jtsmom
03-23-2001, 04:54 PM
Hi! I am new to this form of support, but very experienced with being the parent of an autistic child. I have a beautiful loving 7 year old little boy, who is considered profoundly autistic and non verbal. I have just started to potty train him after many other attempts, and I am happy to report that after 2 weeks, he is beginning to catch on. I was curious if anyone has any suggestions on different things I can try to help his accomplish this goal. Any and all help is appreciated.
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eweejoe
03-23-2001, 06:52 PM
Congratulations on the potty training. My son is 8 and is also autistic and non-verbal. I don't have any advice for you because my son is not potty trained. I have always felt like he knows more and is capable of more than he does. Was just wondering if your son is that way. I have never even made a serious attempt to potty train him. I would be curious as to how you're 'introducing' your son to the potty. If he's catching on, then I would say GREAT and keep up the good work. Hope someone will have some advice for you instead of wanting advice from you like me. :) Good Luck to you and your son!!
jtsmom
03-26-2001, 09:45 AM
My son and your son sound alot alike. I am like you, I believe my son has so much inside that he is struggling to get out. I am so happy to finally be able to communicate with someone who understands this. What kind of program is your son in? My son attends a special school, that is part of the public school system. I am so lucky that his teachers and aides are phenomenal. They are helping with his potty training by following through at school. I introduced my son to the potty by putting him on one of those adult potty chairs that have arms to them. He feels more secure with this that the toilet, but I am happy to say that he finally went on the toilet at school Friday. I am hoping that he will eventually get the hang of all this. I know it will take time.
eweejoe
03-27-2001, 06:53 PM
Hey! My son is also in a Special Ed. program in our school system. I have never pushed the issue of potty training because I just never felt he was capable. Quite frankly, I've done so much for him for so long that he's just plain lazy sometimes. Everyone that knows him feels he's capapble of more than what he does as far as being independant. He does feed himself most of the time. Comparing notes here, I was just wondering how much your son understands. Meaning, does he understand if you tell him "pick up the ball"? or simple things like that. My son doesn't respond to stuff like that so much, but if I ask "Do you want a bath?" off to the bathroom he runs. If I ask if he's hungry to the kitchen he goes. Stand up, sit down, come here. Simple things like that. I have been told that he has learned these because they are VERY simple EVERYDAY commands and that he could learn more if he can learn these. I am often at a loss as to where to begin, or he is so resistant that I give up. I truly want to get ABA therapy for him, but am having a hard time pulling that one off. It is expensive and I haven't found anyone in my area that is even trained to do it or even heard of it. He should have started it much earlier because the earlier they start, the better the results, but I didn't even hear about it until a few month ago. :( Hope the potty training is coming along nicely for you guys. I am giving serious thought to getting very serious about it this summer while he's out of school and just taking him to the potty every hour on the hour or something. I think he understands what it is for, but I can't be sure. But it isn't going to happen if I don't try, right?? :) Wishing you continued success!!
jtsmom
03-28-2001, 09:43 AM
Thanks for getting back to me. My son sounds more and more like your son. I don't call it lazy though but smart. He figured out if someone else will do it for him why should he? I believe he understands everything I say to him, but like you I have always did everything for him, so he takes advantage when he can. He has gotten much better about following directions in I would say the last year or so. He will go get his coat, a pullup etc... He also loves the bath. I can't keep him out of the water in the summer time. He has been on a modified ABA program this year. Last year they tried a strict program, but he didn't do real well with it so now we do a little bit looser for him. If I were you I would try and contact a private special needs school, they may be able to guide you to a qualified therapist. It is never too late to try any technique that will help your son. Also if you want to get him to do things it will take lots of patience. I taught my son to pick up things by first asking, then showing him what I meant. I probably did this more than a million times before he caught on to what I wanted. The point though is he does know, and I suspect so does your son. I know of some therapists in Maryland who might be able to help you find an ABA therapist. If you would like any information please don't hesitate to ask. I wish you and your son the best. Remember to keep smiling even though sometimes it is a big challenge.
eweejoe
03-28-2001, 09:20 PM
I feel horrible that you posted looking for help with your son and all I've done is pump you for information :) Yes, our little guys sound very familiar. I commend you on your consistency. For a long time (until he was 5) it was just Keith and I. His father and I separated when he was 7 mo. old and divorced when he was 14 mo. I did make him lazy. I guess out of guilt, being overprotective, whatever, I just did everything for him. Oddly enough, most of Keith's progress has been in the last year too. I am VERY interested in anything you can tell me about your son's ABA therapy. I.E. How many hours a day/week? Who pays for it? Is it done while he's at school? Or at home? What are some of the 'exercises' they do with him? Which have you found to be most beneficial? I would definately be very interested in knowing if your son's ABA therapist knows anyone in this area that does the therapy. The best we've done so far is 2 hours away. I'm still searching for someone local, but I really don't know where to begin. I feel like this is the best chance Keith has to at least form some type of communication skills. I know what he wants because if he's hungry he stands in the kitchen, opens cabinets, etc. but he has never uttered the first word. Thank you so much for all of the information you have shared with me and for taking the time to read my LONG posts :) One more thing I wanted to mention, you said that your son was loving...that is exactly how I would describe Keith if I had to use ONE word. I read that and knew they were just alike. :) Thanks for everything! Still hoping the potty training is coming along well. Take Care!!
jtsmom
03-29-2001, 09:02 AM
Well first of all please do not feel horrible, I couldn't be happier to have made a friend that understands everything I am talking about when I talk about my son. I have a great support system don't get me wrong, but they don't understand. You are not going to believe this but I left my son's father when he was 4 months old and we are divorced too. His dad doesn't really have a whole lot to do with him, but is doing better than he was. As far as the ABA therapy goes we do a variation of it probably 10 to 15 times a day. I can give you a brief description of it, but still recommend you see someone who can set it up for you precisely. The most important thing to remember is to be consistant with this. We started with simple commands like "look at me", "give to me", "raise your hand". The premise is to repeat each one of these commands in 10 sets. You need to reward your son when he does as you ask. We used a toy that my son loved and the only time he got to play with it is when he did these trials. I know I am probably not explaining this as well as I could but hopefully you'll get the gist of it. I was curious if your son plays with toys the way they are supposed to be? Mine just started to. He now can push a little car around and he has a doll that he loves to hold and cuddle. I will see what information can find out for you. What area are you in? By the way the potty training is going really well, all things considered. I feel bad because it seems all we do in evening any more is sit on the potty. He is beginning to realize though that if he will go I will let him get up. Let's hope he catches on soon. Thanks for writing back,and for all your nice words.
Eva Benson
03-29-2001, 02:56 PM
my son has had a hard time potty training too! He goes No. 1 but No. 2 forget it! He will sit there and try but then he gets up and puts his pull up on and then goes! When he feels like it he will we just can't figure out why he does 1 and not 2. He is going to be 9 in July. My husband will sit there with him from time to time he seems to like to be praised alot too whenhe is trying! Good Luck!
jtsmom
03-29-2001, 03:54 PM
That is so funny. My son will go No. 2 but still does No. 1 in his pull up at times. That's why we spend so much time on the potty. He is doing great with No.2, but then that's because I know when he is getting ready to and make him sit. Thanks for the words of encouragement. I appreciate it.
eweejoe
03-30-2001, 09:07 PM
Thanks for your info. The reason I am asking about ABA is because Keith's speech therapist that he sees outside of school is going to start seeing him 4 times a week just for the summer and she and I were going to try to 'introduce' Keith to small doses of ABA to see how he does. It is so weird to read about your son and others on here who are so much alike. Keith loves McD's too and would live on their chicken nuggets if he could. He does play with a few toys appropriately, but mostly likes anything that spins, which we try to discourage. He also LOVES paper. He can seek it out like he has a radar. :) He just likes to rip it up and flap it. LOVES the summertime. Warm weather. Water. Dirt. He'd rather take a bubble bath than eat sometimes I think. I have tried to catch Keith doing #2 and put him on the potty, but he doesn't like it too much. I am going to get a seat with rails like you said you got for your son and see if that helps. He's too big for a little potty and the big one scares him. Wish me luck! I was wondering how long your little guy has watched TV. Keith just started for the first time in almost 9 years to watch Barney. My little girl loves Barney, so she watches 3-4 videos a day and Keith will sit and watch it the whole time, but didn't start until maybe 4-5 months ago. I was wondering if that was a good thing or not. I am taking him to a psychologist this coming Wednesday and thought I would ask her. I also was wondering how your little guy likes haircuts, teeth brushings, etc. I was reading one mom's post about how angry her son gets when he gets hungry and that also describes Keith to a tee. It can get pretty ugly sometimes. He's not easy to calm down once he's aggitated. I have just tried to avoid that situation by not letting him get THAT hungry, but it still happens and he still gets mad. You mentioned a special diet you have your son on and said you don't give him dairy products. Is that all you've cut out of his diet? You said it has helped. Just wondering. I swear the more I read the more I am very curious as to whether or not he's got autism because of the TS or whether it might be something else. I've always felt like what has happened to Keith was that he was put on phenobarbital at the age of 6 months for seizures and IMMEDIATELY became a zombie. Trusting what the doctors told me, I left him on it for a year and a half. He went from being a normal, typically developing child to being a zombie almost overnight. All around the same time he had immunizations and he was on his first dose or antibiotics ever. He doesn't have any kind of digestive/bowel problems. I don't know. All I know is that I feel like there is a little kid in him just bursting to get out. His aggression is becoming more of a fear of mine although it is only when he gets hungry and maybe a few other things, but when he is angry...he's angry. I appreciate all of the help you have been. I am like you, my family is wonderful, but they just can't understand what it is like to be in our shoes. Hope potty training is coming along! Take care!!
jtsmom
04-03-2001, 10:35 AM
I feel the same way you do about the autism.
Jt was developing fine until he had his MMR vaccination. He had already began to talk and was into everything. He had never been sick other than a cold. After he got the shot, he began getting ear infections and he just totally tuned out of the world. It has been a long road but he is finally coming back. He still has his moments of zoning out, but he much easier to get back now. He is just beginning to watch TV again and I think if Keith wants to watch Barney or anything else for that matter it is a wonderful thing. Jt loves anything with action on tv. Typical man that he is he loves to watch sports the most. I wanted to relay to you too, that if your speech therapist is willing to do ABA with Keith, she should try to get a hold of Kennedy Kreiger Institute here in Maryland and talk to Lynne Medley. Maybe that way she could at least get some information on how to do it. I don't have the number for Kennedy Kreiger right at the moment but I will try to find it for you. I have to go for now, but as always I am glad to have heard from you. I hope your appointment on Wednesday goes well. Let me know how you and Keith make out. Take care.
Jt was developing fine until he had his MMR vaccination. He had already began to talk and was into everything. He had never been sick other than a cold. After he got the shot, he began getting ear infections and he just totally tuned out of the world. It has been a long road but he is finally coming back. He still has his moments of zoning out, but he much easier to get back now. He is just beginning to watch TV again and I think if Keith wants to watch Barney or anything else for that matter it is a wonderful thing. Jt loves anything with action on tv. Typical man that he is he loves to watch sports the most. I wanted to relay to you too, that if your speech therapist is willing to do ABA with Keith, she should try to get a hold of Kennedy Kreiger Institute here in Maryland and talk to Lynne Medley. Maybe that way she could at least get some information on how to do it. I don't have the number for Kennedy Kreiger right at the moment but I will try to find it for you. I have to go for now, but as always I am glad to have heard from you. I hope your appointment on Wednesday goes well. Let me know how you and Keith make out. Take care.
jtsmom
04-03-2001, 12:03 PM
I wanted to add something to my reply to you because I didn't answer your question about Jt's diet and digestion problems. Up until about a year and half ago, he had never had a bowel movement with a formed stool. (I can't believe the things I talk about ha!ha!) He has had 3 secretin injections and for the past year has been taking his secretin orally. Since he started the secretin, he has not had as many problems with his bowels, but since we had eliminated milk, it has greatly improved and he seems much calmer. I wish I knew for sure what caused autism. It just seems to me from all that I have read, that it has to be somehow related to digestive system as well. Any way sorry to go on and on, but I wanted to make sure I answered that question. Also Jt is alot like Keith in that he loves the dirt, and paper. Jt likes to flap it and tear it. He also loves weeds or tall grass. He can't wait until he can go outside and play again. Hope all is going well for you and Keith. Talk to you soon.
eweejoe
04-05-2001, 12:04 PM
We took Keith to Knoxville for his psych eval yesterday. The doctor confimed his autism diagnosis, but said it was due to his TS. She had some very discouraging things to say, but in the almost 9 years I have been dealing with this, I have learned to follow my heart and not the "professional's" advice. She said that since he was so old that he probably would not benefit from the ABA therapy much, if any. I don't agree with her, although I know that the therapy is less effective on him since he is older. Makes me very angry that NO ONE has ever even mentioned autism to me..I have tried and tried to get someone to listen to me that I feel he's more autistic than mentally retarded. Not until I finally saw an article that linked TS with Autism did I finally realize that I was right, now that it is so late in the game. I was also told that every child that is autistic has some degree of mental retardation. (thought you guys would LOVE that one!) And, she said that it has nothing to do with the stomach, the diets don't work, and it is a 'brain' disorder. She gave me a link to a website that supposedly proves that Secretin doesn't work either. So, I left with the feeling that this is what I am stuck with and there's no hope. She also didn't agree with me that Keith went from a normal 'typically' developing baby at 6 months old to a total zombie after his first dose of phenobarb.(for seizures at 6 mo) She blames his 'zombie' state on the infantile spasms. He had them for a month before he was diagnosed and didn't regress at all. I have home video showing the significant change in Keith overnight. I also told her that I read online (on here) that phenobarb was the only known anti-convulsant to cause brain damage. She blew that theory off too, once again blaming the infantile spasms. Even after I explained to her that the medication didn't make them any less frequent than before he started taking it. We were lucky in the aspect that he didn't have but maybe a few clusters of them a day- whereas some kids have them constantly 24/7. His neurologist was even very optimistic that he was going to be fine.."As long as he is not having a seizure, he can learn". I am basically very discouraged right now. It will take me a day or two to get back on track, but I will. Like so many other people here, I would be willing to bet if Keith were her grand-son she would have a whole different approach to his treatment. Sorry to ramble on for so long (I am good at that). Take Care!
jtsmom
04-05-2001, 02:12 PM
I am so sorry to hear how that doctor made you feel. You should get Keith ABA, and see how it goes. Just because they say it doesn't really help older children doesn't mean anything. As far as every autistic child being a little retarded, that is just a crock. Please try to keep your spirits high. From what you have said about Keith, I know he can learn and all you have to do is keep trying with him. The ABA method is really good at reinforcing good behaviors. And because it is so repetive, it seems to really work. Jt didn't start it until he was 6. He is doing so much better it is amazing. Trust your instincts. I would think that you know Keith better than anyone. I am fortunate to have a doctor who understands this. Please know that I will keep you and Keith in my prayers and that I hope you can find someone to do the ABA with him. If you need anything please don't hesitate to let me know. Take care of yourself and let me know how you are doing.
4kidz
04-06-2001, 01:35 AM
Hello! WOW.. I just found this board and am amazed at how your sons sound like mine! Jake is 8 and is also non-verbal. We are also trying to potty-train him. As for his digestive system, his is screwed up too. He is lactose intollerant, and frequently is constipated. He loves Thomas the Tank, and Theodore Tugboat, Teletubbies, Pooh and Sesame Street. We also don't let him spin, or play with spinning toys (a doc said it could make him regress) He does seem to fully understand stuff.. (sometimes just lazy or stubborn!)He can understand simple directions (when he wants to!) He amazes us with his keen sense of "radar" .. can find books that we have hidden,,or his favorite: playing cards, a level (like carpenters use) , or his thomas the tank blanket. I swear it is a sixth sense!But, if he has to give it up (like to get in the car, on the bus,, etc.) he has a meltdown- that is why we tend to hide them. He loves letters and numbers. In school he is in a regular classroom, but has an aide. She is awesome. She has really helped him learn to express himself. He uses a book with cards velcro'ed on to tell what he wants to do, or what he is supposed to do. IE:a picture of a crayon to pick when its time to color.. or a toilet. We started pottytraining a year ago, with underwear and plastic pants: disaster. We all just became frustrated. Now he is in diapers again, but pulls them down to use the toilet. He sits down to pee. (last year we had him stand) -he was at a different school in different town last year. He succeeds more at school than home, but that may be because we have 3 other kids..which makes it hard. It is great to hear that there are other people who have a child like mine! By the way,, Jake is my stepson. I married his dad last year (he raised him for 7 yrs alone!) Jakes mom and dad got divorced when he was one, she wanted single life again,and has only called a few times in 7 yrs. sad..Anyway.. I love him, and my 3 kids do too. So, this is all kind of new to me! I am so glad to find others who know what I am feeling and from reading your posts.. I already have learned some helpful stuff! Anything else I should know that can help with raising an autistic child? thanks so much!
jtsmom
04-06-2001, 08:58 AM
Jake is a lucky boy to have you and his father. Tell me more about him. You said he was in a regular classroom with an aide. I think that is great. My son has been in a special class since he was 2 and 1/2. He just started a school this year that is for disabled children only. I wish I would have gotten him into this school even earlier. He has made such progress since being there. My little guy is a pistol about spinning things too. We use those types of toys as reinforcers when we are working on new drills with him. That is the only time he is allowed to play with them. It is so funny how hard he will work for the opportunity to play with that toy. He also has a thing about strings or anything that remotely resembles a string. He has a rubber snake that he loves too. We use that for drills too. He becomes to obsessed otherwise. My son's digestive problems are also doing better. Unlike Jake, Jt's problem with his bowels was just the opposite. Since eliminating dairy from his diet though he is doing much better. I was curious, does Jake play with your other kids? My son does play with other kids, but not always appropiately. Anyway I am glad you wrote. I hope I hear from you again.
eweejoe
04-06-2001, 11:26 AM
I too am glad to know I am not alone! And I also agree that your step-son is very lucky to have both of you as parents. That is AWESOME that he is in a regular classroom with an aide, Keith goes to a regular school, but is in a classroom with all special needs kids. Six kids, one teacher and two aides. This is how I feel about it, if these little guys are smart enough to 'sniff' out paper from the deepest, darkest places then they can learn to potty train, communicate, etc. Learning is learning. The key, I believe, is to figure out how they learn it and teach them 'their' way. I am totally pushing for the ABA therapy for Keith, just isn't readily available here. Even if it's just an hour a day, I've heard that will benefit them greatly as long as the person doing it knows what they are doing. We also were told that if we could eliminate the spinning - Keith could be an olympic gold medalist at spinning a square block! - that it would draw him out of his 'own little world' and essentially force him to re-act more, therefore learning more. I'm also going to try, once again, to eliminate paper from his world. Constant battle. Keith likes Barney and the discovery channel :) The only advice I can give you is to love them and take it one day at a time and always follow your heart when it comes to their care. I have found great support here and tremendous comfort in knowing that I am not alone. Very glad to have met all of you! Keep us updated! Take Care!
jtsmom
04-06-2001, 11:58 AM
Well I am glad to see eweejoe you are in a better frame of mind today. You are absolutely right, if they can learn one thing the possibility to learn many things is there. I found a website for Kennedy Kreiger Institute for you it is at www.kennedykreiger.org (http://www.kennedykreiger.org) The name of the therapist who work with my son's teacher is Lynn Medley. She is wonderful and I am positive that if she can help you find an ABA therapist in Tennessee she will. I hope you can find someone, it would be good for both you and Keith. Take care and I'll talk to you soon.
4kidz
04-08-2001, 12:55 AM
Hello! Thanks for the responses! Jake does play with my other children, but like you said.. not always appropriately.. He loves to watch them run around, and will line up my younger son's cars while he is playing. He loves to go for walks, watch the kids play sports, and play on the playground with them. Today he was at my sister's house and took out all of the videos and lined them up on the floor. Normally she would just pick them up, but she has learned that he will listen if told what to do. He did pick them up, but grunted while doing it (as if to say"great now you know I can do it too") At school his aide has him using a "communicator box" I guess he pushes a button that says "hello" or "goodbye" and he is using it appropriately! She has been awesome with him this year. She has him call me every day. She points to each # and says it as she dials. Then she hands him the phone. I know it is him if I hear heavy breathing between 9 and 10 am! I say hi, ask him how school is, tell him I love him,, etc. then she gets on the phone, tells me anything important about his morning or day yesterday, and gives it back to him to say goodbye and for him to hangup! Its so wonderful to have such a caring aide. There are about 20 other kids in his class who she has interact with him. They take turns getting in line with him to go to gym, lunch, etc. He has even been invited to a birthday party! A couple of kids mom's tell me that their sons have said that Jake is their best friend. It's so nice! At the beginning of the year I brought in a book and read it about autism. I also printed out a letter that told all about autism for the parents. That way when the kids said "there is a kid in our class who makes a lot of noises, but doesnt talk, sometimes hits his head when he is frustrated..." that they wouldn't freak out! Jake is also good with directions when we are on the road. If we turn down a road that leads to my parents house he will start wiggling his knees and making a puckering sound. But if we turn the road towards my other daughters school, he starts grunting and slamming back onto the seat. (he doesn't like the fact that we just go into the building to pick her up from girlscouts.. then leave} Each day I am more and more amazed at what he does know. One day he took the numbers puzzle that we have and lined the numbers up on the floor from 9 to 1.. the only trouble he had was with the 9 and the 6 he kept turning them around trying to figure out which number they were! Do any of your boys like power lines? Jake loves it when we drive near them, he starts wiggling and puckering and strains his neck to look at them ! Luckily the house we are moving into in a couple of weeks has them as you turn on the road.. now he won't get mad when we go home after a day out and about! We live on a main road right now and decided that before Jake gets too big to handle, we would move onto a road that we wouldn't have to worry about quite as much. It is in the same town, we would never want to leave such a good school system now! I like the idea of ABA, I have been reading up on it. Also thanks for the idea about using the toys he likes for the drills, I hope to start that when we get into the new house. Well, time for bed for me! (my turn to sleep in tomorrow so I get to stay up late!) hehe Have a great day! ~Jlene
jtsmom
04-09-2001, 02:29 PM
You know when I sit here and read so many of these posts, it amazes me how smart these kids really are. I know from experience that alot of times, my son doesn't get the credit he deserves because he doesn't talk. How wonderful for Jake that his classmates have embraced him and want to be his friend. My son has made friends with another little boy at his school, who always tells everyone the same thing "Jt is my best friend". I know how comforting that is to me. I wish all children could be that kind to him, for that matter I wish adults could be too. He is such a sweet little guy, it breaks my heart when people are mean to him or give him those looks. Anyway I am at work and have to go. Take care and keep in touch.
4kidz
04-10-2001, 12:10 AM
Hello again! Today Jake's aide told us that she would not be his aide next year. She said "truthfully I am sick of changing diapers." I can understand how she feels, my kids were out of diapers long before Jake came into our lives. But, she is a wonderful aide.She took Jake after being an aide for another boy for 4 years who was also not potty trained. I wish he could get out of diapers too, maybe this summer we will have better luck.. We are trying to decide whether or not to keep him back at the school he goes to, since he has progressed so much this year, or to send him on to third grade which is at another school, 3rd thru 5th.. My older daughter is at this school now, and my younger son will be at the school Jake is at this year. So, either way he will be with one of the kids. I just am scared of another transition for him.. and to a bigger school with older kids.. But I know he will have to move on sometime, he is 8, going to be 9 this summer. And is tall for his age.. AAAAAAAh its so hard when all you are trying to do is do the best for your child, but being unsure of what that is can be sooo frustrating! Thanks for letting me vent! Have a good one!
eweejoe
04-10-2001, 12:14 PM
I understand your struggle to make a decision concerning your child. Seems like we have to make HARD decisions concerning them constantly. With a new school year coming, change always seems inevitable. For me, if I could keep Keith in familiar surroundings that he is progressing well in, that would be what I would do. Just my opinion. :) Hate to hear about his aide. I have Keith's IEP meeting next Monday to discuss his placement next year. I'm also nervous and anxious to see what they are going to suggest and how they are going to react to my wanting ABA therapy for him. We all know it will be a fight. I would be anxious to know how you got your school system to provide an aide for your son. I know that by law, if I wanted Keith in his age appropriate grade with an aide, they would have to provide it, but I also worry about how the other kids would treat him. I would like an aide for him in his current classroom that could do the ABA therapy with him at least a couple of hours a day.
jtsmom, Thank you for the information you provided me and the name of your son's therapist. Keith is on spring break this week so of course my telephone time is limited. Thank goodness the weather has been pretty and we've gotten outside. He's having a really good week so far-Knock wood! :) But, I will try to get in touch with them next week sometime and see what I can find out.
4kidz hang in there. I know how hard changes are on us mommies and daddies. I am much more resistant to it than Keith is, he's fine with whatever. Whatever you decide, he'll be fine.
I just wanted to say once again that it is so nice to have met people here who have children very similar to mine. On the other autism boards I feel like I am alone in the situation because my son is much older and is not on any special diet. He also doesn't talk and isn't potty trained. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the diets and supplements. I just didn't feel at home here until I met you two great ladies and your great little fellas. Just seems like fate that they are all so close in age and have SO MUCH in common. :) Hugs and kisses to them all!! Take care!!
Sherri.
[This message has been edited by eweejoe (edited 04-10-2001).]
jtsmom, Thank you for the information you provided me and the name of your son's therapist. Keith is on spring break this week so of course my telephone time is limited. Thank goodness the weather has been pretty and we've gotten outside. He's having a really good week so far-Knock wood! :) But, I will try to get in touch with them next week sometime and see what I can find out.
4kidz hang in there. I know how hard changes are on us mommies and daddies. I am much more resistant to it than Keith is, he's fine with whatever. Whatever you decide, he'll be fine.
I just wanted to say once again that it is so nice to have met people here who have children very similar to mine. On the other autism boards I feel like I am alone in the situation because my son is much older and is not on any special diet. He also doesn't talk and isn't potty trained. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the diets and supplements. I just didn't feel at home here until I met you two great ladies and your great little fellas. Just seems like fate that they are all so close in age and have SO MUCH in common. :) Hugs and kisses to them all!! Take care!!
Sherri.
[This message has been edited by eweejoe (edited 04-10-2001).]
4kidz
04-11-2001, 01:22 AM
Hello! It is so amazing how alike our situations are! Already you all have helped me! Jake had an aide in a special ed classroom at his other school before he moved here with me and my kids, but in our school all the children are mainstreamed. There is almost an aide in each classroom! I will definately ask about ABA therapy at Jakes IEP.. just to see what they say. From what I hear, from my mom who is a first grade teacher, Whatever the parent wants for their child,, they can get. She said "It's the law." She said that some parents meet every week with the whole group of specialists to make sure that their child is getting EXACTLY what they want him to have. This seems a bit extreme to me, but I do know that even with the best of schools, they will only do what is minimally necessary, unless we speak up! As for Jake I too was worried at how he would "fit in" in a regular classroom, but the kids really love to help out with him and take pride in doing stuff with him to help him learn! I was worried that kids would be mean or exclude him because of his differences, but the total opposite has happened. The other kids feel good about themselves because they can help him learn, and they love to see how much he knows! If you say at the IEP that you want an one on one aide for your child in a regular classroom, they HAVE to provide it. An aide can give the child the support they need as the child sees the "normal" behavior of other kids, yet distract them when they are overwhelmed. I have been able to see Jake in both environments, in a special needs classroom, and also in a mainstreamed classroom, and I can't even begin to tell you about the change in him! He really has improved, not as much head slapping, and his attention span has improved too! I am glad that we didn't even have to suggest an aide to the school system, but that they provided it knowing that he would benefit from mainstreaming! Good luck at the IEP. Stand your ground! (I have a hard time trying to do this, but am working on it! )
jtsmom
04-11-2001, 09:25 AM
Wow I was only gone a day and look at what I have missed! Eweejoe is your name Sherri? The reason I asked is because I seen it at the end of one of these post and was just curious. You won't believe this but my name is Sherry, yet another coincidence. I am like the both of you, I am so happy to have both of you to talk to. Until I got on here I felt like the only person I could really chat with was Jt's teacher. Thank both of you for taking the time to write and share your thoughts with me. 4kidz, I know exactly how you feel about transitions. Since both of you are going to your IEP meetings, this is what I would suggest, first ask for everything!!!!! They might act like they aren't going to do it, but be persistant. My son got his aide about 4 years ago. They were not going to give him one because they didn't think his behavior warranted one. I just kept right on asking util they gave him one. Same about the school he is in now. I told them this is where I want him and no one argued or tried to stop me. I agree with both of you that these meetings and the transitions are harder on us mommies and daddies than the kids. Hopefully we will all survive. I will talk with both of you later.
Let me know how your meetings go.
Let me know how your meetings go.
eweejoe
04-11-2001, 10:22 PM
Yes! My name is Sherri. Isn't that wild?? :) Just had a minute, wanted to let you know that. I'll let you guys know how Keith's IEP goes Monday. The idea of him having an aide of his own, whether in special ed or not is starting to really appeal to me since your sons have had such success with them. I truly think they need very intense one-on-one training to achieve their greatest potential.
4kidz, if you tell us your name is Sherri, I'll definately flip out. :)
Hope you guys are doing well! I'll update you soon and you guys keep me updated.
4kidz, if you tell us your name is Sherri, I'll definately flip out. :)
Hope you guys are doing well! I'll update you soon and you guys keep me updated.
jtsmom
04-12-2001, 09:52 AM
I am like you if 4kidz name is Sherri, I probably will fall down. I think you should try to get an aide for Keith, Jt has really benefited from his. His aide keeps him on track and focused. I am so happy I got on this board. I am really enjoying talking to the both of you. Have a great day! Talk to you soon.
jtsmom
04-16-2001, 08:55 PM
Just wanted to drop you a quick line Sherri and see how Keith's IEP meeting went. Jt goes back to school tomorrow and I don't know who is happier him or my mom! Ha!Ha! How was your Easter? Jt had a great time, I was really proud of him, he played so great with my nieces and nephew and even hunted for Easter eggs. He has been a live wire tonight so I am going to go for now and hopefully I will hear from you soon. Hope everything is going well for you and your family. Talk to you soon.
eweejoe
04-16-2001, 11:21 PM
Hi! Keith's IEP went great today. Because of his age, he will be sent to another school next year. Which I am not exactly thrilled about, but they are phasing out the transitional CDC class in his current school and spreading the 6 kids out into their home based schools. So he'll be closer to home which is better, but it still is that 'change is hard for mommy' thing. The good news is that he will have an aide. Well, his current teacher and principal AND his future teacher and principal said that they will push for a full-time aide for him and of course I have to push for one too. Going to call the director of special ed tomorrow. I am also going to request she do some research on ABA therapy, or I'll send her what I have, and tell her that I want to implement it into Keith's school day. He will still be in a special ed class but it is higher functioning. The kids have desks and will do math, reading, etc. I am very scared for him and how he will fit in, but I need to take the chance. It seems you and Jake's mom have had much success with the aide. The mainstreaming part I am a little afraid of. I really like the teacher and the principal at his prospective school. Trying to fight back the fears of him moving schools and fitting in and hope that I am making the right choice. He started back to school today from spring break and was pooped. He went to bed at 9:00. He usually lasts until 9:30 or so. I meant to ask you, does JT have the sleeping problems that some of the mothers on here talk about? Thank God that Keith has always been a good sleeper. He is up by 7:30 or 8:00 on the weekends, but he sleeps all night and goes to bed just fine. Just tuck him in and he doesn't get up. I honestly do thank the good Lord that he does sleep after reading some of the problems other mothers with autistic children have. Anyway, speaking of sleep, I am going to go get some myself. I hope things are going great with you and your little guy. So glad to hear he had a good Easter. That is so heart warming, I know. Keith didn't hunt eggs, just ate turkey and green beans like a little piggy. If you have anymore suggestions before I talk to the director, please let me know. I have learned SOOO much from you guys here and I want to thank you so much for that. You take care and I will talk to you soon!! Sherri.
whatstheodds
04-17-2001, 05:55 PM
hi,
i don't vist this board very often but it was very nice to see such a long thread, where people are able to get lots of support
i have noticed on this board people don't always answer new topics, my names not sherry
before you ask, its jo, i can't remember who said it but i know what you you mean about the different diets and treatment i just end up lost and confused, i guess as i'm from the
u.k things are different here, thats possibily why i find it confusing, i have
three kids , abbey & bethan twins 7yrs both
have asd and learning disabilities, and then theres elliot hes 4 on monday and he has asd
they are all very different, the girls are
out of nappies, it only took six years!!!!
elliot is still in nappies, we will keep trying, i hope you guys don't mind me joining
your thread it looked so friendly and inviting. jo.
------------------
i don't vist this board very often but it was very nice to see such a long thread, where people are able to get lots of support
i have noticed on this board people don't always answer new topics, my names not sherry
before you ask, its jo, i can't remember who said it but i know what you you mean about the different diets and treatment i just end up lost and confused, i guess as i'm from the
u.k things are different here, thats possibily why i find it confusing, i have
three kids , abbey & bethan twins 7yrs both
have asd and learning disabilities, and then theres elliot hes 4 on monday and he has asd
they are all very different, the girls are
out of nappies, it only took six years!!!!
elliot is still in nappies, we will keep trying, i hope you guys don't mind me joining
your thread it looked so friendly and inviting. jo.
------------------
jtsmom
04-17-2001, 06:11 PM
Hi Sherri and Jo! I am so happy to hear that your meeting went so well Sherri. Keep after them and they will get Keith an aide, that's what I did with Jt and they finally did it. Jo of course you are welcomed. Like I have said before it is so nice to talk to people who truly know what it is like. Thought I would give you an update on JT's potty training. He is beginning to go #1 really well now but is fighting me with #2. He went back to school today and I am hoping he had a great day. It has been a rough week for him and my mom. They love each other so much but my mom doesn't have the patience for Jt sometimes. I was curious Jo if you have any one to help you out with all those precious kids. I know how hard it is for me and I only have Jt.
I was curious Sherri if you had a chance to check out the kennedy kreiger site. I noticed that they had alot of resources that I thought would be of benefit to Keith. Jt was diagnosed there and unfortunately, my insurance will not cover treatment from them, but his school consults them. I also saw a site that dealt directly with ABA, that sold videos to teach therapists how to use it. I can't remember the address, but I know that when I searched for it I had put ABA therapy in and autism schools. Hope you can use that info. Jo, you are right it is so confusing with all the diets and supplements and so forth. I get lost trying to figure it all out sometimes. Anyway please keep writing Jo, and Sherri hopefully I will talk with you soon. I have to work late tonite and I am typing you from work. Give Keith lots of hugs and kisses from JT and I. Jo please do the same for your 4. Talk to all of you soon.
I was curious Sherri if you had a chance to check out the kennedy kreiger site. I noticed that they had alot of resources that I thought would be of benefit to Keith. Jt was diagnosed there and unfortunately, my insurance will not cover treatment from them, but his school consults them. I also saw a site that dealt directly with ABA, that sold videos to teach therapists how to use it. I can't remember the address, but I know that when I searched for it I had put ABA therapy in and autism schools. Hope you can use that info. Jo, you are right it is so confusing with all the diets and supplements and so forth. I get lost trying to figure it all out sometimes. Anyway please keep writing Jo, and Sherri hopefully I will talk with you soon. I have to work late tonite and I am typing you from work. Give Keith lots of hugs and kisses from JT and I. Jo please do the same for your 4. Talk to all of you soon.
whatstheodds
04-17-2001, 06:30 PM
hey that was a quick response thanx for the welcome, i get help mainly from hubby, hes
my rock, i've also set up a local group with another parent, which is great, i nearly died when you said i had 4 kids, three is definitly enough, we're only half way through the school holidays, and its hard work, do you find that your son?? can hold onto his wee for a long time, i know the girls didn't like not having a nappy on and would hold on for up tp 8 hours!!! they had to go sometime!! we still have problems with bethan & no 2s shes on a reward chart at the
moment, we had seven pairs of soiled pants in
one day from her, it is so difficult toilet
training has been the biggest battle for us
and still is!!!! jo.
------------------
my rock, i've also set up a local group with another parent, which is great, i nearly died when you said i had 4 kids, three is definitly enough, we're only half way through the school holidays, and its hard work, do you find that your son?? can hold onto his wee for a long time, i know the girls didn't like not having a nappy on and would hold on for up tp 8 hours!!! they had to go sometime!! we still have problems with bethan & no 2s shes on a reward chart at the
moment, we had seven pairs of soiled pants in
one day from her, it is so difficult toilet
training has been the biggest battle for us
and still is!!!! jo.
------------------
jtsmom
04-17-2001, 06:40 PM
Sorry Jo I realized I had typed the wrong number after I had already posted, please forgive me, 3 is quite enough. Jt does hold both forever and when goes, whew!!!! Look out. Glad you got back to me. Talk to you again soon. By the way you are lucky to have your rock. My ex doesn't have alot to do with Jt other than to disrupt. Have a good night.
Sherry
Sherry
jtsmom
04-18-2001, 09:35 PM
Hi Sherri! I just realized that I hadn't really answered your last post about Jt and sleep. He does better now than he used to. I just have to make sure he doesn't take a nap and usually he will go down at around 9 or 10. Of course that is not always a given. Ha!Ha! I wanted to also talk to you about your apprehension with sending Keith to a new school. Jt was sent to a different school last year and I was so afraid. I have to admit I didn't really like the school, but I am glad I did send him because if I hadn't I would have always wondered if I had made the right choice. That school was a regular elementary with an autism program. I was really disappointed with the way the program was ran. I put Jt in this school because it just offered so much more. The school he is in now is still a public school but it caters to only special needs kids only and he is just thriving there. He gets to do things he never has before and I just love everyone there. He has been going to school since before he was 3. I also loved the preschool program he was in and his teachers. I was so traumatized last year when we switched schools, and even more so when I saw he wasn't getting what he needed and no one seemed to care. So I guess what I am trying to say is, give it a chance, and make them give him an aide, and then monitor, monitor, monitor. I think it is so much harder for us parents than the kids. I think it is because we have to trust someone we don't really know and because our little men can't tell us it is really scary. Everyone knows me at his school and really in this system because I make sure I am always around. Well I have to run for now. Give your kids a big hug from Jt and me. Talk to you soon.
jtsmom
04-18-2001, 09:37 PM
Hi Sherri! I just realized that I hadn't really answered your last post about Jt and sleep. He does better now than he used to. I just have to make sure he doesn't take a nap and usually he will go down at around 9 or 10. Of course that is not always a given. Ha!Ha! I wanted to also talk to you about your apprehension with sending Keith to a new school. Jt was sent to a different school last year and I was so afraid. I have to admit I didn't really like the school, but I am glad I did send him because if I hadn't I would have always wondered if I had made the right choice. That school was a regular elementary with an autism program. I was really disappointed with the way the program was ran. I put Jt in this school because it just offered so much more. The school he is in now is still a public school but it caters to only special needs kids only and he is just thriving there. He gets to do things he never has before and I just love everyone there. He has been going to school since before he was 3. I also loved the preschool program he was in and his teachers. I was so traumatized last year when we switched schools, and even more so when I saw he wasn't getting what he needed and no one seemed to care. So I guess what I am trying to say is, give it a chance, and make them give him an aide, and then monitor, monitor, monitor. I think it is so much harder for us parents than the kids. I think it is because we have to trust someone we don't really know and because our little men can't tell us it is really scary. Everyone knows me at his school and really in this system because I make sure I am always around. Well I have to run for now. Give your kids a big hug from Jt and me. Talk to you soon.
eweejoe
04-18-2001, 11:43 PM
Hi Sherry! :)
I know exactly what you are saying about the school/change situation. I have learned from past mistakes that change CAN be good and that everything always works out and if I don't like it, I can raise enough h**l and get him out of the situation. I don't know if JT is like this, but I always know when Keith is not happy because he will cry. For example: My cousin's wife kept Keith for me the year he was 4 (I didn't send him to school because I had no after school care for him that I could afford). Anyway, they had twins that were about 2 or 3 then. If I left our apartment complex and turned right, going towards their house, he'd start crying. If I turned left, he'd be fine. He would calm down for a while, but when we would get to her house he would start crying again. Me, being the human I am, thought that was a GOOD thing that he was finally showing emotion. Couldn't have been more wrong! Eventually signs that he was being mistreated started showing up. (i.e. bruised ears, bite marks, etc) I just blew it off as 'normal' kid behavior although none of it was ever explained to me by her. When I met my current husband he immediately said "Those kids are torturing him". I felt like someone had stabbed at hot knife into my heart. I couldn't believe I had been so oblivious to the situation. To this day he has never cried again when he goes to school or anywhere else. I do not speak to my cousin or his wife because I feel like she allowed this to go on and did nothing to stop it. Add that to my long list of regrets. Anyway, sorry to babble so long, just trying to make a point (the long way around) that #1) I will know if Keith isn't happy and #2) I will keep my nose stuck in stuff enough to know if he is in good hands. I just pray that his aide is patient and kind. I would hate to have to kill someone. (he he..just kidding!) Thanks for the info on the Kennedy Kreiger Inst. I checked out their website throughly and I am giving the ladies name and their number to his speech therapist next Wed. She will see him 4 days a week this summer and we're going to bombard him with some intense therapy and see if there is any improvement. Would definately help my case against the school system for getting him an aide who is trained to do ABA. I know, I'm probably dreaming, but hey, like you said ask for the moon and see what they offer. :) One more question, and then I'll shut up...while doing the ABA does JT get angry and resist the therapy? If so, how do you diffuse that situation? I know that the book I have says "Do not take NO for an answer" and no matter how mad they get or how much they cry, keep going. The crying/resistance is supposedly because they are 'getting it' and don't want to.
Ok, I am going now...4kidz, if you're still around, we'd love to know how you're doing. :) Hope all is well for everyone! Hugs and Kisses to all!!
Sherri.
I know exactly what you are saying about the school/change situation. I have learned from past mistakes that change CAN be good and that everything always works out and if I don't like it, I can raise enough h**l and get him out of the situation. I don't know if JT is like this, but I always know when Keith is not happy because he will cry. For example: My cousin's wife kept Keith for me the year he was 4 (I didn't send him to school because I had no after school care for him that I could afford). Anyway, they had twins that were about 2 or 3 then. If I left our apartment complex and turned right, going towards their house, he'd start crying. If I turned left, he'd be fine. He would calm down for a while, but when we would get to her house he would start crying again. Me, being the human I am, thought that was a GOOD thing that he was finally showing emotion. Couldn't have been more wrong! Eventually signs that he was being mistreated started showing up. (i.e. bruised ears, bite marks, etc) I just blew it off as 'normal' kid behavior although none of it was ever explained to me by her. When I met my current husband he immediately said "Those kids are torturing him". I felt like someone had stabbed at hot knife into my heart. I couldn't believe I had been so oblivious to the situation. To this day he has never cried again when he goes to school or anywhere else. I do not speak to my cousin or his wife because I feel like she allowed this to go on and did nothing to stop it. Add that to my long list of regrets. Anyway, sorry to babble so long, just trying to make a point (the long way around) that #1) I will know if Keith isn't happy and #2) I will keep my nose stuck in stuff enough to know if he is in good hands. I just pray that his aide is patient and kind. I would hate to have to kill someone. (he he..just kidding!) Thanks for the info on the Kennedy Kreiger Inst. I checked out their website throughly and I am giving the ladies name and their number to his speech therapist next Wed. She will see him 4 days a week this summer and we're going to bombard him with some intense therapy and see if there is any improvement. Would definately help my case against the school system for getting him an aide who is trained to do ABA. I know, I'm probably dreaming, but hey, like you said ask for the moon and see what they offer. :) One more question, and then I'll shut up...while doing the ABA does JT get angry and resist the therapy? If so, how do you diffuse that situation? I know that the book I have says "Do not take NO for an answer" and no matter how mad they get or how much they cry, keep going. The crying/resistance is supposedly because they are 'getting it' and don't want to.
Ok, I am going now...4kidz, if you're still around, we'd love to know how you're doing. :) Hope all is well for everyone! Hugs and Kisses to all!!
Sherri.
eweejoe
04-19-2001, 12:04 AM
Ok, I lied. Not intentionally though..just wanted to say HI to Jo and welcome her! My hat comes off to you for having three kids to tend to, much less three with ASD. Love the 'nappies'. I guess you're referring to what we call diapers over here. Neat. :) Good Luck with the potty training!!
AND..
Sherry, I wanted to ask you if you give JT vitamin b6, magnesium, DMG, or any other vitamins recommeneded on the Autism Society's website. I am thinking about trying them to see if it will calm Keith's 'strong will', but I'm not looking for miracles. Just wondered if you or anyone else for that matter had any input on them.
Ok, I'm really shutting up now!! :) Take care ladies!!
Sherri.
AND..
Sherry, I wanted to ask you if you give JT vitamin b6, magnesium, DMG, or any other vitamins recommeneded on the Autism Society's website. I am thinking about trying them to see if it will calm Keith's 'strong will', but I'm not looking for miracles. Just wondered if you or anyone else for that matter had any input on them.
Ok, I'm really shutting up now!! :) Take care ladies!!
Sherri.
jtsmom
04-20-2001, 12:44 AM
Hi Sherri,
No I don't give JT any vitamins at this time, I just really limited his dairy intake and we do a sensory diet with him to help with his stimming behaviors. I also just took him off of his secretin this week to see how he would do without it and he is doing great. His teacher called me last night to tell me how well he has done this week and I was so happy. I was really worried that he wouldn't do as well. He is so funny anymore, he trying to be so independent and is into everything, it is like having a 100 pound toddler. ha! ha! I was curious do you have an email address that I could write to you at. While I love this message board sometimes it is hard for me to type on it at work and truthfully that is usually when I can. If you don't want to give it out on the board I understand, I just thought I would ask. I am curious about Keith, does he have any sensory issues at all? Jt doesn't particularly care for soft foamy things, like shaving cream or pudding, but loves bubble baths. Of course here lately he has even been doing much better with that. I will try to write more to you later. I am really tired and think I am going to call it a night. Hugs and Kisses to you and your kids. Talk to you soon.
Sherry
No I don't give JT any vitamins at this time, I just really limited his dairy intake and we do a sensory diet with him to help with his stimming behaviors. I also just took him off of his secretin this week to see how he would do without it and he is doing great. His teacher called me last night to tell me how well he has done this week and I was so happy. I was really worried that he wouldn't do as well. He is so funny anymore, he trying to be so independent and is into everything, it is like having a 100 pound toddler. ha! ha! I was curious do you have an email address that I could write to you at. While I love this message board sometimes it is hard for me to type on it at work and truthfully that is usually when I can. If you don't want to give it out on the board I understand, I just thought I would ask. I am curious about Keith, does he have any sensory issues at all? Jt doesn't particularly care for soft foamy things, like shaving cream or pudding, but loves bubble baths. Of course here lately he has even been doing much better with that. I will try to write more to you later. I am really tired and think I am going to call it a night. Hugs and Kisses to you and your kids. Talk to you soon.
Sherry
eweejoe
04-20-2001, 10:19 AM
Yes, Keith has tons of sensory problems. He will not eat anything cold or mushy. He won't eat any kind of fruit except bananas. No ice cream, etc. He doesn't like shaving cream, etc. He LOVES bubble baths..that is his ending to his hard day...a nice LONG bubble bath :) He's so hard to buy for so everyone gets him clothes or Mr. Bubble for special occasions. He is very sensitive to touch. Just curious, what is the sensory diet? I have never heard of that, but it sounds interesting. One thing I have learned with Keith is that if he's hungry enough, he will eat just about anything, but fruit. He will 'test' foods by touching them with his lips. If they don't 'feel' right, he won't eat them. I am trying very hard to make him eat them because once he realizes that it all he's getting, then he'll eat it, but the inbetween time can get pretty ugly. :)
I'm going to to run some errands while he's in school. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. Let me know when you get my e-mail address and I'll go back and edit it out of here. Don't know who might get it and what trouble they might cause. Of course, I am married to a computer nerd who does security work (tracing hackers, programming, etc) so he'd track em down and shoot em. :)
Take care!! Hugs and kisses to all!!
Sherri.
[This message has been edited by eweejoe (edited 04-20-2001).]
I'm going to to run some errands while he's in school. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you. Let me know when you get my e-mail address and I'll go back and edit it out of here. Don't know who might get it and what trouble they might cause. Of course, I am married to a computer nerd who does security work (tracing hackers, programming, etc) so he'd track em down and shoot em. :)
Take care!! Hugs and kisses to all!!
Sherri.
[This message has been edited by eweejoe (edited 04-20-2001).]
jtsmom
04-20-2001, 11:19 AM
Hi Sherri,
I got your email address so hopefully you can edit it off now. We are having problems with our email system today at work so if I can't send you one from here, I will as soon as I get home and give you a way to contact me.
:)
Keith and Jt sound more and more alike everyday. Jt doesn't really like icecream, or fruit either. He will eat applesauce and just in the past 2-3 months has started eating diced peaches. He also is beginning to eat green beans and brocoli but they have to have ketchup on them (Yuck). I figured though if it will get him to eat a vegetable then he can put what he wants on it. Ha!Ha!
The sensory diet is for kids like ours. He gets brushed with a surgical brush on his arms, legs, back, and stomach. This makes him really alert. They also give him all kinds of textured objects to handle. For example he may play with shaving cream on a desk or go to the sand and water table to play in that. They also use a Nuk brush in his mouth to help stimulate the tongue and the inside of his cheeks. It seems to help him. They also use the deep pressure to help him find his center of balance and to make him feel more secure. He loves that. I will email you later. Hope you have a great day.
Sherry
I got your email address so hopefully you can edit it off now. We are having problems with our email system today at work so if I can't send you one from here, I will as soon as I get home and give you a way to contact me.
:)
Keith and Jt sound more and more alike everyday. Jt doesn't really like icecream, or fruit either. He will eat applesauce and just in the past 2-3 months has started eating diced peaches. He also is beginning to eat green beans and brocoli but they have to have ketchup on them (Yuck). I figured though if it will get him to eat a vegetable then he can put what he wants on it. Ha!Ha!
The sensory diet is for kids like ours. He gets brushed with a surgical brush on his arms, legs, back, and stomach. This makes him really alert. They also give him all kinds of textured objects to handle. For example he may play with shaving cream on a desk or go to the sand and water table to play in that. They also use a Nuk brush in his mouth to help stimulate the tongue and the inside of his cheeks. It seems to help him. They also use the deep pressure to help him find his center of balance and to make him feel more secure. He loves that. I will email you later. Hope you have a great day.
Sherry
shanteygirl
04-21-2001, 12:43 AM
About potty training... I have two kids, both with autism. My daughter Veronica is eight and my son Forrest is six. Veronica is more profoundly autistic with very little speech, while my son is very high functioning. And for some strange reason it took BOTH of them until the age of five and a half to potty train!
How I potty trained Veronica How could I praise her and show her she was doing the right thing when she wasn't doing it? So, I paid attention to what time of day she usually made a bm, and at about that time I put a glycerine suppository in her. Not five minutes later she'd have to go, and I made sure she was on the toilet. After a couple jars of suppositories, she started to get it. It took her a while, but now she is potty trained. Now we're working on wiping.
The interesting thing about Forrest potty training. The first few times Forrest made a bm on the toilet he was almost in a panic. I never did figure out why, but I suspect he was so used to doing it in his pants that anything else felt too strange. I have no explanation for his potty training. Just when I thought it would never happen, he happily started going in the toilet.
Hope the suppository turns out to be a good suggestion for someone else!
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Cheers, Margo
How I potty trained Veronica How could I praise her and show her she was doing the right thing when she wasn't doing it? So, I paid attention to what time of day she usually made a bm, and at about that time I put a glycerine suppository in her. Not five minutes later she'd have to go, and I made sure she was on the toilet. After a couple jars of suppositories, she started to get it. It took her a while, but now she is potty trained. Now we're working on wiping.
The interesting thing about Forrest potty training. The first few times Forrest made a bm on the toilet he was almost in a panic. I never did figure out why, but I suspect he was so used to doing it in his pants that anything else felt too strange. I have no explanation for his potty training. Just when I thought it would never happen, he happily started going in the toilet.
Hope the suppository turns out to be a good suggestion for someone else!
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Cheers, Margo
jtsmom
04-21-2001, 03:11 PM
Hi Margo! Thanks so much for the information about your kids for potty training I really appreciate it. Jt does really well with a bm, but occasionally "slips". For some reason he prefers to stand. I can normally tell when he is going to do a bm but it is the urinating that I can't always catch him. Do either of your kids let you know when they have to go? I would love it if I could figure out a way to get Jt to give me some kind of signal or something. Right now we put him on the potty about every 30 minutes or so. They even do it at school, so eventually we are going to figure out when he goes. He just doesn't go the same time every day. I would love to hear about your kids. My son is 7 and is considered profoundly autistic too. He is doing really well right now and seems to be doing something new everyday. What type of program are your kids in? You said that Forrest is high functioning, does he attend a regular class with an aide or is he in a special class. My son goes to a school with all special needs kids and quite honestly I am glad now. He gets so much more attention and therapy than he did before.
Well hopefully I will hear from you again. Thanks for the tips, take care.
Sherry
Well hopefully I will hear from you again. Thanks for the tips, take care.
Sherry
jtsmom
04-21-2001, 03:12 PM
Hi Margo! Thanks so much for the information about your kids for potty training I really appreciate it. Jt does really well with a bm, but occasionally "slips". For some reason he prefers to stand. I can normally tell when he is going to do a bm but it is the urinating that I can't always catch him. Do either of your kids let you know when they have to go? I would love it if I could figure out a way to get Jt to give me some kind of signal or something. Right now we put him on the potty about every 30 minutes or so. They even do it at school, so eventually we are going to figure out when he goes. He just doesn't go the same time every day. I would love to hear about your kids. My son is 7 and is considered profoundly autistic too. He is doing really well right now and seems to be doing something new everyday. What type of program are your kids in? You said that Forrest is high functioning, does he attend a regular class with an aide or is he in a special class. My son goes to a school with all special needs kids and quite honestly I am glad now. He gets so much more attention and therapy than he did before.
Well hopefully I will hear from you again. Thanks for the tips, take care.
Sherry
Well hopefully I will hear from you again. Thanks for the tips, take care.
Sherry
4kidz
05-25-2001, 01:27 AM
I AM BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!! ..nope the 4 kids didn't kill me... but moving almost did! I have sooo missed being able to hear what you guys have been up to and how the kiddos have been doing!It has been a wild and crazy month for us.. on april 19th we were supposed to sell our house and 2 hours move into this one.. but it didnt go as planned.. we sold our house and went through a bunch of papershuffling with Fleet for the mortgage.. long story short.. it took 3 weeks to move in.. luckily we had vacation plans already.. so we only had to live out of a hotel and with family for a week.. then they let us move in here (our new house) and pay rent... ugh.. and Jake did unbelieveably well through all the changes.. SOOO.. I am still unpacking and we just got our internet hooked up.. (one way cable modem) .. so HERE I AM!! Jake absolutely loves the new neighborhood.. (we moved because we were on a main road) The bonus of this place is.. we are near powerlines! (Jakes favorite!) He loves to go for walks and stand under them and make puckering noises.. its too cute.. Plus the neighbors have a great swing that he loves to go on..(ours can't be put up until we knock some trees down and put up our fence) .. to corral the little rascals! Anyway.. I am so glad to be back on here and reading whats been happening in your lives.. We had Jakes IEP meeting and it went great! His OT was sooo exuberant in talking about Jake.. everyone at school really loves him..I heard that his new teacher next year (3rd grade) is thrilled that he is in her class. she has heard soo much about him (all good I hear!!) I think I had last told you that I was trying to see if they would keep him back .. so that he would be in a familiar environment since he is doing soo well.. I talked it over at the IEP and they reassured me that going to 3rd grade will be an easy transition for him. His aide from this year will be his aide during the summer at the new school.. this will help him be able to adjust to the new school.. during the summer when the school isnt totally filled with students.. I think this is a great idea.. since this is how we transitioned him into school when his dad and I got married and they moved here.. Well.. I just wanted to fill you in that I am still around.. I still need to finish reading some of the posts on here to get updated on you all.. but not tonight.. the kids will be up early tomorrow.. so I better go.. oh .. also.. in this neighborhood Jakes aide lives! She stopped by the other night walking her dog.. I feel soo truly blessed.. talk to you all soon..
[This message has been edited by 4kidz (edited 06-04-2001).]
[This message has been edited by 4kidz (edited 06-04-2001).]
eweejoe
05-25-2001, 08:43 AM
Glad to have you back. I was wondering in one of my other posts where you'd gone. Glad to hear that all is going well for you guys and Jake. Sounds like he's getting the best love and care he could possibly get. Since you were here, I have started Keith on DMG. I just recently started it, so I don't really have much to tell about it. It has seemed to calm him when he's hungry. He normally is very aggitated and throws stuff over the gate into the kitchen or gets mad and whines. I didn't say anything about it, my hubby mentioned to me that he seems more patient, but I'm afraid to be too presumptuous, so I'm taking it slow. I'm adjusting his dosage right now. Started with 2-125mg tabs a day (in the morning) for about 2 weeks. Not much change. Uped it to three less than a week ago. I think if I go up to four I'll do two in the morning and two in the afternoon. It has not made him hyper at all or made him lose sleep, but of course with Keith, nothing much does make him lose sleep. :)
Anyway, sorry to ramble. So very glad to have you back and to hear how good things are going with Jake and his loving family.
Take Care!
Sherri. (YES, that is my real name..he he)
P.S. Got your e-mail addy!
[This message has been edited by eweejoe (edited 05-25-2001).]
Anyway, sorry to ramble. So very glad to have you back and to hear how good things are going with Jake and his loving family.
Take Care!
Sherri. (YES, that is my real name..he he)
P.S. Got your e-mail addy!
[This message has been edited by eweejoe (edited 05-25-2001).]
jtsmom
05-25-2001, 09:26 AM
Hi Ilene,
I am so happy to hear from you too. I had wondered where you had been. That is so great about Jake's school and his aide living in your neighborhood. Oh before I forget I have your email now too.
Been lots going on here but I will save it for you later. I am at work right now so I have to be quick.
I am really happy you're back. Talk to you very soon.
Sherry
I am so happy to hear from you too. I had wondered where you had been. That is so great about Jake's school and his aide living in your neighborhood. Oh before I forget I have your email now too.
Been lots going on here but I will save it for you later. I am at work right now so I have to be quick.
I am really happy you're back. Talk to you very soon.
Sherry
B-Man's Mom
06-26-2001, 11:58 PM
Hi, I just wanted to relay my success story with the potty training bit. My son is 6 1/2 and just last week pee'd in the potty for the first time ever. (Boy were we excited!) We started by putting underwear on him for short time periods. This was over a year ago. Over time when he got to put a diaper on we would make him sit or stand at the potty. He never wet his pants and got to where he would tell us when he needed to potty. His routine was, we would go into the bathroom and he would stand at the potty and count. Of course, he NEVER pottied. Then he would turn around, we would put a diaper on him and make him stand up to the potty again. He would then potty in the diaper. After a year of knowing he could hold his own, I got fed up. Three weeks ago I hid every diaper in the house. He got up at 6:30 am and we put underwear on as usual. At around 10:00 he said he had to potty. We went in to the bathroom and did our thing only when he turned around for the diaper I gently replied that I didn't get to the store and we were out. He was just going to have to potty in the toilet today. Well he just pulled up his pants and went about his business. This went on all day. At 8:00pm he still hadn't pottied all day! He was very mad, very full, very uncomfortable and bulging in the bladder area. Of course, I was feeling very guilty. I put him in the bathtub just hoping he would pee in there :-) no such luck. So I broke down, got a diaper but I cut a hole in the front of it. When he pee'd then and it became saturated it dripped into the toilet. He was shocked, I was happy and we celebrated the fact that he made some "drips". The next day it was the same thing, no diapers until I had to. Another hole and more drips. Ok, little success is better than no success. Over the next 2 weeks the holes got bigger and the diaper got smaller. I cut the back and the front tabs off of the diaper. He was basically peeing through a square pad with a big hole in it. We had the same diaper pad for a week because he wasn't getting it wet at all. One day he did get it wet and I decided to try something new. I cut a hole in a small baby washcloth. He used it without any argument. Then we went out for the day and low and behold I forgot the wash cloth. We went into the bathroom and, of course, he wouldn't just pee in the pot. So I resorted to tearing a hole in a paper towel. Guess what, he used it without argument. That very night before going to bed he actually let a little fly before I got the paper towel to him. Needless to say, we hooped and hollered and he finished. We had gifts for him, celebrated with a "B pee'd in the potty party" at Chuck E. Cheese and he's done it every since. Now we just have to work on the Number 2. :-) We'll do it it just won't be quite on time!!
Good luck. Hopefully you can try some ideas and have the same success
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Good luck. Hopefully you can try some ideas and have the same success
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zookeeper
06-27-2001, 08:43 PM
I think your strategy with progressively cutting the holes and all is dynamite. That is what it is all about with these guys, baby steps and a lot of creativity. Keep up the good work!
jtsmom
06-28-2001, 11:18 PM
Hi just wanted to reply to your post. I got quite a chuckle and agree you were really creative with getting B to go to the potty. Congratulations! That is wonderful. I am currently giving Jt a break from potty training. He was getting so frustrated and I felt like maybe he needed to regroup and we will start again at another time. I noticed that you said your son will tell you potty. Does he speak all the time? My little guy doesn't talk at all except for a few words here and there. It is really hard on both of us with the potty training because of it. He also could care less if he is wet. When we were potty training before we had him in regular underwear and he wet them like there was no tomorrow. lol. We must have did laundry a thousand times. He is easier with number 2 because you can tell when he is going. He of course is real stubborn and ends up sitting for a long period of time. I am hoping that when we start again it will be smoother. We will be getting a behavior specialist in the house this fall and his teachers at his school are going to follow through there. Wish me luck. Thanks again for the nice post. I love to read success stories like that, it makes me feel good.
Sherry
Sherry