OT Shenanigans

Thought I would share some really fun videos of the boys' progress in OT.  Jack has been with the same OT for close to 3 years now, and I will be sitting in the waiting room and "bing" I will get a video of one of the boys doing something awesome.  I used to go back to watch when it was just Jack, but Natey gets really really mad if I come back to watch something and then leave again.  Thus the videos.  Which is really preferred, b/c I can watch them over and over again!
First Jack....

seat drops on the trampoline!

"hanging" out- this is a HUGE improvement in strength for him

And last but not least, Natey and the zip line



I want OT!!  Trampoline?  Zip line?  It's like Rolly Pollies!  Except it really is very challenging for these guys, and I have seen both of them make tremendous progress.  They both tolerate so much more movement than they used to, and both have great improvement in strength.  The sensory benefits are also huge.  Enjoy!

One of Those Nights....

There are some nights where I need inspiration.  I turn to pinterest, like any modern women, ha.  I found some good statements that I thought I would share....they brightened my mood, and maybe someone else out there could use a little light tonight too

Ahhhh....there I feel better now, anyone else?  Sometimes, believe it or not, I can't find the words to express how I am feeling.  This helps

The Smallest Things....

Can feel like huge victories when you are dealing with autism.  I know all my autism parents know exactly what I mean.  A hug is always awesome, but when your kid has sensory issues and hugs you, you feel like you just won the lottery.

Today's first victory occurred when I opened Jack's book bag after school and saw his hermit crab book.  This is a victory because we recently changed his behavioral incentive program at school from toys (he wasn't showing much interest) to "book privileges".  I am sending in books about his areas of interest and if he does a good job he gets 5 minutes to look at the book.  So if he brought it home, it means he earned book time, and it means that it was a good pick by mommy because he didn't want to give it back.

John and I both noticed that it was "a bit quiet" (read- dull roar) before dinner, and when I looked downstairs, Jack was playing independently.  Not only that, but every once in awhile he would holler up to us, "hey, I found my toy oriole" or "look, my hermit crab!".  He was focusing enough to look through the box for the exact toy he wanted AND not losing his temper when he couldn't find it right away. Usually he is screaming for me and yelling for me to "find it now!"  So this was really, really pleasant.  Small thing....big victory for Mr. Jack

Natey is Learning!!!!

Nate has had a pretty good weekend- as always he is a pretty happy guy, but he went to his first birthday party in awhile on Saturday and did really really well. 

Also, this evening, I finally captured on video his color sorting skills.  This is really big for him.  Go ahead and put your volume on mute to avoid mommy's really annoying voice!

See daddy!!!! Multiple times I have called poor daddy upstairs to see this and Nate has refused...so here you go daddy...I wasn't kidding!!

Sometimes You Just Have to Say- WhooHoo!!!!

Today could not have gone better.  Yes, that came out of this cynical mommy's mouth.  Could not have been better.

Everything was acknowledged and all of it was addressed.  I would have maybe liked more OT services, but the OT does go to SIX schools, which is absurd, and with the amount of services he will be getting in other areas, I am satisfied.

Basic rundown of Jack's new services:
-He will continue to have an aide during any period of time when he is not receiving individualized services
-He will have a scribe for any lengthy assignments or any tests
-He will be placed in a quiet environment for tests and given extra time as needed
-He will receive 6- 30 minute speech sessions each month (was not getting ANY speech)
-He will receive 45 min with the OT one on one each month
-He will receive 1.5 hours a week in the classroom with the special educator
-He will receive an hour a day outside of the classroom with the special educator- 30 minutes of language arts and 30 minutes of math (this is over double what he was getting)
-He will be getting an adaptive technology assessment to see if he qualifies to utilize a word processor or something else for writing

Holy moly!  Seriously, could this have gone any better?  I mean, I could choose to feel sad that my boy needs this much, but I've already had that time, right?  Now, I choose to celebrate that the hard work has paid off.  Despite my underlying feelings of being an inadequate mommy, I am very proud of two things.  I requested the adaptive technology assessment and they said yes!  I was the one who requested the speech assessment- it resulted in another 3 hours of services for Jack each month.  After today, I really and truly feel like they are giving him the tools he needs to succeed in the classroom.  This will give him his best shot.  And we are getting his eyes checked next week.  And starting him on a new ADHD medication in mid-May that is having excellent results in kids with Aspergers. And our family therapist emailed me with the name of one of the best child psychologists in the area and told me that she is expecting an email from me.  GOOD DAY

The one dark moment of the day came when we had to change Jack's educational diagnosis.  It has been developmental delay up until now.  He is too old to carry that diagnosis any longer.  And he needed to get his new diagnosis as one way to qualify for these services.  The assessments all said the same thing, including one the teacher did, and one I did, as well as the assessments by the school psychologist.  Autism.  YES, I knew that, of course I did, but it will never get easier to hear your child being labeled with such a serious condition.  Once again, I am choosing to take this in stride today- he is getting what he needs and THAT is what matters.

Because I'm the Mama, that's Why

Think that'll fly as my blanket response in the IEP meeting???  No really, I will be reasonable and polite, repeat, I will be reasonable and polite....
breathe in, breathe out....

Ode to the IEP

This is how far I have sunk people....really far

Twas the night before IEP's and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, well, except mama
The papers were stacked by the front door with care
Because mama knew that IEP day soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With visions of zip lines zooming through their heads
And me with my coffee and my highlighter out
Tried to discern what these "goals" were really about

2 out of 3 trials independently they said?
They want Jack to learn to stand on his head?
He would benefit from all of these things they declare
But when I look at interventions, well, none of them are there!

Additional adult support is the key
I used to think that that person could have beeen ME
A scribe will assist my little boy with his testing
He can think more effectively with his little hands resting

Break down his assignments into smaller units
How the heck will his teacher do this with 25 other students?
Not to mention the behavior chart with rewards they suggest
To encourage my boy to always do his best

A slant board, weighted pencil, wiggle seat and lap pad
At school my son looks like he's starting a new fad
Make Jack repeat the information he heard
Don't you get it?  He really wants to talk about a bird!!!

In the frustration mommy feels she isn't alone
The staff wants to help but resources are dry as a bone
So I fight, and they fight and we hope for the best
Knowing the battle for more funding will be the true test

When I feel like screaming, I let the advocate do the talking
Because if I said what I wanted, they might send me walking
I try to stay calm, after all this isn't my first time
My kids are 3 and 5 and this is IEP meeting number 9!

We'll make it through this day and move on from this meeting
And pray that my son excels with preferential seating
As a mom of a special needs kid this is the dance
Working your butt off to give your amazing child a chance

So sleep will elude me tonight there's no doubt
I'll dress up in the morning even whip the makeup out
I'll advocate for my son and when it's all over
I'll pass out in my latte then get under the covers
On Friday we'll start to implement all of these plans
As I constantly remind myself that my baby is in really good hands

Yep, I went there