Today we successfully smuggled 5 crushed Chex into her Lucky Charm cereal! We had to use some very colorful marshmallows to get her attention though I didn't really had feed her the very colorful ones. They are just for show so she would sit down. Next step is trying to phase out the Lucky Charm and the marshmallows.
Brushing went well today. She let me brush the back of her teeth! Next step is the rinsing. Not sure how to get her to do that.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Almost aging out
One more month and Coco will be aging out of EI. :( So far, still no meaningful words. Towards the end of July, we had to switch speech to the center as well. We had a very good ST, but the times don't match after Coco's switch to the afternoon class and we ended up cancelling most of the classes.
So far, she seemed to mastered the 'wave bye bye'. Even though the posture is a bit awkward, she will move her hand/arm when asked to wave bye bye. I believe sometimes she understands even though she seemingly didn't pay attention. Sometimes she wave her arms without looking when asked. We are working on diaper training and teethbrushing at home. We are also trying to introduce some other cereal to her. It's been very tough. Every little thing is a milestone for her!
So far, she seemed to mastered the 'wave bye bye'. Even though the posture is a bit awkward, she will move her hand/arm when asked to wave bye bye. I believe sometimes she understands even though she seemingly didn't pay attention. Sometimes she wave her arms without looking when asked. We are working on diaper training and teethbrushing at home. We are also trying to introduce some other cereal to her. It's been very tough. Every little thing is a milestone for her!
Friday, June 17, 2011
6/17/2011: Update
Since the end of May, Coco switched to the ABA class in school. However the time is in the afternoon. Great class but not so great timing for her. So far, within two weeks, she had fell asleep on the way there twice, fell asleep in class once. Other times she fell asleep on the way home. We've been trying to put her to bed earlier, but it's been very difficult. We barely finish dinner at 9. I will try to put her to bed at 9:30 today and see what happens. We have to plan the day better I suppose.
Earlier this week, OT gave me a brush to brush her for her sensory issues. Also showed me how to do the joint compression. Will try to do those consistently.
Yesterday, Coco learned how to open a zip lock bag with one teaching! We switch the bag to the other side [for her to use the other hand], but she turned the bag around instead. Not what we wanted, but at least she knows to turn the bag and open the bag with the same hand. Not sure what's going on in that little head, but there is hope! :)
Coco's been drinking Soy milk for the past couple of weeks. Will try to almond milk later. Unable to switch her to gluten free though. Gluten free cookies are much tougher than the wheat ones unfortunately.
Earlier this week, OT gave me a brush to brush her for her sensory issues. Also showed me how to do the joint compression. Will try to do those consistently.
Yesterday, Coco learned how to open a zip lock bag with one teaching! We switch the bag to the other side [for her to use the other hand], but she turned the bag around instead. Not what we wanted, but at least she knows to turn the bag and open the bag with the same hand. Not sure what's going on in that little head, but there is hope! :)
Coco's been drinking Soy milk for the past couple of weeks. Will try to almond milk later. Unable to switch her to gluten free though. Gluten free cookies are much tougher than the wheat ones unfortunately.
Monday, May 16, 2011
5/16/2011: An Update
We were finally able to get a good ABA therapist! Kind of late in the season but better late than never. Marlene was able to sit with Coco even from day one! We were so impressed! We rarely hear Coco complaining! I can finally say I can tell what makes a good therapist. She's working with Coco on her attention span and on pointing to head/nose. Coco still has trouble differentiating between the 'Touch your head' and 'Touch your nose'. But getting there. If she can improve on her attention span, that would be invaluable.
We are trying to add 5 more hours of ABA. Will check with Katherine tomorrow on status. I hope she already put in the request. (She said she would. That was last Friday I believe and I haven't heard since.) Must call for status tomorrow! I'm exhausted on all these calling and coordinating. Elsie was laughing when I told her I got a list of providers from the EI website and start calling all the providers for an ABA therapist. I told her I am not one who would sit and wait. We've already lost so much time and every moment counts. I am likely to die from exhaution one of these days. But would I mind cutting my life 10 yrs if Coco can talk and can live a normal life? No. I've came across a few persons who were really helfpul. I thank Jennifer and Merlene from RCDS for being there when we needed. Also Elsie, Jenny and Sara for extending a hand. Thank you!
Status on things we are working on:
1. Eye contact - (better, more responsive to her name)
2. Close the door (Mastered)
3. Open the door (getting there)
4. Pants off (Mastered - but will take off diaper also)
5. Diaper off (Mastered)
6. Asking 'What do you want' and have her point to request from 2-3' distance (getting there)
7. Take off shoes
8. Trash (throw away) diaper (semi-mastered)
9. Give me 5 (mastered - sometimes she does it without looking)
10. Blow kiss
11. Wave byebye
New:
12: Touch your head
13. Touch your nose
14. Kick
Noteable: When singing 'Wheels on the bus' song, she would take my hands and rotate them with the movements. She seems to know exactly when to do what. I also noticed she sometimes tries to rotate her arms for the wheels turning round and round and does the beep beep beep movements
part, though short lived.
We are trying to add 5 more hours of ABA. Will check with Katherine tomorrow on status. I hope she already put in the request. (She said she would. That was last Friday I believe and I haven't heard since.) Must call for status tomorrow! I'm exhausted on all these calling and coordinating. Elsie was laughing when I told her I got a list of providers from the EI website and start calling all the providers for an ABA therapist. I told her I am not one who would sit and wait. We've already lost so much time and every moment counts. I am likely to die from exhaution one of these days. But would I mind cutting my life 10 yrs if Coco can talk and can live a normal life? No. I've came across a few persons who were really helfpul. I thank Jennifer and Merlene from RCDS for being there when we needed. Also Elsie, Jenny and Sara for extending a hand. Thank you!
Status on things we are working on:
1. Eye contact - (better, more responsive to her name)
2. Close the door (Mastered)
3. Open the door (getting there)
4. Pants off (Mastered - but will take off diaper also)
5. Diaper off (Mastered)
6. Asking 'What do you want' and have her point to request from 2-3' distance (getting there)
7. Take off shoes
8. Trash (throw away) diaper (semi-mastered)
9. Give me 5 (mastered - sometimes she does it without looking)
10. Blow kiss
11. Wave byebye
New:
12: Touch your head
13. Touch your nose
14. Kick
Noteable: When singing 'Wheels on the bus' song, she would take my hands and rotate them with the movements. She seems to know exactly when to do what. I also noticed she sometimes tries to rotate her arms for the wheels turning round and round and does the beep beep beep movements
part, though short lived.
Friday, April 15, 2011
4/15/2011: Update
It has been a mad last few weeks with numerous changes! Ever since Angel (ABA) quit to do evals, we haven't been able to find a good ABA therapist. Seems all the experienced ones either quit or are not available. We were forced to switch an agency to Theracare. They, too, ran out of experienced therapists. Ruth, the coordinator, sent in a young lady, who after a few days said she cannot take the full 10 hours. There is no one available to split the hours with her. Ruth then said there is a guy with 35 years of experience in special ed. i was very skeptical about having a guy therapist so i asked if he can pass by and we'll see if he can work with Coco. The first thing he came in was talk about the schedule with us. I said, I need you to work with HER! Schedule is secondary, I need to see if you can get along with her. Anyhow, Ruth then said there is a lady with 25 years of experience taking care of autistic adults. This lady turned out having no experience with kids. I called Ruth today and told her, I need an experienced therapist and not a therapist in training! I skipped out on the therapist smoking while taking Coco out for a walk episode. I believe everyone deserves a second change unless s(he) intentionally does harm, especially one who takes care of a 80+ old mother. I'm sure she has her stress to cope with. Anyhow, Coco will age out in August so i don't have the luxury of time. She needs an experienced ABA therapist NOW! She said call your service coordinator because she have no one else. They ran out of therapists! What happened to quality care?
On the center front, Coco has been attending the SI program at Personal Touch since 3/21. Last week, both the head teacher and the director said she should be in an ABA class. However, they currently have no openings, possibly until September after when ages out and in CPSE. Now I'm stucked with what to do! I am thinking if i have at least ONE GOOD ABA therapist, I can be in good shape because I can afford to have her in the SI program and fill in the therapist myself. I am probably the best therapist for Coco. I realized I don't need to be a therapist to teach her. I just need to know the concept and the techniques. Based on observation and some reading, the key seems to be repetitiveness and getting her attention, reward with hugs and kisses.
Since I've been involved, mostly since March :(, I've been working on the following with Coco:
1. Eye contact
2. Close the door (Mastered)
3. Open the door
4. Pants off (getting there)
5. Diaper off (getting there)
6. Asking 'What do you want' and have her point to request from 2-3' distance (getting there)
7. Take off shoes
8. Trash (throw away) diaper (semi-mastered)
9. Give me 5 (semi-mastered)
10. Blow kiss
11. Wave byebye
I also let her jump on the ball (saw that in her OT session). Let her walk up/down the stairs. I actually saw her walk down the stairs holding the rail yesterday! No alternating feet, but she got down by herself w/o using her butt. The first time she got down herself, she got down with her butt.
On the speech front, I believe she has a very good therapist. Jennifer doesn't let her roam around. She buckles Coco to her car seat if she doesn't listen. We need a tough therapist like that! I like the fact that J tries to move Coco's lips too. She is just as anxious as us to have her speak. Hopefully she can knock some words into Coco. We have a few more months to go.
On the center front, Coco has been attending the SI program at Personal Touch since 3/21. Last week, both the head teacher and the director said she should be in an ABA class. However, they currently have no openings, possibly until September after when ages out and in CPSE. Now I'm stucked with what to do! I am thinking if i have at least ONE GOOD ABA therapist, I can be in good shape because I can afford to have her in the SI program and fill in the therapist myself. I am probably the best therapist for Coco. I realized I don't need to be a therapist to teach her. I just need to know the concept and the techniques. Based on observation and some reading, the key seems to be repetitiveness and getting her attention, reward with hugs and kisses.
Since I've been involved, mostly since March :(, I've been working on the following with Coco:
1. Eye contact
2. Close the door (Mastered)
3. Open the door
4. Pants off (getting there)
5. Diaper off (getting there)
6. Asking 'What do you want' and have her point to request from 2-3' distance (getting there)
7. Take off shoes
8. Trash (throw away) diaper (semi-mastered)
9. Give me 5 (semi-mastered)
10. Blow kiss
11. Wave byebye
I also let her jump on the ball (saw that in her OT session). Let her walk up/down the stairs. I actually saw her walk down the stairs holding the rail yesterday! No alternating feet, but she got down by herself w/o using her butt. The first time she got down herself, she got down with her butt.
On the speech front, I believe she has a very good therapist. Jennifer doesn't let her roam around. She buckles Coco to her car seat if she doesn't listen. We need a tough therapist like that! I like the fact that J tries to move Coco's lips too. She is just as anxious as us to have her speak. Hopefully she can knock some words into Coco. We have a few more months to go.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
2/28/2011: An Update
Observations:
1. Likes going up/down the stairs.
2. Loves to run. Laughs out loud.
3. Expects brother to catch her when running, gets very excited.
4. Takes care going down the stairs by herself. Uses sitting position going downstairs.
5. Saw her sweeping the floor with the broom. She actually took the broom from Grandma and started 'sweeping', also using one hand!
6. Eats ice cream by self.
7. Throws away diaper by self. Understands 'trash'.
8. Consistently eat egg and rice for lunch, sometimes dinner. Sometimes eats meat for dinner.
9. Makes more sounds: ex: ge, ga, ma, ba, di, nay
10. Likes to play with lotion.
Family Training Meeting held on 2/25/11:
Discussed Coco's progress. Therapists reported good progress. OT showed how to use the massage and deep compression techniques.
CPSE:
Finish being evaluated last week. She would qualify for the services. However, haven't received any reports yet. Psychiatrist and Speech Pathologist recommended that she be in a center-based program.
What we are working on:
1. Using consistent vocabulary with Coco, such as 'Sit', 'Kick', 'Trash', 'Run', 'Shoes', 'Socks', 'Light On', 'Light Off', 'In', 'Shower', 'Open', 'Close', 'Laundry', 'Up', 'Down', 'Feet down', 'Ice Cream', 'Ball', 'Juice', 'Pants'.
2. Trying the massage techniques.
3. Looking for a center-based EI program. Will visit some schools this week.
1. Likes going up/down the stairs.
2. Loves to run. Laughs out loud.
3. Expects brother to catch her when running, gets very excited.
4. Takes care going down the stairs by herself. Uses sitting position going downstairs.
5. Saw her sweeping the floor with the broom. She actually took the broom from Grandma and started 'sweeping', also using one hand!
6. Eats ice cream by self.
7. Throws away diaper by self. Understands 'trash'.
8. Consistently eat egg and rice for lunch, sometimes dinner. Sometimes eats meat for dinner.
9. Makes more sounds: ex: ge, ga, ma, ba, di, nay
10. Likes to play with lotion.
Family Training Meeting held on 2/25/11:
Discussed Coco's progress. Therapists reported good progress. OT showed how to use the massage and deep compression techniques.
CPSE:
Finish being evaluated last week. She would qualify for the services. However, haven't received any reports yet. Psychiatrist and Speech Pathologist recommended that she be in a center-based program.
What we are working on:
1. Using consistent vocabulary with Coco, such as 'Sit', 'Kick', 'Trash', 'Run', 'Shoes', 'Socks', 'Light On', 'Light Off', 'In', 'Shower', 'Open', 'Close', 'Laundry', 'Up', 'Down', 'Feet down', 'Ice Cream', 'Ball', 'Juice', 'Pants'.
2. Trying the massage techniques.
3. Looking for a center-based EI program. Will visit some schools this week.
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