We had a very busy week last week; Joey was home from school all week so it was rather exhausting having all three kids: Joey 4 1/2, David almost 3 and Abby 3 months) home with me all day. We did not leave the house except to run necessary errands and Joey did very well.
Last Wednesday at our skills training at Fraser we found out that Joey will be seeing a new skills trainer; the new Fraser Clinic in Bloomington opens on March 1st and they set us up with someone that was supposed to be transfering to Bloomington; however the girl that we see now is switching to part time hours so they are keeping her in Minneapolis. This was very frustrating news to me; it took Joey 4 weeks to get used to the person that we see and now he is going to have to get used to a new person. I have not noticed much of an improvement thus far from the skills training so hopefully we will see some soon.
Joey starts his Occupational Therapy (OT) tomorrow morning at The Childrens Therapy Center and he also goes back to school tomorrow after having 12 days off; it could be an interesting and very stressful day;-)
We have decided that this Summer we are going to do riding horse therapy with Joey. Riding therapy strengthens leg and trunk muscles; increases balance and coordination; helps riders to focus; develops social skills; builds a sense of self-esteem, trust, and belonging; and can even overcome sensory issues. Majestic Hills in located in Lakeville so it's close to home. Joey will do the riding once a week. I think this is going to be very beneficial to our little man.
The Ten Commandments for Parents of Handicapped Children
1. Take one day at a time, and take that day positively. You don't have control over the future, over today, or over any other day, and neither does anyone else. Other people just think they do.
2. Never underestimate your child's potential. Allow him, encourage him, and expect him to develop to the best of his abilities.
3. Find and allow positive mentors: parents and professionals who can share with you their experience, advice, and support.
4. Provide and be involved with the most appropriate educational and learning environments for your child from infancy on.
5. Keep in mind the feelings and needs of your spouse and your other children. Remind them that this child does not get more of your love just because he gets more of your time.
6. Answer only to your conscience: then you'll be able to answer to your child. You need not justify your actions to your friends or the public.
7. Be honest with your feelings. You can't be a super-parent 24 hours a day. Allow yourself jealousy, anger, pity, frustration, and depression in small amounts whenever necessary.
8. Be kind to yourself. Don't focus continually on what needs to be done. Remember to look at what you have accomplished.
9. Stop and smell the roses. Take advantage of the fact that you have gained a special appreciation for the little miracles in life that others take for granted.
10. Keep and use a sense of humor. Cracking up with laughter can keep you from cracking up from stress.
11. There is no 11th, silly. (See the 10th).
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Life as we know it!
It has been another challenging week with Joey; I am learning as I go that there seems to be more challenging days than non challenging ones. On Wednesday of this week at Joey's skills training at Fraser Joey did not cooperate very well; there was a student in observing our session and that completely threw Joey off; he did a lot of hand flapping, covering his eyes and over all just wanted to "get out of there" as he says often when he doesn't want to do something.
We had Joey's school conferences on Wednesday; Joey is doing well, he has started to play side by side with other kids in the classroom; where as two months ago he would not even do that. He loves circle time and also playing in the motor gym. We are actually considering kindergarten for Joey next year in The Communication Interaction Program (CIP)which is a center-based program for students with special needs, primarily providing services for students with autism spectrum disorder in grades K-12. The CIP program provides a small classroom environment along with access to the mainstream classroom. Students in the program receive individualized academic and social skills instruction, as well as support in speech and language, adapted physical education, and occupational therapy. Joey turns 5 on August 1st so he could stay in the pre-school Autism program again next year which is only 3 1/2 hours versus the kindergarten classroom which is all day; we are leaning towards kindergarten even though it is scary to even think about it at this point.
Joey will go to school all Summer through August and hopefully that will help to better prepare him for what is coming next. Developmentally Joey is at a 2 year age level so we all know that we have a long road in front of us with lots and lots of hard work.
HBO had a movie about Temple Grandin on last Saturday night; if you don't know much about her I suggest you take a look at her website: http://templegrandin.com/. Temple has Autism and through all of the challenges that she has faced she has a Ph. D and is a Proffesor of Animal Science at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. She is truly an inspiration.
I will leave you with one thought:
"Many autistics are told that they are broken, diseased, and dysfunctional. This is simply untrue. My wish for all autistics is that they will realize their self-worth and not believe the myth that they are someone that needs fixing."
I love you my Jo-Jo man!!!
We had Joey's school conferences on Wednesday; Joey is doing well, he has started to play side by side with other kids in the classroom; where as two months ago he would not even do that. He loves circle time and also playing in the motor gym. We are actually considering kindergarten for Joey next year in The Communication Interaction Program (CIP)which is a center-based program for students with special needs, primarily providing services for students with autism spectrum disorder in grades K-12. The CIP program provides a small classroom environment along with access to the mainstream classroom. Students in the program receive individualized academic and social skills instruction, as well as support in speech and language, adapted physical education, and occupational therapy. Joey turns 5 on August 1st so he could stay in the pre-school Autism program again next year which is only 3 1/2 hours versus the kindergarten classroom which is all day; we are leaning towards kindergarten even though it is scary to even think about it at this point.
Joey will go to school all Summer through August and hopefully that will help to better prepare him for what is coming next. Developmentally Joey is at a 2 year age level so we all know that we have a long road in front of us with lots and lots of hard work.
HBO had a movie about Temple Grandin on last Saturday night; if you don't know much about her I suggest you take a look at her website: http://templegrandin.com/. Temple has Autism and through all of the challenges that she has faced she has a Ph. D and is a Proffesor of Animal Science at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. She is truly an inspiration.
I will leave you with one thought:
"Many autistics are told that they are broken, diseased, and dysfunctional. This is simply untrue. My wish for all autistics is that they will realize their self-worth and not believe the myth that they are someone that needs fixing."
I love you my Jo-Jo man!!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
What a week!!!
This week started out going well, Joey went to school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
To make a long story short Joey had been having some problems with his teeth, on New Years Eve we went to the Pediatric Dentist at Metro Dental and Joey had a tooth that was so infected they had to extract it; in order to do this they gave Joey laughing gas and also put him in something like a straightjacket. It was a terrible experience for him and myself. We went to the U of M Dental Clinic in early January and they said that in order to do all of the dental work that Joey needed done they would have to do so in the Operating Room (OR). They put us on a cancellation list and ended up calling on Wednesday February 3rd saying that they had an appointment open the next day the 4th of February; I took the appointment and had him in on Wednesday for his pre-op physical. We were told to be at the U yeterday at 8:00 AM and surgery would start at 10:00 AM; they ended up not getting started until 11:03 AM. I was able to go with him back to the OR until he was put under, I was very happy to be able to do this but it was also heartbreaking seeing the look of total fear in Joey's eyes; I tried to explain to him what was happening but he just did not understand. He was in the OR for 2 hours; they ended up doing 5 crowns, 4 fillings and a cleaning. Most of the doctors and nurses were wonderful. The doctor came out to get me when Joey was just waking up in recovery and I could hear him screaming from way down the hall. When I walked in the room there were two nurses trying to get Joey to stay in the bed and not pull his IV out; which he was trying very hard to do. He was in reovery for almost two hours. We left the hospital at around 3:00 PM. Joey did pretty well last night; he slept through the night and woke up this morning doing okay. It was a long day yesterday and I am so glad that it is over; I only pray that we never have to go through that again.
I would like to thank my wonderful Mom and Sister for being there to support Joey and I and also for watching Abby and David.
Joey is so lucky to have so many people that love and support him. He is an amazing little guy.
To make a long story short Joey had been having some problems with his teeth, on New Years Eve we went to the Pediatric Dentist at Metro Dental and Joey had a tooth that was so infected they had to extract it; in order to do this they gave Joey laughing gas and also put him in something like a straightjacket. It was a terrible experience for him and myself. We went to the U of M Dental Clinic in early January and they said that in order to do all of the dental work that Joey needed done they would have to do so in the Operating Room (OR). They put us on a cancellation list and ended up calling on Wednesday February 3rd saying that they had an appointment open the next day the 4th of February; I took the appointment and had him in on Wednesday for his pre-op physical. We were told to be at the U yeterday at 8:00 AM and surgery would start at 10:00 AM; they ended up not getting started until 11:03 AM. I was able to go with him back to the OR until he was put under, I was very happy to be able to do this but it was also heartbreaking seeing the look of total fear in Joey's eyes; I tried to explain to him what was happening but he just did not understand. He was in the OR for 2 hours; they ended up doing 5 crowns, 4 fillings and a cleaning. Most of the doctors and nurses were wonderful. The doctor came out to get me when Joey was just waking up in recovery and I could hear him screaming from way down the hall. When I walked in the room there were two nurses trying to get Joey to stay in the bed and not pull his IV out; which he was trying very hard to do. He was in reovery for almost two hours. We left the hospital at around 3:00 PM. Joey did pretty well last night; he slept through the night and woke up this morning doing okay. It was a long day yesterday and I am so glad that it is over; I only pray that we never have to go through that again.
I would like to thank my wonderful Mom and Sister for being there to support Joey and I and also for watching Abby and David.
Joey is so lucky to have so many people that love and support him. He is an amazing little guy.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Joey had a fairly good weekend. On Saturday we went to Molly's basketball game and then to McDonalds afterwards; for the first time ever Joey climbed in the tubes he got nervous a few times but overall did really well, that is something he would not do 2 months ago.
Joey's teachers came out last Thursday evening for a home visit; we were able to discuss Joey's progress in school and also different things we can be doing at home to help him out.
We have our second skills training on Wednesday. Joey will also start Occupational Therapy (OT) at the Childrens Therapy Center in Eagan on February 22, I was so happy they were able to get us in so soon.
Cory and I are also in the process if getting a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for Joey, this is someone that will come to our home in the mornings before school and evenings to help us care for Joey; this will be very nice for Cory and I since Joey needs constant one on one supervision.
This Saturday at the Ridgedale Mall Cory and I are going to take the kids to see The Tooth Fairy; they have Sensory Friendly films whenever a new kids movie comes out for kids with Autism; I am so excited. Joey loves going to movies but we usually have to leave shortly after they start because he gets so excited, we don't have to worry about that here;-)
Other than that we are staying busy and taking every day as it comes!
Joey's teachers came out last Thursday evening for a home visit; we were able to discuss Joey's progress in school and also different things we can be doing at home to help him out.
We have our second skills training on Wednesday. Joey will also start Occupational Therapy (OT) at the Childrens Therapy Center in Eagan on February 22, I was so happy they were able to get us in so soon.
Cory and I are also in the process if getting a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) for Joey, this is someone that will come to our home in the mornings before school and evenings to help us care for Joey; this will be very nice for Cory and I since Joey needs constant one on one supervision.
This Saturday at the Ridgedale Mall Cory and I are going to take the kids to see The Tooth Fairy; they have Sensory Friendly films whenever a new kids movie comes out for kids with Autism; I am so excited. Joey loves going to movies but we usually have to leave shortly after they start because he gets so excited, we don't have to worry about that here;-)
Other than that we are staying busy and taking every day as it comes!
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