Bit of a downer last time, sorry. But sometimes, I think I work better when I'm upset, I get more focused and more persistent. I did some digging and found some really good resources this week! I got a hold of my contact at Virginia Tech and next week we're going to figure out how we can get the PRT training. It looks like it'll be the end of October or the beginning of November, which is too far away, but we will just make do!
I also found some great stuff from VCU's autism center. They offer several web courses and webinars, and a couple of them you can just do whenever. So Adam and I are working on one right now that focuses on what to do right after your child is diagnosed with autism. I've been through Autism Speaks 100 day kit, but the VCU one had info on the Medicaid waivers, and it's also local, so I figured we could get something out of it. We did get some better info on the Medicaid waivers, and we think we might qualify for one, but need some things clarified, so I emailed one of the mentors they suggested and am hoping to hear back early next week. The waiver would allow us to get ABA therapy for Bug. Adam also is looking into appealing for ABA to be covered. We know that there are other families in the company who would benefit, so it would be really wonderful if we could lobby for coverage.
VCU also had info on a web course available through Michigan State that teaches parents how to promote and increase children's communication through play. There's not a ton of info on it, but the description says that it's developmental and naturalistic intervention techniques, and evidence based--which is basically what we're looking for for Bug. I'm hopeful that doing the course will help us fill the gap until we can get the PRT training in the fall.
In therapy news:
Bug threw me a ball a couple of times while we were at Adam's softball game. Super cool. He's also been pretty interested in the basketball hoop and we got him to sit on our shoulders and throw the ball into the hoop today. :) He even gave batting a ball off a tee a shot.
OT yesterday was so great. Bug had been asking to see Geri allllllll week, so I was happy we could finally go. He tried and really took to a new swing that was more of a back and forth, rocking horse type movement. He didn't quite get that he could move it himself, but he spent a lot of time on it which was really good. He also decided that he would go down a slide backwards, which was so funny to watch. He even managed to walk up the step backwards a couple of times too. It was maybe not quite what Geri had planned or expected, but really, it shows that he's making good progress in his motor planning skills. Bug still tends to be a tough nut to crack when it comes to doing fine motor tasks (like puzzles or coloring). He really resists doing them, even though a lot of it he can do quite well now. So we will have to think about how to make it more appealing to him. I've been meaning to print off letter worksheets for the paint dots. Hopefully Geri and I can find some inspiration to get him going on some pre-writing activities.
Bug is still stimming a lot, but he actually handles it pretty well when I tell him we need to move on to something else. I do wonder how much of it is just boredom, so he reverts to something that is comforting and keeps him active. I also think to some extent it's tied to my stress level, although that could just be that I'm a lot more aware of it the more stressed I am.
All in all, the week ended very well. I'm feeling a bit more (not a ton, but a little at least) in control of where we're headed or at least I have some ideas on things we can look into. Hopefully next week brings us even more answers. :)
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