Life with Samuel has been a bit of a wild ride lately! He started private Occupational Therapy services earlier this summer and I told his therapist that he was having 2 or 3 behavioral outbursts per month. Beginning about 3 weeks ago this number seemed to go up so I started keeping a log of his outbursts and the frequency had increased to more like 2 to 3 PER WEEK. In fact, this past week he had an outburst almost every day.
I'm carefully looking at our daily schedule to determine how we might be able to get things done without the outbursts. Among the culprits I blame this increase on are a change in routine as the summer ended and school was started up and my husband's and oldest son's frequent travelling for racing. At the recommendation of our occupational therapist I am trying to work more sensory activities into Samuel's schedule. They are so easy for me to overlook or brush aside as I try to get things done.
Another challenge we are facing with Samuel is the using of some very bad expletives. I strongly suspect he picked them up from watching things on You Tube, so I'm severely limiting his time on the computer and try to stay in the vicinity as he is on it so I can monitor what he is watching. He knows exactly what I'm doing and doesn't like it one bit! I'm considering moving the computer down to our family room, where it can be monitored more easily than up in my out-of-the-way office.
I am in over my head with keeping up with school work for three children. One thing I like about the new curriculum materials I am using is that I am given lots of guidance in constructing lessons. Samuel has actually had some fun doing his math work with some manipulatives, and my youngest son seems to be getting a lot more out of our time together when I have some kind of lesson planned. I'm just having a hard time adjusting to the amount of time I'm having to put in to the lesson preparation.
Samuel will be participating in a Challenger Soccer league (a league for those with special needs and different abilities) beginning in a few weeks. We would be going this week, but he has an EEG scheduled, for which he'll have to be put under general anesthesia. I have no idea how on earth he'll be able to tolerate the wearing of all the electrodes once he comes out of the anesthesia. He'll be monitored for 23 hours! I'm already talking to him about what is coming up, and am stashing away all kinds of special goodies and activities (like DVDs and videos - what else?!) Any ideas for preparing him, anyone?
Two yahoo groups I belong to have been embroiled in some very nasty discussions lately. It's very disheartening, why do people get so opinionated and so intolerant of each other!? I find I have to just let go of these kinds of things so that I can focus more on what really matters - taking care of my own children's needs!
I have greatly missed posting and visiting all my usual "blog friends," but I suspect it will be a while before I can return to it the way that I'd really like to.
6 comments:
So sorry it's been more difficlut lately! Ki had daily rages until he was 8 and with a lot of therpay and changes (diet, schedule, behvaior, etc) he's pretty good now, but it shows when he's having a rough week or is tired or doesn't get his O.T. before school.
I pray Samuel's procedure goes well.
Does he join his dad and brohter on their racing travels?
Maybe he'll be so groggy he won't mind the electrodes at firt, and by the time he does he'll me more used to them.
Oh, goodness, poor Samuel!
And you know, I've left an online group when the nastiness got to be too much. Who needs support like that? It's hard, though, especially if you consider some to be friends. I just got to the point where it gave me a sick feeling to log on and it was just time to say goodbye.
Hope things get better or you're able to find another group.
:]
wow laurie, i hope things start looking up for u...i hate that u're feeling overwhelmed lately...i hope that samuel's EEG goes well & that getting back into his normal routine helps with the meltdowns! hang in there - i'm praying for you!
Thanks everyone!
Kaber, Samuel hasn't joined his Dad and big brother on any racing adventures. There have been plans to take Samuel along to give the go-karts a try but it just hasn't worked out yet. It didn't help that they travel 5-6 hours up to NY to do this racing! I never even got to go along. They plan to change to a different kind of racing that is more local next year, so that will improve the ability for the rest of the family to be included. Our 6 year old son may give racing a try next year, and our 2 year old daughter is already saying she wants a pink race car! I honestly don't know how interested Samuel will be in it, but we'll give him a chance to try! I'm hoping at least one of the kids will show some talent in being mechanically inclined, my husband could use some help!
Thank you so much for your stories it is people like you that make this world a better place . My son was born with several birth defects alos so i know where your come in from on everything god bles you and your family and thank you so much
Hi Kayla, Thanks for visiting and thanks for your kind words! I just took a quick peak at your blog and I look forward to returning when I have more time to read. Wow Kayla, your family has a lot going on! God Bless!
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