My son's Therapies

My 8 year old son has high functioning Autism.  He has actually come a long way.  He only had about 6 words until he was 4 years old. 

He currently receives ABA therapy, OT, and Social Skills Training outside of school and receives OT, SLT, and special education in an inclusion classroom. 

The ABA has been the most helpful.  The BCBA has designed a points system for us to use and it works well to keep him on track and doing what he is supposed to.  He can't really do anything fun without earning points.  He earns points by following directions, completing chores, refraining from arguing and negotiating, etc.  He also has feeding trials which can earn him a free activity.  He has a limited selection of items that he will eat by choice. 

His points system is set up on an IPod Touch with the BeGood app.  He also uses IPrompts for a visual schedule.

The OT outside of school is designed to strengthen his upper body so he will be able to write more easily and tie his shoes.  The OT inside of school works on his handwriting.

The SLT is more for social skills within school and his Social Skills Group outside of school is run by a Clinical Social Worker.  He really enjoys the one outside of school and it is good to see him making friends there.

He seldom sleeps for longer than 4 hours a night.  We have previously tried Melatonin, which just seemed to make him more wide awake when he did wake up.  Even the time release did not keep him asleep.  We tried a weighted blanket, but he has come to the realiztion that it makes him fall asleep and refuses to use it anymore. He is a very active sleeper, so it does not stay on him even when he uses it.

We're always looking for something new that might benefit him.  My greatest concern is the social aspect.

Happy New Year!

I've never been very good at New Year's Resolutions.  I tend to make them and then quickly forget.  Hopefully this year I can do better.

Resolution #1
This year, I intend to appreciate my older children more.  They are 14 and 15.  I have become primarily the individual that drives them around town, drops off, and picks up.  My son and I manage to have good conversations, but my daughter and I seem to have lost that connection.  There are only a few more years left that I can count on the older children being around.  I am going to enjoy every minute with them, even if it involves driving. 

Resolution #2
I will play with my youngest child more.  Since he has Autism and multiple dr's appts and therapies, I tend to feel rushed a lot.  I am going to make sure that taking care of him also means playing.  It's time I had some fun. 

Resolution #3
I will be thankful for the life I have.  God has blessed me so much and I need to remember that every day.

There are only three of them, so I hope that I can actually keep them this year.