Off To A Good Start

Andy's team of line therapists have started their training with him. They worked with him for 2 hours today and handled it very well. There was a meltdown when I brought out the vacuum cleaner. He ran upstairs to his room and was crying for a good 10 minutes. I printed out the picture of the vacuum I posted on here. At first he kept throwing it and turning it over, eventually he started looking but was never interested. The senior therapist suggested finding videos on YouTube with vacuum cleaners. I was able to find a few with young kids using vacuum cleaners, some of these kids really love these machines and even collect them! Here is a great one. Andy usually loves YouTube but he would look only briefly at the vacuums. He didn't melt down, but he did try to avoid them. So that's the plan of attack for this. This was also the last of the tears.

We are starting to introduce him to a sippy cup and get him to hold and put a toothbrush in his mouth on his own. Was he thrilled about this, nope. He runs away from the sippy cup. It took forever to get him to take the tooth brush. The following pictures will tell the story.


Holding it empty.


Ready to go with all your equipment Andy?


Took some convincing to get that toothbrush anywhere near his mouth.


Holding it with milk and laughing!!!


Score!!! Why can't I get you to do that???

He would run away from the cup, put it down a second after he took it in his hand, he would push away. There were no tears or tantrums. He didn't even get upset, just shown he didn't want it in his way. But he did hold it. It was never more than for about 30 seconds, but we will take it. He has NEVER taken a tooth brush and put it in his mouth by himself for me. My daily attempt to clean his teeth is not something anyone looks forward to. What's up with that Andy? We have the evidence now, so no excuses. When he asks for food he is saying "eat" very clearly without prompting. He said "up" to go upstairs. Eric's favorite word also came out of his little mouth, "tickle".

This is going much better than I expected it to. They have not gone hard core yet, but they are getting down to business. There are solid plans in place for him from the get go. Compared to how it was when Eric first started, it's very impressive. Andy has been exposed to Eric's therapy for over a year so that may be why he's been so cooperative? I'm sure he'll have his moments. This is great to see. The schedule, well it's going to be quite busy once both boys are at full hours. Since this is a home based program, that's where we are going to be, a lot. I also have to work with the boys on everything the therapists are doing. This is a big time commitment. There is only one of me. Once the summer comes we should have weekends off and in the fall all 3 boys will be in school. So it's going to be a few months we are going to have to hold on and do the best we can. It's all worth it in the end.

The Dreaded...

VACUUM CLEANER!

Poor Andy is terrified of the vacuum cleaner. He starts crying inconsolably and runs at the sight of the machine. If he hears it going he curls up in a ball and screams. Quite the extreme reaction. Andy's therapy team is now together. Hopefully they can start training tomorrow and working with him. This is one of the big things on his plan, desensitizing him from the vacuum. Here is how we are going to start...

We are going to start with a picture of it. Then it will be having it near and looking at it. In time, we get to turning it on. Slow process. Even if he gets to a point where he runs off with his fingers in his ears like Eric, at least that's reasonable. I don't love the sound of these machines either, but it don't get me out of using it! So this is the new home for my vacuum for a while.

Caught Again!

Caught you red handed with those yummy jackets Jon! He will chew and chew the rough side of the velcro for a good amount of time, this is a regular sight around here. This picture dont give this justice. He chomps like crazy on the velcro straps around the cuffs of these jackets, any velcro that exsists on these things. God help us if one of his brothers have the nerve to go out and leave for school or something and need their jacket! Yesterday during nap I seen him chewing on a strip of velcro on Andy's jacket (the yellow one) in his sleep! Don't think we want to go there. Can we say addiction? Gotta love these oral sensory issues. I'm thinking of buying some velcro and sewing it to some fabric so hopefully he will chew that instead of his brothers jackets, velcro on shoes, ect. Don't know of anything else that would feel similar but would be more appropriate.

One Little Word...

This was the first good note I've gotten home from school in months. Yes, this was a few weeks ago, I'm a little behind here with the blog. But anyway, this is from a child that was mute for over 2 years, at least. "Eat" is the first word that Andy has learned to use with meaning. Yesterday was parent teacher conferences for both boys. Andy's teacher told me about one of his classmates coming up to the teacher all excited because he said that one word. This little girl was just as excited as the teacher and I, and was the first thing she told her mom when she came to pick her up!!! :-) These are awesome folks Andy is with for 4 mornings a week. Just a few months ago he was having such a difficult time with school. That has very much improved in the last month or so. The hope is that when more communication comes less frustration and tantrums and outbursts. He now points to a loaf of bread and says eat every time he wants some. It's an awesome start Andy!

Instruction, Orders and Independant Functioning

For a long time if I asked any of my kids to do something simple like "come here" or "get your coat" they looked at me with a blank face or just continued on with what they were doing without a care. Since Eric has started therapy he can identify so many more familiar things in his life and learning so many words. It's all starting to link together. Yesterday he asked me for cheerios. The box was way out of my reach. I asked him to give the box to me. He did it without hesitation. At first you would get these types of responses if and only if you used the exact words that were taught to him. Now he is much more flexible. He will respond to "bring me your shoes" or "go get your shoes". It has gone to this level within the last few weeks.

While he is getting good at taking orders, he's even better at dishing them out! He's been demanding to go outside (when it's a little too cold and late), that I tie, fix or take off his shoes when they are wet from the snow, turn off the porch light (yes, his feet/shoes and lights are still a big thing for him), to take away the spoons and the cups he uses during therapy, go potty, let's go! He is very clear in what he wants. It's great to hear this, even though sometimes I wonder if a monster has been created :-) He is now for the most part dressing himself, he insists on zipping his own jacket. He's mastered turning on the TV, adjusting the volume (way too loud!), getting ready and washing himself in the bath. So many things I thought I would take for granted as a parent. Guess it don't come as naturally as I thought it would. My big guy is growing up.

Welcome and Introducing New Friends

Anyone who visits here regularly may have noticed I have a lot more links at the side of my blog. Look out, I've invaded Twitter! I've actually had an account there for quite a while but haven't really used it much until last month. I was looking on there for something and ran across The Coffee Klatch. This is a chat that takes place on Twitter weekday mornings from 9:00 until 11:00 EST (it's 8 am-10 am here) for parents of special need children. There are many parents here with children on the autism spectrum, this is open to parents of children with any type of special needs. There are topics scheduled for each hour long segment of the meeting. There are many special guest appearances. These are listed on the Twitter page and the Facebook group page for The Coffee Klatch I've met so many wonderful people on here. I can't get on every morning but they are always so welcoming to everyone that joins. I was going to list everyone individually here, but I would forget someone. I am very happy you have come here to join me and my boys on here. The links are on the blog sidebar. Feel free to visit these blogs and websites.

I've been introduced to many great products through this chat. I have a new list of links for sites that provide products and services that can benefit anyone on the autism spectrum and their families. I have done business with many of these folks, others have very strong endorsements from friends and others I trust. Included now is a site that sells autism awareness novelty items, a great place to buy weighted blankets, a wonderful lady that sells chewelry, seamless clothing, a couple of sites that have books, CDs, and DVDs to help with social situations and anxiety. These are just some examples. If your business or website provides any of these kinds of goods or services and you want it listed on my site please contact me.

Your Day Has Come Andy!

Yesterday we met with your new senior therapist and supervisor, did all the paperwork, put together your own binder, and got plenty of attention and time to play with your new friends. Your therapy schedule should be in the mail tomorrow, and the line therapists will be trained and assessments done starting Monday! We can't wait. He has 3 months like Eric to get up to state mandated hours so it will start slow for them to get used to him, and for him to get used to them and the therapy. So far he is loving it. We will see what happens once the real work starts... It's all going to be worth it Andy.

Finally got a recent photo of Andy. Still waiting on a schedule for him. Looks like we have good plans written out.


Ya talkin about me???

Andy, my man of many faces :-)