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Things I do with my son

5/11/2014

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Our youngest son was diagnosed with PDD NOS, SPD, Speech delay, etc. 3 years ago.  In the beginning, it was hard to watch as a parent because he may have 1 good week and 2 or 3 really bad ones where he would melt down and just be miserable.  Thankfully, the pediatrician started OT, PT and speech therapies based on his symptoms, prior to him being actually diagnosed. 

Once we did get diagnosed we were fortunate enough to already have the at home therapies in place.  His speech therapist is the only original therapist.  We must have fired at least 5 or 6 between PT and OT's!  LOL  People were telling us that they knew sensory processing and they did not, so if we saw that and didn't feel comfortable, I was calling the home health agency and telling them we wanted someone else!  Now, we have PT and speech at home and OT at a facility, but he can handle that now. 

The one thing that I have always tried to do is engage my son as though I understood him, even when he could not communicate, and I got down on the floor and played with him and still do to this day.  As far as being available for my wife and kids, my situation was perfect because I was un-employed.  Not fun for me as far as career movement goes or good on our pocket book, but I was available for all the good and bad times.  My son has changed dramatically over the past 3 years.  He turns 5 this summer, but his therapies have worked.  He can talk now.  He still has garbled language, but that can be worked on.  Now, we play cars and action figures and he makes the cars and guys talk.  Our two other kids who are older, also play with him and interact with him. 

I think that the biggest factor is his progress has been the approach we have all taken with him and that has been to include him as much as possible in our play, our conversations, etc. We all encourage him, but understand that he will have his meltdowns, struggles, etc. and we encourage patience.  Patience, Love and engagement, I think are the three most important things in helping a child to progress. 

For a long time, I would have to just take about 30 minutes per week to myself and disappear into the bedroom and just let out my emotions, because it would just build up.  Same with my wife.  Now, even though he still has certain struggles that are different, I hang on to the smiles, the laughter, the affections he sometimes shows and use it to get me through the more difficult times he has. 

What do you find is most helpful with your son or daughter?  Do you have any tips that you would like to tell others about?










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The effects from sensory overload continue!  

10/4/2012

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My 3 year old earlier this school year, spent 12 days in school in mostly a mainstream pre-K class.  After those 12 days, the results were horrific, to say the least!  He regressed in many ways, such as no longer using his words, increased head banging, no longer eating, and continuous sensory overload without recovering.  


We actually took him to the doctor and he had lost a little bit of weight due to not eating.  He has always been a finicky eater and we have had to supplement with Pediasure on many different occasions in the past and again during this episode.  


My son has been out of that environment, per doctor's orders, until we can resolve the issue through ARD meetings.  We are going on almost 4 weeks of no school and my son has recovered quite a bit.  He is talking more again, using that 25 word vocabulary he has, and is getting to where he tolerates things better again and is eating to where he gained his weight back.  Now, we still take my 4 year old daughter to pre-k at the same school every morning and we usually take Robert with us.  Something of interest is that we tell him that he is coming home with us and not going to school.  He actually has sensory issues just from going up to that school, even though he stays in the car with me.  And many days, it actually affects him all day long to where he will be very clingy with my wife, very impatient and have several meltdowns.  Our cure now is going to just not even take him in the mornings to take my daughter to school!  In all likely hood, I don't see us getting him back to school this year.  I think that he is better of in a more therapeutic environment for now and then my wife, with her educator background, will work with him on school stuff and home school him in a more sensory friendly environment.  

How is your child doing in school?  What is the worst you have seen when it comes to your child's sensory processing issues
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What a Day - The ARD Fiasco

10/3/2012

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Today, I attended my first ARD with my 3 year old's elementary school.  My wife attended the initial ARDS when we first got him into school in the pre-K / PPCD class.  He actually attended 12 days of school and then has been out for over three weeks due to sensory overload, regression and the fact that he stopped eating.  Honestly, it felt like we were back watching the regression between 9 and 12 months all over again!   

Needless to say, I was maybe there for 30 minutes, but it really messed up the rest of my day!  The thought of what took place and them moving a little but not to where we need to be.  And the whole educational versus medical autism train of thought came into play.  I had heard of this, but never have seen it until today and it is real!  And what makes no sense to me, is that these people are not medical doctors.  They do not have a medical degree or their physicians license, yet they think that they know what is best for my child?!?!?!  And I have news for them....  When a child has medical autism, they also have educational autism, because if they needs are not met, especially those with sensory processing issues, they will not learn a thing!  And how can a child learn with 27 students in a noisy classroom with all sorts of stimulating things on the walls, plus through in the fluorescent lights and Houston, we have a problem!!!  



Anyway, I am hoping that we will eventually resolve or he will not be back in that school until he gets a little older and can maybe handle it all better without the regression, etc.  


Have you had a similar experience?  What was the outcome?  


Robert Hutchins
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