Fine-Tuning the Program

Yesterday, Alec's ABA team met to fine-tune his program. Alec is a rapid learner, so our educational consultant devised a new program which brings in a broader range of targets to learn during his ABA sessions. I am excited about the new program and waiting to see how it goes this week.

My two therapists, Julie and Desiree, are very insightful, bringing much to the table for Alec. I feel extremely blessed to have found them. We are moving forward and the next month should help quicken the pace in Alec's learning. He has learned so much already!

Few and far between are the tantrums now, which used to be a daily issue with Alec, mostly due to frustration in his ability to communicate. Oh, he can still get angry and upset, but he can communicate his frustration in a better way. He can tell I understand him and that alone brings him a sense of well-being.

Alec is still in his early intervention classes three days a week. (His ABA classes are only on two days because they are so expensive ...) I don't know exactly what is being worked on at his early intervention classes with the public school system, but I do believe the one-on-one work with ABA is showing the most promise. He is getting socialization skills at his school. It's my goal to go and volunteer at his school soon so that I will know more about what is going on.

Things to do on the horizon:

• Get testing done for allergies and intolerances, particularly paying attention to corn;
• Tweak Alec's IEP and possibly take on a battle for additional ABA;
• Review his OT and Speech needs and tweak those resources;

The holidays are coming! My personal goal is to relax in them and try to find the true Spirit of Christmas, rather than the commercial mess it can become. I still am only satisfied and at peace in the true message of God's greatest gift to us. I am looking for ways to communicate the true meaning of Christmas to not only Elise this year (my five year old daughter), but to Alec, too. Somehow, using a limited selection of words and memorized phrases, I pray to communicate to Alec what Christmas is really about this year!