Autism & Asperger�s HOPE Approach
Cognitive Developmental Therapy
Success with Early, Intensive Cognitive and Developmental Intervention:
Son�s Asperger�s Disorder and Autistic Behaviors.
Janis Miskimins, adoptive mother of Jared, has an educational background with years of experience working with children and families. This experience helped her identify Jared as a child with abnormal traits and developmental problems within his first months of life. Doctors thought there were neurological problems but could find nothing. As a 7 week premature infant, Jared had much to overcome just by being premature. His crying was a high pitched "eagle cry" and soothing reassurance was a constant demand. Much play 'work' went into getting him to be interested in turning and rolling over. By the time he could sit up and hold things, Jared began doing repetitive behaviors and having abnormal fixations. He would work his fingers up and down one of his socks until he would lose his balance, only to resume the fingering until the sock was removed. That caused a great deal of fussing with nothing else being able to replace the sock. This was the beginning...
|
 |
| Autism/Aspergers: A Guarded World View |
|
|
The story goes on. This site will tell more of Jared�s struggles to be normal when indeed he had special and serious needs. Janis could identified the ADHD, Obsessive Complusive, Oppositional Defiant and Biopolar behaviors, but it wasn�t until a flyer crossed her desk that she had the term �Aspergers� to aid her and the family in understanding Jared�s condition. The search was on to learn more. There is a vast amount of information to be read. Personal accounts by other families who were advocating for their children helped Janis the most with the emotional side of parenting. Jared was and is her main teacher! Remembering who he is and what the disorder is -- these provide resources of vast amounts of patience!
More details will be provided as this site is developed: traditional medicine, natural medicine, allergy testing, diet restrictions, occupational therapy, physical therapy, intensive language therapy, social training at preschool pros and cons, strict daily schedule, trips with planning and increased cognitive support. Today there is success at home and in a small elementary school setting where the focus is on academic learning with cognitive therapy approach, motor skills development and social supports.
Do we still have melt-downs?
Yes, but melt-downs are less intense and less often � at last!
The really important thing is that we have time together to enjoy new discoveries and meet the challenges of another day as a family.
One of Jared's sustaining songs on the way to school as a preschooler was:
"Everything is goin' be all right! Everything is goin' be all right!
Everything is goin' be all right! Yes, it will! Do, Do, Do, Do!"
Repetition is a friend to the child in the Autism Spectrum. It brings comfort and relief because it is a known factor -- it is understood and trusted.
Jared talks extremely well. He can out talk you in a moment's time, but he regresses and moans at times -- especially, at night. He moans a great deal when he is awake in the night. Tonight when Jared woke up for his 11pm-2am snack, he sat at the table waiting for his "millet pancakes" and moaned. I have always asked him to stop and to "use your words" instead of moaning. Tonight, he told me that he moaned because it helped him feel calm. I thanked him for sharing this. Then, I asked him if there was something else he could do to feel calm besides moan. He candidly said, "I don't think so." Tomorrow when he is awake and more attentive, we will work on finding a calming behavior that will be more appropriate than making this moaning sound that would signal distress to most people.
One night when a headcold had him unable to juggle the covers and his restlessness. I searched for his head to tuck the blanket under it. I asked, "Where is your head?" Jared replied, "I'm wearing it." Who would have guessed? I ran my hand up his back, and yes, indeed he was wearing it! I chuckled softly and tucked those covers right there under his chin.
I was reading the last pages of The Horse Boy (a new book on Autism - Nov 09) the other night. Then Jared yells so loud the house shakes, "I'm nervous. Mommy, help me!" I settled him back into bed. Stayed close for a little bit. Then returned to my book. He stirred loudly, so I took the book with me and laid down beside him. I could put a reassuring hand on him and balance a slightly covered flashlight kinda under the covers and away from his restless sleeping at 1:00am. I just wanted to finish the book. All of a sudden, he sat up briefly to take in the situation. Then he laid back down with the authority of an adult remedy, "Would you please turn out that light, I am trying to sleep!" If he ever gets his sleep disorder and anxiety under control, I wonder if I'll ever catch him reading those last fulfilling pages by flashlight?
There is always work -- something to fix or make better -- but is this not true for all of us? Work when approached with faith and hope can bring so much joy!
Do not forget to sing each day and be thankful for your child. Your child will slow you down and give you pause to reflect upon the values of each day. The potential for much joy -- what a delight!
And, at the end of each day, the fatigue can be rewarding, if you remember the smallest of successes may have been a mountain well climbed for your child. I know, you are still on duty throughout the night with all the behaviors that may shift during these hours..... I know because I'm a 24-7 mom, too!
|
Website links that have been helpful to our family:
|
 |
| Autism/Aspergers: Physical Therapy |
|
|
|
