What we've been doing....therapy-wise....

Before I get into the methodology and principles of the Son-Rise program, which frankly can't come quick enough but will be upon us in no time, I thought I'd talk a bit about what we've done up to this point.  Of course, we did Early Intervention.  A lot of future success is dependent upon those services according to most, and I will agree they were invaluable.  If you think your child is lagging upon reaching the age of one, you call them and generally they do a home visit and administer assessments across all areas of development to determine if your child is eligible for various therapies; generally physical, occupational and speech.  The therapists come to your home and work with your child and as a parent you learn much about your child and how to help them on your own time.  These services last until the age of three.  At that point the school district you live in administers assessments and then between the ages 3 and 5 it's their responsibility to provide pre-school in an appropriate setting.  We did and are still doing all that.  As well, you can choose to do outpatient therapies.  Did those too.  If you have a diagnosis, depending on the state you live in you're eligible for additional services called "wrap-around"....You're assigned a Behavioral Consultant and a certain number of hours from support staff who work with the child in your home.  The BC is essentially their boss, and instructs them on interventions.  It's called "wrap-around" because the services extend into the school.  The child also has a BC for school and a one-on-one therapist.  My kids essentially have one-on-one aides for the full school day.  Luckily, we've had a couple therapists work with them at home and at school and this is where I get most of my communication from.  The nuances of the day, so to speak. 

Yes, interventions, behavior modification, extinction techniques, etc., etc.  It's Applied Behavioral Analysis.  It the most widely used and taught intervention.  It works 60% of the time.  It isn't much fun in my opinion and many say it does nothing for socialization, but instead creates robot-like functional behavior.  Every skill they've learned has been very useful, but it can be brutal getting to that point.  A lot of crying and resisting on their part due to the "Do this.  Do this.  Do this." on the part of the therapist.  ABA has come along way since first being put into practice in the early 70's, but how to teach these kids still has a long way to go.  We're not just institutionalizing them like back in the day.

Lately, in my opinion, the ABA has been the cause of aggression in my Clarkie.  It's not worth it.  I want a happy kid-hands down.  If he's happy, the functional behavior will come.  I'm looking for more and so we've turned to the Son-Rise Program.  I appreciate all the help we've been given, but sometimes it's a double-edged sword.  Sometimes the personalities don't mesh.  Sometimes it's hard to have a revolving door in your home.  We've come to LOVE a few of these people too!  This summer Bernie has 5 hours a week in-home help and Clark has 5 to 20 hours.  Let me tell you, it's not easy to get these hours either.  The eye-glazing meetings!!!  The data!!!  The people who ultimately grant you the hours have never met the child!   

I LOVE the following website.  The page I'll link you to shows a list on the left of interventions used including the SRP and ABA.  Note there are many others.  The list on the left shows a number of common bio-medical treatments; none of which are covered by insurance naturally.  Lately, I've been interested in MB 12.  I'm going to ask the doctor about it tomorrow.  It's been proven to have positive results in 94% of patients.  It's a sub-cutaneous shot administered three times weekly.  I'd do it...."If I were a rich man....."!   

http://www.kylestreehouse.org/treatments.aspx