It's been a little while since I last posted. Things have just gotten really busy for me. Logan is doing good. He still isn't potty trained yet, although I'm still hopeful. He's doing well in school. His teachers praise him on how well he does with his goals.
One issue that we seem to be having with him is repetative motions. Shaking his hands, and twitching of his eyes seems to be the focal points. It's something we are watching closely to see if there is another issue that would be associated with autism.
The school is having their grand opening in a couple of weeks. I'm looking forward to that. They are having a chocolate festival, games for the kids and sibilings and a whole bunch of things. That weekend will be a fun weekend.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Fun Potty Training
Up until now, things have been progressing really well. Our behavioral technician said that Logan was doing really well in the program, probably one of the best she's seen. This gave us alot of hope and optimism for his potty training this week.
We started his potty training on Monday. Going into it, we knew that it would be a little more difficult to achieve that goal, but with a plan that Step by Step laid out, it would be done. Logan had other plans. Monday and Tuesday, Logan's behavioral therapist was here at our house assisting Melissa and laying the groundwork. From what I saw when I got home from work, everything was going well. As expected, he did wet himself. He also had dry periods as well. It was also stressful for Melissa as well. On Wednesday, the 4th, I was home and helped out. He did good for the most part. He'd go, we'd give him a break, and he'd be dry for the most part. He did wet himself though. The issue was that he didn't really go on his own.
On Thursday, when I had to go to work, Melissa was doing it all on her own. That stress, added with the fact Logan really didn't make any progress that day, just was overwhelming. He just doesn't know when he needs to go. He doesn't have that sense of when to go. Melissa talked to Michelle (the behavioral therapist), and agreed that he may not be ready. I know Melissa was stressed out about it. It's a relief in a way, but disappointed in other ways. The good thing, according to Michelle, was that the behavior of pulling the pants up and down, and knowing what the potty is for is a good step. I guess some progress is better than none.
Something else has come up regarding Autism in the news lately. Scientists have claimed to reverse the condition Fragile X in lab mice. They inhibited an enzyme action in the brain that caused mice to behave in erratic ways. Fragile X is thought to be a cause of autism and mental retardation in humans. I'm hopeful that this is a progress step in helping treat autism. In a way, however, it's not really getting to the root of what causes autism. That is what I'd like to see, the cause. From the cause, a solution will be found.
Speaking of Fragile X, that has been in the news as of late due to the tragedy of Chris Benoit, the WWE wrestler and his son. As many know, I am a fan of WWE entertainment. I am going to post my thoughts on that in my other blog
We started his potty training on Monday. Going into it, we knew that it would be a little more difficult to achieve that goal, but with a plan that Step by Step laid out, it would be done. Logan had other plans. Monday and Tuesday, Logan's behavioral therapist was here at our house assisting Melissa and laying the groundwork. From what I saw when I got home from work, everything was going well. As expected, he did wet himself. He also had dry periods as well. It was also stressful for Melissa as well. On Wednesday, the 4th, I was home and helped out. He did good for the most part. He'd go, we'd give him a break, and he'd be dry for the most part. He did wet himself though. The issue was that he didn't really go on his own.
On Thursday, when I had to go to work, Melissa was doing it all on her own. That stress, added with the fact Logan really didn't make any progress that day, just was overwhelming. He just doesn't know when he needs to go. He doesn't have that sense of when to go. Melissa talked to Michelle (the behavioral therapist), and agreed that he may not be ready. I know Melissa was stressed out about it. It's a relief in a way, but disappointed in other ways. The good thing, according to Michelle, was that the behavior of pulling the pants up and down, and knowing what the potty is for is a good step. I guess some progress is better than none.
Something else has come up regarding Autism in the news lately. Scientists have claimed to reverse the condition Fragile X in lab mice. They inhibited an enzyme action in the brain that caused mice to behave in erratic ways. Fragile X is thought to be a cause of autism and mental retardation in humans. I'm hopeful that this is a progress step in helping treat autism. In a way, however, it's not really getting to the root of what causes autism. That is what I'd like to see, the cause. From the cause, a solution will be found.
Speaking of Fragile X, that has been in the news as of late due to the tragedy of Chris Benoit, the WWE wrestler and his son. As many know, I am a fan of WWE entertainment. I am going to post my thoughts on that in my other blog
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Progress
In two weeks of being full time at Step by Step, Logan has made some great progress. We get daily progress reports on his development, and they are very positive. He's only had one bad day so far, and that was yesterday. He didn't want to stand in line, didn't want to sit when asked to, but from all accounts, wasn't lashing out. While most parents (read: those without autistic children) would say that was bad. I don't. I don't condone it, but if he's not lashing out physically, then that's good and it's progress. I've learned to appreciate the baby steps he makes.
The next big step in his development is potty training. That's going to be the biggest challenge I think he's had in his life so far, bar the autism factor. And of all the weeks to start will be the week of the 4th. Step by Step is closed that week. Generally, they are closed for two weeks beginning that week for vacation, but only one week this year and it's not really a vacation. They will be moving into their new location (which is much closer than where they are now). Not only will I get fireworks on the 3rd and 4th, but every other day because of trying to potty train Logan. I don't see him learning it completely in one week, but I'd like to see some sort of progress in that area. I just have to remember, baby steps....
The next big step in his development is potty training. That's going to be the biggest challenge I think he's had in his life so far, bar the autism factor. And of all the weeks to start will be the week of the 4th. Step by Step is closed that week. Generally, they are closed for two weeks beginning that week for vacation, but only one week this year and it's not really a vacation. They will be moving into their new location (which is much closer than where they are now). Not only will I get fireworks on the 3rd and 4th, but every other day because of trying to potty train Logan. I don't see him learning it completely in one week, but I'd like to see some sort of progress in that area. I just have to remember, baby steps....
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Logan's First Day
Today was Logan's first day at Step by Step. Unfortunately, I couldn't go with him, but it was probably the best thing since it would have made things harder on him. From what I was told, he was a little hesitant to go at first, even with Michelle there to take him out of the car. (Here, the parent drives up, and a teacher takes them out of the car). But he went, thankfully. Since he's only going for a half day currently, he was only there for three hours. From what we were told, he did a wonderful job today. I hope that this is a good sign of things to come.
My mother in law took a picture of him at the school, which I should have up at my photo site soon.
My mother in law took a picture of him at the school, which I should have up at my photo site soon.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Good News
Logan will be going to the Step by Step academy beginning next week. We got the word on Friday that he'll be going a half day to ease him into that new part of his life. We'll also be waiting till Michelle comes back so Logan will have someone familar there with him when he starts. He doesn't take change well. I'm happy he's getting in there. Just one more step closer to our goal for him. Right now, his great grandmother is here from Mass, and he's loving every minute of it. Soon, his grandparents will be here, and I'm sure he'll be in heaven.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
In Home Items
Logan has had a couple more visits from Michelle since my last post. The visit Saturday before last was really good. Michelle, Melissa and Holly made social stories for Logan. These are something that we should read to him on a daily basis. Melissa, for the most part has been. Michelle's last visit was a little more productive. Logan really progressed in his writing ability. He did really well in writing his letters. This was an area of concern for us, but in a short time, we can finally be optimistic about him in this area. It seems like there is finally a way up out of this. Michelle is leading the way, and for that I am very grateful. I know there will be valleys in this journey as well, but the end result will be well worth it.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
First Visit with in-home Therapist
Logan had his first visit last night with our in-home specialist Michele from Step by Step Academy. Most of the process, she was talking with us about how he is, what we want, and what we should expect. It was a very productive meeting, and it feels like this is the first step towards mainstreaming Logan.
When Michele sat down with Logan, he took to her very well. He was still insistent that he do what he wanted. He did relent somewhat a couple times. Michele prevented him from using the computer (one of his favorite things) until he earned 5 stars in the boxes she had drawn. He didn't want to, but he did it anyway after some intial resistance. She also did some basic tests on him to check intelligence and some motor skills.
After all the intial items, Michele thinks that he'll progress very well. That makes me hopeful that he'll be able to make and have friends as he gets older. Michelle will be back on Saturday, which is awesome. We are willing to do whatever it takes to help Logan.
When Michele sat down with Logan, he took to her very well. He was still insistent that he do what he wanted. He did relent somewhat a couple times. Michele prevented him from using the computer (one of his favorite things) until he earned 5 stars in the boxes she had drawn. He didn't want to, but he did it anyway after some intial resistance. She also did some basic tests on him to check intelligence and some motor skills.
After all the intial items, Michele thinks that he'll progress very well. That makes me hopeful that he'll be able to make and have friends as he gets older. Michelle will be back on Saturday, which is awesome. We are willing to do whatever it takes to help Logan.
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