Do you remember the game "Would You Rather?"
Would you rather "Bite the curb and get kicked in the back of the head -OR- get a paper cut on your eyeball?"
Would you rather "Chew shards of broken glass -OR- sit on a lighted barbecue grill?"
Would you rather "Immerse your naked body in a bathtub of cockroaches -OR- dive naked head first into a pool of chewing tobacco spit?"
This old game I used to play just popped in my head recently. I remember playing "Would You Rather?" a lot when I was younger even up into my adult years. Just a game to make you think what awful, crappy choice would you make between two awful crappy options. What are you limits? What are you capable of and not capable of? What can you bare and endure? What makes you think you can actually do it? CAN YOU DO IT?
Back in the beginning of May Marty, Dominick, Hailey and I had our pictures taken at a beautiful spot called The Dairy Barn by an absolutely amazing and talented photographer (Michelle, Angel Eye Portraits). We have some of the most beautiful pictures taken. At one point Hailey was being eaten by ants. She took her shoes off and was covered with them. She got them off and was okay. Just a few bites. But enough to make her upset and feel pain. Later that night giving Dominick a bath I started washing his legs and feet. I was shocked to see all of the bites all over his legs toes and feet. He was covered with bites. The whole time at the Dairy Barn he did not complain, cry out in pain or act in any way to indicate to us that he was being bitten by ants.
After the shock of seeing this my mind started racing. "Why didn't he cry?" "Why didn't he let me know he was hurting?" "Wait does he hurt?" "Does he feel pain?" Now I am thinking back. Dominick has bruises and bumps all over the place. He runs into walls, he falls down, he thrashes when he is having a fit or tantrum and doesn't stop until he hurls himself into something, he has cut himself a couple of times on the pavement, etc etc etc... And most of the time he never cries. The only time he cries is when he sees me react to him falling or getting hurt. I run to him with my worried, panic face turned on with my arms open to him saying, "My Poor Baby". That is when he turns on the tears.
NO NO NO. Not this. Please don't let it be that he can't feel pain. Wait, Would I rather have him feel pain or not feel pain? Think about it. To have your child not feel any pain. But he could start with self destructive and self harming behaviors. He would have zero clue that he was harming himself. He sometimes still hits his head on the couch or even the hard floor. How would I know if he was physically hurt? What if a bone is broken and he has no idea because he can't feel it?
I went to his Pediatrician with this. Dominick does feel pain. Whew, what a relief! BUT... He is not able to communicate to me when and if he is hurting. Maybe this is something that will be able to change in the future but for now I have to be even more critical and even more vigilant than ever. My son could be hurting and he does not have the words or the behavior skills or the capability to let me know it. So in a sense he is sitting there suffering silently in his own mind.
On top of this Dominick is starting to show some sensory issues. He has a problem with sounds sometimes. I have no idea how these sounds affect him. They could cause him to see something unpleasant, or smell something, or hear something or feel something. We just don't know. Sometimes he just plugs his ears with his fingers and works his own way through it. I most of the time can pick him up, squeeze him, rock him and rub his back and that makes it better for him. When he is feeling stressed and out of sorts, something I can pick up on that is harder for others to tell, I lay him on the couch, put pillows over his body and a heavy blanket over him body. He likes it when I press down on him. It makes him so calm. He hums when I do this. He gets a big grin on his face.
For his birthday he got a trampoline. Nothing too big. It is just 7 feet in diameter and has a 100 pound limit so no bouncing for myself or Marty. He loves to jump and bounce. Dominick has become quite a pro at it. Trampolines have been a huge part of his therapy so I am all about using toys to help him along.
I am looking into Equine Therapy, riding horses, for Dominick. We went to his spring fling party for all the kids in the Special Needs / Early Intervention programs in Fort Mill Schools. They had some horses there that are specially trained for therapy. I took Dominick over to them. He walked up the ramp to the horse. We put a helmet on him. One of the trainers picked up Dominick to put him on the horse. He began kicking and screaming. The trainer said to trust her that he would be fine. WHAT? He was freaking out. The horse didn't react. He didn't flinch. He was so calm. She put Dominick on the saddle and he just stopped. Dominick had a calm over him I have never seen before. He was so happy. He held on to the horn of the saddle and two of the trainers / therapists took him off on the horse. It was amazing. I need to get him a pony.
Therapy is still going well. We have a new speech therapist and she is amazing. Dominick loves her and works great with her. Our in-home therapist from Easter Seals Ashley is engaged and we are so happy for her. She better never leave us. I will have to stalk her. Dominick started Summer School or as they want us to call it Extended Year. I like all of his new teachers. It is only 1 1/2 hours a day and only for a month. He starts back to school on Marty's birthday August 18th. I can't wait for his regular school year to start and for him to get into that routine.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
"Dumbing Down" Dominick
Dominick has turned three. At age three Baby Net, the South Carolina agency for early intervention, stops their assistance and services. That means no more in home therapy with Ashley from the Easter Seals, no more financial assistance with his speech and occupational therapy, no more financial assistance with any ABA therapy workshops and any other special needs services. What do we do now that we have a three year old? Who helps us?
Ashley has worked extremely hard with us to file extensions for services. We do not want to lose Ashley. She has played the largest lead role in Dominick getting the help he needs and in guiding me to what I need to do and where to go for help and services. She helped us file for TEFRA which will help us pay for all of his therapies. She helped me file for the extension for her services in working in our home with us. Luckily the day of his birthday we found out that we did receive approval for extension of benefits with Ashley. We are still waiting to hear from SC Dept. of Health and Human Services Disability and Special Services for his TEFRA approval. This could take up to six months.
Dominick is now categorized as "Low Risk" for Intervention Services. These children are the first to get cut from funding. GREAT! We have had to have three different evaluations in the past couple of months. During the evaluations I found myself praying he wouldn’t do that well during them. Great, now I want to “Dumb Down” my kid. I don’t want him to do too well. If he is doing better, if he progresses too much, if he is benefiting from his therapy he might run the chance of losing it. Then he could regress and we would lose all of the progress he has made.
When we first started this journey with Dominick’s Autism I was scared of him not getting better, not talking, not responding to me, not hugging me, not being able to learn, not being able to interact with other people, not being able to say my name or that he loves me, not being able to play sports, not being able to one day have a job and a family of his own. So how do I reconcile the fact that I now have replaced all of these fears with the new ones? Dominick is talking, hugging, kissing, loving, asking for things, playing with other kids, looking me in the eye and talking to me. All of those fears are fading. Now I am so scared because he is doing too well? WHAT? I can’t be happy with his progress because it could hurt him. It could cause him to lose the help he receives.
Dominick has started going to Sugar Creek Elementary School. He was able to attend the last week of school. He will be starting summer school on June 28th. He has Speech and Occupational Therapists. He has a Clinical Psychologist and a Behavioral Specialist. He attends Monday through Thursday for three hours a day.
His first day was pure HELL for me. The drive there was torture. I just wanted to turn the car around and take him back home. We parked the Jeep and put his backpack on him. He was so happy with the backpack on. Grin from ear to ear.
They allowed us to walk him in on his first day. We walked through the halls. Kids are everywhere. Could he get lost in all the chaos of the morning hustle? Would he know where to go if he got lost? He would be so scared and alone. Would one of the older kids make fun of him or bully him? We walked into his classroom. He takes off his backpack and puts it in his cubby which has his name on it. Is he going to miss me or cry for me? Will he be sad all day? NOPE, NOPE & MORE NOPE!
He is looking around and is curious but still is staying close to me. I realize it is time for us to start leaving and I start to feel a flush of panic. I scoop my boy in my arms and squeeze him tight. I do not want to let him go. I kiss him and tell him I will see him very soon and Momma loves him very very much. He is now starting to understand that I am leaving him and he starts to grab me tighter and won’t let me go. I realize I made a huge mistake in telling him I was leaving. It was my selfishness. I forgot that this isn’t about me. It is about Dominick and what he needs and I should have made it easier for him. But it is time for me to cut the umbilical cord. Ms. Morrill takes him from me. He starts to scream for me and tries to get from her and is reaching for me. She grabs a toy car and starts to get his attention. He is calming down. He starts playing. Surprise… He was just fine.
I couldn’t wait for 10:45am. I got to the school at 10:30. I watched the door to open without blinking. Kids were all over the playground. All the sudden I see him. He was holding one of his teacher’s hands. He looked so happy. He saw me and said MOMMY. I grabbed him and held him tighter than I ever have. My sweet little Monkey looked at me and said,”Back Pack”.
Ashley has worked extremely hard with us to file extensions for services. We do not want to lose Ashley. She has played the largest lead role in Dominick getting the help he needs and in guiding me to what I need to do and where to go for help and services. She helped us file for TEFRA which will help us pay for all of his therapies. She helped me file for the extension for her services in working in our home with us. Luckily the day of his birthday we found out that we did receive approval for extension of benefits with Ashley. We are still waiting to hear from SC Dept. of Health and Human Services Disability and Special Services for his TEFRA approval. This could take up to six months.
Dominick is now categorized as "Low Risk" for Intervention Services. These children are the first to get cut from funding. GREAT! We have had to have three different evaluations in the past couple of months. During the evaluations I found myself praying he wouldn’t do that well during them. Great, now I want to “Dumb Down” my kid. I don’t want him to do too well. If he is doing better, if he progresses too much, if he is benefiting from his therapy he might run the chance of losing it. Then he could regress and we would lose all of the progress he has made.
When we first started this journey with Dominick’s Autism I was scared of him not getting better, not talking, not responding to me, not hugging me, not being able to learn, not being able to interact with other people, not being able to say my name or that he loves me, not being able to play sports, not being able to one day have a job and a family of his own. So how do I reconcile the fact that I now have replaced all of these fears with the new ones? Dominick is talking, hugging, kissing, loving, asking for things, playing with other kids, looking me in the eye and talking to me. All of those fears are fading. Now I am so scared because he is doing too well? WHAT? I can’t be happy with his progress because it could hurt him. It could cause him to lose the help he receives.
Dominick has started going to Sugar Creek Elementary School. He was able to attend the last week of school. He will be starting summer school on June 28th. He has Speech and Occupational Therapists. He has a Clinical Psychologist and a Behavioral Specialist. He attends Monday through Thursday for three hours a day.
His first day was pure HELL for me. The drive there was torture. I just wanted to turn the car around and take him back home. We parked the Jeep and put his backpack on him. He was so happy with the backpack on. Grin from ear to ear.
They allowed us to walk him in on his first day. We walked through the halls. Kids are everywhere. Could he get lost in all the chaos of the morning hustle? Would he know where to go if he got lost? He would be so scared and alone. Would one of the older kids make fun of him or bully him? We walked into his classroom. He takes off his backpack and puts it in his cubby which has his name on it. Is he going to miss me or cry for me? Will he be sad all day? NOPE, NOPE & MORE NOPE!
He is looking around and is curious but still is staying close to me. I realize it is time for us to start leaving and I start to feel a flush of panic. I scoop my boy in my arms and squeeze him tight. I do not want to let him go. I kiss him and tell him I will see him very soon and Momma loves him very very much. He is now starting to understand that I am leaving him and he starts to grab me tighter and won’t let me go. I realize I made a huge mistake in telling him I was leaving. It was my selfishness. I forgot that this isn’t about me. It is about Dominick and what he needs and I should have made it easier for him. But it is time for me to cut the umbilical cord. Ms. Morrill takes him from me. He starts to scream for me and tries to get from her and is reaching for me. She grabs a toy car and starts to get his attention. He is calming down. He starts playing. Surprise… He was just fine.
I couldn’t wait for 10:45am. I got to the school at 10:30. I watched the door to open without blinking. Kids were all over the playground. All the sudden I see him. He was holding one of his teacher’s hands. He looked so happy. He saw me and said MOMMY. I grabbed him and held him tighter than I ever have. My sweet little Monkey looked at me and said,”Back Pack”.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
"I THINK PEE WEE IS AUTISTIC", SAID MOM!
We went to Myrtle Beach back in April. My mom, my sister Shannon, my nephew Sage, Dominick and I. I got a great place at The Ocean Reef. We had a three bedroom condo with a great view of the ocean. There was an outdoor kid’s water park with an Aztec theme. There was also an indoor kid’s water park with a splash pool, water buckets that dump water, a lazy river, indoor pool and three hot tubs. All were heated. There is also a heated outdoor pool.
We played on the beach every day. Dominick stayed away from the ocean until the last two days. Then it was hard to keep him away from the water. We played in the sand and tried to make sand castles but he likes to step on them so it was a little difficult. Shannon and Sage left on Thursday. Marty came down and joined us on Thursday.
Shannon and I took the boys to Broadway to go ride the old Pavilion rides one day. They have the bungee trampolines. You put on a harness that is strapped to bungee cords on each hip. Then you jump up and down on a trampoline. Shannon and I decided to let Dominick and Sage give it a shot. They LOVED it. Sage was trying to back flips no problem. Dominick had a grin on his face ear to ear. He was very upset when he had to get off. We then rode some of the old Pavilion rides. Spinning tea cups, pirate ship, merry go round, caterpillar, kids motorcycle ride and so on. We decided to let them do the bungee trampoline again. Dominick was really going to town this time. Sage and Dominick were both jumping as high as they could. And loving every second of it. It was a great day.
My mom has a little Sheltie named Pee Wee. He is her baby, my little brother and a human in a dog fur coat. She left Pee Wee with my aunt Verna. We were sitting out on the balcony while she was calling to check on her favorite child, Pee Wee. My mom requested that my aunt hold the phone up to Pee Wee's ears so that he could hear his Momma speak. She really missed her baby and I am so happy that she has that little dog, NOT HUMAN BUT A DOG, to keep her company.
My mom got to spend a lot of time with Dominick and learning about his Autism behaviors and symptoms. She in the past thought at times that Dominick just didn't like her. I think she now understands that it is his Autism and not her. Mom and Dominick made up their own little games like making your arms go in circles. He would do it, then she would do it and it would make him laugh. After I got finished explaining to my Mom all about Dominick and his different behaviors and symptoms she looked at me and with the most shocked and concerned face she says, "You know. I think Pee Wee has Autism." I almost wet myself I started laughing so hard. I love my Mom.
We played on the beach every day. Dominick stayed away from the ocean until the last two days. Then it was hard to keep him away from the water. We played in the sand and tried to make sand castles but he likes to step on them so it was a little difficult. Shannon and Sage left on Thursday. Marty came down and joined us on Thursday.
Shannon and I took the boys to Broadway to go ride the old Pavilion rides one day. They have the bungee trampolines. You put on a harness that is strapped to bungee cords on each hip. Then you jump up and down on a trampoline. Shannon and I decided to let Dominick and Sage give it a shot. They LOVED it. Sage was trying to back flips no problem. Dominick had a grin on his face ear to ear. He was very upset when he had to get off. We then rode some of the old Pavilion rides. Spinning tea cups, pirate ship, merry go round, caterpillar, kids motorcycle ride and so on. We decided to let them do the bungee trampoline again. Dominick was really going to town this time. Sage and Dominick were both jumping as high as they could. And loving every second of it. It was a great day.
My mom has a little Sheltie named Pee Wee. He is her baby, my little brother and a human in a dog fur coat. She left Pee Wee with my aunt Verna. We were sitting out on the balcony while she was calling to check on her favorite child, Pee Wee. My mom requested that my aunt hold the phone up to Pee Wee's ears so that he could hear his Momma speak. She really missed her baby and I am so happy that she has that little dog, NOT HUMAN BUT A DOG, to keep her company.
My mom got to spend a lot of time with Dominick and learning about his Autism behaviors and symptoms. She in the past thought at times that Dominick just didn't like her. I think she now understands that it is his Autism and not her. Mom and Dominick made up their own little games like making your arms go in circles. He would do it, then she would do it and it would make him laugh. After I got finished explaining to my Mom all about Dominick and his different behaviors and symptoms she looked at me and with the most shocked and concerned face she says, "You know. I think Pee Wee has Autism." I almost wet myself I started laughing so hard. I love my Mom.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Get Comfy! This One Might Take Awhile!
Sorry it has been so long since my last update. I would always take full advantage of my insomnia to post an update to this blog. Now days I don’t even have time to indulge my insomnia. Dominick is keeping me very busy. So let me jump right into it.
Dominick now has a Speech Therapist, Heather, who he sees on Wednesday and Friday mornings for 30 minute sessions. He sees an Occupational Therapist, Anissa, on Monday for an hour session. Ashley, our in home therapist from the Easter Seals, still comes on Wednesday for an hour to work with us. The ST and OT is less than a half mile away. Tega Cay Speaks. I should really start playing the lottery more often considering how very lucky we have been with lining up all his therapy. Ashley is such a blessing. Without her I would be sooooooo lost.
Dominick has been making such tremendous progress. Everyone working with him is amazed by his progress. I keep a daily journal of some of his accomplishments.
March 1: Speech Therapy, Dominick went into the gym area and got a sucker, he remembered where they were. He took it into the speech room and brought it to me and said, “Open” “I want sucker”. Both Heather and I were stunned.
March 3: Woke up with Dominick in my bed saying, “I wuve you!” “I pee pee” “Pee pee Potty” I took him to his potty and after a few minutes I almost gave up thinking it was too good to be true. Then the potty started to sing the potty song (Once you go to the bathroom it has a temp sensor on it so it will sing) I think it scared him like he had done something wrong. I reassured him it was okay to go potty.
March 7: Dominick took bubbles to Shannon and said, “Open”
March 8: Dominick participated in about half of the activities at Gymboree. He did sing the bubble song and remembered the actions and movements that go with the song. He has not heard it in over 6 months. He made eye contact with several children and tried to talk to two different children.
March 10: Dominick woke up, walked into living room, picked up my water bottle, drank from it and said, “It is so good, Nummy!” While watching a DVD, I put Dominick on his potty in front of TV and gave him my water bottle. He all the sudden while watching the DVD said, “Oh look.” “ A drum.”
March 14: Bought Dominick a new bath toy. When I showed it to him he asked, “What is that?” With perfect diction!
March 16: Dominick is not feeling well. Very cranky today. Not wanting to make any decisions. Not wanting to participate in any activities or answer any questions. Had to cancel hearing evaluation.
March 18: Dominick is now using, “Stop it” and “No” more. It is exciting that he can now communicate to me when he doesn’t like something.
March 22: We got to OT before Anissa. When she got there Dominick looked at her started to walk into gym room and said to her, “Come On, Let’s Go”. The psychologist opened the door to the gym and I heard Dominick say, “Hello”. Everyone was just laughing at Dominick while watching him in the gym. He is such a HAM today.
March 23: Dominick and I went to swim class. Dominick will not blow bubbles in the water. He did great kicking. He was able to climb out of the pool by himself. Put him in the daycare at the gym. He did just fine. After story time today, just before his nap, he sat up and with each hand he pretended like they were puppets and had them talking to each other. Right hand: Hello Left hand: Hello Right hand: How are you? Left hand: I am fine. How are you? And on and on. It was HILLARIOUS!
March 24: Heather, the speech therapist, did a mini evaluation on Dominick today. She said she is starting to run out of material for him. Says he is progressing much faster than anticipated. Ashley and I worked on getting him to ask for objects by using more descriptions such as color. Ashley says he is doing so great because of all the work I am doing for him. “Patting myself on the back!”
March 26: Dominick is saying, “Mommy” “There’s Mommy” “Hi Mommy” “I Wuve You Mommy”, every day several times a day!
March 28: Went to Hailey’s. Dominick and Kaitlin played together. They tossed the ball back and forth. He even tried to communicate with her. He cried when it was time to leave. Went over to Marcella’s house. He showed off! Dancing and talking. MR. PERSONALITY! Dominick has started saying “Thank you” and “Thanks”.
March 29: According to Anissa Dominick is an “A Type” personality. Meaning he will be very detailed and a great organizer. He is going to be a perfectionist. There is a little girl, Ashlyn, around 10 years old who sees Anissa after Dominick. She is severely autistic. She does not hug her parents and rarely talks or looks at people. Last week she took her nurses glasses and put them on me. She looked me right in the eye. She has tremors and bad ticks. They stopped when she was looking me in the eye. I told her thank you and she got excited and clapped. Then I asked her for “High 5” and she gave me two “High 5’s”. This week when Dominick came out of the gym with Anissa, Ashlyn looked at Dominick and said, “My baby”. She saw he had a monkey on his shirt and she said, “My Monkey”. She touched his shirt and grabbed his hand. They sat in the chairs beside each other. Dominick would look at her and she would look at him too. Dominick tried to talk to her in his Gibber Gabber. They just sat there and held each other’s hand. I am blown away by the connection Dominick and I have both made with her. So is Anissa.
April 1: Went swimming with Shannon and Sage. Sage swam up to Dominick and me. He grabbed Dominick’s arm. Dominick said, “Sage! GO AWAY!” He then tried to either push or punch at Sage. This is great progress! Not excited about him wanting to try to harm Sage but excited because Dominick is trying to communicate more about what he likes and dislikes.
April 4: Easter Egg hunt! While watching TV, Dominick started copying the Progressive Insurance commercial. He knew practically all the words and even used dramatic expressions. I truly believe he has photographic memory. I got video of it. Hilarious. Dominick is dancing to Kyle’s radio show. So cute. Loves dancing with his Mommy!
April 7: Ashley is back from vacation. Yay! Dominick is not having a great, good or even okay day. Not wanting to participate. Regressing and going into his little world again. Doing some of his repetitive behaviors and sounds. We are going to have bad days. They SUCK!
So now you are caught up with Dominick. Now for me! I still have days when I feel like “SUPER MOM”. Able to clean the dirtiest of diapers in a single swipe, able to clean all and organize all and do all and be all and blah blah blah…
Then there are the days when I can’t do anything right. I can’t get task completed. I have 5 million tasks to get done. I am not doing enough to help my son. I am the crappiest wife in the world. I am an awful daughter and sister and friend and mother. I miss my daughter Hailey and I am not doing enough for her. I can’t return phone calls to anyone. I can’t even check my email.
It can take its toll out on you. I need an extra 5 hours in the day! I need a clone. I get no sleep usually. I miss being able to have insomnia and getting stuff done while everyone else sleeps. I have learned I have to make time for me. I have to take care of me! If I don’t I will be no good to Dominick. I also have learned that I need to ask for help. I can’t do this alone.
All of this can add a whole lot of strain to a marriage. There is just not enough time in the day. You have to make time to spend with each other. We had to make time to do something with each other that doesn’t involve ASD or Dominick. Marty and I are taking Shag dance lessons. We get to have a date on Friday nights. We get to go out and laugh. I usually only get to see him 2 maybe 3 nights a week. The second he gets home from work on Wednesday and Thursday I walk out the door. I work on some Friday and all Saturday nights. On Sunday I am so exhausted I don’t want to do anything. Communication is usually only a few words on the phone. All of this can make me feel alone in this sometimes. We are getting through it all! It just takes work!
My dad is the greatest!!! He calls me daily to ask me questions, get updates about Dominick, tell me about something new he heard about ASD, mails me articles from the paper, comes to Dominick’s therapy sessions and on and on and on. I am so proud of him. He told me he just wants to be able to talk to his grandson. He wants to know how to communicate with him and understand what it is like for Dominick. WOW!
On April 1 I put blue string lights up at Lynn’s for Autism Awareness month. Bill and Kitten allowed me to tell everyone there about my story and about ASD. I have been blown away from the stories others have of their own experiences with Autism. Their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. I had no idea it has touched so many of these people I see every week. So many people came up to me after to give me a hug, a word of thanks because they had no idea how big of a crisis it has become, to tell me about their loved one, a word of encouragement and a whole lot of praise for being a wonderful mom. All of these people from Lynn’s are such a big part of my life. I see them every week. They make me smile and laugh every day I see them. We tell each other jokes and stories. I have become so attached to them all. I look forward to seeing them. I love them and they are in my heart always.
I have some items to sale for Autism Awareness. Car and fridge magnets, pins, decals, bracelets and key and card chains. Crickett has been helping me sell them at Lynn’s. She is such a sweet heart. If anyone would like to purchase anything please contact me. Or if you would just like to make a donation I can help point you in the right direction. The family-run MOSI Foundation will match your contribution up to $1000.00 for a limited time. This is who I plan on making my contribution to. With you help we will be able to fund more research for these amazing kids.
I want to post someone else’s blog post which sums up everything I want you all to know about Autism Awareness, me and my amazing, funny, brilliant son Dominick.
BE AWARE, BY: BOTH HANDS AND A FLASHLIGHT
Be aware that if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.
Be aware that just because people don’t talk doesn’t mean they can’t communicate. And it certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent.
Be aware that sometimes our kids can’t help it. They are trying, incredibly hard.
Be aware that an open mind and a closed mouth are sometimes the best response to a situation.
Be aware that our sons and daughters are awesome.
Be aware that we will kick the butts of anyone who says otherwise.
Be aware that many public figures and organizations talking about autism don’t necessarily speak for a whole lot of us.
Be aware that a lot of the people who talk the most also have the biggest agendas and the most to profit from.
Be aware that if a parent is trying to do something with a child who is melting down in public, pause a minute, postpone judgment, and reflect on whether that child and parent are facing challenges you do not understand.
Be aware that price gouging on materials and equipment infuriates us. We know some companies do it because we have to have what they sell.
But be aware that we are now a people’s movement, and the power is shifting to us. We will find new solutions, and they will be better because we made them. And we won’t mourn when unethical companies go out of business.
Be aware that we are loyal and faithful to those who support us and unforgiving in our pursuits against those who take advantage of our children and us. And we have very, very long memories.
Be aware that we tend to be very fired up about our children and their needs, and we aren’t sorry about it.
Be aware that if anyone messes with one child, they mess with all of us.
Be aware that we are unapologetic about getting funding for special education, disability services, or other supports. If people want to argue against these programs, that’s their right. But be aware that if anyone says our kids aren’t ‘worth it’, rather than debate them on the merits or lack thereof, we’ll just tell them to go to hell.
Be aware that we are not asking for ’special rights’, which is just code language for discrimination anyway. We are working to give our children an equal chance at achieving their potential as any other child. When discussions turn toward whether a child is ‘deserving’ of such help, all children suffer, and we sink toward a moral bankruptcy that they will inherit from us.
Be aware that our children are not broken, damaged, or lost.
Be aware that the words we use matter.
Be aware that you are talking about our children – my children. And be aware that many of them take those words literally and personally.
Be aware that we may sound angry, but that’s because we are fighting for our children, and we fight this battle for them every day.
Be aware that anyone with a soul would fight for these things for their own child if they were in our shoes.
Be aware that all we want is for our children to have a chance to be who they were born to be – just like anyone else does for their own kids.
Be aware that there are a multitude of autistic adults trying to live out their dreams and aspirations. It’s not just about children; adults need services and support too.
Be aware that we are often very tired.
Be aware that we expect great things from our children, and they often humble us with how far they exceed all expectations.
Be aware that we will never give up fighting for them.
And be aware that I still wouldn’t trade my life for anything.
BY: BOTH HANDS AND A FLASHLIGHT
Autistic people do not judge, do not play mind games, do not lie. Maybe we can learn some things from them.
Dominick now has a Speech Therapist, Heather, who he sees on Wednesday and Friday mornings for 30 minute sessions. He sees an Occupational Therapist, Anissa, on Monday for an hour session. Ashley, our in home therapist from the Easter Seals, still comes on Wednesday for an hour to work with us. The ST and OT is less than a half mile away. Tega Cay Speaks. I should really start playing the lottery more often considering how very lucky we have been with lining up all his therapy. Ashley is such a blessing. Without her I would be sooooooo lost.
Dominick has been making such tremendous progress. Everyone working with him is amazed by his progress. I keep a daily journal of some of his accomplishments.
March 1: Speech Therapy, Dominick went into the gym area and got a sucker, he remembered where they were. He took it into the speech room and brought it to me and said, “Open” “I want sucker”. Both Heather and I were stunned.
March 3: Woke up with Dominick in my bed saying, “I wuve you!” “I pee pee” “Pee pee Potty” I took him to his potty and after a few minutes I almost gave up thinking it was too good to be true. Then the potty started to sing the potty song (Once you go to the bathroom it has a temp sensor on it so it will sing) I think it scared him like he had done something wrong. I reassured him it was okay to go potty.
March 7: Dominick took bubbles to Shannon and said, “Open”
March 8: Dominick participated in about half of the activities at Gymboree. He did sing the bubble song and remembered the actions and movements that go with the song. He has not heard it in over 6 months. He made eye contact with several children and tried to talk to two different children.
March 10: Dominick woke up, walked into living room, picked up my water bottle, drank from it and said, “It is so good, Nummy!” While watching a DVD, I put Dominick on his potty in front of TV and gave him my water bottle. He all the sudden while watching the DVD said, “Oh look.” “ A drum.”
March 14: Bought Dominick a new bath toy. When I showed it to him he asked, “What is that?” With perfect diction!
March 16: Dominick is not feeling well. Very cranky today. Not wanting to make any decisions. Not wanting to participate in any activities or answer any questions. Had to cancel hearing evaluation.
March 18: Dominick is now using, “Stop it” and “No” more. It is exciting that he can now communicate to me when he doesn’t like something.
March 22: We got to OT before Anissa. When she got there Dominick looked at her started to walk into gym room and said to her, “Come On, Let’s Go”. The psychologist opened the door to the gym and I heard Dominick say, “Hello”. Everyone was just laughing at Dominick while watching him in the gym. He is such a HAM today.
March 23: Dominick and I went to swim class. Dominick will not blow bubbles in the water. He did great kicking. He was able to climb out of the pool by himself. Put him in the daycare at the gym. He did just fine. After story time today, just before his nap, he sat up and with each hand he pretended like they were puppets and had them talking to each other. Right hand: Hello Left hand: Hello Right hand: How are you? Left hand: I am fine. How are you? And on and on. It was HILLARIOUS!
March 24: Heather, the speech therapist, did a mini evaluation on Dominick today. She said she is starting to run out of material for him. Says he is progressing much faster than anticipated. Ashley and I worked on getting him to ask for objects by using more descriptions such as color. Ashley says he is doing so great because of all the work I am doing for him. “Patting myself on the back!”
March 26: Dominick is saying, “Mommy” “There’s Mommy” “Hi Mommy” “I Wuve You Mommy”, every day several times a day!
March 28: Went to Hailey’s. Dominick and Kaitlin played together. They tossed the ball back and forth. He even tried to communicate with her. He cried when it was time to leave. Went over to Marcella’s house. He showed off! Dancing and talking. MR. PERSONALITY! Dominick has started saying “Thank you” and “Thanks”.
March 29: According to Anissa Dominick is an “A Type” personality. Meaning he will be very detailed and a great organizer. He is going to be a perfectionist. There is a little girl, Ashlyn, around 10 years old who sees Anissa after Dominick. She is severely autistic. She does not hug her parents and rarely talks or looks at people. Last week she took her nurses glasses and put them on me. She looked me right in the eye. She has tremors and bad ticks. They stopped when she was looking me in the eye. I told her thank you and she got excited and clapped. Then I asked her for “High 5” and she gave me two “High 5’s”. This week when Dominick came out of the gym with Anissa, Ashlyn looked at Dominick and said, “My baby”. She saw he had a monkey on his shirt and she said, “My Monkey”. She touched his shirt and grabbed his hand. They sat in the chairs beside each other. Dominick would look at her and she would look at him too. Dominick tried to talk to her in his Gibber Gabber. They just sat there and held each other’s hand. I am blown away by the connection Dominick and I have both made with her. So is Anissa.
April 1: Went swimming with Shannon and Sage. Sage swam up to Dominick and me. He grabbed Dominick’s arm. Dominick said, “Sage! GO AWAY!” He then tried to either push or punch at Sage. This is great progress! Not excited about him wanting to try to harm Sage but excited because Dominick is trying to communicate more about what he likes and dislikes.
April 4: Easter Egg hunt! While watching TV, Dominick started copying the Progressive Insurance commercial. He knew practically all the words and even used dramatic expressions. I truly believe he has photographic memory. I got video of it. Hilarious. Dominick is dancing to Kyle’s radio show. So cute. Loves dancing with his Mommy!
April 7: Ashley is back from vacation. Yay! Dominick is not having a great, good or even okay day. Not wanting to participate. Regressing and going into his little world again. Doing some of his repetitive behaviors and sounds. We are going to have bad days. They SUCK!
So now you are caught up with Dominick. Now for me! I still have days when I feel like “SUPER MOM”. Able to clean the dirtiest of diapers in a single swipe, able to clean all and organize all and do all and be all and blah blah blah…
Then there are the days when I can’t do anything right. I can’t get task completed. I have 5 million tasks to get done. I am not doing enough to help my son. I am the crappiest wife in the world. I am an awful daughter and sister and friend and mother. I miss my daughter Hailey and I am not doing enough for her. I can’t return phone calls to anyone. I can’t even check my email.
It can take its toll out on you. I need an extra 5 hours in the day! I need a clone. I get no sleep usually. I miss being able to have insomnia and getting stuff done while everyone else sleeps. I have learned I have to make time for me. I have to take care of me! If I don’t I will be no good to Dominick. I also have learned that I need to ask for help. I can’t do this alone.
All of this can add a whole lot of strain to a marriage. There is just not enough time in the day. You have to make time to spend with each other. We had to make time to do something with each other that doesn’t involve ASD or Dominick. Marty and I are taking Shag dance lessons. We get to have a date on Friday nights. We get to go out and laugh. I usually only get to see him 2 maybe 3 nights a week. The second he gets home from work on Wednesday and Thursday I walk out the door. I work on some Friday and all Saturday nights. On Sunday I am so exhausted I don’t want to do anything. Communication is usually only a few words on the phone. All of this can make me feel alone in this sometimes. We are getting through it all! It just takes work!
My dad is the greatest!!! He calls me daily to ask me questions, get updates about Dominick, tell me about something new he heard about ASD, mails me articles from the paper, comes to Dominick’s therapy sessions and on and on and on. I am so proud of him. He told me he just wants to be able to talk to his grandson. He wants to know how to communicate with him and understand what it is like for Dominick. WOW!
On April 1 I put blue string lights up at Lynn’s for Autism Awareness month. Bill and Kitten allowed me to tell everyone there about my story and about ASD. I have been blown away from the stories others have of their own experiences with Autism. Their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. I had no idea it has touched so many of these people I see every week. So many people came up to me after to give me a hug, a word of thanks because they had no idea how big of a crisis it has become, to tell me about their loved one, a word of encouragement and a whole lot of praise for being a wonderful mom. All of these people from Lynn’s are such a big part of my life. I see them every week. They make me smile and laugh every day I see them. We tell each other jokes and stories. I have become so attached to them all. I look forward to seeing them. I love them and they are in my heart always.
I have some items to sale for Autism Awareness. Car and fridge magnets, pins, decals, bracelets and key and card chains. Crickett has been helping me sell them at Lynn’s. She is such a sweet heart. If anyone would like to purchase anything please contact me. Or if you would just like to make a donation I can help point you in the right direction. The family-run MOSI Foundation will match your contribution up to $1000.00 for a limited time. This is who I plan on making my contribution to. With you help we will be able to fund more research for these amazing kids.
I want to post someone else’s blog post which sums up everything I want you all to know about Autism Awareness, me and my amazing, funny, brilliant son Dominick.
BE AWARE, BY: BOTH HANDS AND A FLASHLIGHT
Be aware that if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.
Be aware that just because people don’t talk doesn’t mean they can’t communicate. And it certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t intelligent.
Be aware that sometimes our kids can’t help it. They are trying, incredibly hard.
Be aware that an open mind and a closed mouth are sometimes the best response to a situation.
Be aware that our sons and daughters are awesome.
Be aware that we will kick the butts of anyone who says otherwise.
Be aware that many public figures and organizations talking about autism don’t necessarily speak for a whole lot of us.
Be aware that a lot of the people who talk the most also have the biggest agendas and the most to profit from.
Be aware that if a parent is trying to do something with a child who is melting down in public, pause a minute, postpone judgment, and reflect on whether that child and parent are facing challenges you do not understand.
Be aware that price gouging on materials and equipment infuriates us. We know some companies do it because we have to have what they sell.
But be aware that we are now a people’s movement, and the power is shifting to us. We will find new solutions, and they will be better because we made them. And we won’t mourn when unethical companies go out of business.
Be aware that we are loyal and faithful to those who support us and unforgiving in our pursuits against those who take advantage of our children and us. And we have very, very long memories.
Be aware that we tend to be very fired up about our children and their needs, and we aren’t sorry about it.
Be aware that if anyone messes with one child, they mess with all of us.
Be aware that we are unapologetic about getting funding for special education, disability services, or other supports. If people want to argue against these programs, that’s their right. But be aware that if anyone says our kids aren’t ‘worth it’, rather than debate them on the merits or lack thereof, we’ll just tell them to go to hell.
Be aware that we are not asking for ’special rights’, which is just code language for discrimination anyway. We are working to give our children an equal chance at achieving their potential as any other child. When discussions turn toward whether a child is ‘deserving’ of such help, all children suffer, and we sink toward a moral bankruptcy that they will inherit from us.
Be aware that our children are not broken, damaged, or lost.
Be aware that the words we use matter.
Be aware that you are talking about our children – my children. And be aware that many of them take those words literally and personally.
Be aware that we may sound angry, but that’s because we are fighting for our children, and we fight this battle for them every day.
Be aware that anyone with a soul would fight for these things for their own child if they were in our shoes.
Be aware that all we want is for our children to have a chance to be who they were born to be – just like anyone else does for their own kids.
Be aware that there are a multitude of autistic adults trying to live out their dreams and aspirations. It’s not just about children; adults need services and support too.
Be aware that we are often very tired.
Be aware that we expect great things from our children, and they often humble us with how far they exceed all expectations.
Be aware that we will never give up fighting for them.
And be aware that I still wouldn’t trade my life for anything.
BY: BOTH HANDS AND A FLASHLIGHT
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Breathing In & Out Isn't So Easy
I am still going through my 100 Day Kit sent to us free from Autism Speaks. It is designed to help you after you have a diagnosis of Autism. I am going through all of the safety issues.
A whole lot of fear has set in on me. My Dominick is a "wanderer". He will take off and not look back. He is oblivious to his surroundings. He doesn't even realize I am not near him. He could run out into the middle of the street and have ZERO idea that cars even exist.
I have to worry about every window, every door, every cabinet, every drawer. I have to worry about scissors, pens, pencils, cleaning products, medicines, tools, garbage, TVs, book cases and tall furniture that could fall over.
I have to worry about him getting lost and not being able to find him. He most of the time does not respond to me calling his name. He would not be able to communicate with a stranger. How would he be able to find me or tell someone who he is and who I am?
HELP!!! I found my saving grace and it is two websites... http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ and http://www.lucasworks.com/. I was able to get a safety kit which includes DNA ID, teeth impressions, fingerprints, ID tags with child info for wallets and car seat, ID bracelets and shoe stickers. I also get a electronic child locator which attaches to his shoes and alerts me if he gets beyond 20 feet away from me and I can locate him up to 150 feet away. It is a little blue bear he will wear on his shoe and I will have a locator i can carry. I also got temporary Autism tattoos that come with a waterproof non toxic pen so I can write his and my info on him. A medical alert bracelet. I know I am forgetting some of the other stuff also.
My husband thinks I am going overboard. I never want to be unprepared for a single event, circumstance or instance. I do not want to have to look back and say to myself, "I could have should have done more to keep him safe and protected."
On both of the websites there is also great information and history about their children. I spent hours last night on http://www.lucasworks.com/. Lucas is a 17 year old with autism and is mentally retarded. His mother Lauren is the one who started Lucas Works. She has put so much helpful info on this site and has also shared her and Lucas's story. I feel truly blessed after reading about her story.
Next on my project list is getting together a flyer with Dominick's picture and information to have ready in case of emergency. I am going to go around to a couple of neighbors to also make them alert of Dominick and our situation. I will make sure to check the sex offenders websites before I do. YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS. Plus I do not want to end up on Oprah's couch crying.
I am going to also take Dominick to the police stations and fire department to make them aware and let him see what the police and firemen look like. Also make sure they have flyers on file of him.
Getting all the cabinets, windows, drawers and doors ready will be on Marty's list to do. This will be a great time to get everything in my house organized. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Therapy is going along great. Mondays we have Gymboree and then Occupational Therapy. Wednesdays and Fridays we have Speech Therapy. Ashlee comes over on Wednesdays after Speech to work with us. I am looking for a two day a week, half day, "Mommy's Morning Out" kind of program for him so he can interact with other children. Now the only problem is finding one that will fit him. He isn't going to participate like the other kids. He isn't going to listen to the teacher like the other kids. I am very afraid of him being punished. Will the teachers be able to understand what his autism is and how it makes him different?
I am going to sign him up for swim lessons. Many children with autism are very very very very very very attracted to the water. Whether it is flushing the toilet, which he must do and no one is allowed in this house except for him to flush, or watching the water come out of the faucet or watching it rain outside, he will stop what he is doing and go off into his own little world. And it is very hard to get him to come back into mine. We are going to try the YMCA first.
Breath in, Breath out, Breath in, Breath out. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed. It is so easy to feel sorry for yourself. It is so easy to cry and just want to give up. I never go down the easy path.
A whole lot of fear has set in on me. My Dominick is a "wanderer". He will take off and not look back. He is oblivious to his surroundings. He doesn't even realize I am not near him. He could run out into the middle of the street and have ZERO idea that cars even exist.
I have to worry about every window, every door, every cabinet, every drawer. I have to worry about scissors, pens, pencils, cleaning products, medicines, tools, garbage, TVs, book cases and tall furniture that could fall over.
I have to worry about him getting lost and not being able to find him. He most of the time does not respond to me calling his name. He would not be able to communicate with a stranger. How would he be able to find me or tell someone who he is and who I am?
HELP!!! I found my saving grace and it is two websites... http://www.mypreciouskid.com/ and http://www.lucasworks.com/. I was able to get a safety kit which includes DNA ID, teeth impressions, fingerprints, ID tags with child info for wallets and car seat, ID bracelets and shoe stickers. I also get a electronic child locator which attaches to his shoes and alerts me if he gets beyond 20 feet away from me and I can locate him up to 150 feet away. It is a little blue bear he will wear on his shoe and I will have a locator i can carry. I also got temporary Autism tattoos that come with a waterproof non toxic pen so I can write his and my info on him. A medical alert bracelet. I know I am forgetting some of the other stuff also.
My husband thinks I am going overboard. I never want to be unprepared for a single event, circumstance or instance. I do not want to have to look back and say to myself, "I could have should have done more to keep him safe and protected."
On both of the websites there is also great information and history about their children. I spent hours last night on http://www.lucasworks.com/. Lucas is a 17 year old with autism and is mentally retarded. His mother Lauren is the one who started Lucas Works. She has put so much helpful info on this site and has also shared her and Lucas's story. I feel truly blessed after reading about her story.
Next on my project list is getting together a flyer with Dominick's picture and information to have ready in case of emergency. I am going to go around to a couple of neighbors to also make them alert of Dominick and our situation. I will make sure to check the sex offenders websites before I do. YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS. Plus I do not want to end up on Oprah's couch crying.
I am going to also take Dominick to the police stations and fire department to make them aware and let him see what the police and firemen look like. Also make sure they have flyers on file of him.
Getting all the cabinets, windows, drawers and doors ready will be on Marty's list to do. This will be a great time to get everything in my house organized. A place for everything and everything in its place.
Therapy is going along great. Mondays we have Gymboree and then Occupational Therapy. Wednesdays and Fridays we have Speech Therapy. Ashlee comes over on Wednesdays after Speech to work with us. I am looking for a two day a week, half day, "Mommy's Morning Out" kind of program for him so he can interact with other children. Now the only problem is finding one that will fit him. He isn't going to participate like the other kids. He isn't going to listen to the teacher like the other kids. I am very afraid of him being punished. Will the teachers be able to understand what his autism is and how it makes him different?
I am going to sign him up for swim lessons. Many children with autism are very very very very very very attracted to the water. Whether it is flushing the toilet, which he must do and no one is allowed in this house except for him to flush, or watching the water come out of the faucet or watching it rain outside, he will stop what he is doing and go off into his own little world. And it is very hard to get him to come back into mine. We are going to try the YMCA first.
Breath in, Breath out, Breath in, Breath out. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed. It is so easy to feel sorry for yourself. It is so easy to cry and just want to give up. I never go down the easy path.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
I Love Progress!
Well we have been very, very busy. On Friday February 12, 2010 we went to Sugar Creek Elementary School to meet the Psychologist, Joanne Shields, and so Dominick could be evaluated for early intervention in the school system. Ashlee, our in home therapist from Easter Seals, set up the meeting and met us at the school. Not the closest school to us but not too far away either. Beautiful school!
We went into a small conference room. There were some toys in the room for Dominick to play with. I began answering questions and telling our story, I now have a stock speech. She began to explain how the early intervention will work and what we need to get done before he becomes enrolled.
They will be working with Dominick on basic skills such as putting on and taking off shoes and clothes, feeding himself, interacting with others, dealing with structure, dealing with stress and how to deal with "NO", colors, shapes, textures, speech therapy and most importantly... POTTY TRAINING! And so much more.
Dominick was his usual funny, "Mr. Personality", hammy, cute self. He started his gibber gabber while we were talking. He would come up to the table, blow with his lips puckered making a loud noise and then start to fake laugh, "HA HA HE HE HA HA HA HE HA". Joanne made the comment that she is going to love working with him. After filling out paper work we were done. Task one done. Check.
Then on Monday I get a call from Tega Cay Speaks, Speech and Occupational therapy. Ashlee arranged for them to call me. Did I mention she is my hero? They were able to get me in today before my time with Ashlee. Two great things about Tega Cay Speaks, one, they are less than a mile away from me, two, Dominick can get both therapies he needs in one location. I go through the question and answer formality and give my "Stock Speech". She observes Dominick. Paper work. Dominick will be attending speech therapy two times a week for 30 minute sessions. YAY! Task two done. Check. The Occupational Therapist will be calling me to set up time for an evaluation within the next week or so.
Ashlee came over after our Tega Cay Speaks appointment. Dominick lit up when she came in. He immediately went for her bag of toys. He pulled out a ball she had on top. She was working on getting him to answer her and respond to verbal cues. After the ball she pulled out a puzzle with emergency vehicles on it, a police car, fire engine, helicopter, motorcycle and tow truck. She would hold up two pieces and ask him which one he wanted. He did a great job of answering her and telling her which one he wanted. After he put all the pieces in the correct spots she would ask him what each one was. She pointed to the police car and asked him what kind it was. He said, "That’s a car." WE HAVE A SENTENCE! Ashlee and I looked at each other in disbelief. SO HAPPY.
Everything is coming together. I now have a game plan. I now have therapies in place for my Monkey. I am getting him enrolled in school. Man I LOVE PROGRESS!
We went into a small conference room. There were some toys in the room for Dominick to play with. I began answering questions and telling our story, I now have a stock speech. She began to explain how the early intervention will work and what we need to get done before he becomes enrolled.
They will be working with Dominick on basic skills such as putting on and taking off shoes and clothes, feeding himself, interacting with others, dealing with structure, dealing with stress and how to deal with "NO", colors, shapes, textures, speech therapy and most importantly... POTTY TRAINING! And so much more.
Dominick was his usual funny, "Mr. Personality", hammy, cute self. He started his gibber gabber while we were talking. He would come up to the table, blow with his lips puckered making a loud noise and then start to fake laugh, "HA HA HE HE HA HA HA HE HA". Joanne made the comment that she is going to love working with him. After filling out paper work we were done. Task one done. Check.
Then on Monday I get a call from Tega Cay Speaks, Speech and Occupational therapy. Ashlee arranged for them to call me. Did I mention she is my hero? They were able to get me in today before my time with Ashlee. Two great things about Tega Cay Speaks, one, they are less than a mile away from me, two, Dominick can get both therapies he needs in one location. I go through the question and answer formality and give my "Stock Speech". She observes Dominick. Paper work. Dominick will be attending speech therapy two times a week for 30 minute sessions. YAY! Task two done. Check. The Occupational Therapist will be calling me to set up time for an evaluation within the next week or so.
Ashlee came over after our Tega Cay Speaks appointment. Dominick lit up when she came in. He immediately went for her bag of toys. He pulled out a ball she had on top. She was working on getting him to answer her and respond to verbal cues. After the ball she pulled out a puzzle with emergency vehicles on it, a police car, fire engine, helicopter, motorcycle and tow truck. She would hold up two pieces and ask him which one he wanted. He did a great job of answering her and telling her which one he wanted. After he put all the pieces in the correct spots she would ask him what each one was. She pointed to the police car and asked him what kind it was. He said, "That’s a car." WE HAVE A SENTENCE! Ashlee and I looked at each other in disbelief. SO HAPPY.
Everything is coming together. I now have a game plan. I now have therapies in place for my Monkey. I am getting him enrolled in school. Man I LOVE PROGRESS!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Today Is My Happy Day
We started giving Dominick a liquid vitamin supplement almost two months ago. Since then the progress Dominick has made is INCREDIBLE! Just this past Saturday he made a friend in Gymboree, Ricky. He played and interacted with him. And he even participated a little in the activities. This is a first for Dominick. Other than Sage, my four year old nephew, Dominick doesn't have anything to do with other children. He likes older kids a lot better than kids his age. Then today at Gymboree he blew me away. He did every single activity. He sang the songs, he did all the activities, he talked to Miss Terry and Miss Susan, he played with Blake and Gretchen and he answered the questions when Miss Terry asked him something.
I truly believe that the vitamins are making a difference.
Last Thursday Ashlee from Easter Seals came by the house for the first time. She is Dominick's in home therapist. From the moment she walked in Dominick fell in love with her. She brought over a lot of toys to play with Dominick. She did an evaluation and asked me a ton of questions. She went over a plan for Dominick and his treatment and therapy.
She is setting up genetic counseling and testing for him. She is setting up ABA therapy workshop for us which Easter Seals will pay, thank goodness because WOW the cost! She is setting up Speech and Occupational Therapy with Tega Speaks which is right down the street from us. She is setting up Dominick to enroll in the school system. She is getting us enrolled in financial help programs for help with all the therapies. Baby Net will end when he turns 3 so she is trying to get it extended for us until he is age 5.
Ashlee called me this morning and in just one business day she managed to get us in with Tega Speaks for the Speech Therapy. He might have to go to another Occupational Therapist because of the waiting list at Tega Speaks but she is checking and will let me know later today and she already has an alternate lined up in Pineville. She has already got an appointment for us to have an evaluation with York County Schools on Friday.
Ashlee will be coming over every Wednesday for one hour of therapy. I LOVE HER! In one day she has accomplished more for me than any Doctor Dominick has seen. She is my HERO!
Today is a great day. Today is my happy day. Thank you Vitamins. Thank you Ashlee. And best of all THANK YOU DOMINICK FOR BLESSING MY LIFE.
You have to have the bad days to remind you of how great the good days are. My friend Michelle told me that. Thanks.
I truly believe that the vitamins are making a difference.
Last Thursday Ashlee from Easter Seals came by the house for the first time. She is Dominick's in home therapist. From the moment she walked in Dominick fell in love with her. She brought over a lot of toys to play with Dominick. She did an evaluation and asked me a ton of questions. She went over a plan for Dominick and his treatment and therapy.
She is setting up genetic counseling and testing for him. She is setting up ABA therapy workshop for us which Easter Seals will pay, thank goodness because WOW the cost! She is setting up Speech and Occupational Therapy with Tega Speaks which is right down the street from us. She is setting up Dominick to enroll in the school system. She is getting us enrolled in financial help programs for help with all the therapies. Baby Net will end when he turns 3 so she is trying to get it extended for us until he is age 5.
Ashlee called me this morning and in just one business day she managed to get us in with Tega Speaks for the Speech Therapy. He might have to go to another Occupational Therapist because of the waiting list at Tega Speaks but she is checking and will let me know later today and she already has an alternate lined up in Pineville. She has already got an appointment for us to have an evaluation with York County Schools on Friday.
Ashlee will be coming over every Wednesday for one hour of therapy. I LOVE HER! In one day she has accomplished more for me than any Doctor Dominick has seen. She is my HERO!
Today is a great day. Today is my happy day. Thank you Vitamins. Thank you Ashlee. And best of all THANK YOU DOMINICK FOR BLESSING MY LIFE.
You have to have the bad days to remind you of how great the good days are. My friend Michelle told me that. Thanks.
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