ABA- Applied Behavior Analysis

This morning was extremely hard for me as we started ABA. A day that I won't soon forget but I know deep down that I have to keep pushing for Max to continue to get better. As I have said before that Max was required to have ABA therapy and I am completely on board with this. But it is so hard to watch as your little Boy is screaming the whole way through it. As Max's Mom I know most of his wants and needs and I have learned this on a whole new level since he was diagnosed with Autism. Some Autistic children will not show you what they want or take you to what they want. This is one positive with Max because he will do this. But when he does this he will not involve speech. We want him to communicate with us whether it is speech or sign language.

While Max's therapist was here we used the approach of the ABA. Max wanted the TV on and I knew that he wanted it. He would bring me the remote but we wanted more, I know that he can say the T sound because he does it frequently. And he has said it for TV. So we told him the T sound and you wait it out until they give you speech or sign for what they are requesting. Max screamed for half an hour. Throwing himself at me wanting me to comfort him in some way. It is a horrible thing to watch. By the end of the therapy session I was crying and Bobbie was crying. I have to find the will deep down inside not to give in to him. I am doing this for his own good because I know that he can do this. So, when they do finally give you speech or the sign you are to reward them with the request that they want. The first few times are going to be long and agonizing but each time it becomes less and less of a struggle.

It is an awful experience and it brings you to the lowest of lows but I have been told that with time it does get better. I am praying that I can get through this. The next few weeks are going to be hard for us but I have to keep a positive outlook and think of the big picture. I am doing this for him!
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On another more exciting note we met with Max's new therapist Karen and we love her. She is absolutely fantastic. And we also ordered Max's Vitamins and Minerals yesterday from California and they should be here this week. I am so anxious to get him started on them.

What you Believe...

I am going to discuss something that hits a nerve with me. Something that as a parent you should never have to hear even if you are in denial...because frankly you are the parent and who has the right to tell you anything negative about your child whom has special needs.

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with someone whom I thought I could receive good advice from. Boy did I think wrong. As a Christian I have turned to the Lord a lot over the last few months looking for him to lead me in the right direction. What direction would be best for Max. I have struggled, cried, and have wondered why this had to happen to him. Yes I have questioned God and I know that you never should because we need to believe that his will is what is best for us. But I am human and wonder WHY! In my heart I truly believe 100% that if it is the Lords will he will heal our little Boy if he chooses, simply because he can. With that said, I also believe as a parent you need to have Hope for your children, Hope in everything really. So anyway I was having this conversation with this person and she says to me~
"Amanda, I hope that you aren't in denial. I just don't want you to get your hopes up because your Son may never progress".

Now I know that Autism is going to be a life long thing. I know that throughout Max's life he is going to need help. I know that we will entirely love this little Boy no matter what and we are completely ok with how he is going to be because he is our Son. It is God's will. BUT this doesn't mean that I am not going to try and do everything in my power to get him the proper help. This doesn't mean that I am going to just give up on everything that we have tried because people don't think that it is medically proven. I can tell you, my husband and family can tell you that our Son is a different child since we have started the Diet and Therapy...So yes it is working. How dare someone that doesn't even know my Son tell me such a thing.

This person works in a setting where she helps Autistic children. And this person works where we were going to have our new kind of Therapy hence the reason why we have looked else where. It is sad that people choose to be so negative. Honestly it makes me sick that people like that are working with children who need help.

I believe in my heart that if you love your child, love the Lord and work with them they are going to make progress in some way or another. Whether it is something so small as smiling when they see you or clapping when they do a good job to as big as talking in full sentences and learning to tie their shoes. It is all still progress and no one should ever tell you not to Hope...

Once you choose hope, anything's possible...

I can't believe that it has been almost a month since I have posted on here. We have been very busy with getting things into order around here. We are trying to get things to fall into place exactly where we want them and being excited for the decisions that we have made thus far. There have been so many times that I have wanted to stop exactly what I was doing and post about Max and what he has learned or something silly that he did that day. Sadly I just can't do that.

Just recently I purchased one of these calendars and I'm in LOVE! I was never the kind of person that had to have a calendar/organizer. I guess I just didn't have that much going on to ever need one. Now I must say that I have to have this. Max has something going on almost everyday of the week and for my sanity I thought that it was a good idea to have one. My mind is constantly going in a million different directions and I knew that at one point I would have goofed up somewhere.




So I guess you are all wondering how our Big Boy is doing. Well he is doing fantastic! I have to say that Max has been such a joy. His mood has changed significantly for the better. He is such a happy Boy. Which means to us that is frustration level is going down. His therapists have been so excited with how therapy has been. We also started a new Private Speech therapist that we love. She is just fantastic and so full of Hope! She is very optimistic that Max will speak and progress. Oh how I love to hear these things. As a parent you strive to do the very best for your kids and to hear words of encouragement lets you know that you are on the right track.


We did run into a wall last week with the organization that was to do Max's ABA therapy. We did not have a very good experience with them. Which has led me to switch to a different organization that does the same thing. I have heard many good things about there program and I am hoping that it fits well with us and most importantly Max. We start the process with them the beginning of Feburary. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated that everything goes smoothly and Max takes well to them.
I will do everything that I can possibly do for this sweet little boy...He deserves that!

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." ~Christopher Reeve

6 month review

I still can't believe that Max has been in the early intervention program for 6 months. I think back to when all of this started. All of the emotions of knowing deep down that something wasn't right, but trying to find him the proper help through Therapy and Doctors was quite overwhelming. Thinking back makes me happy at how far we've come. As someone told me " Amanda the hard part is over, he has the diagnosis. Now you can run with it get him the help that he needs" This is so true. While I knew that my Son had Autism it still hurt hearing those words come from the Doctor. Yes we are going to have many rough days ahead and I am fully aware of that. But I do believe that the worst is behind us.

Max has been doing very well. He is learning new things on a regular basis. The therapists are so excited with his progress but we still have a long way to go. We just started the Jenny McCarthy videos. Max seems to love them! Right now we are on the "Teach to Talk-body parts".

I have a cute story to share. When the four of us were in the car the other day, Halle was saying something to her Daddy and she said "Good Job" as soon as Max heard her say that he started clapping! He can relate hearing Good Job with clapping. I just think that is fantastic. He has come so far in 6 months.

We also meet with a private speech therapist after the Holiday to see what she has to offer Max. I am just so thankful for all of those that have shared information with us. We want to do all that we possibly can for him. I love any new information I can get my hands on. I am constantly thinking -Ok what can we try next? This is my Job as Max's Mom to learn all that I can.

This next week we are going to take a little break and then it is back into full swing. Therapy will be everyday of the week at that point. While it may be hard at first we are hoping to see big steps in the right direction. Early Intervention is a huge key...We just pray that we are doing everything right!

This morning I cried...


I cried because for the first time he drank out of his cup without being prompted too...

I cried because he sat in his High chair like a Big Guy and fed himself...

he was so proud of himself...

This morning I cried because this little Boy is trying so hard. We are soo proud of him and what he is learning...

Hopeful...

We have been busy little Bee's around here lately! There are many new things taking place and we are hopeful that they will help our little Boy!

First things first. Max had his two year checkup today. We had so many questions for the Doctor so I took my Mom along for moral support! I can't tell you how thankful and blessed that I feel to have the family that I do. They are such a fantastic support system for us. God love Max he screamed through the whole appointment. Stat wise he is quite the healthy boy. It is amazing to me that he only eats baby food(although a lot of it) and he weighed 31 pounds! It simply amazes me and now I am pretty convinced that he has passed his Sister! Height wise he was right at 34". So we were all pretty pleased with these numbers.

The first question on our list(or more like request) was to skip the shot that Max was to have today. People may judge and that is ok. This is my decision and until you have a child with Autism then you can give your opinion. For lack of better words as a Mom you feel like your Damned if you do and Damned if you don't. Max has made tremendous progress these last couple months. What if I were to give him that shot and then all of it went away? It is a heart wrenching decision but you do what feels right at the time...and today that was our decision.

I can feel at rest a little bit because now Max is not due for any shots until four years old. Oh yeah and I also wanted to let you all in on some research that I found! Do you know that in 1983 a child was given 10 shots...Now we give our children 36! I am not saying that Max will never have another shot but what I do know is now we have time to pump him full of probiotics and vitamins. We start these tomorrow and I am beyond excited to see how they work. We are very hopeful!

We also visited with a new organization to get him more therapy. Max will have anywhere from 5 to 10 hours with his new therapists. I am excited to get this started and to see what new plan we can come up with for our Boy.

Tonight I feel hopeful and blessed...

Direction...

Max is making such progress lately and we are so proud of him. He is such a sweet boy and I am so thankful for the lessons that I learn from him everyday.

Lately I have been torn in what direction to go next. I have met and talked with so many wonderful people that have helped us with some very wonderful information. As Max's Mom I want to do everything that I can for him. But in the back of my mind I have a lot of questions. Should Max have more Therapy a week? If he does will it be too much for him? Should I send him to an Autistic classroom at three years old. How does one know what to do? Right now I am lost. I want the best for my Son but at other times do I really want him to have Therapy everyday of the week when he is two years old...I don't know.

I am trying to do the best that I can. Everyday I ask myself "am I doing the right things". I need some kind of direction. Please pray for us that we can make the best decisions possible for our Son.

Thank You...I am just feeling so confused and upset...