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.
No comments:
Post a Comment