Starting School

It's been a while since I've been able to post. It's pretty hectic here with 5 kids, 3 being under the age of 6. But, I want to do an update of where we are.

We still have some behaviors we want to work on with Buzzy. He tends to aimlessly wander around the house. I know he is quite used to intense therapy and one-on-one interaction, so that's probably a big part of it. But, I would like to see him engage in more play where he's sitting down and concentrating on something. For a bit he was really into doing puzzles and that was good to see. I want to see more of that.

We still have extreme pickiness in what he eats. Dinner (and getting him to sit still for it!) is still a challenge. He seldom likes what we are serving. He is a carb addict and not about veggies or protein, unless it's in a blended form. We would love for him to try more foods. And to sit down with us for dinner instead of wandering around the house with a mouthful of something. So, we will work on broadening his palate. And work on keeping his bottom in his chair.

He still have his fixations, but fortunately they change. He is now all about wanting to know why the cruise control isn't on when I drive all the time, what arrows mean on certain road signs, and the differences between regular, country, and express roadways. Honestly, it drives me a bit nuts sometimes.

We completed about 10 vision therapy appointments with him. They really seemed to help his gross motor coordination. He was doing much better in OT while we were having vision therapy appointments. We are supposed to be continuing the vision therapy at home until his next appointment, but I haven't been any good at finding time to sit down with him and work. I knew that was going to be something I struggled with, but I honestly just need to make myself sit down and work with him. I know he's willing. It's me.

We thought we had the school year all figured out for the fall. Not so much now. Buzzy's BCBA left for another job, and we have a replacement that I have yet to meet. So, all of the stuff we were going to figure out at the beginning of the school year feels up in the air. Before, I trusted Jennifer to take care of everything and I knew she would and I knew I would be happy with it. Now, I don't know. I have to basically put my faith into a stranger. I know Buzzy liked Jennifer as well. I was sad to see/hear of her departure not just for me, but for Preston. She knew how to push him without frustrating him.

Anyhow, the plan is for Buzzy to do full time kindergarten in the fall with a line therapist either accompanying him in the classroom or pulling him out to do dedicated ABA. I think we will do 5 days a week, with some days being mornings and some days being afternoons.

We are starting (as of today) a new protocol. This is it. As in, this will be the last big new thing we do. We will continue to do homeopathy alongside, but I am pleased with Buzzy's progress and I think this will take us to recovery. We are very close as it is. That's not to say I won't try neurofeedback, the Listening Program, and other similar things if I find there are areas Buzzy is showing a skill deficit in. We just need to solve the picky eating puzzle and everything else will fall into place.

Here's to Buzzy eating a rib eye the next time I post!