Yesterday, T rode in the annual Fun Show at our local theraputic horseback riding program. Anyone who takes theraputic riding lessons there can participate in the Fun Show, and it was such an inspiring day. So many people of all ages and abilities riding these wonderful animals - and so many people there to watch and (quietly) cheer them on. Everyone was "judged", got a ribbon and a medal, and I don't know if I've ever been in a room where there were more people bursting with pride and thankfulness in their hearts watching their loved ones ride a horse.
T rode his newest horse for the Fun Show, and he did really well. In fact, all the extra people didn't seem to phase him at all once he was on that horse. He rode like the little pro he already is and grinned and laughed when he got to trot. Rob took pictures - if you are interested, here is the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/chesterley/Pals_fun_ride You can even see his first medal.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Verbal Behavior
We've had a busy week. We are embarking on a big new adventure for T - starting a Verbal Behavior home program for him. Verbal Behavior is a type of Applied Behavior Analysis, a treatment program that has been used with autistic children for decades. Here's a definition: ABA is a teaching technique that enables autistic children to learn and communicate by identifying skill deficits and then breaking these deficits down into manageable units. Through procedures of reinforcement, shaping, prompting, and generalization development skills are taught and expanded on into more meaningful units. Verbal Behavior (ABA:VB) focuses on the acquisition of speech and communication. Since T's second diagnosis is Severe Receptive and Expressive Language Disorder, this made sense for us to go down this road for him.
So what does this look like? How does it work? The first step was finding a consultant. She comes from Indy once a week to train me, our team of VB therapists, set up and maintain the program. If we do this as prescribed, T should have 25-40 hours/week of this therapy. We'll see if we get it up to that. Last week, my big task was to go through the ABBLS (the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills): 26 categories of skill sets (visual performance, imitation, requests, labelling, etc.) with 10-52 tasks each - assessing T. Whew. The ABBLS assessment clearly shows us which tasks he has not mastered yet, and we use these tasks as the basis for his weekly program.
Teaching the tasks is done by breaking them down into small steps and rewarding each step completed successfully. We're doing this to help with toilet training - another post for another day. Rewards can be food, use of a toy for a few seconds, a video or music for a few seconds, or even tickles or praise.
It's a huge undertaking, and I'm exhausted from the week. Thomas, however, is already really responding to the techniques, and I'm thrilled and filled with hope for what it can do for him. I'll post soon about the potty training - that will give a clear example of how this works (even though potty training isn't verbal, the technique can still be used.)
So what does this look like? How does it work? The first step was finding a consultant. She comes from Indy once a week to train me, our team of VB therapists, set up and maintain the program. If we do this as prescribed, T should have 25-40 hours/week of this therapy. We'll see if we get it up to that. Last week, my big task was to go through the ABBLS (the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills): 26 categories of skill sets (visual performance, imitation, requests, labelling, etc.) with 10-52 tasks each - assessing T. Whew. The ABBLS assessment clearly shows us which tasks he has not mastered yet, and we use these tasks as the basis for his weekly program.
Teaching the tasks is done by breaking them down into small steps and rewarding each step completed successfully. We're doing this to help with toilet training - another post for another day. Rewards can be food, use of a toy for a few seconds, a video or music for a few seconds, or even tickles or praise.
It's a huge undertaking, and I'm exhausted from the week. Thomas, however, is already really responding to the techniques, and I'm thrilled and filled with hope for what it can do for him. I'll post soon about the potty training - that will give a clear example of how this works (even though potty training isn't verbal, the technique can still be used.)
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars
Tonight, Comedy Central is hosting "An Overbooked Benefit for Autism Research." I'm listening to the webcast as I write. This is so amazing! Jon Stewart is the host, and among those appearing: Jerry Seinfeld, Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Martin Short, Steve Carell, Stephen Corbert....I am so excited. I also wanted to cry when I saw how many people were appearing and how well-known they are. If you are reading this Sunday, Oct 15th, turn on Comedy Central! I am so incredibly thankful to all those involved.
Circle of Support
Wednesday night, Thomas' Circle of Support met for the first time. Rob wrote a post on his blog about this, and I couldn't say it better. It was a two-hour long God Moment.
http://chesterley.blogspot.com/2006/10/circle-of-support-1st-meeting.html
http://chesterley.blogspot.com/2006/10/circle-of-support-1st-meeting.html
The Itsy Bitsy Spider
One of the challenges that T faces is that he doesn't easily imitate actions done by others. This is a huge barrier to learning, and one we are working on diligently. This is why I had to post about this fun thing he did yesterday. He was watching a Blue's Clues video and at the end, the whole gang sang "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (that was what they figured out - Blue wanted to sing that song.) Thomas watched, looked down at his hands, put his fingers & thumbs in a diamond shape, and sort of bounced them together, all the while looking back to the TV to move along with Steve and Blue. He was imitating! He was!!!
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Teletubby dance
To my chagrin, one of T's favorite TV shows is Teletubbies. Not that there is anything overtly annoying or damaging about them (I've gotten over the creepy baby face in the sunshine - why do I find that creepy?) but they aren't using recognizable language and even though his development is delayed, he's certainly beyond the concepts they teach on the show. But they have big calm faces and are brightly colored and hey, it's a gentle enough show and he finds it absolutely mesmorizing and entertaining.
In a slightly nutty moment, I danced along with one of the Teletubby dances in the kitchen the other day while T ate his snack. Usually nothing can avert his attention from the screen when the Teletubbies are on, but he realized I was doing something silly and watched. The look of absolute delight and amazement he had was worth any silliness or embarassment I felt for dancing with the Teletubbies. He grinned and watched me, then looked at the TV (Yep, by gosh, she's doing what they're doing!) and looked back again - another little connection, another little magical moment.
In a slightly nutty moment, I danced along with one of the Teletubby dances in the kitchen the other day while T ate his snack. Usually nothing can avert his attention from the screen when the Teletubbies are on, but he realized I was doing something silly and watched. The look of absolute delight and amazement he had was worth any silliness or embarassment I felt for dancing with the Teletubbies. He grinned and watched me, then looked at the TV (Yep, by gosh, she's doing what they're doing!) and looked back again - another little connection, another little magical moment.
Locked out
One thing that Rob & I have just revelled in lately is how T can open the screen & sliding door to the deck for our dog when he wants in or out. It is so neat to see him to that! So a few days ago, Rob & I went out on the deck to set up the timer for our plastic pumpkin (it is in our front yard, but the outside outlet is in the back.) Most of the time I'm pretty good at foreseeing a situation play out with T, but my mind was not on alert mode at this point. So while Rob & I were plugging in the timer for the pumpkin, T saw the doors open, walked across the living room, and promptly closed and LOCKED the door. Then - well, we may as well have had movie cameras or America's Funniest Home Videos filming us - we stood there knocking on the glass door, asking to be let in, all the while our son was sitting on the floor, easily kicking back and drinking from his sippy cup, glancing up at us occasionally but having no idea that mommy and daddy were locked out - and making absolutely no move to let us in. Again with the double edged sword - our son was unable to respond to "come here" or "come open the door" - definately potentially dangerous - but at the same time, he knows how to close the door just from watching us do so. (Kids with autism don't do this very easily or at all - most everything needs to be taught hand over hand and very deliberately.) At least we knew that we had a spare key hidden outside for just such occasions and we were able to laugh at it! So we used the key and all was well in a matter of moments...and I'm certainly wary of going on the deck without T with me now!
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