ABA (More than you want to know)

This is a bit in depth of what's happening with ABA. So if you've been curious this will be good. If not just skip on down a bit or scan :)

Well, we have been doing this ABA stuff for a few months now. Crazy! Even though it’s been that long it is still hard to explain lol. I think because there are SO many components to it there is just no easy explanation. Essentially they evaluate the child and see where he is developmentally. The goal is to get him as close to neurotypically(NT) developing kids their age as possible. To get from point A to point B they break down everything that needs to be learned into infinitesimally small steps stacked in a hierarchy. So starting where he is they choose what will be focused on to get to the next step. For instance Robbie cannot have a conversation. He is basically at a labeling noun stage. He has to be able to label verbs (tacting) before he can carry on conversation (as well as other things). So we have 5 verbs at a time that we work on him labeling. In one day (3 hour session) the ABA therapist will run 3 trials per hour of each word, at least that’s the goal. So we will create opportunities for him to label “jumping.” We will jump on the trampoline, have dolls jump, look at a book with pictures of someone jumping, etc. Each time she will say “what are/is you, monkey, mommy, boy, etc, doing?” And he is supposed to correctly say “jumping.” If he does then yay! If he needs a prompt still yay but it is noted. She has to keep detailed notes on each and every trial. Whether it was independent, verbally prompted, physically prompted, not done, etc. In order for the skill to be considered mastered he has to get 80% independent first trials of the day, three days in a row. Once a skill is mastered we move forward with a new one.  Some stuff he has breezed through other things he has not. He has the hardest time working on flash cards. He gets bored and doesn’t want to do it once he knows how so he ends up not doing well because of compliance. Aside from the learning we also work on any negative behaviors that may pop up and how to help him learn to communicate whatever it is that he needs and we work on social skills (at gymnastics, with Henry, with friends, and by pretending to be peers).  All the while being sure to get the sensory stimulus he needs in order to focus and not just run around, and working in his occupational therapy and speech exercises!

            So the areas we are currently working on in ABA are: Receptive Language (5 words), Tacting Actions (5 words), Matching Non-identical flash cards (4), Intraverbal Fill Ins (personal info, 3: his last name, my name, Chet’s name), Intraverbal Fill Ins (4, i.e. “You drink from a ___.”), Problem Behaviors, Turn Taking, Play with Peers. He has mastered completely the entire Intraverbal Song Fill Ins! In essence we create opportunities to consistently practice all these things. Chet and I are to be doing this as much as possible “outside” of therapy as well. It really only works if it is done 24/7 and you take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and put effort into creating more opportunities.  His therapist and her supervisor say he is blowing through it with amazing speed they haven’t seen before. To us it seems oh so slow. I can’t imagine how it must feel for parents when the child takes longer.

            Since starting we are hearing good reports from Sunday School, gymnastics is going well, others say they can tell a difference, I know we can. I was able to take both boys to the store today and have Robbie walk! This is a huge step for us, normally he has to stay in the cart as well as Henry because he runs away. This means we will be able to do more!

           

Other Robbie stuff.

1. It looks like we will be finally going into the feeding center soon! Insurance is being a hassle so prayers for that would be great.
2. We are looking into and forward to homeschooling next year. I was concerned about it since he is special needs but after looking into it there are many people who do and several organizations to help and even a legal group to help if the state gives problems with testing or other stuff. I may try some preschool stuff this year, not a lot but some because I just don’t really believe in school for 4 year olds but learning through play.
3. He is as happy as ever. Always a smile!

            Henry is doing well. His speech is improving but still not at a normal rate and he has big problems with pronunciation. Other than that he seems to be doing well. He loves being in the middle of all our activity and has more energy than the rest of us combined! He loves gymnastics and participating in Robbie’s therapy. He loves the therapist as much as Robbie does! He also loves snacks, snuggles, pretending, coloring, play-doh, Winnie the Pooh and Duplos. He ADORES being outside! He is just so very fun :)

Well, that’s all I can think of for now. You’re prayers are appreciated as always!