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,

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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 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 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 EI Week

I am having fun playing around with our new camera, which I will be hauling soon along with our new phones! Ah! I feel like I am buying a lot of new stuff lately, but I haven’t bought anything in forever and nothing was too expensive either. I know that my next big purchase will be Black Friday. I will do a VS order and a B&BW order as well. Then, my next big haul will be Christmas hauls. After Christmas, I’ll be updating my beauty collection and start my 19 in 2019 project pan. So many good stuff coming very soon. I will be updating you on the gifts that I am buying Dean for Christmas along the way. I won’t be doing blogmas, but I will try to do my very best at my own version. I hope you tune in during December for our own version. I will be off most of the month, besides school to take care of my dad recovering from foot surgery. I might be able to blog everyday, but I don’t want to guarantee that if it doesn’t happen.

9/17/18 – Speech

No words have been heard for a while. Lots of sounds. Dean was seen after ABA session. He sat for two puzzles and pointed to what he wanted. Modeled names of puzzle pieces and animal sounds. Dean made lots of sounds, pointed to what he wanted, smiled and made nice eye contact. Discussed school needs and what we are looking for. Specifically a 1 to 1 for Dean.

• Continue to model words and sounds with books and puzzles.

9/19/18 – OT

Hannah reported Dean did well this am. He was very active but engaged. He did so well today. He was interactive. Loved the bean bucket and only tried putting in his mouth a few times. He sat in seat and chose which activity he wanted to play. Puzzles he did excellent with. He was able to independently string small 1/4″ animal beads. Spoon feeding he did great. Scooping and bring to mouth with minimal assistance.

• Continue to work on spoon feeding. He is doing great!

Dean has been doing great with all of his therapies. He is currently getting over the tail end of his first cold. Yes, you heard that right. He didn’t get his first cold until almost three years old. Breastfeeding and a good diet is what did it, but that is my own personal opinion. I even feel healthier after breastfeeding and haven’t gotten sick nearly as much as before I breastfed Dean. I have gotten so many health benefits from breastfeeding that I cannot advocate enough for it. If you are able to, make the sacrifice for your child and yourself. If you aren’t able to, I am so sorry. I know how much you must be hurting. Keep your chin up. A well-fed baby is a happy baby and you did everything you could. Some women just can’t do it and that’s okay. I have a problem when women don’t even try for selfish reasons. All I ask is for any women to try as long as they can do that medically. I know some women can’t breastfeed, because of medication and that is fine too. Your mental health benefits the baby.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Life has been good so far. I’m still waiting to hear if I got the job. The decision was extended by two more weeks. Fingers crossed that I still get the job! If I don’t, I probably won’t bid on anything until after the New Year when my dad has healed from his surgery. Whatever will be, will be. I have bought a camera, so my picture quality for all the new pictures will be back to more professional standards. I also bought a new phone that I will be showing on my blog once I receive it. I ordered it online and got free 1 to 3 day shipping that I have to sign for. I’m hoping the picture quality will be better. I needed a new phone that I could store music on, since my IPOD touch is an inch away from certain death. I also needed a newer phone with a newer software, so I can download the Influenster, Audible, Walmart Pay, and my Brightspace apps. I’m excited to share that purchase with all of you and it wasn’t that much money either.

9/10/18 – Speech

Using snack pictures well. Lots of sounds. Point has come back. Pointing to pictures for adult to identify. More independent play with toys. Dean was seen at home with mom and Ann from HMEA for a transition meeting. School was invited, but did not show. Hannah still waiting on letter from school acknowledging the referral. Discussed ABA and 1 on 1 needed at school, ABA at home, 4 days (work up to) for socialization, speech, OT services.

• Contact school to check on referral.
• Continue to use pictures for choices and label (repeat, repeat, repeat.

9/12/18 – OT

Hannah reported TPC did not happen yet with school and the family has not yet heard from the district. Dean went to the dentist and had an excellent visit.  He has all of his teeth including molars. Dentist commented that his eye contact was good. Dean did excellent today. He sat on balance disc to do 3 consecutive activities. He did some free play with climbing onto box and “falling” off with excellent eye contact and general interaction skills. He strung all of the smaller animal beads! He was swung at the end using picture consistently to request play/swing.

• Try to use pictures more frequently when playing/eating. He has done so well with them.

Also, if Dean’s speech therapist thinks that I am letting him go to school 4 days a week this soon, she has another thing coming. I only said that I would try 1 half day next year.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

I have just put Dean down for a nap and I bought a bunch of Christmas presents at Walmart today. I am very happy with my purchases. I am hoping to get the job as Product Analyst, so I can hopefully buy Dean a refurbished Ipad to play ABC Mouse on. I would also like an Iphone 6, since I haven’t had a new phone in forever and my Ipod touch is on its way out. I’m also hoping that with this new job that I’ll be able to buy a house this year if I see one that I like that fits us as a family. My dad is having foot surgery in December, so if the job happens and we do find a house, I will probably hire a moving company to move us out of this place and into the new place. It’ll be a pretty penny, but there would be no other choice.

9/5/18 – OT

Dean’s eye was cellulitis from a bug bite. He is still on antibiotics but he is also getting a probiotic. Dean did great today. He sat on balance disc to complete several puzzles followed by deep pressure tickles. He also sat in booster seat, when given a choice of two items, he scanned and pointed to desired item. He also signed all done spontaneously several times. HE strung smaller beads onto string independently. He did well with scanning pictures to choose which snack he wanted.

• Continue to use pictures for identifying choices.
• Deep pressure squeezes when agitated.

9/16/18 – Speech

Cellulitis on face being treated with Amox. Dean was seen for a visit with Mike. He made lots of nice eye contact and moved his arms to get us out of way. Dean vocalized a lot and needed to move a lot.

I have my fingers crossed for this job. I finally would be paid what I am worth. When I graduate college, I can get an even better paying job as a Data Analyst and then with some experience, I can move on to be a Statistician. Who knows? I might decide to stay on as a Data Analyst, because there are higher tiers within it. I just want to live a comfortable life with a job that I enjoy doing. Then, if I meet a man, it’s cool and if not, I can support my family myself.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

I’m two or three weeks behind on Dean’s EI updates. I have just been busy with school and redesigning Dean’s room. I just bought a TV mount, so I can mount his TV to the wall. It is a 360 one, so you can put it at various angles. He still is pulling at wires, so I will have to mount it near the doorway to his room. I need to buy a shelf for the cable box to sit on and the wire can go behind the door. The door is hinged to the wall. He kept closing and opening his door and didn’t want his fingers to get caught. I bought organizers for his closet to hang his clothes in there. I am getting rid of the dresser in his room, which was my old dresser. He is eating the wood and it needs to go for safety purposes. I am rethinking his room. I am doing more mounted shelves to keep books and toys that he needs to be supervised when playing. He also needs a new plastic toy box with a removable lid for climbing reasons.

8/29/18 – OT

Dean’s eye continued to get worse. Family brought to MD, who reported non-contagious rash, part of herpes virus. He is on anti-viral, which is causing stomach discomfort. Dean did well today. Interested in puzzle, but his body unsettled so had him sit in working chair. He was unhappy at first but settled in and did several puzzles and strung all beads. Tired. Worked in swing. Initially his body moved erratically, he eventually settled. Each time he stopped, I waited and he got my attention by tapping my leg and reaching for my hands to sign more.

• Explore with landlord putting in I bolt in beam to allow swing to be indoor hammock to swing him better.

8/30/18 – Speech

Family and Dr. trying to figure out rash/swelling on face for past 12 days. Dean was seen between two ABA sessions. He enjoyed movement, but then he settled and worked on beads. He made choices by pointing and when he was done, he shook his head no and swiped it away. Modeled words for cake, pop, cookie (beads) and farm animals and their noises. “Hi” “Mama”.

• Continue to model words related to his meals and snacks. Eat, drink, cup, cracker…

I am surprised that is whole wardrobe fit into two hanging organizers. His closet is still full of junk that needs a new home and I am working on that. I have a bag full of his 12 to 18 month clothes (some of his 2 year as well) to donate to a friend of mine who has a 10 month old. I even added in slippers and a hat with gloves that no longer fit Dean. I also put something inside for Jessica as well like a sheet mask. She is a single mom with two young children and I feel for her. I know the struggle and it’s nice to get something for yourself to pamper with. I actually have a 100 anti-wrinkle serum sitting in my closet. She’s in her 30s, so that’s what I’m giving this time. I won it in a Top Hatter auction for $1 dollar. I needed an extra $1 to use my coupon code for $10 and I won a Tarte palette for $10, but the total needed to be over $10.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Dean had his Early Intervention reevaluation for the last free months that he will be seeing his Speech and Occupational therapist. I will be sharing with you all of the info that I have for this test which is called the Battelle test. I don’t feel like this test is too personal, because it is more about his services and how I think he is doing. There is a section about what skills that I want to see him build on and I think that is good to share with other people to show what my expectations are for my son. I love sharing my son’s journey and I will continue to do so. I wanted to let you all know that there will be recipes coming out on my blog. I know I’ve said this before and it hasn’t happened but I am turning over a new leaf. I used to love to cook and over the past year, I have gotten very depressed about Dean’s diagnosis. I think I hid it very well, but I was in a bad way. I want to start doing things that I used to enjoy again and cooking/baking was one of those things. I want to cook healthier meals for my family and try new things. I think that I am going to subscribe to a cooking magazine possibly Family Circle for easy, family friendly recipes that I can ease myself back into.

Evaluation Notes:

Completed annual evaluation today to determine ongoing needs. Dean’s autism diagnosis makes him automatically eligible for 3 years. He has good skills with manipulatives, but difficulty with language based learning attention. Initiated IFSP. Reviewed daily routines and activities that are challenging. OOAIS written to address communication and play.

Health & Eligibility Summary:

Dean is automatically eligible until he is 3 due to Autism diagnosis. His eligibility scores is as follows: Adaptive: 58, Personal Social: 61, Communication: 55, Motor: 84, and Cognitive: 61.

Change in Service Delivery Plan:

Increased hours for ABA to 15 hours a week.

Developmental Summary:

1. Adaptive
   • Dean feeds himself finger foods.
   • He chews and swallows well.
   • He is drinking out of a straw cup.
   • Weaning off bottle.
   • Practicing open cup.
   • Dips spoon, but not successful with using utensils.
2. Personal-Social
   • Dean requires constant supervision.
   • He is affectionate with family.
   • Hugs and kisses.
   • Social in a sense that he is interested in people and goes right up to therapists and new people in his home.
   • Dean enjoys being active and movements like swinging, jumping, running, and swimming.
3. Communication
   • Dean is imitating “mmm” at meals and with a flashcard.
   • He is vocalizing sounds on his own and family hears a word or phrase and then not again.
   • Dean is following some directions with gestures.
4. Motor
   • Motor skills are an area of relative strength for him.
   • HE enjoys manipulatives such as puzzles, blocks, and bead stringing.
   • He has difficulty with stringing smaller beads and although he is always on the go his motor coordination skills are difficult for him.
   • He is often running and jumping.
   • He often trips and falls.
5. Cognition
   • Dean is doing better with following daily routines and doing better with following directions with gestural cue provided.
   • His attention to task is variable.
   • He enjoys looking at books, but mostly as a self stim to flip pages of book.

He only had his evaluation this past week, because it is 2 and a half hours long. Three members of the EI staff had to be there to administer the test. He did as well as expected based on his ABA test results a month or two ago. This post is already really long, so I will get say that Dean is improving everyday and everyday is a new challenge for him. Raising an autistic child is challenging, but it builds you up to be a better parent. Only another parent raising an autistic parent will truly understand the challenges you go through and your own personal struggles from the self-guilt, denial, anger, pity, etc. There are so many emotions going through you all at once, hence my recent struggles with depression. I was feeling so worthless and down on myself. Going back to school has helped and trying to do things I used to enjoy. Nothing prepares you for this and its emotionally draining. I would never take it back though. I love Dean just the way he is.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

I only have Dean’s EI notes from this week, because I worked from home so I was there for all of his ABA sessions. Dean did really well this past week when I worked from home, but I think it also has to do with being put down for longer naps and staying up a bit later. His face has matured so much, but still holds that squish-able cheeks. He is such a foodie and will try anything you put down in front of him. He dislikes fast food, but loves pizza. He is my whole world and I couldn’t imagine living life without him now that I have him and have gotten to know him. There is a special bond between a mother and a child, but the bond can be just as strong with any family member. We aren’t close just because I breastfed him. We are close because I put in the time to nurture that relationship. I have spent my every spare waking moment with him. It’s suffocating at times and frustrating, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

8/13/18 – Speech

Dean was repeating a lot yesterday. We don’t know when or what he will repeat. Dean was seen at home. He had a better weekend and better session with Anne from HMEA this am. Dean required a lot of input after his session with HMEA. HE enjoyed being upside down and swung. He did two beads and closed doors on pop toy, but was not happy about any of it. He vocalized, but nothing repeated or understandable.

• Next week – team for assessment and HMEA add sources to IFSP.

It’s really hard being a mother. I think it’s gotten even harder since Dean was diagnosed with Autism. I go through phases of blaming myself, my genes, the hospital staff, and the way he was delivered. I get my hopes up and then I get filled with hope. It’s a roller coaster and with every up there is a down. And I don’t know where the ground is anymore. I feel so out of touch with reality. I’m stuck in this world of trying to communicate with my son to see if he knows me at all. I think he does, I hope he does. I don’t know what goes on in his head or how I can help. I frustrate him. I make him laugh. I make him cry. I don’t know if I’m ever doing the right thing, but I try. Everyone tells me what a great mother I am and they have never seen someone put as much into an autistic child as I. It doesn’t make me feel better. I still feel so lost. A ship without a moor.

I don’t know what I’m doing half the time, but I’m just trying to gain some sort of ground. I just want to be there for my son and help him. I want him to be a success, not a success story. I just want him to feel normal.

With Love,