0 The Dentist

His appointment was May 1st.

We've been practicing for a month.  Literally, a month.

First there was "The Dentist Story."  It was a handwritten story that one of his therapist wrote.  It laid out  how we were going to practice going to the Dentist, what the list would look like on the big day of the things we would do at the Dentist, and how he will be a big boy.  He was OBSESSED with the book.  Took it to school, made everyone read it, and even took it to bed with him.

Then it was practicing Dentist during therapy.  The therapists made video models (where we tape them doing the desired activity for Jonathan to watch).  He would watch the videos over and over and over.  He had them memorized.  Then he wanted to perform them, like a little play.  They would practice during therapy too.  He was letting the girls brush his teeth and count them.  He even wanted to play Dentist at school.

Then we hit a snag.  When it was time to brush his teeth in the morning and at night, he HAD to do it like the video models.  I don't blame him.  This was his current favorite thing to do. But lately he's been getting stuck on activities, so brushing teeth before bed would take an hour sometimes.  In frustration when trying to get him to lay down to sleep, I would grumble, "Lay down!"  He would respond, "Open mouth!"  Touche, young man.  Touche.

So the big day came.  He was ready.  I left work early to go pick him up.  One of his therapist had a bag ready for me with all the practice items...Handy Manny, toothbrushes, a blanket to lay down on the chair, his book, the lists....we were set up for success!

We arrived at the Dentist.  Stephanie, Jonathan's senior therapist, was there to help too.  Jonathan was reading down the list, crossing off completed tasks.  He was excited!  We even got to the part of "going into the Dentist's room and sitting in chair."  We were rocking the list!

And then.....lay down.

Forget it!  He wanted no part.  We let him practice on Handy Manny.  We let him practice on Stephanie.  But now, it was go time.  And he wanted no part. 

So what do you think I did?  What any mother would do of course.  I laid on his legs and held his arms while the Dentist brush, counted and did his thing.  Jonathan screamed the whole time.  But I have to say, he knew what he wanted.  "STAND UP!  ALL DONE!  STAND UP!"

The best was when the Dentist said, "OK, I'm going to count to 20."  And Jonathan yelled back, "26!  You want 26!"  (They had been practicing counting 26 teeth in therapy). 

So when it was over, Jonathan got up, gave the Dentist a high-five, and was ready to roll.  Tears were gone, and he was fine.  Except, there was an elevator under repair in the lobby.  He has a new fascination with elevators.  As a friend said, it was like salt in the wound because he could not ride the broken elevator.  The elevator repair man was there and let us look inside.  After that, we were good.

The appointment, with all the practice and preparation, was a little bit of a disappointment.  But at least we got over it.  And I can only hope each time will get better and better.  I'm glad I don't have to lie to my son about where we are going and what is going to happen on these appointments. And I"m thankful for the Dentist staff for being understanding.  And for all our therapists who let Jonathan brush their teeth and get all up close to them in practice.  Small steps.  Small steps.

Oh, and he still has to lay down to brush his teeth in the morning and at night.  And he does have 26 teeth.  He counts them twice a day too.

Detail: The Dentist

0 Video Models and Walking in the Springtime

Two topics - One Blog post.  Here goes:

Our therapists have been creating video models of how to play certain games.  Examples are: how to play with Mister Potato Head, car ramp, coloring, etc.  It gives Jonathan an example of the appropriate ways to play something, which is often lost on him.  We've had video models recorded and put on DVDs for us in the past.  But thanks to technology, we are now able to download them directly to his iPad.  This past week during therapy, he can watch one of the videos and then try to play that activity.

This has been working.  Working so well in fact, that all weekend, he has been imitating the video models to a tee.  He recreates the scene, by playing the games in the exact locations they were filmed in our home, the same sequence, even some of the same words used.   While I know this plays on his imitation, my hope is that after he gets that down, he can expand on his own within the activity.

But it has been really sweet watching him.  So I have filmed him doing these video models so he can watch them too

Here is an example.  The first video is Ali playing with spelling cards.  (I did get Ali's permission to post this video).  Next is Jonathan doing the same activity.  (it is only a portion of the whole video, but you get the picture).  It really makes me smile.

Now for the second topic - Walking in Springtime

It is an AMAZING Sunday here today.  We decided to take a family walk around the block.  However Jonathan wanted to keep going.  We ended up taking a 2 mile walk around our neighborhood.  He kept up and was excited to walk, without his wagon!  Almost every time we walked by a light pole, stop sign or street marker, he would open his arms out wide.  I wasn't sure what he was doing.  It was almost like he wanted to hug them.  He did in fact hug one pole, but otherwise he kept walking.

We passed a group of little boys playing baseball in their yard.  One of the boys looked up and yelled, "Hi Jonathan!"  It was a boy from his school.  So we stopped, and I told Jonathan to say HI, and he did.  I waved to the parents, and we were on our way.  I was so glad that one of his classmates was happy to see him, and that Jonathan, with a prompt, could respond back.

As Jonathan and I strolled, hand in hand, I thought how nice this was.  We didn't have to talk.  We didn't have to do anything except walk and enjoy each other.  I didn't want to be anywhere else, or with anyone else.  My buddy and me, taking a walk in the Springtime.  It was perfect.

Detail: Video Models and Walking in the Springtime

0 Jonathan and his Posse

I've often wondered what the neighbors are thinking when they see 5 women in their early 20's leaving my house.  Or what they think when they see them coming and going separately at various hours during the day.  Mike does work from home...what is going on there??  On neighbor asked me about all the UPS deliveries, but I don't think she had enough guts to ask me about the women. 

Ahhh, in-home therapy.  So glamorous!

I mentioned, Jonathan now is receiving ABA Therapy through the Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP).  He has one-on-one therapy for about 25+ hours a week, on top of going to school in the morning.  He will also start speech, occupational and special ed therapy at school, which he had last year.  But now he has the one-on-one at home now too.

We have 3 or 4 line therapists, mostly recent college grads.  We also have a senior therapist, clinical director, and clinical supervisor.  (I'm already looking for thrifty Christmas gifts to get everyone.)  These people are coming and going from my house all the time.  We also have weekly meetings, bi-monthly meetings, and a re-evaluations every 6 months.  (I'm exhausted just writing this.)

How has Jonathan reacted?  He likes therapy. He has funny inside jokes with each one, and eagerly greets them when they arrive at the house. He get rewards. ABA really values positive reinforcement.  He does great at the academic part.  He has a hard time at the playtime choices.  His days are very structured, which has provided GREAT challenges. 

He currently does anything and everything he can to control his environment.  He wants the lights off, he wants the lights on.  He flips the switches.  He wants the milk (yellow milk) out and placed in a very specific area on the table.  He wants the door locked.  He wants the door open.  You never know what he wants, but if it is not the way HE wants it...tantrum time!  Since WEAP started, I feel like he's become more autistic, or at least demonstrating more autistic behaviors.

Yellow Milk in it's proper place

This may be part of the process.  He may be flexing his muscles here.  But he is verbalizing and telling us wants and needs more.  There's that silver-lining!  But he is interacting...small victories.  Small victories.

Detail: Jonathan and his Posse