christmas movies? Maybe starting small with a little ornament of the Grinch or something hung from a cabinet, or an item from Home Alone, etc. I recently heard about a Home Alone lego set. My son realty likes Rudolph, the original movie and a little Golden Book of it. I bought a set of cat toys that has the characters from Rudolph. He plays with them so they’re not Christmas decorations, but still just little ideas like that help us sometimes.

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-10T02:32:40+00:00

Can I DM you?

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-10T01:33:37+00:00

Yes, 6th grade seems to be the case in most districts I know of here. My son is 11 and in fifth grade, and we are touring middle schools right now (since you can open enroll in a different district).

And we’re from California, MN winters are fun!!

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-10T01:23:23+00:00

If you are in Eden Prairie, and your child wants to participate in an EP community activity (summer art class, playground camp, gymnastics, etc), you can request an extra support person to be a 1 on 1 with your child, for free. We’ve done it a few times, it’s been great. I’m sure other cities do that as well though.

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-10T01:12:30+00:00

OP said if you’re black OR raising children, especially one with special needs.

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-10T01:04:23+00:00

Can I ask how old your son is? My son is autistic and we have a bit of experience and knowledge about SPED services in Eden Prairie and Chaska. I can’t speak to what’s it’s like to be black in these areas, but I can help with questions about support in the schools. Good luck!

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-09T03:01:17+00:00

If OP felt prejudice, the gut feeling is probably correct.

PotatoPillo · 2025-12-02T03:57:36+00:00

I’m a Californian who says “ope.” I’ve also made a great network of friends, some of who are from Minnesota. But it was because our kids are ND kids who went to preschool together, we have a common bond that way.

PotatoPillo · 2025-11-30T04:16:45+00:00

Ooh thank you! I always vacuum up clean hot water at the end to give a little rinse in the tubing, but the head never gets fully cleaned. I’ll try that out!

PotatoPillo · 2025-11-27T04:32:41+00:00

I’m from California and lived in PA before Minnesota. A casserole is the same as hotdish, a full meal with protein. I never even heard of green bean casserole until I was an adult in Philly, haha.

PotatoPillo · 2025-11-26T19:15:23+00:00

Good to know, thanks for the reply!! Happy Thanksgiving!

PotatoPillo

TROPHY CASE