So now that I have my computer not driving me batty with typing lag of 30+ keystrokes or more... One of the things I really wanted to touch on is how far weve seen Em come in the roughly 18 months since getting diagnosed with ASD, PDD-NOS, Anxiety, SPD (formerly Sensory Integration Disorder), and ADHD . However, its not just her. Its all of us as a family. Once we knew exactly what we were dealing with when she was diagnosed in Sept. 2012, we KNEW we had to change how we parented her. It started with us looking for what triggered her meltdowns. Once we became mindful of her triggers we also realized we had ours too. We looked at our parenting skills and realized we needed to communicate better. We changed how we talked to each other and her and Christian. In changing how we relayed information and being clearer and more concise with our expectations that opened up the opportunity to be more successful with less of the whole you didnt say THAT we had been hearing. We implemented a form of ABA styling therapies in our house. I had been doing it for a job and took what I had learned and used it with Em. She responded well to the process and we saw her being more independent and gain skills she had the capability to do. We learned that her SPD and Anxiety caused her Autism tendencies were more noticable and prevelant. So we acknowledged her fears and things that made her anxious. We helped her work through the triggers and somewhere in this time she started to really tell us the things about sensory issues. The more we learned about her, and were open to her the better we were able to assist her and make baby steps forward. We empowered her. We gave her a voice by starting this page. She knew (and still knows) she had (has) an outlet if she needs it. Empowering her gave her that idea that she DID matter. That what she says matters to someone besides family. We put her in Horse Back riding and she started to learn how to care for a horse. She bonded instantly with Ashley and Will and the confidence built up to a point she was less anxious. We learned how to see triggers a mile away. We learned together how to separate ourselves from the emotions and take reboot sessions instead of melting down. We still all meltdown from time to time but its less and less. We put her in OT. In Occupational Therapy, she worked on sensory things and she tolerates sounds more than she had ever before. Certain tones and decibels have a trigger point for her and there is a listening program that works on desensitizing the sounds so that they can function. She doesnt elope from us anymore. She runs to her room. She will verbalize, I need space. She is working hard towards making more time for family than just being alone. She helps with chores. Not nearly as much as wed like but considering over two years ago she wouldnt do a thing without a meltdown, we will take what we need. Verbally she doesnt baby talk or squeal as much any more and often if she does its a red flag to take a moment of down time. Its often a sign of sensory overload or meltdown is imminent. She is able to work in groups in small measure. She can communicate her needs better and slowly everyone is getting on the same page. She is self advocating. She stays in the classroom as much as she can and participates as much as she can as well. She is reading more books that are age and grade appropriate. And eye contact. While she can do it, its hard for her. She is able to do it more and more and for longer periods of times. She is able to handle conflict situations and disappointment in stride and some guidance and assistance. She is WILLING to accept that guidance. Progress, yes. A lot in a short time, yes. Sometimes we face struggles and regression. Weve changed up her meds. Weve addressed a lot of what we could. There is still a long way to go but shes on the right path. Amazing what happens when you have an accuate diagnosis that points you in directions you hadnt seen before with a deeper understanding of what it means. I cant wait to see what the next 18 months brings.
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 03:55:03 +0000
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