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.
Showing posts with label Doctor visits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doctor visits. Show all posts
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Vision Exam
Yesterday Samuel had his first-ever visit to the eye doctor. I started telling him about this appointment a few weeks ago. I have learned that it is best to inform Samuel ahead of time of these things so that he has plenty of opportunity to voice any concerns or objections! He expressed concern about having to get a shot and also asked, "Will it hurt?" His concerns were very easy to answer and I am convinced that talking about them helped the exam to go smoothly.
The in-home helper who is with us during the morning and afternoon has become very good at picking up what is going on with Samuel and he makes upcoming events a part of their conversation as they play together. He even suggested that they act out an eye exam, since we have an eye chart as part of our toy doctor kit.
When I scheduled the appointment I informed the receptionist that Samuel was autistic. Just a few hours before the appointment I called the office to remind them of this and the receptionist was once again very reassuring, telling me that they have seen other special needs patients and that there are ways of checking vision if the patient has difficulties communicating.
Samuel did very well! I went in to the office to fill in paperwork while Samuel and his helper waited in the car. I called them in once I was finished. There were some toys in the waiting room and I remembered how Samuel likes to check those out. We have had issues in the past at dentist visits if he doesn't have time to look at the toys! He voiced some last minute concerns about the exam, which we (his helper, the office staff, and I) were able to talk to him about. I was relieved to find we were the only ones in the waiting area. The appointment was right after the office had reopened after lunch.
After just enough time to look at the toys he was called back. Samuel went along with the examiner just fine. His helper and I both sat in the room. His helper was terrific in assisting Samuel. Sometimes I feel like I don't let his helpers do enough. It took some effort yesterday but I made myself sit back and tried to let him take care of Samuel getting through things. It was a challenge at times to get Samuel sit still, but his helper and the examiner were able to explain things and Samuel cooperated very nicely!
Once some measurements were done and photographs of the inside of Samuel's eye were taken, we were then moved to another room. This is where the optometrist examined Samuel. It really helped that we did not have to wait very long. Once again it was challenging to get Samuel to sit still, but somehow he did long enough to get the exam done. There were issues with the chair needing to be moved, getting Samuel to properly cover one eye so that he could look out the other eye, and also with getting him to look through the viewing lenses correctly. He was in a very good mood and was making the funniest comments! (To the doctor, "This isn't so bad!" "I love this, I love you!") Most amazingly of all, the doctor had a laptop computer sitting on the counter that Samuel did not disturb at all, even though there was a slide show of photos being displayed on it!
The end result, Samuel needs glasses. I am not surprised. He has been squinting the past few weeks. I'll be curious to see if he notices and tells us about his improved ability to see once he gets his glasses, which will be in about a week and a half.
Factors that contributed to the success of this appointment: informing Samuel ahead of time, letting Samuel voice his concerns and discussing them with him, having good assistance from his in-home helper, timing the appointment well during the day, leaving his siblings with a very generous friend (I almost brought them along!), Samuel's previous experience with visits to the dentist.
This appointment was followed with a quick visit to a video store and the grocery store. There were a few bumps in these, separate post to follow.
The in-home helper who is with us during the morning and afternoon has become very good at picking up what is going on with Samuel and he makes upcoming events a part of their conversation as they play together. He even suggested that they act out an eye exam, since we have an eye chart as part of our toy doctor kit.
When I scheduled the appointment I informed the receptionist that Samuel was autistic. Just a few hours before the appointment I called the office to remind them of this and the receptionist was once again very reassuring, telling me that they have seen other special needs patients and that there are ways of checking vision if the patient has difficulties communicating.
Samuel did very well! I went in to the office to fill in paperwork while Samuel and his helper waited in the car. I called them in once I was finished. There were some toys in the waiting room and I remembered how Samuel likes to check those out. We have had issues in the past at dentist visits if he doesn't have time to look at the toys! He voiced some last minute concerns about the exam, which we (his helper, the office staff, and I) were able to talk to him about. I was relieved to find we were the only ones in the waiting area. The appointment was right after the office had reopened after lunch.
After just enough time to look at the toys he was called back. Samuel went along with the examiner just fine. His helper and I both sat in the room. His helper was terrific in assisting Samuel. Sometimes I feel like I don't let his helpers do enough. It took some effort yesterday but I made myself sit back and tried to let him take care of Samuel getting through things. It was a challenge at times to get Samuel sit still, but his helper and the examiner were able to explain things and Samuel cooperated very nicely!
Once some measurements were done and photographs of the inside of Samuel's eye were taken, we were then moved to another room. This is where the optometrist examined Samuel. It really helped that we did not have to wait very long. Once again it was challenging to get Samuel to sit still, but somehow he did long enough to get the exam done. There were issues with the chair needing to be moved, getting Samuel to properly cover one eye so that he could look out the other eye, and also with getting him to look through the viewing lenses correctly. He was in a very good mood and was making the funniest comments! (To the doctor, "This isn't so bad!" "I love this, I love you!") Most amazingly of all, the doctor had a laptop computer sitting on the counter that Samuel did not disturb at all, even though there was a slide show of photos being displayed on it!
The end result, Samuel needs glasses. I am not surprised. He has been squinting the past few weeks. I'll be curious to see if he notices and tells us about his improved ability to see once he gets his glasses, which will be in about a week and a half.
Factors that contributed to the success of this appointment: informing Samuel ahead of time, letting Samuel voice his concerns and discussing them with him, having good assistance from his in-home helper, timing the appointment well during the day, leaving his siblings with a very generous friend (I almost brought them along!), Samuel's previous experience with visits to the dentist.
This appointment was followed with a quick visit to a video store and the grocery store. There were a few bumps in these, separate post to follow.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Tree Didn't Make It; Pediatrician Visit
Things went from bad to worse with our tree. By Monday night 3 more large branch sections had broken off the tree. We'll have to cut the whole thing down. One of the sections fell towards the side of the house and pushed the pine tree away from the house a bit. I haven't looked at it too closely yet, but it won't surprise me if there are problems with that too. It also tore a bit of the rain gutter away. We have 5 Bradford Pear trees and this is the only one that was impacted. I suppose that is because it was in such bad shape to begin with. An avenue near where I lived in Virginia Beach years ago was lined with these trees and every year there seemed to be at least one that broke apart. That is about the worst that we have seen from the storm. We did not get the massive quantities of rain and flooding that states north and east of us received. Sorry for the bad quality of the pictures I posted, they are much too dark.
Our visit to the pediatrician went well. I used to think that these visits would bring startling revelations as to the path we should take with Samuel. Now I know better. The doctor I saw let me do a lot of talking. She took copious notes and didn't say very much. That made me feel like talking more, which I did. Finally, she turned to Samuel and tried talking to him. His behavior was the most "autistic" that I have seen it in a while. He would not answer her, but he had a humorous look in his eye. Of course he tried to play on her computer and he lunged at the keyboard several times. He picked up a container of crayons and played with them on the floor during much of the visit. At one point he told me "Tell her about how I do not like 'Cyberchase' and I get upset." Maybe in the future I should not discuss him in the third person in front of him like that.
I greatly appreciated that she did not bring up the subject of medication (I did tell her while it was my turn to talk that I was not considering it at this time and that the only reason I will would be if he develops a lot of anxiety). She said it sounded like things are going pretty well for Samuel (which I think they are too). We just need to watch his scripting, his access to television, computers and other things electronic. She also recommended an increase in the amount of speech therapy he is getting (he only receives 40 min/week at school).
We'll return for another visit in 6 months and she see what she thinks of his IEP. I told her that one of my current concerns for him is his educational setting and his academics. She told me rather than worry so much about his academics, getting his communication more up to speed should be what we focus on. Makes sense to me. I should get more interactive activities going with him here at home. I spend so much time on homework and worry about his academic progress. Both will be much easier if he is able to communicate better.
Our visit to the pediatrician went well. I used to think that these visits would bring startling revelations as to the path we should take with Samuel. Now I know better. The doctor I saw let me do a lot of talking. She took copious notes and didn't say very much. That made me feel like talking more, which I did. Finally, she turned to Samuel and tried talking to him. His behavior was the most "autistic" that I have seen it in a while. He would not answer her, but he had a humorous look in his eye. Of course he tried to play on her computer and he lunged at the keyboard several times. He picked up a container of crayons and played with them on the floor during much of the visit. At one point he told me "Tell her about how I do not like 'Cyberchase' and I get upset." Maybe in the future I should not discuss him in the third person in front of him like that.
I greatly appreciated that she did not bring up the subject of medication (I did tell her while it was my turn to talk that I was not considering it at this time and that the only reason I will would be if he develops a lot of anxiety). She said it sounded like things are going pretty well for Samuel (which I think they are too). We just need to watch his scripting, his access to television, computers and other things electronic. She also recommended an increase in the amount of speech therapy he is getting (he only receives 40 min/week at school).
We'll return for another visit in 6 months and she see what she thinks of his IEP. I told her that one of my current concerns for him is his educational setting and his academics. She told me rather than worry so much about his academics, getting his communication more up to speed should be what we focus on. Makes sense to me. I should get more interactive activities going with him here at home. I spend so much time on homework and worry about his academic progress. Both will be much easier if he is able to communicate better.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Successful Afternoon Out
We were back and forth from our house 3 times yesterday! I get absolutely worn out on these kinds of days; making sure I have everything I need (diapers, snacks, etc..)gathering the children up, getting them in the car, getting them out of the car and safely into wherever we are going. I have scaled back our participation in activities this winter and spring because I find just getting out to be exhausting.
Our morning consisted of getting Samuel to school and then going to our pediatrician's office (20 miles away) for the baby's 15 month check up and an ear infection follow up for my youngest son. We do have to travel a bit to get to the doctor, but it's worth it. Our pediatrician and his staff run a very efficient office and the waiting time is short. Sometimes there is almost no wait at all! This makes it very helpful for Samuel. There is no way that he could have waited as long as we used to have to at our former doctor's office. I can take Samuel to our present doctor for appointments and can take him along for other children's appointments quite easily. In the past year and a half my husband has worked close to this office as well, so sometimes he meets me there to help out.
My youngest son then had a birthday party to go to early in the afternoon. We didn't have Samuel with us when we dropped him off but I knew he would be with us when we picked him up. That can be a problem. Samuel (naturally) would want to go into the house. Once in there he would probably get into things he shouldn't and it would be very difficult to get him out. I determined ahead of time that NOONE but my youngest son would go in.
We also had about an hour to kill after we picked up Samuel from school before it was time to get his younger brother. What to do? The library was a possibility, but after all the activity I endured earlier in the day I just didn't know if I would be up for that. I decided to go to the grocery store instead. Samuel can endure short trips there because he knows that there are videos and DVDs for sale and he can look at them.
I did not have a visual schedule for our afternoon and I had not made Samuel aware earlier in the day that we wouldn't be going directly home. However, after we left the school I pulled to the side of the road and we took a few minutes to talk about what we would be doing before going home.
We got through the aisles of the grocery store without too much difficulty, except that he kept trying to "Scottish Irish Dance" (from "The Upside Down Show"). He got to look at DVDs for a few minutes and nicely accepted finishing that. Then, on the way out of the store there were 2 more unexpected DVD displays! It was quite difficult getting him to pass those by, but we were able to do so because of the promise of a trip to McDonalds for a snack. We spent the second half of our hour there. I have to admit part of the reason it was easier to get around was because my youngest son wasn't there, he can be rather ornery and feisty!
As we pulled up to the house to pick up my youngest son, Samuel really wanted to go inside, but he was able to accept "not this time." I think it helped that my oldest son voiced that to Samuel as well (impressive because my oldest son has friends at that house too and I'm sure he wanted to go in as much as Samuel did!). Even my youngest son nicely accepted that it was time to go home.
I was so happy to get home! We went through the usual evening madness of dinner and homework, and I ended up falling asleep before the boys did!
Our morning consisted of getting Samuel to school and then going to our pediatrician's office (20 miles away) for the baby's 15 month check up and an ear infection follow up for my youngest son. We do have to travel a bit to get to the doctor, but it's worth it. Our pediatrician and his staff run a very efficient office and the waiting time is short. Sometimes there is almost no wait at all! This makes it very helpful for Samuel. There is no way that he could have waited as long as we used to have to at our former doctor's office. I can take Samuel to our present doctor for appointments and can take him along for other children's appointments quite easily. In the past year and a half my husband has worked close to this office as well, so sometimes he meets me there to help out.
My youngest son then had a birthday party to go to early in the afternoon. We didn't have Samuel with us when we dropped him off but I knew he would be with us when we picked him up. That can be a problem. Samuel (naturally) would want to go into the house. Once in there he would probably get into things he shouldn't and it would be very difficult to get him out. I determined ahead of time that NOONE but my youngest son would go in.
We also had about an hour to kill after we picked up Samuel from school before it was time to get his younger brother. What to do? The library was a possibility, but after all the activity I endured earlier in the day I just didn't know if I would be up for that. I decided to go to the grocery store instead. Samuel can endure short trips there because he knows that there are videos and DVDs for sale and he can look at them.
I did not have a visual schedule for our afternoon and I had not made Samuel aware earlier in the day that we wouldn't be going directly home. However, after we left the school I pulled to the side of the road and we took a few minutes to talk about what we would be doing before going home.
We got through the aisles of the grocery store without too much difficulty, except that he kept trying to "Scottish Irish Dance" (from "The Upside Down Show"). He got to look at DVDs for a few minutes and nicely accepted finishing that. Then, on the way out of the store there were 2 more unexpected DVD displays! It was quite difficult getting him to pass those by, but we were able to do so because of the promise of a trip to McDonalds for a snack. We spent the second half of our hour there. I have to admit part of the reason it was easier to get around was because my youngest son wasn't there, he can be rather ornery and feisty!
As we pulled up to the house to pick up my youngest son, Samuel really wanted to go inside, but he was able to accept "not this time." I think it helped that my oldest son voiced that to Samuel as well (impressive because my oldest son has friends at that house too and I'm sure he wanted to go in as much as Samuel did!). Even my youngest son nicely accepted that it was time to go home.
I was so happy to get home! We went through the usual evening madness of dinner and homework, and I ended up falling asleep before the boys did!
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