Dean’s ABA Week

Let me just tell you that it has been a difficult week and I’m on vacation no less. I am actually writing this on the day that it is going up, because I have been too emotionally drained to prewrite my posts. I have a lot of personal shit going on right now, which basically involves me moving out on my own with Dean with little to no assistance from my dad. He keeps going back and forth on whether or not he will help watch Dean until the school year next Fall. I think that I’ll be moving sometime in the Spring/Early Summer. I’ll have my move out money ready by the end of this year/early next year. My dad will need his move out money too though and in the mean time I will be paying more than my fair share of the rent (about $225 more than I would out on my own). So, it easy to say that I am pretty pissed about that. The sooner I leave, the better for everyone. I just want to be happy again. But that’s enough depressing shit. Dean’s the light of my world and I love him so much. But I have to take care of myself to take better care of him and being in such a negative, mommy bashing environment can’t be good for him.

10/29/18 – Ann

Did well on programs, seeking prompts with clapping, dinosaurs, links. List behaviors observed: lick, mouth, flop. Started new pictures during snack. Picked up on strawberry picture right away, needed prompts for new chips picture. Licking items instead of mouthing.

10/29/18 – Joyce

Discussed moving to non identical matching, child can handle a field of 6 for identical matching. BCBA reminded grandparent today is her last day. Performed direct service with client (D-BCBA session only) ran gmi, potato head, did bubbles, read Panda Bear Panda Bear, child out his hand in glitter goo, did Velcro birthday cake, pointing, squeezed clothespins, nested large cups. Grandparent commented child likely tired

10/30/18 – Ann

Very active, seeking tickles, calmed at end of session. List behaviors observed: flop, mouthing slinky. Dean very active, flopping while smiling and seeking my attention. Matching looks great. Did well once calmed second half of session.

10/30/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He had some trouble with transitioning, but did well on programs. He enjoyed bubbles and singing. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

10/31/18 – Ann

Active, more prompts to engage with toys. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Shorter session due to family doctor appointment. Increased flopping at start of session. Did well with increased reinforcements.

11/1/18 – Ann

Attended well, introduced non identical matching pictures. List behaviors observed: flop, mouth. Dean had a good morning. More focused than he had been other days earlier this week. Ate a good snack. Did well with a variety of toy items.

11/1/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. We enjoyed playing and singing today. He did well with programs.

11/2/18 – Ann

A little fussy with a runny nose. List behaviors observed: flop, mouthing. Dean did well with matching non identical pictures. Attempting to put playdough in mouth. Sat well for most toys.

With Love,

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Dean’s ABA Week

Joyce’s replacement Jolene is a good fit for us. On first impressions, I really like her and I think that her viewpoint might be better suited to us than Joyce. Joyce was very strict and Jolene is a bit more lenient. Jolene is also more focused on getting Dean to talk, because she thinks that all of those words are locked up inside of him. She thinks that with enough stimulation, he might actually start to speak. I am super excited about this. Instead of focusing on a lot of skill building, we will be focusing on speech and finger strengthening. We need to strengthen his hands and finger in order for him to hold a pencil, utensils, and be able to clap and stuff like that. It is another chapter in Dean’s life and this series will go on with a new supervisor. I am very proud of how far my little guy has come in such a short amount of time. Our year with ABA is coming up soon!

10/22/18 – Ann

Active, smiling, and playful. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean was playful, seeking tickles. Did several independent arms up. Needed prompts to flip to second page in PECS book. Used picture to request tickles.

10/22/18 – Joyce

Discussed next appropriate toys and programs child initiated handing off for tickles for more than one therapist, sat in chair on own, no direction given for water. Grandparent informed new BCBA taking case, will set up apt.

10/23/18 – Deb

Dean did great today on programs. He sat well for trials and for longer periods of time. Dean independently sat down with his water today. He did great handing mom the PECS pictures for a granola bar. List behaviors observed: flopping

10/23/18 – Joyce

Parent mentioned EI discussed waiver program, BCBA responded saying HMEA could have further discussion with parent. Parent showed good follow through, parent observed entire session, parent spoke to child ‘s increased interest in toy play/toys, parent discussed success of child’s new bed and bedroom environment. Therapist asks relevant questions for programming, therapist needs to increase pace of session and keep child going with less breaks in frequency and duration.

10/23/18 – Ann

Afternoon session, sat for briefer durations. List behaviors observed: licking, flop. Dean did great matching. Stacked 8 blocks. Sat for briefer durations than he does in the morning.

10/24/18 – Ann

Very active, licking a lot of things. List behaviors observed: lick, flop. Dean was active today, trying to complete toy items very quickly. Not interested in snack. Matching and pointing still looking great.

10/25/18 – Ann

Sat well for first hour, more active for second hour. List behaviors observed: lick, mouth, flop. Dean did well this morning. Very focused at start of session. Liked New puzzle and book. Giving me his hands when I present clap hands.

10/25/18 – Deb

Dean did great today, he had great eye contact. Dean did well with programs. Dean said “8” when completing my number puzzle. He was also imitating blowing and enjoyed bubbles and singing. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

10/25/18 – Joyce

Updated child’s bx plan and bxs. Generated ICONS (child should be using both icons and real photos at this time) for food items, olives, pickles, various specific fruit juices.

With Love,

 

Dean’s ABA Week

Another long week for his ABA sessions. I love it when he has a full week and I got to be home for this one. A week at my house is always super busy with people coming and going. Dean currently has a little cold and I bought him some Vicks to relieve his stuffy nose. It seems to be one thing after another for him and it makes me said. This is a boy who is hardly sick, so it is tough on me when it does happen. I just feel so helpless. I am currently suffering from an intestinal infection as well, so we are all just sick babies over here. lol. Dean is getting so big. He looks like a little boy now instead of a baby. He still has those adorable chubby cheeks and is always yelling “Mom!”. It is really cute. The other day, he put his hands in mine and told me that he loved me. It is moments like these that give me hope that he will have a bright future and finally, FINALLY, talk to us.

10/15/18 – Ann

Very low levels of behaviors, focused well on programs. List behaviors observed: mouth. Dean had a good morning. Liked slime, briefly played with kinetic sand. Did well on all programs.

10/15/18 – Joyce

Performed direct service with client (D-BCBA session only). Ran GMI with child, did new Potato Head (large) and new birthday puzzle, did new books, worked on PECS requesting songs. Assessment or Treatment Planning moved Pointing and AWO back into routines viewed Bx to Increase Graphs, RTN variable Wrote experimental Open Ended Play program

10/16/18 – Ann

Slow morning, tired. List behaviors observed: mouth, lick. Dean was tired, so moved slow through programs. Not interested in eating very much.

10/16/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He Sat well during activities and transitioned well from the trampoline for trials. Dean had good joint eye contact and pointing.  Dean did not sleep well last night. He was up a lot according to mom.

10/17/18 – Ann

Tired. Dean not sleeping well at night. Dean was tired again this morning from staying up later at night. Discussed matching and next steps for non-identical matching.

10/17/18 – Joyce

Discussed new open ended toy play program, will add 5 block structure for expanded play, will begin non identical matching (2D), used BCBAs toysParent showed good follow through. Mom stayed in room for entire session.

10/17/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He did well on programs, was independently matching pictures today. He enjoyed playing with the playdough and the magna doodles. Dean had good eye contact. We also played with new puzzles, he did well with the New puzzles. List behaviors observed: flopping.

10/18/18 – Ann

Tired, moved slow through programs. List behaviors observed: flop. Dean still having trouble getting to bed at night. Sleepy this morning. Going to doctor today for flu shot and rash on face. Dean was sleepy and moving slow through programs this morning. Zero instances of mouthing today. Great independent matching.

10/18/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He sat well for programs. Dean had great joint eye contact. We started having Dean request snacks from mom and he did awesome and was requesting food independently. Went over programs with Joyce.

10/18/18 – Joyce

BCBA informed parent of BCBA transition. Parent showed good follow through parent did orcs for chip with child, child did 5/7 independent exchanges. Therapist prepared with excellent non identical matching cards, non identical matching to be added to child’s programs.

10/19/18 – Deb

Dean did great today on programs. He had great eye contact. He enjoyed jumping on the trampoline at the end of the session. He said “bye” while I was packing up my toys! Dean did great with PECS with mom independently handing the picture. Dean had a flu shot yesterday and also was diagnosed with MRSA. He slept great last night on the new mattress.

10/19/18 – Ann

Making noises from throat through most of session. List behaviors observed: flop. Had flu shot last night. Being treated for MRSA on face. Dean was making a lot of noises today. Tired and almost falling asleep during snack. Matching looks great.

With Love,

Dean’s ABA Week

It was a bit bitter sweet this weekend, because we found out that Joyce put in her two weeks notice. She will be working in her home state in the school system. I wish her the best of luck, but all of us will really miss her. We may have gotten on wrong footing to start with but she really grew on us. I don’t know who the replacement is going to be yet, but the staff is mostly women so I doubt it will be a man. I think they keep the men for the single dads to relate to. lol. Dean is FINALLY going to have his play assessment at the school during the month of November. I am really nervous about it, but I will have an entourage with me. I’m not alone. I just don’t really know what to expect and how we will be treated. I hope we will be out of this town next year, but it isn’t looking like it. I’d rather he go to a different school in a different town than the one we are in. The state had to take over, because of child trafficking and pornography. Don’t really want him to go there whether the state took over or not.

10/9/18 – Ann

Sat well with preferred activities, seeking attention. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean was seeking attention and tickles during work times. Started first then board with First play, then  tickles. Continued independence with links and hanging monkeys/dinosaurs. Needed prompts to exchange PECS with Joyce.

10/9/18 – Joyce

Child seeking attention, smiles, requiring redirection back to task, may be looking for more physical interaction with therapist, BCBA served as second person for me exchange generalization. Secured direct BCBA one hour session per week for future. Therapist is trying new trinkets and items as potential reinforcers. Assessment or Treatment Planning: generated new PECS organization book for client (plastic pages), generated dinner icons for home use, and generic icons for ABA Staff use.

10/9/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He had great eye contact and pointing. Dean had a few instances of flopping  when Demands were placed but was said re directed. Dean did great on programs. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

10/10/18 – Ann

Dean sat well for all activities, good eye contact. Dean sat well for all activities. Good eye contact and pointing for requesting. Continued to show independence with matching. Very chatty, lots of sounds.

10/10/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He did well on programs. Dean was independently signing all done after trials. Dean was shaking his head no at times. He sat right down to eat snacks, great requesting snacks. Dean started licking materials, his hands and shirt more than typically. Dean independently placed 4 potato head pieces in this afternoon. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

10/11/18 – Ann

Great session, very attentive. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop, escape. Dean did a great job this morning. Sat for longer than usual with toy activities. Following gesture prompt to match pictures.

10/11/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He did well on programs. We tried a doodle board with Dean and drawing imitation. Dean did well sitting and completing tasks. Dean had great eye contact today. We discussed programs and New possible behavior. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

10/11/18 – Joyce

Provided feedback to therapist/family member/other personnel instructed therapist to redirect licking by providing chew tube, child may throw chew tube but providing still may serve as a redirection. Parent showed good follow through mom attended entire session, ABA gave parent newly organized book for housing PECS. Asked therapist to do Magna Doodle for sessions, Provided tactile materials for sessions (sand, play doh). Facilitated PECS with mom, child received new plastic pages in pecs book, child explored pages, worked on page turn with mom, asked mom to run food orcs one time per day, asked that icons be used in addition to real photos.

10/12/18 – Ann

Dean sat well at start of session. Dean here to observe. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop, escape. Dean tried New slime. Used Magnadoodle and held pen to scribble. Did well turning page of book to find PECS book.

10/12/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He sat great for activities. Dean had good eye contact. He enjoyed a few different toys and books throughout the session. He became tired towards the end of the session . List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping. Dean was up during the early Program hours today.

With Love,

Dean’s ABA Week

This will be uploading on the final week of the semester. I am currently writing this the week before, so right now it is the beginning of week 7. I will soon be having a September semester wrap up post and also a semester beginning post as well for the October to December semester which is the final one of the year. I will actually be getting a two week break from school at the end of the year, I believe. I still have yet to do my September project 200 pan update post. I will probably work on that one after this one. Anyway, Dean has been doing amazing with his therapy. He still isn’t talking and I still haven’t heard from the school. He is doing so well though. He just starting matching identical flash cards, so I am trying to buy him different flash cards to do the matching game with. He is super into firetrucks and I will have redone his room by now. You will be seeing a Dean room tour. Not sure if his closet will be done, but his room will be. He still has a bunch of junk in his closet. I think I will make his closet a separate post. I don’t think that I’ll get it done any time soon.

10/1/18 – Joyce

Assessment or Treatment Planning: adjusting number of trials, maintenance, most to least and least to most for programming.

10/3/18 – Ann

Dean sat well for all programs, increased independence with monkeys. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop, escape. Dean had a cold, runny nose. Sleep problems Monday but better now. Dean did great despite having stuffy, runny nose. Attended well to all toys. Several independent matches. Used PECS during snack.

10/3/18 – Deb

Dean did well today on programs. He still has his cold and a little cough. Dean did well on independently completing pop beads. He did well eating pudding with a spoon. He had great eye contact and pointing. List behaviors observed: mouthing.

10/3/18 – Joyce

Observed child eat apple off of core, child recovering from cold, first cold ever, child just woke up from nap, bcba to make dinner icons for pecs. Parents will begin to use pecs book for dinner. Parent showed good follow through. Parent trying new foods with child. Parent / caregiver participated during this session updated bcba on child’s recent illness.

10/4/18 – Ann

Sat well first hour, very active end of session. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean still has runny, stuffy nose. Did great with all programs first hour. More flopping and running second part of session. Linked three dinosaurs independently.

10/4/18 – Deb

Dean did great today on programs. We worked on requesting songs using the PECS. Dean also was imitating me on blowing. Dean did great sitting and transitioned well from break to play. Dean was attempting some words today and was more vocal this morning.

10/4/18 – Joyce

Explained to therapist program title for matching is identical 2D matching with everyday objects as it reflected the cards therapists were already using, explained songs are to be done with PECS each session so child is exposed to requesting items other than food. Grandparent shown song request with PECS.

10/5/18 – Ann

Dean was very active. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean was very active this morning. Silly and looking for tickles. Getting much more independently with linking dinosaurs and connecting links.

With Love,

Dean’s ABA Week

This is another long ABA week, but I see that the next ABA week will be a shorter post. On Tuesday of that week, he had a day off, because everyone was going through training, kinda like a development day for teachers. This week I have been able to work from home and it is glorious, I tell you. I love waking up early and getting some homework done. Then, I hope onto my work server and start my day. I’m able to change a diaper here and put a dish away there. I might be folding some laundry, while I’m waiting on the last few minutes before punching out for lunch. It’s great. I don’t have to pack a lunch or change out of my pajamas. I will be in for a shock when I can’t work from home as much or at all depending upon my future job. But I look forward to those surprise Dean run ins where he runs into my room and wants to say hi. It’s great to see your kid “at work” and being able to spend some time with him, even if it is just him playing with a puzzle at my feet while I’m working. I just love it.

9/24/18 – Joyce

Big Data Adjustments: set items moved, mastery changed, maintenance added.

9/24/18 – Ann

Dean was upset throughout session. Listed behaviors: flop, cry, one mouth. Dean was tired this afternoon. Crying with demands. A little better after eating, but pushing preferred foods and bottle away. Great doing several pieces of potato head on his own.

9/24/18 – Joyce

​​Big Data Adjustments: set items moved, mastery changed, maintenance added​.

Suggestions/recommendations/Training Senior Behavior Analyst

9/25/18 – Ann

Dean was very active, increased mouthing. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean was very active this morning. Tried some new puzzles. Interested but needed prompts to complete. Had pudding at snack so worked on spoon use. Able to do all the motions but needed help to get scoop of pudding on spoon.

9/25/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He had a lot of energy. He maintained great eye contact and did great with pointing. We worked on sitting while drinking. Dean independently matched one picture. List behaviors observed: mouthing

9/26/18 – Ann

Sat for longer durations, flop when demands were placed. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean sat for longer durations than yesterday. Some flipping when demands were placed. Did great eating an apple. Doing well with new puzzles.

9/26/18 – Stefanie

Analyzed data Reviewed all targets to increase, determined which targets were mastered and needed to move to maintenance and which targets needed to be trained most-least, reviewed behaviors to decrease, reviewed all programs to determine which ones needed to be individualized. Assessment or Treatment Planning: went over phase adding phase lines to targets, and revised programs with Joyce

9/26/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He came and Sat down for toys. He did well matching 3 pictures independently. Dean did well on programs Implemented. We worked on sitting while drinking. Dean had fun jumping on the trampoline. List behaviors observed: mouthing

9/26/18 – Joyce

​Big Data: adjusting targets, distribution, number of staff, number of trials etc.

9/27/18 – Ann

Good attending, eye contact. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean had a great morning. Sat well for toy play. Seeing increased independence with matching. Did well find toy pieces that he needed when placed at a distance from him.

9/27/18 – Deb

Dean did great today on programs. Went over programs with Joyce and started Dean on matching shapes. He did great matching pictures independently. Also worked on Dean choosing songs from the PECS books and requesting. He had great eye contact today. List behaviors observed: mouthing and escaping

9/27/18 – Joyce

Other – Describe: had staff do matching, asked to see identical snap matching, reminded staff to be sure exchange happens when using pecs, modeled for staff page turn of orcs book, showed staff how to begin man’s for songs so that Dean is not only using p ecsbooks for food. Other – Describe: grandparent observed mand for songs

9/28/18 – Ann

Good eye contact, sat well for activities, short attention span last half hour of session. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop, escape. Dean matched 4 different pictures independently. Completed lots of activities first hour, but shorter attention and more active end of session.

9/28/18 – Deb

Dean did great today, he had a lot is energy. Dean independently placed 5 pop beads together after waiting him out a little, placing the potato head arms in and signing ” all done” before getting up. He did great matching objects independently for some trials. He had great eye contact and pointing today. List behaviors observed: mouthing and aggression

With Love,

Dean’s ABA

So, I have been toying with the idea of sharing songs that I have been enjoying lately. I am really into obscure bands and dark music lately. I am been listening to a lot of Starset and I love those guys! Anyways, Dean has been battling a cold. Can you believe that this isn’t a predone post? I’ve been so busy with school that I lost track of my posts and now I have to catch up on writing them. I have been keeping super busy with school and taking care of Dean that I haven’t had much time for my blog. I’m ready for a break from school but that ain’t coming for another 12 weeks. Dean has been making great strides in therapy and I couldn’t be happier. The more time goes on, I can’t help but think what if he stays a child forever? Is that really a bad thing? I don’t think it is and he opens up my eyes to something new everyday that I didn’t see before.

9/17/18 – Ann

Dean was very active to start, but then became more focused and stay longer to play. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop, escape. Dean did well with programs. Started to track escape behavior. Put in 3 pieces of number puzzle independently. Pointing and eye contact were good.

9/17/18 – Joyce

​Generated icons for songs for communication, food items, interactive file games for communication

9/18/18 – Ann

Rough start, much better after first half hour. List behaviors observed:mouth, flop, escape. Dean had a hard time at first with so many people here. Did well after a short time and had a typical session. Great getting more of number puzzle independently.

9/18/18 – Joyce

Discussed programs with family member/therapist/other personnel Discussed big data programs, remove escape tally, anything new set at most to least, check to see what happened to gross motor, print pictures for first then, need generic toy icon, need to add matching to big data. Other – Describe: additional supervisor observing  BCBA provided interactive song icons and two  interactive song boards, frogs and bus.  Child performed well, 3 staff today, required redirection for escape attempts

9/18/18 – Stephanie

Discussed programs with family member/therapist/other personnel: discussed programs and changes needed with Joyce , discussed mouthing and eating of books family has removed them unless he is supervised, making nice progress with pecs. Other – Describe: discussed mikes concerns around school.  EI told the family that Dean has to go to school 4 days.  The family doesn’t feel as though he is ready for that.  Discussed the benefits of school such as being with other kids, waiting, sharing, learning routines etc.  discussed that home Aba could continue but we would be a replacement for school.  Discussed what support he may need and using the evaluation period to go and see the program and what it would look like beige making any decisions

9/18/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. We tried introduced new songs Implemented for him to dance too.  He did well on programs, continues to have great pointing and she contact. We worked on sitting to drink. Attempted to say “hi”, “yay” and “yeah”. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping

9/18/18 – Joyce

Modeled programs modeled wheels on the bus with board, modeled exposing to freeze dance. Provided feedback to therapist/family member/other personnel told therapist to keep reading Spot flap book, so not terminate. Other – Describe: instructed therapist to begin exposing to songs like freeze dance and wheels on the bus, therapist noted child stacking 4 blocks, child made approximations that sounded like yay, hi, and yeah, child  smiling , active, attempting to gain eye contact from staff. Other – Describe: Therapist asked questions, asked how many blocks to stack, how many beads to string

9/19/18 – Ann

Did well most of session, fussy last 20 minutes. List behaviors observed:mouth, flop, escape. Dean did well with programs. Began matching identical pictures. Good job making choices with pictures at snack. Hard time at end of session.

9/19/18 – Joyce

Assessment or Treatment Planning
Created Close-ended toy play maintenance program, reactivated gmi program, child could use minimal one additional set of 2D matching cards, moved matching out of distributed trials, mass trials to start

9/19/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He had great eye contact and attempted to say “yes”. He did great with puzzles today. Dean Sat well during the session. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping

9/20/18 – Ann

Sat for longer duration. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean did well this morning. Continued with new matching program, very interested in the cards. Had fun playing in tunnel. Less protesting with non-preferred toys.

9/20/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He had lots of new sounds today, very vocal. Did great on pointing and eye contact. I started matching pictures with Dean today. List behaviors observed: mouthing

9/21/18 – Ann

Sat for brief durations, choosing preferred toys. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean sat for.shorter times than usual. Did better when given choices between activities. Very little mouthing.

9/21/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He sat well for programs. Dean did well on maintenance today. Dean enjoyed singing he itsy bitsy spider and row row boat. Dean made an attempt at saying “eye” and “arm” while putting the potato head. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping

9/21/18 – Joyce

Recommended adjustments made per Regional Director

renaming titles, adjusting domains, changing mass to distributed

created Maintenance Imitation Action with Object (in progress, need to identify mastered items)

With Love,

Dean’s ABA Week

Again, this is a loaded ABA post, so I am just going to have a short intro. As you know, I am reorganizing Dean’s room and it got me thinking about my own room and closet. I want to take some of his elements and incorporate it into my own closet. I really like the “sweater” bins and I will be using them to hold all of my jeans. I currently share a closet with my dad and basically my room for him to store his stuff in. Once I buy a house, I will be super happy to have my own bedroom and a separate office if I’m that lucky. I will settle with an office/bedroom combo. I got a massive migraine this weekend, so I didn’t really get stuff in his room done. I did some Christmas shopping instead and I am really happy with my finds. I’ll be sharing them soon.

9/10/18 – Ann

Dean was focused, good communication with pictures and pointing. Lisa from EI did transition planning meeting. List behaviors observed: mouthing, only one flop.

9/11/18 – Ann

Dean was focused and did well on programs. Dentist appointment today. Dean had a good morning. Discussed adding PECS to a second page in the book. Ready for more complex puzzles. Took cup away when throwing. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop.

9/11/18 – Joyce

Discussed programs with family member/therapist/other personnel child ready to move to higher level programming, interlocking puzzles , interactive file folder songs, etc, adding 2D identical matching. Other – Describe: beginning to teach page flip with PeCs book.

9/11/18 – Deb

Dean did great today. He was vocalizing more sounds during the session today. Dean had great eye contact. He sat well for activities and enjoyed tickles and bubbles during breaks. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

9/12/18 – Ann

Dean was very focused and did well on programs. List behaviors observed: mouth. Dean was very happy and playful, seeking tickles. Did great sitting to complete several toys in a row. Started new number puzzle.

9/12/18 – Deb

Dean did great on programs today. He did great with a few different toys. Dean had great eye contact and pointing. He became tired towards the end of the session. List behaviors observed: mouthing. Dean went to the dentist yesterday. Everything looks good with his teeth.

9/13/18 – Ann

Dean was very focused, attended for longer durations than usual. Dean attended well to all activities. Chose PECS from second page of book. Flipped page independently one time. Ate a large snack. List behaviors observed: mouth.

9/13/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He sat great for activities. We worked on completing various puzzles, Dean did well on them. He had great eye contact when requesting a break. Dean did great pointing also. Dean independently put one pop bead together. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping. Mom reported that Dean has completed his antibiotic.

9/13/18 – Joyce

Other – Describe: staff varying toys, client compliant, worked well with staff, no testing. Child appears to be feeling well and has recovered from recent illness

9/14/18 – Ann

Dean sat for briefer durations, whining and seemed tired. Making lots of eye contact and looking up close at people’s eyes. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop. Dean appeared tired. Sat for shorter durations than usual. Starting to link dinosaurs independently.

9/14/18 – Deb

Dean did well, tough beginning of the session but was able to be redirected. Dean had great eye contact today. He did well on programs, independently putting one pop bead together. He did well on the rest of the items. Dean was vocalizing more sounds today. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping.

9/14/18 – Joyce

Assessment or Treatment Planning
New song icons for interactive songs/movement/language for child
Added Escape Frequency Tally to Child’s Behavior Plan
More food icons/photos for PECS book

With Love,

Dean’s ABA Week

I can officially say that switching over to a website for these notes are much easier and more convenient for me. I feel like I am getting more information on how Dean is doing and what goes on and gets discussed during sessions when I cannot be there. I feel like his weekly recap posts are now very long, so I will keep the intros and outros shorter from now on. I am really proud of Dean and everything that he is accomplishing. I have bought Dean’s first Christmas gift. I am going to take a picture of it before I wrap it up and hide it under my bed. This is the time of year that I start buying one thing from Walmart on my weekly trips. Walmart should just sponsor me by now.

9/4/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He had a period of some flopping. Did well with programs today and had great eye contact. Dean has started drinking his water and spitting on himself. I had him sit while drink. List behaviors observed: mouthing

9/5/18 – Ann

Good session, less mouthing. Dean did well this morning. Put in piece to potato head independently for the first time. Less mouthing. Good making choices with pictures at snack. List behaviors observed: mouthing, flopping

9/5/18 – Deb

Dean did great today on programs. He was independently stacking 4 blocks, opening the pop up toy door and needing less prompts when putting pop beads together. Dean had great eye contact, he sat for a long period of time. List behaviors observed: mouthing

9/6/18 – Ann

Focused, very chatty. Dean was in a great mood, babbling throughout session. Focused well on toys, great eye contact. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop

9/6/18 – Deb

Dean did well today on programs. Dean had great eye contact when requesting a break and requesting more bubbles. He did well with new materials: nesting cups and shape sorter. Dean was very vocal today expressing different sounds as well. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping

9/6/18 – Joyce

Therapist varying toys, therapist praised for providing appropriate toys for session, therapist did a nice job keeping client engaged. Grandparent informed new chew tubes in. Grandparent observed most of session.

9/7/18 – Ann

Did well, fussy toward end of session. Dean did well this morning. Increase in pushing materials away and flop towards end of session. Did well with you play. List behaviors observed: mouth, flop

9/7/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He had great eye contact. Dean did great on programs, getting more nice on materials. Dean did great eating and drinking in his chair. Dean seems a little off balance. Dean was vocalizing more sounds during activities. List behaviors observed: mouthing and flopping

9/7/18 – Joyce

Gave family new chews, Discussed moving to PECS book with family during staff session times, Mike asked for books to be removed temporarily due to mouthing, family to remove bureau, would like solution for toys, bins recommended, family afraid child will climb.

As I am writing this, I am freezing. It is cold in my house at 65 degrees F. It feels like Fall already. I have my comforter wrapped around me and I am about to get up to brew my second cup of coffee today. I have to get started on my homework and I think that I have procrastinated by writing this post long enough. I don’t know what is up next for my blog, but next year, I want to do more lifestyle posts. I am purchasing a camera soon, so I can share my recipes. I’ve been cooking a lot of homemade food and desserts. Besides doing a yearly makeup inventory/declutter and a yearly project pan, I am really just over the whole beauty scene. Anyone else just tired of it and want to do more?

With Love,

Dean’s ABA Week

I now have access to Dean’s portal, so I no longer get written out summaries of how he does. I can access it over the internet instead. I love that I can copy and paste now. For his ABA posts, they are going to be much easier to write and faster. I really appreciate that they have gone paperless. I think I might even have more to say now and to discuss about how Dean is doing with his therapy. On a side note, my camera has pooped out completely and I now have to use my phone to take shitty quality pictures. I cannot wait until I can buy a new camera. I will able to buy one at the end of this month. Also, house update. I will have to wait until next year. I have to pay down my car loan in order to refinance it to get it at a lower payment. My debt to income ratio is keeping me from buying a home this year. The amount of loan that I qualified for isn’t enough to get they type of home that I want. I also become 100% vested in my 411K next year and can borrow against it to use for moving costs, closing costs, and appliances that you need.

8/27/18 – Anne

Dean sat for one activity at a time and then attempted to get up. He was mouthing items and flopping. Dean has an infection near eye that spread, doctor appointment tomorrow, may take him to urgent care sooner. Good picture exchange at snack. Rubbing eye.

8/28/18 – Anne

Dean is flopping when non preferred items presented. He is also mouthing/licking items. New medications for eye/skin infection. Dean attempting to get up after each activity. Good exchange of pics at snack and choosing a variety of items.

8/28/18 – Joyce

Discussed functions of flopping, escape attempts, attention. Grandparent observed part of session, has been leaving room per staff recommendation, child recovering from viral infection, on multiple medications.

8/29/18 – Anne

He continues to mouth items and flop. He may have a follow up for eye/skin tomorrow. Dean was very active and needed quick pace to keep him in task. Discussed skin near eye and follow up appointment. Several instances of drooling.

8/30/18 – Anne

Dean very active. Increased prompts to sit. EI Speech therapist overlap at end of session. He does not have chicken pox. Increase in flopping.

8/30/18 – Deb

Dean did well today. He had some trouble sitting during work. He did well on programs and eye contact today. List behaviors observed: mouthing. Dean still has a rash of some sort on his eye. Mom has brought to doctors to get a diagnosis.

8/30/18 – Joyce

Gave family parent portal info instructions, Discussed chewelry, informed family p and a chew ordered and we will use this first.

8/31/18 – Anne

Dean did well with all toys increased independence with foam puzzle. New medication for face. He quick attended to activities, flipping with non preferred toys. List behaviors observed:flop, mouth.

As you can see, Dean gets 14 hours of ABA services now, which is a big increase from the 6 to 8 hours that he was getting before. He has responded really well for the first week despite fighting an infection under the sink around his eye. He has cellulitis, possible from a bug bite that got infected when the bug bit him. At first, they thought it was the chicken pox, but that came back negative. Once I started taking pictures every day and sending them to his doctor, she came up with the cellulitis diagnosis. I am really happy that it isn’t something more serious. At the moment of writing this on 9/2, he is still suffering with it and it hasn’t improved all that much 3 days on antibiotics.

With Love,