Marian McCormick, RD (Registered Dietitian) becomes OT (Occupational Therapist)
I've used some of the OT's suggestions from the seminar that I went to, but I need more ideas to create my own program at home. I'm currently reading, "The Out of Sync Child has Fun" from a friend who also has an autistic child (age 12). There are some fun ideas in there! I will post some of the activities we do as I learn more! I'm sure they would be fun for any child with or without sensory dysfunction!
Aiden seems to NEED more stimulation. He loves to jump, run, and swing! I'm not sure about spinning...indeed, do they still make the "sit n' spin"? He no longer sucks on everything--thank goodness. His "new" thing is pushing and dropping his stuffed animals over and through things over and over again. If he plays with a toy it is usually a bus, which he pushes back and forth while he lays on the floor. Mainly, he does repetitive things with his stuffed animals (right now it is 2 elephants and a bird). If he loses 1 of those, it is awful! He needs to have all 3!
I'm hoping camping, Six Flags, trips to the park, daily walks, and playdates are helping Aiden. I am a very active person. We do a lot of outdoor things, and he seems to enjoy them. There was only 1 time recently that I noticed Aiden didn't do well with his environment. We were at a crazy gas station--4 different food places were inside, a lot of different "things" every where. Aiden hid under the table. Later, he took my hand and pulled me to the car. Weird. That never happened before. Too much I guess...
On a positive note...
Aiden seems to be responding better to conversation and he is making more eye contact! I notice this especially when he comes home from school (where he gets occupational and speech therapy). Today, I went to pick up Austin (Aiden and I went to swim lessons together), and I told Aiden what I was doing. He said, "Austin"! Did he understand what I said? Encouraging! I know the therapy is helping Aiden, I just hope I have the right tools to continue to give him what he needs. I'm anxious for his appointment next Monday!
The Madison Zoo
My sister just reccomended that same book, she uses it for her daughter. And yes they still make the sit and spin... we have one and my kids NEVER use it, want it?? If you put batteries in it, I think it is a musical sit and spin, wouldn't that be fun ;) Love you!
ReplyDeleteThe environment you speak of (gas station) was probably sensory overload for Aiden. He may have been reacting to the lack of organization with people going in all directions. Also, noise might have been another factor. Borrow the sit n spin. I know spinning sounds crazy, but it is very important to the post rotary nystagmus reflex. I'm not talking about crazy fast spinning. The sit n spin is great because the child can control the spinning himself. You don't need the musical option unless he likes it. EVERYTHING you are doing is helping Aiden to be more flexible. He is trying to create order by the repetitive behaviors. This is ok as it is calming him, but do not let him do this 8 hrs. a day. I can see that you don't and that is great. This is not play. It is perseveration. All behavior is meaningful. Next time you are in a situation with Aiden where he is fearful, don't forget to the label the feeling for him. "Aiden is feeling scared." When he is out of the situation and smiling, say, "Aiden is happy." Show him that you are smiling and say, "Mommy is happy." You are increasing his receptive language. Write stories about "too many people in the gas station". Honestly, social scripts are the best tool! Google social scripts. There are many on the internet. We often used these prior to "scary" experiences. I wrote my own. Does Aiden seem to have an aversion to certain sounds? I would be interested in having you blog more about his sensory difficulties. Also, the book, "The Way I See It" is a very important book to have. Temple Grandin is the author and she is autistic herself. It's good for autistic people and anyone on the autism spectrum. AS (autism spectrum) will soon be the new label for all kids with PDD and other autism-like issues.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing so many things right. You just don't know it. Watch your child and he will give you the keys to his world. Use what he likes and think of a creative and visual way to explain what he does not. Where to begin? Ask yourself, "What will he need (at the lowest level) to hold a job?
Sounds crazy, but your real goal in his life is employment. So, does he need eye contact? Yes. Does he need to speak? Probably, unless you intend to teach him sign language. He will need to communicate. Communication is more important than speech. Language is more important than saying words. My son could label things, but he needed to understand more. He was echolalic which is meaningless speech. We taught him to understand! This has been the difference!