Posts
Please read the first one if you want to know how TYler is doing. The article didn't come through well so I'm posting it again in better color.
Here's the article I was talking about. Please take the time to read it, it's really good. Autism Awareness Month begins tomorrow. Thank you all for being a part of Tyler's life.One CNN manager recently learned -- at 48 -- that she has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Today she shares an inside view of life with the condition.ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Recently, at 48 years of age, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. For most of my life, I knew that I was "other," not quite like everyone else. I searched for years for answers and found none, until an assignment at work required me to research autism. During that research, I found in the lives of other people with Asperger's threads of similarity that led to the diagnosis. Although having the diagnosis has been cathartic, it does not change the "otherness." It only confirms it.Unraveling the mystery CNN reports on the world impact and latest science concerning the developmental syndrome of autism in a global investigation.All day Wednesday, April 2 see full schedule » When I talk to people about this aspect of myself, they always want to know what it means to be an "Aspie," as opposed to a "Neurotypical" (NT). Oh, dear, where to start . ...The one thing people seem to know about Asperger's, if they know anything at all, is the geek factor. Bill Gates is rumored to be an Aspie. We tend to have specialized interests, and we will talk about them, ad infinitum, whether you are interested or not. Recognizing my tendency to soliloquize, I often choose silence, although perhaps not often enough. Due to our extensive vocabularies and uninflected manner of speaking, we are called "little professors," or arrogant.WHAT IS ASPERGER'S? Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that is part of the autism spectrum. Signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome include:Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subjectDisplaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gesturesShowing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakesAppearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelingsHaving a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humorSpeaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fastMoving clumsily, with poor coordinationHaving an odd posture or a rigid gaitSource: MayoClinic.comI don't quite understand small talk, and early in my adult life, solecisms were frequent. At meetings, I launch into business without the expected social acknowledgments. It's not that I don't care about people, I am just very focused on task. Do you have to rehearse greeting people to reinforce that you should do it? I do.I am lucky to have a very dear friend who savors my eccentricities. She laughs, lovingly, about one particular evening at a restaurant. Before she could get seated, I asked her what she knew about the golden ratio and began to spew everything I know about it. I re-emphasize how lucky I am to have her as a friend, because this incident occurred long before I was diagnosed.A misconception is that Aspies do not have a sense of humor. It is true that we can be very literal, so we often miss the humor in everyday banter, but we can and do enjoy even subtle humor. Our literal interpretations, however, can be problematic.In first grade, whenever someone made a mess in the classroom, the teacher would ask a student to get the janitor. The student would come back with Mr. Jones (not really his name), who carried a broom and large folding dustpan. When I was asked to get the janitor, I looked all over the school and reported back to the teacher that I could not find it. After all, the person was Mr. Jones, so the janitor must be the object, right?I lack the ability to see emotion in most facial expressions. I compensate for this deficiency by listening to the inflections in people's voices and using logic to determine emotional context. The words people choose, their movements, or even how quickly they exit a meeting can provide clues to emotion.I also have intensified senses -- touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound -- so I am attuned to lights, noise, textures, and smells. In a "busy" environment, I will eventually go into sensory overload and my mind will go blank. When this happens, I have to "go away" mentally for a brief period to regain focus. When I "return," I have to piece together what occurred while I was "away." The additional mental processing I must do to function every day is fatiguing, and I don't handle "ad hoc" very well. Being asked to respond quickly in the midst of all this other processing is difficult, sometimes impossible.I am so sensitive to touch that a tickle hurts me. This is the hardest concept for most people to understand. How can a tickle hurt? All I can tell you is that it does, so I avoid being touched except by those who have learned how to touch me.Hugs are dispensed infrequently, but if I do hug someone, I resemble Frankenstein's monster, arms extended to control contact. When my dad (who I suspect is an Aspie, too) and I hug, we both have "the approach." We sometimes miss and have to re-approach a couple of times until a brief, awkward hug is achieved.In school, other children noted my differences, and I was bullied (and tickled into fits of despair) for years. Already needing extended periods of time alone, my response was to become even more of a loner. Uh oh. When you are weird, you are a joke. When you are a loner, you frighten people. It's always the quiet ones. ...I am married (wow!), and my brilliant husband is an absolute sweetheart. I don't know any other man who has the self-confidence to be pushed away (sometimes sharply), both physically and mentally, as often as he has been. He has been gentle and patient (and, yes, frequently emotionally depleted) as we both worked through my need for space, tendency to go so deep into my own world that the real world and everyone in it cease to exist, and sensitivity to touch during the 26 (soon to be 27) years of our marriage.I live with anxiety, because the world can be overwhelming and people have expectations that I always, sooner or later, fail to meet. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been told that I am rude, inaccessible or cold, yet I have never purposely tried to harm anyone, nor do I mean to be, well, mean.I could tell you so much more, but instead let me share one last insight. Don't pity me or try to cure or change me. If you could live in my head for just one day, you might weep at how much beauty I perceive in the world with my exquisite senses. I would not trade one small bit of that beauty, as overwhelming and powerful as it can be, for "normalcy." E-mail to a friend
Monday, March 31, 2008
03/31/08
If you are reading this today, I apologize for the length. There is an article attached at the bottom that I'd like you to read. I am always interested in reading stories from adults with autism in regards to how they feel, etc. Tyler can't tell us how he feels or what the future holds so I am always fascinated to hear about adults.
Ok, so here are the most recent Tyler update. Tyler did very well at the clinic on Friday. He was engaged for long period of times in activities. We are going to try to get a copy of the session on DVD so people can see how we work with him since it was such a good example.
Tyler is really doing well on vocalizations and receptive language. This weekend he made the "m" sound for his milk when I was giving it to him" and he also made the "d" sound when I was waiting to get him down from his chair until he made some sort of vocalization. I just kept saying down and motioning "down" with my hand and he made that sound so I let him down. In terms of receptive language... I said "let's go bye bye" on friday and he headed for the door without any prompting on my part. He did the same thing yesterday when it was time to take a bath. I said, ok we are going upstairs, Tyler let's go up, and he headed to the gate. This is huge. Steve is sick right now and spent most of hte weekend in the bedroom so Tyler didn't see him much. Steve came into the boys room last night so I could get some laundry out of the dryer to make their beds and as soon as Tyler saw him he said "da, da, da,da" which is the first time we've been sure that he's usuing that sound with meaning. Yeah Tyler. His overall language skills have really improved over the last few months.
On a therapy note.. Tyler and I visited the beauty salon on Saturday as recommended by Carrie to get him used to the people, sounds, lights, environment, etc. He did very well. I had him sit on the chair with me and play with his phone while I messed around with his hair, etc. We are hoping to do this again at least one more time before his appt and hopefully all will go well with the next hair cut.
Here's the article I was talking about. Please take the time to read it, it's really good. Autism Awareness Month begins tomorrow. Thank you all for being a part of Tyler's life.
One CNN manager recently learned -- at 48 -- that she has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Today she shares an inside view of life with the condition.
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Recently, at 48 years of age, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. For most of my life, I knew that I was "other," not quite like everyone else. I searched for years for answers and found none, until an assignment at work required me to research autism. During that research, I found in the lives of other people with Asperger's threads of similarity that led to the diagnosis. Although having the diagnosis has been cathartic, it does not change the "otherness." It only confirms it.
Unraveling the mystery CNN reports on the world impact and latest science concerning the developmental syndrome of autism in a global investigation.All day Wednesday, April 2 see full schedule » When I talk to people about this aspect of myself, they always want to know what it means to be an "Aspie," as opposed to a "Neurotypical" (NT). Oh, dear, where to start . ...
The one thing people seem to know about Asperger's, if they know anything at all, is the geek factor. Bill Gates is rumored to be an Aspie. We tend to have specialized interests, and we will talk about them, ad infinitum, whether you are interested or not. Recognizing my tendency to soliloquize, I often choose silence, although perhaps not often enough. Due to our extensive vocabularies and uninflected manner of speaking, we are called "little professors," or arrogant.
WHAT IS ASPERGER'S? Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that is part of the autism spectrum. Signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome include:
Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject
Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
Appearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings
Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor
Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
Moving clumsily, with poor coordination
Having an odd posture or a rigid gait
Source: MayoClinic.com
I don't quite understand small talk, and early in my adult life, solecisms were frequent. At meetings, I launch into business without the expected social acknowledgments. It's not that I don't care about people, I am just very focused on task. Do you have to rehearse greeting people to reinforce that you should do it? I do.
I am lucky to have a very dear friend who savors my eccentricities. She laughs, lovingly, about one particular evening at a restaurant. Before she could get seated, I asked her what she knew about the golden ratio and began to spew everything I know about it. I re-emphasize how lucky I am to have her as a friend, because this incident occurred long before I was diagnosed.
A misconception is that Aspies do not have a sense of humor. It is true that we can be very literal, so we often miss the humor in everyday banter, but we can and do enjoy even subtle humor. Our literal interpretations, however, can be problematic.
In first grade, whenever someone made a mess in the classroom, the teacher would ask a student to get the janitor. The student would come back with Mr. Jones (not really his name), who carried a broom and large folding dustpan. When I was asked to get the janitor, I looked all over the school and reported back to the teacher that I could not find it. After all, the person was Mr. Jones, so the janitor must be the object, right?
I lack the ability to see emotion in most facial expressions. I compensate for this deficiency by listening to the inflections in people's voices and using logic to determine emotional context. The words people choose, their movements, or even how quickly they exit a meeting can provide clues to emotion.
I also have intensified senses -- touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound -- so I am attuned to lights, noise, textures, and smells. In a "busy" environment, I will eventually go into sensory overload and my mind will go blank. When this happens, I have to "go away" mentally for a brief period to regain focus. When I "return," I have to piece together what occurred while I was "away." The additional mental processing I must do to function every day is fatiguing, and I don't handle "ad hoc" very well. Being asked to respond quickly in the midst of all this other processing is difficult, sometimes impossible.
I am so sensitive to touch that a tickle hurts me. This is the hardest concept for most people to understand. How can a tickle hurt? All I can tell you is that it does, so I avoid being touched except by those who have learned how to touch me.
Hugs are dispensed infrequently, but if I do hug someone, I resemble Frankenstein's monster, arms extended to control contact. When my dad (who I suspect is an Aspie, too) and I hug, we both have "the approach." We sometimes miss and have to re-approach a couple of times until a brief, awkward hug is achieved.
In school, other children noted my differences, and I was bullied (and tickled into fits of despair) for years. Already needing extended periods of time alone, my response was to become even more of a loner. Uh oh. When you are weird, you are a joke. When you are a loner, you frighten people. It's always the quiet ones. ...
I am married (wow!), and my brilliant husband is an absolute sweetheart. I don't know any other man who has the self-confidence to be pushed away (sometimes sharply), both physically and mentally, as often as he has been. He has been gentle and patient (and, yes, frequently emotionally depleted) as we both worked through my need for space, tendency to go so deep into my own world that the real world and everyone in it cease to exist, and sensitivity to touch during the 26 (soon to be 27) years of our marriage.
I live with anxiety, because the world can be overwhelming and people have expectations that I always, sooner or later, fail to meet. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been told that I am rude, inaccessible or cold, yet I have never purposely tried to harm anyone, nor do I mean to be, well, mean.
I could tell you so much more, but instead let me share one last insight. Don't pity me or try to cure or change me. If you could live in my head for just one day, you might weep at how much beauty I perceive in the world with my exquisite senses. I would not trade one small bit of that beauty, as overwhelming and powerful as it can be, for "normalcy." E-mail to a friend
Ok, so here are the most recent Tyler update. Tyler did very well at the clinic on Friday. He was engaged for long period of times in activities. We are going to try to get a copy of the session on DVD so people can see how we work with him since it was such a good example.
Tyler is really doing well on vocalizations and receptive language. This weekend he made the "m" sound for his milk when I was giving it to him" and he also made the "d" sound when I was waiting to get him down from his chair until he made some sort of vocalization. I just kept saying down and motioning "down" with my hand and he made that sound so I let him down. In terms of receptive language... I said "let's go bye bye" on friday and he headed for the door without any prompting on my part. He did the same thing yesterday when it was time to take a bath. I said, ok we are going upstairs, Tyler let's go up, and he headed to the gate. This is huge. Steve is sick right now and spent most of hte weekend in the bedroom so Tyler didn't see him much. Steve came into the boys room last night so I could get some laundry out of the dryer to make their beds and as soon as Tyler saw him he said "da, da, da,da" which is the first time we've been sure that he's usuing that sound with meaning. Yeah Tyler. His overall language skills have really improved over the last few months.
On a therapy note.. Tyler and I visited the beauty salon on Saturday as recommended by Carrie to get him used to the people, sounds, lights, environment, etc. He did very well. I had him sit on the chair with me and play with his phone while I messed around with his hair, etc. We are hoping to do this again at least one more time before his appt and hopefully all will go well with the next hair cut.
Here's the article I was talking about. Please take the time to read it, it's really good. Autism Awareness Month begins tomorrow. Thank you all for being a part of Tyler's life.
One CNN manager recently learned -- at 48 -- that she has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Today she shares an inside view of life with the condition.
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Recently, at 48 years of age, I was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. For most of my life, I knew that I was "other," not quite like everyone else. I searched for years for answers and found none, until an assignment at work required me to research autism. During that research, I found in the lives of other people with Asperger's threads of similarity that led to the diagnosis. Although having the diagnosis has been cathartic, it does not change the "otherness." It only confirms it.
Unraveling the mystery CNN reports on the world impact and latest science concerning the developmental syndrome of autism in a global investigation.All day Wednesday, April 2 see full schedule » When I talk to people about this aspect of myself, they always want to know what it means to be an "Aspie," as opposed to a "Neurotypical" (NT). Oh, dear, where to start . ...
The one thing people seem to know about Asperger's, if they know anything at all, is the geek factor. Bill Gates is rumored to be an Aspie. We tend to have specialized interests, and we will talk about them, ad infinitum, whether you are interested or not. Recognizing my tendency to soliloquize, I often choose silence, although perhaps not often enough. Due to our extensive vocabularies and uninflected manner of speaking, we are called "little professors," or arrogant.
WHAT IS ASPERGER'S? Asperger's syndrome is a developmental disorder that is part of the autism spectrum. Signs and symptoms of Asperger's syndrome include:
Engaging in one-sided, long-winded conversations, without noticing if the listener is listening or trying to change the subject
Displaying unusual nonverbal communication, such as lack of eye contact, few facial expressions, or awkward body postures and gestures
Showing an intense obsession with one or two specific, narrow subjects, such as baseball statistics, train schedules, weather or snakes
Appearing not to understand, empathize with, or be sensitive to others' feelings
Having a hard time "reading" other people or understanding humor
Speaking in a voice that is monotonous, rigid or unusually fast
Moving clumsily, with poor coordination
Having an odd posture or a rigid gait
Source: MayoClinic.com
I don't quite understand small talk, and early in my adult life, solecisms were frequent. At meetings, I launch into business without the expected social acknowledgments. It's not that I don't care about people, I am just very focused on task. Do you have to rehearse greeting people to reinforce that you should do it? I do.
I am lucky to have a very dear friend who savors my eccentricities. She laughs, lovingly, about one particular evening at a restaurant. Before she could get seated, I asked her what she knew about the golden ratio and began to spew everything I know about it. I re-emphasize how lucky I am to have her as a friend, because this incident occurred long before I was diagnosed.
A misconception is that Aspies do not have a sense of humor. It is true that we can be very literal, so we often miss the humor in everyday banter, but we can and do enjoy even subtle humor. Our literal interpretations, however, can be problematic.
In first grade, whenever someone made a mess in the classroom, the teacher would ask a student to get the janitor. The student would come back with Mr. Jones (not really his name), who carried a broom and large folding dustpan. When I was asked to get the janitor, I looked all over the school and reported back to the teacher that I could not find it. After all, the person was Mr. Jones, so the janitor must be the object, right?
I lack the ability to see emotion in most facial expressions. I compensate for this deficiency by listening to the inflections in people's voices and using logic to determine emotional context. The words people choose, their movements, or even how quickly they exit a meeting can provide clues to emotion.
I also have intensified senses -- touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound -- so I am attuned to lights, noise, textures, and smells. In a "busy" environment, I will eventually go into sensory overload and my mind will go blank. When this happens, I have to "go away" mentally for a brief period to regain focus. When I "return," I have to piece together what occurred while I was "away." The additional mental processing I must do to function every day is fatiguing, and I don't handle "ad hoc" very well. Being asked to respond quickly in the midst of all this other processing is difficult, sometimes impossible.
I am so sensitive to touch that a tickle hurts me. This is the hardest concept for most people to understand. How can a tickle hurt? All I can tell you is that it does, so I avoid being touched except by those who have learned how to touch me.
Hugs are dispensed infrequently, but if I do hug someone, I resemble Frankenstein's monster, arms extended to control contact. When my dad (who I suspect is an Aspie, too) and I hug, we both have "the approach." We sometimes miss and have to re-approach a couple of times until a brief, awkward hug is achieved.
In school, other children noted my differences, and I was bullied (and tickled into fits of despair) for years. Already needing extended periods of time alone, my response was to become even more of a loner. Uh oh. When you are weird, you are a joke. When you are a loner, you frighten people. It's always the quiet ones. ...
I am married (wow!), and my brilliant husband is an absolute sweetheart. I don't know any other man who has the self-confidence to be pushed away (sometimes sharply), both physically and mentally, as often as he has been. He has been gentle and patient (and, yes, frequently emotionally depleted) as we both worked through my need for space, tendency to go so deep into my own world that the real world and everyone in it cease to exist, and sensitivity to touch during the 26 (soon to be 27) years of our marriage.
I live with anxiety, because the world can be overwhelming and people have expectations that I always, sooner or later, fail to meet. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have been told that I am rude, inaccessible or cold, yet I have never purposely tried to harm anyone, nor do I mean to be, well, mean.
I could tell you so much more, but instead let me share one last insight. Don't pity me or try to cure or change me. If you could live in my head for just one day, you might weep at how much beauty I perceive in the world with my exquisite senses. I would not trade one small bit of that beauty, as overwhelming and powerful as it can be, for "normalcy." E-mail to a friend
Thursday, March 27, 2008
3/27/08
Well looks like both the boys are catching colds. Tyler's has had a little bit of a runny nose for a day or two. Ben woke up this morning and said "nose is bothering you" ha! He still is trying to figure out the "I" "you" and "me".
Floor group went well today. one of the other toddler's took a preferred toy away from Tyler and he remained regulated, didn't really seem to care which is excellent! Also, the floor group leader (sheri) had a faux hair cut chair, etc. set up so Tyler could practice getting his hair cut. That went really well too. He had a chair, cape, scissors, a comb, etc. We had him sit in the chair for a minute or so to practice. We'll also be taking him into the salon a few times before the actual hair cut so he can get used to the environment. Big thanks to Sheri for helping us get Tyler ready for the real thing.
Today's session also went very well. Tyler was very well regulated today in spite of his cold. He signed for milk very clearly at snack time. I said milk and reached for it and then he signed it, fantastic! We'll continue this strategy where I say it and wait for him to sign, if he does not sign, I'll do hand over hand signing (making his hands sign it) and then give the milk.
He's really come a long way on puzzles. He used to not be intersted at all and now not only is he intersted he's matching up the pieces with their appropriate location. Next we'll work on receptive language and asking Tyler to point to cat, or cow, etc. We'll work up to this by pointing out the names and sounds of all the animals or whatever is in the puzzle. This is a wonderful foundation to build upon for all of his learning.
Carrie and I talked a lot today about how far we've come with Tyler, believe it or not, we are now entering the 6-month of the study. The last 2 video's, Carrie realized how well all the routines are coming along and how well regulated Tyler has become. So we are focusing on "up'ing the ante" We really need to push Tyler to make eye contact and sounds and push for that communication. Now instead of only forcing communication one out of every four times, we are going to wait for T yler to do it one out of ever two times (when well regulated). We are also going to focus more on independence, i.e. brushing his own teeth, throwing away his diaper, pulling up his pants, putting away his dishes, etc. Now that it's getting nicer out, we'll be working on some outdoor activities as well.
Feedback from last weeks session/Session notes:
We discussed strategies to make snack time more exciting to Tyler which included changing the locatino of Tyler's chair and having Tyler pick out a toy to bring to the table before he's put in his chair as we do with diaper changing time. We struggled last week with just getting Tyler to sit in his chair.
Car Routine: Looked good, Tyle rprovided consistent eye contract and vocalizations. He also did a job nice of following hte receptive direciton of "push" on several occasions. Caregiver uped the ante by holdoing out for more consistent eye contact coordinated with vocalizations. The caregiver did a good job moedling gestures "go" with an arm extension and point.
Book Routine: Since Tyler is now interested in books, but not always intersted in letting you participate with him in the book, we are going to work to each have a book and be pointing and talking about the book we have and then hope that Tyler eventually sees how fun our book is and wants to participate too. This may seem like a long shot but......he often brings us toys or wants us to see toys that we don't necessarily play with, he just wnats us to be around him as he plays so he is really starting to want that social interaction or at least having us near.
General feedback on all routines is that the caregiver is doing an excellent job of beginning and ending routines.
Signing, signing, signing..... very important to continue to model the signs since he's really picking up on imitation.
Floor group went well today. one of the other toddler's took a preferred toy away from Tyler and he remained regulated, didn't really seem to care which is excellent! Also, the floor group leader (sheri) had a faux hair cut chair, etc. set up so Tyler could practice getting his hair cut. That went really well too. He had a chair, cape, scissors, a comb, etc. We had him sit in the chair for a minute or so to practice. We'll also be taking him into the salon a few times before the actual hair cut so he can get used to the environment. Big thanks to Sheri for helping us get Tyler ready for the real thing.
Today's session also went very well. Tyler was very well regulated today in spite of his cold. He signed for milk very clearly at snack time. I said milk and reached for it and then he signed it, fantastic! We'll continue this strategy where I say it and wait for him to sign, if he does not sign, I'll do hand over hand signing (making his hands sign it) and then give the milk.
He's really come a long way on puzzles. He used to not be intersted at all and now not only is he intersted he's matching up the pieces with their appropriate location. Next we'll work on receptive language and asking Tyler to point to cat, or cow, etc. We'll work up to this by pointing out the names and sounds of all the animals or whatever is in the puzzle. This is a wonderful foundation to build upon for all of his learning.
Carrie and I talked a lot today about how far we've come with Tyler, believe it or not, we are now entering the 6-month of the study. The last 2 video's, Carrie realized how well all the routines are coming along and how well regulated Tyler has become. So we are focusing on "up'ing the ante" We really need to push Tyler to make eye contact and sounds and push for that communication. Now instead of only forcing communication one out of every four times, we are going to wait for T yler to do it one out of ever two times (when well regulated). We are also going to focus more on independence, i.e. brushing his own teeth, throwing away his diaper, pulling up his pants, putting away his dishes, etc. Now that it's getting nicer out, we'll be working on some outdoor activities as well.
Feedback from last weeks session/Session notes:
We discussed strategies to make snack time more exciting to Tyler which included changing the locatino of Tyler's chair and having Tyler pick out a toy to bring to the table before he's put in his chair as we do with diaper changing time. We struggled last week with just getting Tyler to sit in his chair.
Car Routine: Looked good, Tyle rprovided consistent eye contract and vocalizations. He also did a job nice of following hte receptive direciton of "push" on several occasions. Caregiver uped the ante by holdoing out for more consistent eye contact coordinated with vocalizations. The caregiver did a good job moedling gestures "go" with an arm extension and point.
Book Routine: Since Tyler is now interested in books, but not always intersted in letting you participate with him in the book, we are going to work to each have a book and be pointing and talking about the book we have and then hope that Tyler eventually sees how fun our book is and wants to participate too. This may seem like a long shot but......he often brings us toys or wants us to see toys that we don't necessarily play with, he just wnats us to be around him as he plays so he is really starting to want that social interaction or at least having us near.
General feedback on all routines is that the caregiver is doing an excellent job of beginning and ending routines.
Signing, signing, signing..... very important to continue to model the signs since he's really picking up on imitation.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
3/25/08 Update
Tyler was doing very well this morning until he hit his head on the corner of the table. It took a good 20 minutes to get him back into the swing of things. The Easter bunny got him some new books which he really is intersted in. We've had trouble getting him engaged in book time or even looking at books so this is really good news. We are going to continue to work on books and try to make it one of the routines.
He was making really good eye contact and eye gazes today, i.e. look at toy, look at you, look back at toy, etc. He's also still doing really well at making sounds and you can tell he's working so hard to talk. Sometimes it's heartbreaking to think about the struggle he must be going through wanting so badly to talk and not being able too.
On a lighter note, Ben had jelly beans for the first time this weekend and was very insistent on having them for dinner last night. It was quite humorous watching him place this demand in a demon like fashion... It was all I could do to contain my laughter. Steve was at class so he missed it. But never fear, mom won that battle. Ben settled for a fishstick at the table before he could have any jelly beans.
He was making really good eye contact and eye gazes today, i.e. look at toy, look at you, look back at toy, etc. He's also still doing really well at making sounds and you can tell he's working so hard to talk. Sometimes it's heartbreaking to think about the struggle he must be going through wanting so badly to talk and not being able too.
On a lighter note, Ben had jelly beans for the first time this weekend and was very insistent on having them for dinner last night. It was quite humorous watching him place this demand in a demon like fashion... It was all I could do to contain my laughter. Steve was at class so he missed it. But never fear, mom won that battle. Ben settled for a fishstick at the table before he could have any jelly beans.
Friday, March 21, 2008
3/21/08 Happy Easter
Hello Everyone,
Yesterday, Tyler said Uh-Oh at least 3 times after I modeled the word for him. So hopefully soon he'll start connecting the meaning with the phrase. Make sure to use it anytime the phrase is appropriate, i.e. drop something, say uh-oh, etc. let's help Tyler reinforce the phrase.
Other news.. Tyler did fantastic at the clinic today. For the first time, he paid attention to the little pretend kitchen. He's never noticed it before and frankly it's a very hard concept to grasp since it involves pretend play which is very hard for a toddler with autism. Tyler has also begin throwing balls in the past weeks which is new.
Tyler's communication is really coming along. Please remember that kids go through many stages of communication, they just usually go through them so fast you aren't aware they are happening so when I tell you the progress Tyler's made, please know that it is very signifincant to have happend in 4 months even if it doesn't seem that way to an outsider.
Yesterday, Tyler said Uh-Oh at least 3 times after I modeled the word for him. So hopefully soon he'll start connecting the meaning with the phrase. Make sure to use it anytime the phrase is appropriate, i.e. drop something, say uh-oh, etc. let's help Tyler reinforce the phrase.
Other news.. Tyler did fantastic at the clinic today. For the first time, he paid attention to the little pretend kitchen. He's never noticed it before and frankly it's a very hard concept to grasp since it involves pretend play which is very hard for a toddler with autism. Tyler has also begin throwing balls in the past weeks which is new.
Tyler's communication is really coming along. Please remember that kids go through many stages of communication, they just usually go through them so fast you aren't aware they are happening so when I tell you the progress Tyler's made, please know that it is very signifincant to have happend in 4 months even if it doesn't seem that way to an outsider.
- At the beginning of the study, Tyler had very limited eye contact and was not using any sounds to get what he wanted or using any gestures, etc.
- First step: Tyler began improving eye contact to get what he wanted and then began using the hand pull.
- Tyler began using the handpull very consistently along with the eye contact.
- Just recently (last two weeks), Tyler has been using the hand pull, eye contact, and a sound to get what he wants. This started with the cars,.. i.e. we'd go Ready, Set, and then hold out for go (pushign the car) until he made a sound (he also makes gestures) and then we'd let the car go. We'd only do this one out of every 4 times so he didn't get frustrated and the game was still fun.
- Now that sound is beginning to generalize in all aspects of getting what he wants. For example, we played with a tub of water today at the clinic and I was pouring water from a cup. I'd say one and pour then stop and then say 2 and pour and then stop and then hold out on 3 for a sound and of course he' d make the sound. THen I elminated the one, two prompt and wouldn't start pouring (after I initially filled the cup) until he made the sound. He did this very well today and was very engaged for a full 10 minutes.
Yesterday's session went well too> We worked more on bathtub. The Bath is a very preferred for Tyler so we have to work hard at helping him transition out of the bathtub to prevent frustration and this went well yesterday. We make sure to have a clear ending by starting to drain the water while we have bubble play. This is consistent and indicates to Tyler that bathtme is coming to an end. Then we make the dring off time very fun with peek aboo with the towel. Once we are done drying, we have a video for him playing so help him get through "dress time".
So along with that we worked on snack time. And talked a lot about how to handle keeping Tyler regulated and eating while he's at the table. We talked about supports and having a lot of supports at the beginning and then slowly beginning to provide less exciting prompts to ensure the beginning of snack time is successful and then we can slowly work to get him less focused on the prompts and more focused on me. Example: On days we know Tyler is not likely to eat and is having a hard time staying regulated we start by putting in a video to help keep him engaged.. on day's he's not eating well but fairly well regulated, we use other prmopts such as a small car rolling back and forth and asking him to look once in a while or make sounds while eating or we also are just beginning to introduce finger puppets. On days when Tyler is well regulated and eating well, we'd start with just giving him his milk and then makign snack time fun with lots of songs, peek a boo, etc.
So that's about all I ahve time for right now. We do get a consultation (on a monthly basis) to have Carrie help Tyler and us with pretty much anything. So, we are going to use our March consultation to get Tyler's haircut which is a very painful process. Everyone can help initially get prepared for this by just occasionally touching Tyler's ears (softly) and rubbing his head, pullign up his hair like they woudl if he was going to cut it. We'll be getting out scissors so he can hear th sound over and over which he is very sensitive too (the sound of the scisssors actually cutting). So we are going to be doing all this for the next week (please help) so we can get him prepared for the actual haircut.
HAPPY EASTER ALL!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy St. Patricks Day!
Happy St. Patricks Day,
Not much to udpate here. We were full of birthday festivities this weekend. Thank you to everyone for everything.
Friday, March 14, 2008
3/14/08
Autism News from Director of Judson Center:
Many of you asked me to let you know what happened with the vote last night, and I am pleased to report that IT PASSED! They voted around 11:30 pm and we heard comments from the senator’s offices that there were an overwhelming number of callers from Michigan- the phone lines were jammed up for hours- and I truly think that we made a difference! Here is what Autism Speaks said:
“Autism Speaks sends heartfelt thanks to our many supporters in the Senate for their steadfast support of autism research funding. Senator Chris Dodd and Senator Susan Collins offered an amendment to the FY2009 Budget Resolution to increase funding for autism research, education and early detection by $197 million. This increase authorizes doubling of autism research funding. Additionally, Senator Arlen Specter and Senator Tom Harkin offered an amendment to increase research funding at the NIH by 2 billion in FY2009. Both amendments passed overwhelmingly. Thank you, Senators, for your efforts on behalf of children, adults, and families affected by autism.”
“Autism Speaks sends heartfelt thanks to our many supporters in the Senate for their steadfast support of autism research funding. Senator Chris Dodd and Senator Susan Collins offered an amendment to the FY2009 Budget Resolution to increase funding for autism research, education and early detection by $197 million. This increase authorizes doubling of autism research funding. Additionally, Senator Arlen Specter and Senator Tom Harkin offered an amendment to increase research funding at the NIH by 2 billion in FY2009. Both amendments passed overwhelmingly. Thank you, Senators, for your efforts on behalf of children, adults, and families affected by autism.”
Session Updates: I was quite sick yesterday so all of Tyler's normal activities were cancelled so mom could get some rest. However, we did resume the normal clinic appt today and Tyler was wonderful. Carrie commented on our video tape from Tuesday and how good it looked. Tyler is really doing well on imitation (sounds, gestures and actions) which is how children learn, so it is fantastic that he is now doing so much imitating! We are going to be able to teach him so much!
Things we are working on: Making sure Tyler throws away his diaper after each change. We also are starting to work with him on pulling up his pants after diaper change. During diaper change we are going to work on song time to try to keep his engagement (while giving him something to do with his hands).
I had both boys in the chair with me last night and Tyler was sitting still and Ben was the squirmy one! We couldn't have believed it either if we weren't there!
The whole reason I created this website was so that you would all be able to keep up with all of Tyler's treatments and progress w/o me having to talk to everyone individually. Plus this helps the therapists know what the other therapists are doing. However, just wanted to give a quick update on Ben.
Ben is really talking now. For the most part he's talking in sentences. When he gets really excited about something it can be hard to understand sometimes but he amazes me all the time. He's really quite funny!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS! Can' t believe they turn 2 already!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
3/11/08 Update
As of Friday, Tyler has mastered 11 objectives as follows: Shows interest in a variety of sensory and social experiences, engages when alerted by partners, reponds to be ibids for interaction (2 categories so this is two objectives), initiates bids for interactions (two categories/two objectives), aniticpates anothe rpersons actions in a familiar routine (two categories/two objectives), requests desired food or objects, engages in brief reciprocol interaction (two categories/two objectives).
The following is a list of goals we are currently working on for Tyler: Looks towards people, imitates familiar actiosn or sounds immediately after a model, follows situation cues in familar routines, uses exploratory actions on objects, requests social game.
We received wonderful feedback today. Carrie is videotaped each week (one week at our house and the next week at the clinic then back at our house, etc.) and another clinician has to score/rate her videotapes. Right now she is the only clinician at U of M so her tapes get sent to Florida State University where they review the tapes and provide the feedback. The other clinician is amazed at how far Tyler has come since he began the study and commented on what a wonderful job Carrie is doing. This is so rewarding to us as parents as well becuase our time on the weekends with Tyler isn't the same as during the weekday for obvious reasons so we are just so happy.
On a general note, I'd like everyone to be aware that what Tyler is learning at home takes a month or two to generalize to other areas (locations) and when you add new environments, large groups, new people, etc. into the mix, he can and most likely will sometimes resort into some of his old behaviors and play styles. This is one of the major reasons we are really wanting to get some videos out there (having trouble with formatting) so that you can see all the progres she's made at home.
Tyler has his monthly evaluation at U of M tomorrow so hopefully all goes well.
The following is a list of goals we are currently working on for Tyler: Looks towards people, imitates familiar actiosn or sounds immediately after a model, follows situation cues in familar routines, uses exploratory actions on objects, requests social game.
We received wonderful feedback today. Carrie is videotaped each week (one week at our house and the next week at the clinic then back at our house, etc.) and another clinician has to score/rate her videotapes. Right now she is the only clinician at U of M so her tapes get sent to Florida State University where they review the tapes and provide the feedback. The other clinician is amazed at how far Tyler has come since he began the study and commented on what a wonderful job Carrie is doing. This is so rewarding to us as parents as well becuase our time on the weekends with Tyler isn't the same as during the weekday for obvious reasons so we are just so happy.
On a general note, I'd like everyone to be aware that what Tyler is learning at home takes a month or two to generalize to other areas (locations) and when you add new environments, large groups, new people, etc. into the mix, he can and most likely will sometimes resort into some of his old behaviors and play styles. This is one of the major reasons we are really wanting to get some videos out there (having trouble with formatting) so that you can see all the progres she's made at home.
Tyler has his monthly evaluation at U of M tomorrow so hopefully all goes well.
Friday, March 7, 2008
3/7/08 Take 3 - Exciting events
Very busy day it seems! Wanted to let everyone know of a couple of events. As I mentioned before, the 5K race I ran last fall was to benefit the Judson Center www.judsoncenter.org. They are a really great local organization who provides a lot of resources for parents. Anyway, got this infor from them today. I have rearranged Tyler's therapy on the 22nd so that I can attend the rally (pending final details). I'm going to be going with a co-worker. All family, friends, advocates, etc. are invited. We are really hoping that by the time Tyler is in preschool, that insurance companies will start covering costs for all types of therapy, ABA, speech, etc. I'm also going to attend the event held at the judson center that will help me learn about political advocacy as I want to become as much involved as possible. (see below)
Also, we do a lot of Tyler's grocery shopping at Whole Foods. I'm excited that they are hosting an event for GFCF diets in conjunction with the Judson Center. I talk to Stephanie (from the Judson center) weekly. She is wonderful. If anyone wants to know mroe about the diet, this is a great opportunity. the downside is that it's in ANn Arbor on a weekday. We are hoping that Steve can go to this as his lunch hour. If yo notice, it's the same day as the rally!
GLUTEN FREE / CASEIN FREE (GF/CF) class(es) at Whole Foods in A2 just in time for Autism Awareness Month.
So, if you are seeking information on the GF/CF diet - want to consider it, try it, try it again, get new recipes, try samples, share stories or just listen - this is for YOU!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
TUESDAY APRIL 22ND
11:30 - 1:30
WHOLE FOODS ON WASHTENAW
FREE!
Presenting will be Stephanie Harlan, Director of The Judson Center's Autism Connections program. Stephanie's family follows a GFCF diet and she has co-authored a children's book called "No Cupcakes for Jason"
based on her son's experience and SUCCESS...also provides a school guide to GFCF 'safe' products and practices. She has led GFCFsupport groups and educational seminars in Oakland Co.
There will first be an overview of the diet philosophy and 'chemistry'
as it relates to Autism Spectrum disorders and immune/digestive issues.
Then ideas for "GFCF Lunches", and samples, since it is done over the lunch time frame (do not come hungry and expect a full meal please...just a bite or two for taste testing a few products) - reference materials, recipes and Q&A with Stephanie plus an optional store tour at the end with a Whole Foods 'concierge' guide to see which aisles and categories they have for GFCF.
FYI- Stephanie can't actually cook on site this time (WF liability
limitations) and she stresses that she shops at many different stores based on prices and selections. She has great experience to share, and is generously doing this session (and hopefully future ones) at no charge - Whole Foods will provide small sample GFCF goodie bags for all participants.
The upstairs class room seats up to 20-ish people comfortably - Pre-Register to attend please @ Whole Foods Customer Service Desk or by phone at 734/975-4500 starting April 1st.
If well attended, this could potentially become a monthly event or series for our community...so hope to see LOTS of you there!
Watch the Whole Foods website and promotional flyers/signs in store in April for further details.
Judson Center: We are excited to announce that there will be a Rally in Lansing on April 22nd at noon, to call attention to the issue of the autism insurance legislation (check out www.michiganaction.org for more info about the legislation) that is currently pending. Please save the date and try to get to Lansing this day!!
In order to help organize for this event and to teach parents and other interested people about grassroots lobbying, political advocacy, how to talk to your local senator or representative, how to write effective letters, and more... Judson Center will be hosting a workshop on Monday night, April 7th at 7pm. Included in this workshop will be some video clips from the recent House hearings in which many of our parents (and even a special little 8 year old boy!) testified in front of the Health committee and a room full of people!
In order to help organize for this event and to teach parents and other interested people about grassroots lobbying, political advocacy, how to talk to your local senator or representative, how to write effective letters, and more... Judson Center will be hosting a workshop on Monday night, April 7th at 7pm. Included in this workshop will be some video clips from the recent House hearings in which many of our parents (and even a special little 8 year old boy!) testified in front of the Health committee and a room full of people!
Also, we do a lot of Tyler's grocery shopping at Whole Foods. I'm excited that they are hosting an event for GFCF diets in conjunction with the Judson Center. I talk to Stephanie (from the Judson center) weekly. She is wonderful. If anyone wants to know mroe about the diet, this is a great opportunity. the downside is that it's in ANn Arbor on a weekday. We are hoping that Steve can go to this as his lunch hour. If yo notice, it's the same day as the rally!
GLUTEN FREE / CASEIN FREE (GF/CF) class(es) at Whole Foods in A2 just in time for Autism Awareness Month.
So, if you are seeking information on the GF/CF diet - want to consider it, try it, try it again, get new recipes, try samples, share stories or just listen - this is for YOU!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
TUESDAY APRIL 22ND
11:30 - 1:30
WHOLE FOODS ON WASHTENAW
FREE!
Presenting will be Stephanie Harlan, Director of The Judson Center's Autism Connections program. Stephanie's family follows a GFCF diet and she has co-authored a children's book called "No Cupcakes for Jason"
based on her son's experience and SUCCESS...also provides a school guide to GFCF 'safe' products and practices. She has led GFCFsupport groups and educational seminars in Oakland Co.
There will first be an overview of the diet philosophy and 'chemistry'
as it relates to Autism Spectrum disorders and immune/digestive issues.
Then ideas for "GFCF Lunches", and samples, since it is done over the lunch time frame (do not come hungry and expect a full meal please...just a bite or two for taste testing a few products) - reference materials, recipes and Q&A with Stephanie plus an optional store tour at the end with a Whole Foods 'concierge' guide to see which aisles and categories they have for GFCF.
FYI- Stephanie can't actually cook on site this time (WF liability
limitations) and she stresses that she shops at many different stores based on prices and selections. She has great experience to share, and is generously doing this session (and hopefully future ones) at no charge - Whole Foods will provide small sample GFCF goodie bags for all participants.
The upstairs class room seats up to 20-ish people comfortably - Pre-Register to attend please @ Whole Foods Customer Service Desk or by phone at 734/975-4500 starting April 1st.
If well attended, this could potentially become a monthly event or series for our community...so hope to see LOTS of you there!
Watch the Whole Foods website and promotional flyers/signs in store in April for further details.
News: Vaccines & Autism
HEre is an article from Autism Speaks regarding a recent gov't settlement regarding vaccines and their relation to autism. I dont know if any of you know our opinion or not but we believe that Tyler had autism from the moment he was born. His cry stood out in the operating room.. I remember thinking, oh no, we are in trouble. I worried about Tyler from the moment he was born and never stopped. I never worried about Ben in the same way. I honestly began to notice symptoms of autism as early as 3 months if not sooner. However, I do believe that children who either have autism or are predisposed to autism, may have very adverse effects. We believe this happend to tyler. He got seriously ill after both his 12 month and 18 month vaccinations. The 12 month vaccinations caused vomiting and Tyler stopped eating for weeks eventually ending with him vomiting just at the sight of his bottle. HIs 18 month vaccination left him vomiting and lethargic. he ahd an ear infection at the time of the vaccionation (we should never allowed him to get teh shots) and therefore was on antibiotics and yet 24 hours after the vaccination and (antibiotics) he was beside himself sick where we almost took him to the hospital. I think he child with autism has different causes just like different treatments work for different kids which is why it is called a spectrum. The flu shot our doctor uses containes thimersol so we do not give the kids vaccines. Again, this is our beliefs. Please read the article below.
The parents of the 9-year-old girl who won a government settlement described how their hearts were broken as they watched their bright, red-haired daughter deteriorate into an irritable, odd-behaving toddler after she got several childhood shots."Suddenly my daughter was no longer there," said Terry Poling, the girl's mother, in a news conference Thursday. She and her husband Jon said their daughter, Hannah, has been diagnosed with autism.The government has agreed to pay the Polings from a federal fund that compensates people injured by vaccines. U.S. officials reject the idea that the vaccines cause autism, but they say that in this case the shots worsened an underlying disorder that led to autism-like symptoms.The Polings said five simultaneous vaccinations in July 2000 led to Hannah's autistic behavior. She was about 18 months at the time.
U.S. health officials have consistently maintained that vaccines are safe, and a lawyer representing them said this week that there was no change in that position."Nothing in any of this is going to change any of our recommendations" about the importance of vaccines for children, said Dr. Julie Gerberding, who heads the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Our message to parents is that immunization is life-saving."In Polings' first appearance since the case became public this week, the Athens, Ga., couple acknowledged their legal case never got to the point where evidence was introduced or argued.They called on the government to remove thimerosal — a mercury-based vaccine preservative — from all flu shots. Thimerosal has already been removed from other vaccinations given to children."Why take a chance?" asked Jon Poling, a 37-year-old neurologist.
The Polings, accompanied by Hannah, said their daughter was a bright child who could whistle on command. But almost immediately after the vaccinations nearly eight years ago, she because feverish and irritable. Then, her behavior gradually changed so she would stare at fans and lights and run in circles."It wasn't like a switch being turned off. It was more like a dimmer switch being turned down," Jon Poling said.Government health officials conceded that the vaccines worsened an underlying condition and that she should be paid from the federal vaccine-injury fund.Autism advocates called Hannah's case a "landmark decision," although the Polings' own attorney disputes that."This was not a court decision," said Clifford Shoemaker, who is based in Vienna, Va. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conceded the case before the court was asked to make a determination, he added.Government officials wouldn't discuss why they conceded this particular case, but said people with pre-existing injuries can obtain compensation under the program if they establish that their underlying condition was "significantly aggravated" by a vaccine.
Medical and legal experts say the narrow wording and circumstances probably make the case an exception — not a precedent for thousands of other pending claims.Hannah has a disorder involving her mitochondria, the energy factories of cells. The disorder — which can be present at birth from an inherited gene or acquired later in life — impairs cells' ability to use nutrients. It often causes problems in brain functioning and can lead to delays in walking and talking.The Polings were exploring two theories about what happened to Hannah. One is that she was born with the mitochondria disorder and the vaccines caused a stress to the body that worsened the condition. The other was that the ingredient thimerosal caused the mitochondrial dysfunction, Jon Poling said.Since 2002, the preservative thimerosal has been removed from shots recommended for young children, except for some flu shots.
The parents of the 9-year-old girl who won a government settlement described how their hearts were broken as they watched their bright, red-haired daughter deteriorate into an irritable, odd-behaving toddler after she got several childhood shots."Suddenly my daughter was no longer there," said Terry Poling, the girl's mother, in a news conference Thursday. She and her husband Jon said their daughter, Hannah, has been diagnosed with autism.The government has agreed to pay the Polings from a federal fund that compensates people injured by vaccines. U.S. officials reject the idea that the vaccines cause autism, but they say that in this case the shots worsened an underlying disorder that led to autism-like symptoms.The Polings said five simultaneous vaccinations in July 2000 led to Hannah's autistic behavior. She was about 18 months at the time.
U.S. health officials have consistently maintained that vaccines are safe, and a lawyer representing them said this week that there was no change in that position."Nothing in any of this is going to change any of our recommendations" about the importance of vaccines for children, said Dr. Julie Gerberding, who heads the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Our message to parents is that immunization is life-saving."In Polings' first appearance since the case became public this week, the Athens, Ga., couple acknowledged their legal case never got to the point where evidence was introduced or argued.They called on the government to remove thimerosal — a mercury-based vaccine preservative — from all flu shots. Thimerosal has already been removed from other vaccinations given to children."Why take a chance?" asked Jon Poling, a 37-year-old neurologist.
The Polings, accompanied by Hannah, said their daughter was a bright child who could whistle on command. But almost immediately after the vaccinations nearly eight years ago, she because feverish and irritable. Then, her behavior gradually changed so she would stare at fans and lights and run in circles."It wasn't like a switch being turned off. It was more like a dimmer switch being turned down," Jon Poling said.Government health officials conceded that the vaccines worsened an underlying condition and that she should be paid from the federal vaccine-injury fund.Autism advocates called Hannah's case a "landmark decision," although the Polings' own attorney disputes that."This was not a court decision," said Clifford Shoemaker, who is based in Vienna, Va. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conceded the case before the court was asked to make a determination, he added.Government officials wouldn't discuss why they conceded this particular case, but said people with pre-existing injuries can obtain compensation under the program if they establish that their underlying condition was "significantly aggravated" by a vaccine.
Medical and legal experts say the narrow wording and circumstances probably make the case an exception — not a precedent for thousands of other pending claims.Hannah has a disorder involving her mitochondria, the energy factories of cells. The disorder — which can be present at birth from an inherited gene or acquired later in life — impairs cells' ability to use nutrients. It often causes problems in brain functioning and can lead to delays in walking and talking.The Polings were exploring two theories about what happened to Hannah. One is that she was born with the mitochondria disorder and the vaccines caused a stress to the body that worsened the condition. The other was that the ingredient thimerosal caused the mitochondrial dysfunction, Jon Poling said.Since 2002, the preservative thimerosal has been removed from shots recommended for young children, except for some flu shots.
3/7/08
Tyler was very chatty at today's session. He actually surprised us a lot as he played with many items he's never showed interest in before, however, he was not too intersted in eating this morning.
I recieved the session notes from yesterday's session. Here are the highlights:
Snack routine: Caregiver did a wonderful job of engaging both Tyler and Ben in snack. Throughout the routine the caregiver was able to successfully balance her attentio between btoh children while also repsonding to all of their requests. She was also able to add in a song routine during snack that seemed to engage both children in a balanced manner. WE discussed what appropach to use with Tyler dropping items on teh floor. We decided the most eficicent way to address the issue was to hae the interventionist sit on the other side of Tyler during sessiona dn catch anything he attempts to drop. Then she will model "no thanks" and put them out of reach on teh table. O ur hope is that the skills practiced during session will generalize to snack snacks and meals outside the sessions. Caregiver should focus on upping the ante by having Tyler walk his cup to the kitchen counter or sink after meal time. NOTE: The dropping items on the floor is tricky to do w/o the caregiver due to the diet that Tyler is on. Typically Mom is eating when Tyler eats and Mom has a Tyler hand and a mom food hand, which cannot cross or touch. So I don't always have a free hand to catch the items he's dropping on the other side of him and he's very aware of where mom is sitting and where he is sitting and where to drop something so mom can't reach. That's why we chose to practice when the interventionist is there since we have extra hands and I'm not eating during his snacks.
Bath time feedback was pretty much everything I talked about yesterday.
I recieved the session notes from yesterday's session. Here are the highlights:
Snack routine: Caregiver did a wonderful job of engaging both Tyler and Ben in snack. Throughout the routine the caregiver was able to successfully balance her attentio between btoh children while also repsonding to all of their requests. She was also able to add in a song routine during snack that seemed to engage both children in a balanced manner. WE discussed what appropach to use with Tyler dropping items on teh floor. We decided the most eficicent way to address the issue was to hae the interventionist sit on the other side of Tyler during sessiona dn catch anything he attempts to drop. Then she will model "no thanks" and put them out of reach on teh table. O ur hope is that the skills practiced during session will generalize to snack snacks and meals outside the sessions. Caregiver should focus on upping the ante by having Tyler walk his cup to the kitchen counter or sink after meal time. NOTE: The dropping items on the floor is tricky to do w/o the caregiver due to the diet that Tyler is on. Typically Mom is eating when Tyler eats and Mom has a Tyler hand and a mom food hand, which cannot cross or touch. So I don't always have a free hand to catch the items he's dropping on the other side of him and he's very aware of where mom is sitting and where he is sitting and where to drop something so mom can't reach. That's why we chose to practice when the interventionist is there since we have extra hands and I'm not eating during his snacks.
Bath time feedback was pretty much everything I talked about yesterday.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
3/6/08
Today both boys stayed home with mom for social group and therapy. They were SOOOOOO good walking into the school holding mom's hand. It's quite a long walk from the car (parking lot) into the school and then to the back where the motor room is which is where social group is held. I was so proud and gave them lots of praises. They both were good at social group too until the very end where Ben didnt' want to participate in the wrap up activities which includes dancing and bubbles. He had a bit of a tantrum. One of the moms at social group again said she can't believe how much better Tyler looks now compared to before we started the diet. He just looks so much healthier. The walk out was just the same as the way in, very good boys. Ben stayed right by mommy when I loaded Tyler into his car seat. This has been a probelm for us before, i.e. Ben screaming becuase I make him stand in the car while I load in Tyler. So today I trusted him to stay in the parking lot right by me and he did, what a big boy!
As for today's session with Carrie, we started with snack time which went very well. Ben was a very good boy and was enjoying the visitors at our house (carrie adn videotaper). Tyler also did well. I was able to engage both boys with songs at snack time. We then moved on to the bath routine which is new (i.e. as a routine for the study, obviously baths aren't new!). Bath time went well. We decided for now to continue to get the water flowing, etc. while the boys are downstairs playing. If Tyler knows you are in the bathroom running water and he's outside the door he becomes hysterical because he wants in the bathroom since he loves water so much. So we decided for now to continue what we've been doing. Once the bath is ready, the door is shut so we can get the boys upstairs and get their clothes off w/o them being able to run into the bathroom. Tyler will jump in w/o hesitation. So we are going to establish the taking clothes of routine in our bedroom and help the boys become independent in this activity. Then we'll move on to bath and we are going to try go limit the toys that Tyler doesn't necessarily need me to help him play with until after we get washing down and through one song and then he can have his preferred toys. Once we wind down bathtub, we start to drain the water and do bubbles as an indicator that bathtime is coming to an end. Again we try to create really clear beginnigns and endings for Tyler as well as trying to ease transitions, i.e. leaving the bathtub is very hard for Tyler so draining the water and having bubbles at the end helps him understand that it's almost over. Then we have a video in the bedroom while they get their clothes on which also helps him since he's leaving a fun activity for another. We'll be adding in other independent items such as the boys bringin their own towels and washclothes into the tub with them. I just got them pails so they could do this, hopefully we'll get to decorate the pails this weekend.
Other activities we tried today as a group was ball rolling (unsucessful at this since Ben isn't very excited about rolling a ball and Tyler gets fixated on the music ball and doesn't want to share). We did do parade which engaged Tyler for short periods of time. Ben can really play the kazoo but for some reason he wasnt interested in playing it today.
We talked a lot about the differences in working with Tyler alone vs. working with Tyler with Ben around and the struggles that we face with both boys being there. She reiterated how well Tyler is doing. I reminded her that even after the study ends, we'll make sure to have one on one time for each boy so that Tyler can get the appropriate therapy he needs and Ben can get the appropriate attention he deserves.
Tuesday's session notes matched my asssessment of tyler and him being overstimulated. She commented at how well the hand washing is going and gave tips of how to fade out my hand over hand prompts into a partial prpmt and then gestures for him to complete next steps on his own.
She gave tips to help Tyler when he's overstimulated such as focusing on calming activities such as books, puzzles, shape sorter, etc. During times he's understimulated we shoudl play things like parade, swing, parachute, wheely bugs, etc.
Keep reinforcing Tyler sounds. When he says a sound, we say a sound, etc.
She also gave us a list of study approved activities that we can do with both boys which will help out dad when he's playing with the boys.
As for today's session with Carrie, we started with snack time which went very well. Ben was a very good boy and was enjoying the visitors at our house (carrie adn videotaper). Tyler also did well. I was able to engage both boys with songs at snack time. We then moved on to the bath routine which is new (i.e. as a routine for the study, obviously baths aren't new!). Bath time went well. We decided for now to continue to get the water flowing, etc. while the boys are downstairs playing. If Tyler knows you are in the bathroom running water and he's outside the door he becomes hysterical because he wants in the bathroom since he loves water so much. So we decided for now to continue what we've been doing. Once the bath is ready, the door is shut so we can get the boys upstairs and get their clothes off w/o them being able to run into the bathroom. Tyler will jump in w/o hesitation. So we are going to establish the taking clothes of routine in our bedroom and help the boys become independent in this activity. Then we'll move on to bath and we are going to try go limit the toys that Tyler doesn't necessarily need me to help him play with until after we get washing down and through one song and then he can have his preferred toys. Once we wind down bathtub, we start to drain the water and do bubbles as an indicator that bathtime is coming to an end. Again we try to create really clear beginnigns and endings for Tyler as well as trying to ease transitions, i.e. leaving the bathtub is very hard for Tyler so draining the water and having bubbles at the end helps him understand that it's almost over. Then we have a video in the bedroom while they get their clothes on which also helps him since he's leaving a fun activity for another. We'll be adding in other independent items such as the boys bringin their own towels and washclothes into the tub with them. I just got them pails so they could do this, hopefully we'll get to decorate the pails this weekend.
Other activities we tried today as a group was ball rolling (unsucessful at this since Ben isn't very excited about rolling a ball and Tyler gets fixated on the music ball and doesn't want to share). We did do parade which engaged Tyler for short periods of time. Ben can really play the kazoo but for some reason he wasnt interested in playing it today.
We talked a lot about the differences in working with Tyler alone vs. working with Tyler with Ben around and the struggles that we face with both boys being there. She reiterated how well Tyler is doing. I reminded her that even after the study ends, we'll make sure to have one on one time for each boy so that Tyler can get the appropriate therapy he needs and Ben can get the appropriate attention he deserves.
Tuesday's session notes matched my asssessment of tyler and him being overstimulated. She commented at how well the hand washing is going and gave tips of how to fade out my hand over hand prompts into a partial prpmt and then gestures for him to complete next steps on his own.
She gave tips to help Tyler when he's overstimulated such as focusing on calming activities such as books, puzzles, shape sorter, etc. During times he's understimulated we shoudl play things like parade, swing, parachute, wheely bugs, etc.
Keep reinforcing Tyler sounds. When he says a sound, we say a sound, etc.
She also gave us a list of study approved activities that we can do with both boys which will help out dad when he's playing with the boys.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
3/4/08
Today's session was a little strange. Tyler was overstimulated and easily frustrated today. He also didn't have very good coloring. Hopefully it's just a bad day and tomorrow will be better. STeve stayed home for the morning session so he could learn from Carrie what we are doing and what our goals are for Tyler. I think this was good for all of since Steve and I don't often have an opportunity to communicate everything thats happening with Tyler, let alone, him to see it.
I forgot to mention, we were able to get a quick video of TYler feedign himself with a fork the other day. I'd have to put the food on the fork but he'd pick it up off the table and put it in his mouth.
I know I've mentioned it 1000 times already but Autism Speaks is an amazing organization. They just released 100-day kit on their website http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/100_day_kit.php Carrie printed us a copy of this and I've only skimmed it so far but it is very very informative for anyone wanting to know more about different therapies, educations, theories, etc. I encourage everyone to read it if they have time. This may answer a lot of your questions about autism. Don't forget April is autism awareness month so the more you know the more you are able to make others aware which will lead to a more tolerable world for Tyler. Everything you do helps :)
I forgot to mention, we were able to get a quick video of TYler feedign himself with a fork the other day. I'd have to put the food on the fork but he'd pick it up off the table and put it in his mouth.
I know I've mentioned it 1000 times already but Autism Speaks is an amazing organization. They just released 100-day kit on their website http://www.autismspeaks.org/community/family_services/100_day_kit.php Carrie printed us a copy of this and I've only skimmed it so far but it is very very informative for anyone wanting to know more about different therapies, educations, theories, etc. I encourage everyone to read it if they have time. This may answer a lot of your questions about autism. Don't forget April is autism awareness month so the more you know the more you are able to make others aware which will lead to a more tolerable world for Tyler. Everything you do helps :)
Monday, March 3, 2008
3/3/08 -
Let me first share the humoruos information. Ben has a new word. It's Damn it! And the bad part is.. he uses it appropriately, darn kid. He said it to his truck last night. And this morning Steve tripped over the cat on the way into day care and said "damn-it cat" and of course Ben went into daycare repeating what his daddy said. We are being very careful to make sure we are watching our language now!
Ok, so just wanted to make sure that everyone knows Tyler now knows/says 3 words. Ma-Ma, Ball, Milk, he's very close to saying bye bye as well as waving. He doesn't say ball and milk very often but he has said them at appropriate times so we just really try to reinforce it when he does say it correctly.
Thursday morning Ben will be home with Tyler and I. We all get to go to social group together and then when we get home we are going to work on the bathtime routine. Should be fun! As a reminder, the goal of all "routines" is to get Tyler to engage in play, communicate (eye gaze, handpull, and gestures), and to be more independent, i.e. help with chores, wash his hands, throw away diaper, etc.
Ok, so just wanted to make sure that everyone knows Tyler now knows/says 3 words. Ma-Ma, Ball, Milk, he's very close to saying bye bye as well as waving. He doesn't say ball and milk very often but he has said them at appropriate times so we just really try to reinforce it when he does say it correctly.
Thursday morning Ben will be home with Tyler and I. We all get to go to social group together and then when we get home we are going to work on the bathtime routine. Should be fun! As a reminder, the goal of all "routines" is to get Tyler to engage in play, communicate (eye gaze, handpull, and gestures), and to be more independent, i.e. help with chores, wash his hands, throw away diaper, etc.
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