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,

Advertisement

Dean’s EI Week

I am writing this on 11/10/18 while Dean is taking a rare nap in his room and I have a few spare moments to myself during my lunch until I have to punch in to work from home. Dean has come a long way with Early Intervention and it is getting close to the end. I have yet to receive a confirmation from his health insurance that he is being renewed next year. Else, I have to add him onto my work plan next year and it will be shittier insurance. Not to mention that adding him will add $110 on to my current plan. That means that every paycheck, I will be paying $235 for our health insurance. That is close to a third of my paycheck. That means that most of his SSI check would be going to his health insurance, leaving me again with nothing. Also, since I don’t get his SSI two months out of the year because I make too much money, that means that on those months that I will be getting $330 less out if my paycheck. That is like 40% of my paycheck. I am scraping it together as is. Hopefully, when I call on Monday, he will still have coverage next year and the crisis can be diverted.

10/22/18 – Speech

Dean continues with ABA services. Joyce is leaving and Jolene will take over. Dean sat and strung beads. He pointed to his choice. Therapist modeled “I want ___” and animal sound. With bubbles, we said “pop, pop”. Dean said “pop” 1x. Modeled “more” with sign and helped him with hand over hand.

• Dean requires a lot of sensory input.

10/24/18 – OT

Dean had a busy am with ABA. Joyce will be leaving as supervisor. ABA workers will remain the same. Dean is scheduled for play based assessment. Dean did excellent today. Greeted me with good eye contact and big smiles and wanted a big hug. Dean sat and completed several manipulatives, puzzles, shape sorter, and bead stringing. He did excellent handing over pictures to request more shapes. Swinging in swing, he fell asleep.

• Continue to use pictures for him to ask for things.
• Can take pictures of tv shows to print pictures of so he can request

With Love,

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 EI Week

It is currently November 8th and there is only a month and a half of EI left. I’ll have less Dean related stuff to talk about here on this blog on a regular basis. It will return to a weekly, possibly biweekly at times, update. I am happy that this chapter is coming to an end for Dean. While we are sad that his OT will be stopping, we didn’t care for his speech therapist, who really didn’t work that hard to get him to speak. She literally did nothing most of the time with Dean. She didn’t bring any toys. She talked about nonrelated crap. She was/is basically a terrible speech therapist and has the reputation as one as well. So, we are sad and happy at the same time. Like the session below, was her on the phone for the whole session….literally, an hour.

10/15/18 – Speech

Dean is pointing and using more and all done sign more independently. When he wants to swing, he points to what he wants. Dean was seen at home with Hannah. Family has scheduling concerns due to upcoming health concerns that need to be addressed. This therapist called school today and left a message requesting all meetings done by Thanksgiving. Requested pep be given to school.

10/17/18 – OT

Hannah reported Dean was tired for ABA this morning, but when they left, he was full of energy. Dean did well today. He signed more a few times spontaneously to get more puzzle pieces. He needed a lot of input today and did a lot of jumping on trampoline. He did excellent requesting of puzzle pieces via pictures. Continues to do well with puzzles and bead stringing.

• Continue sensory play interspersed with adequate directed activity.
• Continue pictures to request toys/food.

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 EI Week

I’m writing this on 10/28 and it’ll go up later in the week, but gosh, what a week it has been. I was stressing, because of my history essay final. I wrote 6 pages worth and like a few lines on page 7. I really enjoyed my topic and I will be sharing it on here once everything is graded. I’m the nerd that if I really enjoyed my paper, if it wasn’t an A, I will fix it up with the teachers comments and save it. Yeah, I’m weird, but that is who I am. Anyway, I was also dealing with Dean transitioning into a toddler bed and fixing up his room. Plus, work was a bit stressful due to high volumes. Now, I’m stressed, because of this stupid Precal class. UGH! But I will survive it. I have confidence in myself.

10/10/18 – OT

Dean was happy to see me and gave a big smile. When I sat, he jumped into me. Family still has not heard from school. Dean ate 3/4 bowl of spaghetti using a fork yesterday. Dean did excellent today. He sat on move ‘n sit disc and did a variety of puzzles. Independently stringing smaller animal beads consistently by himself. Swinging, he was able to hand swing picture or singing picture. He was happy with brief periods of eye contact. Shared eye bolt and crisp with Hannah. Left instructions on how to set up and attach swing. Shout a text if can’t figure out how to tie swing.

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,

New In For Dean

I have another round up of new items that I purchased for Dean and there is more to come. I had to buy a lot of stuff to redo his room for safety reasons, so there will also be a room tour update for Dean. I haven’t done one since I first moved in almost two years ago. Also as I write this, my car is currently in the shop, because my tire almost caught on fire. You can smell burning rubber and feel the heat radiating off the tire. I burnt myself a little on the rim when I was fire extinguishing it just in case. I ended up paying $230 for new pads and the labor. Everything else was under the warranty. If I got that promotion, it would help a lot. I am writing this a week before the post goes up, so I will update if I get any news on this.

I let Dean have the Noise Putty, since all three of these were just $1. He loves playing with it, so I am sure that all of these slimes will be a hit. It is a more firm slime, as the name suggests, it is more like putty. It isn’t noisy unless you put it in the container and press down on it to pop the air bubbles. For some reason, I thought that you could make noises with it in your hand. The Silly Sludge seems more watery. I am glad that they all seem like they are going to be different textures and consistencies.

I saw these at Walmart, so I picked up another pack. They only have this pack out during the summer and even though Dean has only gone through 1 bubble stick, I need to have a back up pack just in case. We use bubbles everyday for therapy, so it is something that he needs to have. It calms him down when he is upset. At under $4, it wasn’t a big spend and I can still wrap it to put under the tree.

I found this 3T outfit on clearance at the end of the summer for 5 or 7 dollars. He doesn’t have many shorts that are going to fit him next year, so he will at least have one pair that will fit him until I buy him some summer clothes. I thought the outfit was super cute. They only had this complete outfit for a 3T. Most of the clothes were for children under 1.

This stuff really works on Dean’s dry, sensitive skin. Serena wanted to model with this photo. I think she did a good job. She could sell this product. Aveeno is still better than Equate though. Equate does a good job, but I would still invest in those expensive $3 jars. They work overnight and give his skin a serious amount of moisture. Equate is good for the rest of his body, but isn’t quite enough on his dry patches. This is also a lotion, though. The Aveeno is a balm. There is no Equate version of the balm.

I took this picture with the new camera! It is a pretty good camera. I think the pictures can come out a bit pixelated, but kit is good for the short term until I can get a better camera next year. I really want to get a Nikon camera. Something in the $100 dollar range that takes good pictures. This is fine for blogging photos and pictures of Dean. But for great action shots of Dean, I need a better camera. This way, I can have one camera that takes great photos and another as a backup for when the other one breaks unexpectedly. Like I said, this is a great cheap camera to take pictures of, but it isn’t high quality. The quality is good, but a better camera has crisper quality if you get what I am saying. I spent $60 on this camera, but I am setting money aside next year for when I see a Nikon go on sale and I will snatch it up. An upgrade for sure from my old phone.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Dean has had a busy week. I am still trying to catch up on all the weeks up until where we currently are in October. Doing these posts every other day along with the weekly ABA has got his EI reports behind by almost a month. I am hopeful that they will catch up, because I just have one more week to write before I just have the current one to do. I forgot that EI had Columbus week off, so I don’t have anything for that week. Well, that is much better than I had originally thought. I am working on my last week of school for this term and the next term starts Monday. I have to get my intro post for that semester written and work on the wrap up the following week once all my grades are in. I really enjoyed this semester much better than last semester. This term was more career specific and so if my next semester. Of course, Dean has a bacterial infection on his face where the cellulitis was, except this time it is mrsa, the stronger STAPH strain. It is highly treatable for Dean and he has an ointment to use. My dad and I are both being treated as well as a precaution. He’s a tough little boy, who didn’t cry for the first time when he got his flu shot! We are growing up!

9/24/18 – OT

Dean has speech later and ABA at 4:15 tonight. Dean had an excellent session. He sat on balance disc to complete several activities in a row. He chose which activity to do via pointing. He opted to complete 5 puzzles in a row. Self feeding with spoon. He was able to feed himself whole container with only occasional minimal assistance to try to teach him how to scoop larger bites. He tends to lick items but stops when chewy is offered. He signed more independently about 8 times for more swinging. Worked on receptive language skills, which he did not have when verbally asked for animal when given a choice of two.

• Continue to have him point to items.
• Use PECS for eating.

9/24/18 – Speech

“Yum”. “Mom”. Dean was seen at home after a great session with OT. Mike reported that he has been moving a lot since “like a different kid”. It took some time to settle him with deep pressure and a milk bottle. Sucking calms him. Tried “baa, neigh, more”. Dropped off Dean’s Autism DX w/(school) 9/24 at 10:50 am.

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,