Success!

Life is good!

Today was Aiden's first day of school (orientation).  I was so excited to tell his Occupational Therapist about all the progress he made over the summer!  

Aiden is learning new words nearly every day.  A month or so ago I started doing some simple flash cards with him.  He got a little more than half correct (ball, cat, dog, etc.).  Now, he says them all...even the "harder" ones!  Aiden continues to love animals.  He knows most of them, and will even sign them!  He LOVES "Signing Time" DVD's, and as much as I don't want him to watch a lot of TV, it really helps him A LOT.  With that, me talking like a speech therapist all day, books, and Little Einstein DVD's, Aiden is "catching on"!  To my utter delight, Aiden is starting to speak in short sentences.  He used to pull me to the fridge, or shove the cup in my face when he wanted more juice or milk.  Now he says, "more milk please".  I cried the first time he said it.  And it didn't stop there.  Aiden asked me for "more popcorn please" just the other day.  I was a little heartbroken when I had to tell him it was gone.  My son said a sentence correctly, and I can't give him what he wants!  Tonight, while looking for Austin's blanket, Aiden handed it to me and said, "here".  That may not seem like a big deal, but for Aiden that was a giant step forward.  He is starting to respond to his environment, show more eye contact, greet other children (usually with a hug and/or a kiss), and speak more and more on his own (vs. echolalia-type speech where he just repeats the words).  

While all these things are a complete and utter miracle, I do know that it is still a long road ahead.  When adults talk to him, it is common for Aiden to "growl" and act unusual.  The other day at the store, Aiden was flat on his stomach in the middle of an aisle pushing a toy car back and forth.  Sometimes I wonder what other people think when he does those things.  I'm always grateful to see a familiar face who knows Aiden, and where he struggles.  I try not to use the word "autism".  I don't want Aiden labeled, and so, I let people think what they want, and try to stay strong during those times.  It hurts a little, but now I have tremendous empathy for mother's of special needs children.      

As with all things in life, there are good times and bad.  I'm grateful for an amazing summer with my children.  We did so much, and I hope--even in some small way--the things we did helped Aiden.  I did the best I could.  Now I'm grateful for some help with him--I'm going to need some serious help with potty training--yikes!

Aiden made this airplane all by himself.  He even used it as such!

Potty Training

August 12, 2011

I decided it was about time to introduce Aiden to the potty chair. 

The plan was all laid out.  I chose a day where we had nothing to do, so we could focus on pee.  Both children were going to be naked most of the day...potty chairs ready!  The rug was pulled off the floor, the potty chairs were side by side, and "Elmo's Potty Time" was ready to play.  The boys were stripped of their clothes and read the book "The Potty Train".  Aiden decided he would hold himself because he had to go, and it was coming out.  He would tinkle, hold it, tinkle, hold it...meanwhile I'm trying to pick him up and put him on the potty seat, and Austin says, "oh, oh he peed".  It was really quite funny.  Pee all over the couch and on the floor, and I'm trying to get my 3 and 1/2 year old to sit on the potty while my 20 month old gives me the play-by-play!  Needless to say, I was done with that after 20 minutes!  How do you potty train a child that doesn't communicate, and may not even feel when he has to go?

Plan B...    

I'm getting a seat that will fit in the toilet so Aiden can use that when he is ready.  He is way too big for the potty chair anyway.  I will encourage him to sit on it at certain times of the day--when he wakes up, before rest time, and before bath time.  It doesn't matter if he does anything.  It is the idea of getting him used to the potty.  Even though my 20 month old is ready, I think I'll wait awhile.  Aiden is going to take all of me right now.  I can tell this is going to take a lot of patience and hard work!  Bring it on!

Letter

August 6th, 2011

My dear Aiden,

You are now 3-1/2 years old.  I can't believe how quickly time passes us by.  The more I come to realize this fact, the more I let go of the things that aren't important, and cherish the things that are.  One of my favorite scriptures these days is, "seek ye first the kindom of God, and all else will be added unto you".  I know this is true Aiden; I've seen it in my life time and time again.  Miracles continue to happen.  We always have what we need despite our struggles.  You and Austin are my pride and joy.  I can't tell you in words what being your mother means to me.  Motherhood saved me from a deep depression.  I have purpose now.  I know you need a lot from me, especially now when your opportunities to learn are at their greatest.  I hope I'm giving you what you need.  God must have a lot of faith in me, because this is hard.  There are times of great sadness, and times of great joy.  I cling to every new word you say...every random sentence, and I pray that I can talk to you soon.  There are times I don't understand, but I'm trying.  It is hard to be empathetic when I've never had your challenges.  I'm learning empathy from you.  You are a very sweet and loving boy.  You comfort your brother when he is upset.  I love that about you.  The other day you ran 1/2 a mile non-stop, and I was so proud of you!  You have many gifts and talents Aiden, and I'm excited to see how they blossom and grow over the years.  I love you just the way you are--sweet, handsome, and energetic!  I'm grateful to be such a big part of your journey.  

All my love,

Mommy

Autismom--Thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog, and to give me feedback!  For some reason the blog will not let me respond to your messages!  I read every one of them, and I appreciate your experienced insight!  My email address is mccormickmarian@yahoo.com.  I would love to be able to reply to you!

Fun Therapy

Things we do on a daily basis for sensory fun!

Please share any other ideas you may have...

* Play with playdo/silly putty/bubber (bubber was so messy we ended up taking it outside)!

* Bathtub foam (you can buy this, or use shaving cream--the kids LOVE it)!

*Climbing wall (we are blessed to have one right across the street at Aiden's school).

*Slide--Aiden loves to climb UP the slide, and I have no problem with that!

*The mall's balance beam--Aiden is a PRO at this :)

*Swing--Aiden's favorite activity in our backyard!  I use a lot of words when I push him, and he is catching on!

*Sit N' Spin--Aiden did it on his own the first time!

*Hand painting--Aiden loves to paint his hands and make pictures...Austin too!

*Blanket rides--the boys LOVE this activity!  I pull them all over the house on a blanket!

*Pillow fight/pillow sandwich--LOTS of laughs from both boys with this one!

*Touch/feel books (I need to make another trip to the library)...Aiden is really getting into books now!

*Bean bin--Aiden likes to find the objects in the beans; this is a great way to teach him words too!

*Rollarcoasters/carnival rides--we were blessed to take Aiden on his first rollarcoaster this year, and to the local Fair!

Speech Therapy

A door opened for Aiden...there is a free program at the Waisman Center for children who have difficulty with speech/language.  Aiden will start this in September.  That means he will have at least 1 hour of speech therapy 5 days a week!  I'm so grateful!  Aiden is making slow gains in this area.  I try my best to talk often, but I'm really "out of my element" in that regard.  There is only so much "labeling" and story telling I have within me.  He still has trouble asking for things (he usually pulls me to them), and he doesn't respond when I encourage him to use his words.  I'm trying to give Aiden choices as much as possible, but he doesn't seem to understand the concept yet.  I'll keep trying...

Waiver Program

July 13th, 2011

I signed all the paperwork today, so Aiden is offically on the waiting list for the Waiver Program.  The wait is 1-1/2 to 2 years to get in-home therapy, but this is our only option left.  To pay for it out of pocket is 40,000 a year!  Mercy Options was a total let down on Monday.  They basically said that insurance doesn't cover their services, so I was wasting my time.  The poor lady.  I could tell she could feel my pain and sadness.  "I'm sorry I don't have better news for you."  "The best option is the Waiver Program."  Aiden will be 5 years old before he can get any therapy beyond the speech and occupational therapy provided by the school system.  I have every hope--perhaps naively--that Aiden will be speaking and potty trained by that time.  I'm not sure what else intensive behavior therapy can do for him beyond that.  I guess we will see what the next 2 years brings!  In the meantime, I'm it until September, and I'm going to do everything I can to encourage and love my son!

IEP

Aiden's IEP--Individualized Education Program Assessment

4/15/11  (age 3) "Talk-n-Learn" Assessment:

"Expressively, Aiden's skills are typical of a child at the 16 month level while his receptive skills are typical of a child <12 months of age.  Aiden uses approximately 15 words."  Ms. Jimenez

Fine Motor skills: 24 months

Cognition: 17-36 months (Aiden was unable to complete the LAP-D assessment due to his inability to follow directives or answer questions).

Adaptive/Self Help: 15-19 months

Social: 12 months

Gross Motor: 27-29 months

My assessment?  The above means nothing to me.  I'm just curious how these change over the years.  From my daily assessment, Aiden is functioning at a 16-19 month level (i.e. 2 years "behind").

Aiden receives a new IEP July 13th! 

July 13th 2011~
I spoke with Aiden's speech therapist today.  She was very encouraging!  She was impressed with Aiden's progress and the goals he met!  I expressed my concern that Aiden will not receive therapy for a month and a half until Early Childhood in September.  She agreed that Aiden needs constant reinforcement.  I need to talk to him constantly, and label things.  I feel "out of my element" doing so, but I'm trying hard!

Sensory "Diet"

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