Dean’s EI Week

You might be seeing two EI weeks one after another soon. ABA went on vacation, so I have a couple of these EI weeks to put up instead. I still have the PEC results to write up, but I am saving that for a week where I don’t have that much going on to be able to work on it for the full hour that I allow myself. I might do it at the end of August where I get a week break between the two semesters. I will be trying during that week to write the whole month of September. It would really help with keeping on top of school. I haven’t been behind on college work yet or in danger of. I have been pacing myself pretty good an give my self an hour off a couple of nights a week from 9 to 10 to de-stress. Speaking of school, I have two papers to fix up (Currently Sunday of week 4) that are due today and then, I can start Week 5. Fun. 🙂

7/23/18 – Speech

No words. Dean used pictures to make choices of snack. He chose raisins by pointing and grabbing. When all done, he needed hand over hand for all done sign. Pushes away when he doesn’t want something. He sat for a story today. Modeled signs for eat, water, and all done. Dean used these words/sounds today: bock bock, water, don’t want them).

• Continue to model animals names and sounds with beads or farm toys.

7/25/18 – OT

Dean has been saying more things spontaneously but not consistently. Dean has improved in his PECS communications from 10 to 12 months old to 13 to 16 months old. Dean was crying when I arrived because he was frustrated. A pillow got taken away due to “humping” behaviors. Spoke to Hannah that this behavior in young kids is not sexual in nature but rather an extreme seeking of deep pressure. Try to replace with other deep pressure activities: jumping, squeezing, etc. Dean did excellent. Worked through 4 puzzles with ease. Signed more after demonstration to request more puzzle pieces.

• Will start to initiate using pictures to request play items.

Unfortunately, Dean’s OT had a lot of personal issues and this was the first time in two or three weeks that he has had a session with her. He was so excited to see her and had a really great, productive session. I love seeing him grow and develop with each passing session. I got a letter in the mail to sign from the school board to give them permission to evaluate Dean. I have a few questions to ask my people first before signing and returning the document. It is all going by way to fast. I also don’t want my son to go to my town’s public school. There has been many problems and the state had to come in and take over. Now, the state is screwing up with minor sex trafficking scandals. I don’t feel comfortable sending my son to the public school here.

With Love,

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Dean’s EI Week

Dean has been an active boy this week. He has gone swimming and jumping on his trampoline. We even had a cookout and ate outside on the picnic table. If I had to guess, I would say that Dean loves his life and lives a pretty happy life too. I don’t want him to grow up and have life disappoint him. I always want him to have that love of life and joy in his heart. I want him to be a man, but a sensible and sensitive one as well. I want him to be a well-rounded person. I want to see him get married and cry at his wedding. I want the world for him. I love him to the moon and back. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for him to help him.

7/9/18 – Speech

Nothing new to speak of. Better eye contact. Dean was a happy, very energetic boy today. Sensory seeking with running, jumping, spinning, and fingers by face. HE completed 2 puzzles, put on a couple of beads but his focus was short today. Nice eye contact today. Happy and vocal. “Roar” x2.

• Continue to repeat animal sounds when looking at pictures in books and beads.

7/9/18 – OT

Dean is doing okay. He just hit his head against door jam right before my arrival from spinning and falling. He had a busy day with ABA and Speech. Dean did well today. He actively chose items to play with and sat in working chair. He was more mouthy than he has been but settled in when given chewy tube. Continues to do well with manipulatives and he did great choosing pictures, too.

• Continue to use pictures to have him make choices.

Except to commit murder, I draw the line there. As a mother, I could never see the day where I wouldn’t love him. I think that makes me different, where my mother never loved me especially as I got older. I started off this blog saying that I would never be my mother and I would love my son in a way that I never was. I think I outdid myself, because we are doing everything that I wanted to do, too. Next Christmas, he’s getting one of those motorized cars that I never got when I was little. He is still too young this year, but it will be great next year. The backyard is nice and hilly. Great terrain for a 4 by 4 Ford truck to climb up. 🙂

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

I have been having so much fun with Dean this summer. He can do more than he could last summer and I love going outside everyday to go swim in the pool or jump on the trampoline. He even took a nap on me after he took a dip in the pool in the shade. I really want to have a cookout by the pool and just roast a few hot dogs after swimming. I think Dean would really enjoy it. We have to have chips, of course! Dean has been super into chips lately. I love chips as well, but he burns off the calories and I don’t. lol. I think if Dean could really speak his mind, he would say that he is having an amazing summer with his mommy. I can’t always be the fun mom, because I work and now go to school full time. I make the time that we have together count.

6/25/18 – Speech

Using words 1x and then not again. Dean had a great session. He sat on floor for 3 puzzles, pointed to choices, and said “more” x3. He was vocal while playing. He needed a 10 minute break and then sat in his chair for snack and beading. He beaded 6 beads independently. He said “bock bock bock” for chicken (after a model). Nice Session.

• Continue to model words with actions.

6/29/18 – OT

Mike reported that Dean has been having some difficulty lately. He cried for 10 minutes before bed last night and he has been having slight tantrums/task refusal with ABA. Talked with Mike about bedtime crying. Dean is more aware of his environment and may not want to go to bed, but it is okay as adult caregiver to say, “I see you are sad, but it is still bedtime.” Tried to complete following direction activity, simple of get the animal to string onto string. He had a lot of difficulty because it was out of routine with assistance and support he was able to follow simple direction 5/12 times.

• Pictures for fun/play activities explore

Honestly, I am kind of excited for the end of EI. It means that he will be turning 3 and have a lot more opportunities to learn and grow. It is a bit bittersweet, but I think it is time. He has his year evaluation in August and I am excited to see how much he learned in that time, compared to ABA’s six month evaluation. Also, his school evaluation is around the corner and I have a meet and greet in September. My life is so full lately, but I found that I am actually getting more done. Now, that I don’t have time to squander, I am getting more stuff done around the house.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

I love writing these little recap summaries for Dean and it saddens me to know that soon, EI will be done for Dean and I will just be doing the ABA updates. I am getting ready for the public school evaluation of services they will offer to Dean. Honestly though? I am thinking of skipping preschool all together. I think Dean will benefit more from the constant ABA therapy than a preschool setting right now. He has gone so far with ABA that I think that I will stick with it for the next 3 years. The way Dean’s birthday falls, he will be one month short of starting school with the rest of the 5 year olds turning six. He will be six going on 7 when he finally goes to kindergarten. I am thinking of either going private (by then, I should be making enough money as a Data Analyst that I would own my own home and be able to support a private school education) or home schooling.

6/18/18 – OT

Dean has been coming out with phrases spontaneously. Dean did well today Played on move in sit cushion sat and attended to several puzzles with excessive motion/movement. He did well. In swing, he would grab my hands to sign more, but would not do spontaneously. Sat and choose pictures for snack even with switching places of pictures and using two circular snacks. He did excellent scanning to choose cracker.

• Continue to offer pictures for him to choose what to eat.
• May want to try to use this for play activities, too.

6/18/18 – Speech

Dean is repeating some words. “Good night” is consistent. “Hello” is new. “Happy day” 1x. Dean was seen at home with his mom. He was very vocal today and Hannah said that this is typical now. Worked on LEA referral to (Town where I live) Public and will request a TPC meeting. 9/10 at 9 am. Also changed services from OT from 2x to 1x a week. He enjoyed his lunch in his chair. Lots of smiles.

• Continue to model words and repeat, repeat, repeat.

I am looking forward to the future of coloring with Dean, getting handmade mother’s day gifts, and helping him do his Christmas shopping. I am looking forward to everything that wasn’t important to my mother when it came to me and the things that I never did with my mom. I hope that I can be a better mother to my son. Actually, scratch that. I KNOW that I can be a better mother to my son than what I had growing up and I plan on giving him the life that I wished that I had growing up. A life filled with love and feeling important and worth loving. Along the way, I plan on treating him to respect women, himself, and to stand up for what he believes in. His voice counts. All of our voices count.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

I cannot believe that life is going by do fast. Now, that school is steadily approaching, I know that life will slow down a bit. Time always seemed to go slower when I was in school. Time stretched on. It’s funny how as kids we cannot wait to grow up and once you actually do, you realize that work just replaces school. You don’t get more time to do what you want and yeah, you get freedom to go with it but also all the responsibilities as well. If I could do it again, I would savor that time being a kid. This is what I want to give Dean. Time to be a kid and have fun with your parents. I want to have fun vacations and great days off with him. I hope he appreciates it as he gets older.

6/11/18 – Speech

Some words and phrases over weekend. Dean was seen at home with Mike. He sat for puzzles and books. He was able to string 3 of the smaller wooden beads independently. He needed help with the larger ones. He vocalized during play and initiated a “meow” x1. He continues to point to what he wants.

• Continue to model words related to his toys and snacks.

6/14/18 – OT

Dean is doing well with using utensils, especially with bringing to mouth. He can bring utensil to mouth, but doesn’t quite get scooping. Dean did well today. Explored spiky more in sit cushion. Sat with a lot of movement but completed 4 puzzles, shape sorter, and stringing beads not seated in booster seat. Dean continues to do excellent scanning between 2 pictures to make choice of snack to eat. He was 100% accurate even when placement of picture changed. Spoke about decreasing OT for summer to once a week instead of two. Will speak to service coordinator.

• Try hand over hand for scooping. Try to let him scoop first few bites himself when bowl container is filled up so even if dipping spoon, he will increase independence.

Speaking of school, it is so overwhelming seeing my assignment schedule and wondering how I am going to get all this work done. I haven’t started school yet. I’m still completing the overview stuff and planning out the next 8 weeks in my planner. I know I will find a balance of work (Basically a necessity to live), school, free reading, tv/netflix, blogging, house work, and spending time with Dean (also a basic necessity). I have already cut down my blogging to an hour on Sunday and my day off during the week. So, 2 hours a week to work on it. I get everything done during that time, so it is pretty easy. I am confident that I will find a balance in my life.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Dean has been frustrated lately, because I have been starting to more vigorously discourage him putting any toy in his mouth. I have been redirecting him to mouth his chew tube instead. Dean will no longer be having two OT sessions a week, not because he doesn’t need it. His OT finally admitted that she can only commit to once a week. She has a lot of personal stuff going on in her life right now and I wish her the best. She will no longer be coming on Mondays, so this frees up Monday mornings for ABA to start another session and to run the full week Monday through Friday. This way, Dean gets more service hours with the group that I think has been making such a big difference in his life and I credit them with helping him learn to talk just as much as us.

6/7/18 – OT

Dean was a little more tired than typical. Mike reported he had gotten up earlier than typical. He is drooling more and isn’t allowing tooth brushing as easy, so he probably is getting some molars. Dean did excellent. He has loved working with manipulatives. Puzzles are his favorite. He sat for about 40 minutes working through a variety of toys. He placed 2 beads on string independently today and all other beads he only needed minimal help. Could not do pictures for snack time, because he did not want a snack. Will try to print pictures of toys/TV, so he needs to use those to ask for things.

6/8/18 – Speech

Mom reports – He is answering some yes/no questions, “Good night, Good boy”, “I love you”, “yes”, “no”, “nuh-uh”, “I don’t want it”, “Have it”, “Gimmie”, and “mom”. Dean was seen at home with his family and ABA team. He had a nice attention span to books and shape sorter. He is allowing hand over hand for help sign. He continues to point on his own. Using more vocalizations with intonation. “See” and “pick me up”.

• LEA referral with Hannah on 6/18/18

I am very proud of Dean’s accomplishments and look forward to spending my Sundays and days off with him. He is a big part of my life and happiness. With college starting around the corner, I want to cram in as much Dean time as I can. Later today, we are going to go in the pool and have a swim. I hope the life jacket fits better this year and I can at least have my hands free. I would love to show him how to paddle. Even just sitting in the pool with him is fun. I love watching him grow and turn into a little boy. He has changed so much other these past few months.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Because of the Memorial day Holiday, Dean only had one OT session this past week. He has been doing very well. He is very independent, but does initiate play with me. He’ll be reading a book (looking at the pages) and he will come over to me with the book. He just wants to share it with me, so I will point things out in the pictures for him. He loves to be chased from his room to the living room couch and play “monster” where I chase him on all fours. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I don’t think I’ll ever have another person this great in my life. He’s good for me and he loves me, even when I get frustrated. He understands more than others think.

5/31/18 – OT

Dean said the word “star” the other day and “hot dog”. He sounded like he said help 1X today. He was obviously tired today. He was eager and willing to complete manipulatives today, but any demands for interaction except pointing to desired items, he would get frustrated. Bead stringing he did well with attempting to place dowel in hole and was independent 2xs.

• Continue to use pictures for food especially during snack times.
• Offer chewy tube throughout the day so hopefully it will replace biting dresser.

It’s times like these where I love him even more, because he shows me just how lovable he can be. His foulest mood makes me smile. His cries make me giggle sometimes, because he just looks so cute doing it. I couldn’t imagine life without this beautiful boy in my life. I always knew that something was missing inside of me. I walked through life aimlessly with no purpose, until he came along and showed me that I was worth being loved. He loved me without me having to love him first. He saw me and loved me. Your first love doesn’t have to be sexual. My first true love is my son. John didn’t love me. He loved the thought of me and how I looked. He didn’t care when he hit me and verbally lowered my self worth.

Dean loves me with the purest kind of love. The kind of love that having a child links you with. I would never hurt him and sever that love that I hold so precious. The love that I never had as a child that made me vulnerable to the likes of John: the first guy to show me any kindness and then broke me. Dean put me back together again. I was broken before him. I don’t know if anyone knew, but I was. Now, I have a purpose again. To give this boy the best life that I never had and it requires me to give thought to myself. What do I want? What do I want that I can give to Dean? And so, my journey to a degree begins. The first thing I want for Dean is a home and I want to give that to him.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Dean has been super adorable lately. He likes to go into my face and talk to my eyes. Lately, I have been obsessing with the Stila Glitters and wearing them a lot. Maybe, that is what is attracting him to my eyes. He just looks at them in wonder and kisses my face. I guess, he likes my eye makeup! LOL. I’ve never been good at doing my makeup. I am very average, but Dean makes me feel like an artist. I look at my little boy and I cannot believe that he is turning three this year. Where is the time going? The fact that he is nonverbal and small for his age, makes me feel/think that he is so much younger. It always shocks me to say that he is turning three and currently almost two and a half. He still looks like me too. Everyone always states this and it makes my heart swell with pride. I am proud of my boy and myself for that matter. We have come so far.

5/14/18 – Speech

More stim with hands, more spinning again. Dean was seen at home with Mike. He was in a great mood. While working on stringing beads, Dean knew where the string should go, but was unable to put it through the bead. Once it was through the bead, he knew to pull it through completely on his own. He pointed when given the choice and signed more on his own to get more snack. Lots of singing sounds.

5/17/18 – OT

Dean was more tired today. Mike reported he has been chewing wooden things in room such as dresser and crib. Talked about getting plastic crib covers for crib and having chew tube available for him. During the day whenever see him chewing give him chew tube. Dean did excellent with manipulatives today. Placed shapes in sorter even when hole not oriented directly in front of him. Excellent visual scanning of puzzle pieces. Signed more for manipulatives but not for swing. Excellent choosing picture for snack time even when changed placement on page.

• Continue to use pictures for snack time.
• Continue with simple signs. Will take pictures of toys to increase picture choices to increase communication.

I have to admit that we have been really slacking with the picture exchange at home. I let him have free range for his meals and usually pick snacks that I know he likes. I need to get back to doing the pictures during his snack time. I want to get him a kindle where he can have a learning app on there to make choices instead of the picture exchange. He is more into electronics and I think that it will increase communication. I am buying it for him for Christmas and will try to get info to see if insurance will pay for the app to use on his device.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

So, today is Tuesday. The only day of my work from home week that I have to drag my butt into work and see people. The worst day of the week when I work from home. I just want to work in my pjs and drink my K cup coffee in peace, thank you. But enough about that, I am wearing Tarte (Yes, I know all of the shit going on and went on with Tarte. I have never went out and bought Tarte. This is just what I got in subscription bags, birthday gifts, and a lip kit. I still want to buy some unicorn shit from them so there!) lip paint, not in birthday suit, but a different nude color. It makes me look dead (not the right color nude for me) and my lips feel tight like I have panty hose on them. I kinda like that tight feeling though.

5/8/18 – OT

Dean seemed tired today. Mike reported he slept all night, but was up very early. Completed a co-visit with Ann today to observe what types of activities they are doing with Dean. Despite intermittent agitation, he is doing well with eye contact, looking for help via pulling at hands or looking up at face for help. Attention from across the room when playing ball was impressive, too. He would roll and bring ball back. Talked about sensory needs/movement.

5/10/18 – OT

Dean had a good session with ABA today. Mom talked about school of potentially home schooling him and ABA would stay involved. Dean did excellent today. He immediately ran to door and greeted me with a smile. He grabbed a puzzle and sat in his chair. He sat for 35 minutes and played with multiple toys including 5 puzzles and stringing beads. Took a sensory break swinging in swing and transitioned back to play chair. Showed excellent non-rigid behaviors when placing coins into slotted container as he allowed piggy bank to remain with slot in vertical position versus horizontal.

• Continue to encourage pointing and signing.

5/11/18 – Speech

Said “arm” and “hi”. Spitting at random times. Teething? Dean was seen after ABA today. He woke up 1/2 hour early and tired after our session. He continues to point when given a choice, is playing with some toys independently, and uses the more sign independently sometimes. More sounds. Smiles and eye contact when jumping.

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

Dean had a great week with Early Intervention and it saddens me that we all say goodbye at the end of the year. But 2019 will open a new chapter in our lives and ABA will just become a more prominent feature in Dean’s life. Dean has grown up so much in the past year. He was just learning to walk and run this time last year and now, he is a mad man! lol. Seriously, he looks like a little boy now. It saddens me, but makes me a really proud mamma seeing him grow up. It makes me think cough worry about his future and I just want what is best for my little Bean.

With Love,

Dean’s EI Week

Dean is growing up so fast. He is just finishing up the jars of baby food that I have lying around and he will be eating fresh fruits and veggies. I cannot wait for this new adventure. I am going to be exploring a lot of frozen steamer veggies as well as trying to make up some yummy food. I am going to try my hand at recipes and making blog posts out of my attempts. I hope Dean loves what I make. I will be trying my hand at a pasta salad with some steamer veggies that I found. I also found a yummy recipe for making baked veggies. So, be on the lookout for cooking blog posts with me trying to find ways for Dean to eat and enjoy his veggies without them being paste.

4/30/18 – OT

Dean has started to play with and interact with more toys that he used to just want to stand on. Dean did excellent today. He was initially zoned in on TV, but eventually gave a great smile in greeting. He sat and played for a good 35 minutes with a variety of manipulatives. 1x he attempted to make a choice by omission. He got mad when we worked through non-preferred task. Spoon feeding he did well.

• Feeding – Recommend to not give baby foods (can finish what you have) But no need to buy more. Based on his age and that he liked chewing recommend all table foods.

4/30/18 – Speech

Playing with different toys. Won’t drink milk out of straw cup. Dean greeted me with a smile. Lots more vocalizations during play. “Ba” “Mah” “Ah” just a few. He was very happy today. Worked on puzzle and choices. HE pointed to the puzzle pieces with out pushing the other choice away for all 5 pieces. Model animal name, sound, and signs for puzzle pieces. Nice attention.

• Try straw cup that he can’t see through and try milk in it.

5/3/18 – OT

Dean hit his head the other day and actually noticed and almost cried. He has been biting on wood things – window sill, dresser, toys. Dean did excellent today. Greeted me with a big smile and sat in chair to play. He did excellent with placing pieces into puzzles. He matches very well with excellent visual scanning. Attempted receptive language skill but he did not have success with shape sorter. He waved and said “ba-ba” for Bye bye. He did that 6/8 times. He did well with giving picture of food item he wanted.

• Offer chew tubes whenever you see him mouthing non-food items.

Dean has cut the last of all of his teeth. They are all coming though nicely. So, that is why he has been biting and chewing things. I am hoping that giving him a more varied diet with lots of texture will help him not to bite things. He is eating the hell out of his bed. Anyone have any recommendations for getting your child to stop biting on things? I could use some suggestions besides the hot sauce one. That one just sounds cruel.

With Love,