ABA Therapist - Beth Stoughton

Beth Stoughton
(206) 388-8717

16000 SE 172nd Pl.

Renton, WA 98058

bethstoughton@comcast.net

Beth's practice focuses on home and school based programming with a special interest in collaboration with school teams. Home program development, supervision and oversight as well as IEP development, review, participation in team meetings and continued monitoring to ensure proper implementation and progress. Development of school programming grounded in ABA and empirically based curriculum. Functional Behavior Assessments and addressing challenging behaviors in the public school environment (behavior support plans). Provides pre-service and in-service training and on -going support to school teams. Evaluations of current school placements, with research based recommendations. She is a Microsoft provider, as well as Triwest. (Demo project and ECHO)

Child Institute

We toured the Child Institute yesterday on Mercer Is.
Don't know if I am scared, shocked or excited? It was hard to see some of the kids and what they were going through? My heart is sad to see kids who are not in control. Harry seemed so normal compared to these kids, which in its self was a little scary to think of sending him here. He is no way as bad as 90% of those kids, it was shocking to see. Maybe he is worse than I thought? Maybe I am thinking too much into it? Maybe he is not as bad as I think and we just need to keep searching for the thing that works for him in a normal environment? Feeling a little lost today (OK more lost than normal!) Its overwhelming still, I love him so much and that is why it is so hard!!!

Mercury in HIGH- FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP 1 of 2

UW Autism Center

The next step on Harry's journey is to have him evaluated at UW Autism Center. The teachers and ourselves are noticing some behaviors with that may indicate Aspergas(sp?) or Autism Spectrum Disorder. We booked him in today and have our first appointment on the 5th of May. I am crossing my fingers for some answers!!

http://depts.washington.edu/uwautism/Bios/kelly.html

Some of the signs...

• Fixation on belongings, thoughts, conversation
• Phobia of germs, loud noises, bright lights, being breathed on
• "Overreacts" when things don't go his way
• Never sure what will set of depression/anxiety with him
• Insecure and wanting to be accepted
• Rituals, always needing to wear the same clothes
• Still has a stuffed animal that needs to go everywhere and is "real"
• Cries in front of peers if things don't go right
  
• Inflexible, can not stand change from his routine or what he expects
• Has to talk about what he wants too and not interested in others around him
• Socially, does not relate to peers, does not participate in play or conversation
• Very creative/imaginative, has a hard time distinguishing between this and reality
• Always believes his way is the only way, will not listen or learn from others
• Is often in a daze, will not make eye contact for more than a second
• Does not understand simple commands and will need to be repeated
• Is not really aware of his responsibilities and still waits for prompting

May 5th - 9:30am: Parent Intake (get there 15mins early+IEP)
May 11th- 1pm -3pm: Harry one on one
May 19th- 9:30am: Harry one on one
May 27th- 1pm: Parent feedback
June 24th- 1pm: Optional Parent feedback

How to Make a Pinewood Derby Race Car

Didn't want to lose this cool link...lots of helpful stuff here!

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialeducation/Special_Education_Getting_the_Best_School_Experience.htm

While up at Harry's school volunteering yesterday. I spoke with Mrs Brummley in regards to his progress. They believe Harry is showing signs of Asperges and possible Autism spectrum. Well there's no surprise, I have been saying this for years. Even Children's hospital didn't believe me or take the time to see the signs with him!
Now it looks like we are back to square one! Lets go through the testing again! Only this time I am going through it as a burnt out mom, desperate for help! The small amount of hope I have left is for direction. And not just more closed doors!

Weeks of falling!

It feels like it has been months since I have posted anything here. Could be because our life with Harry has been so overwhelming. Outbursts, depression, sadness and hopelessness. Not a lot has made him smile lately, I miss his laugh.
School work has been suffering, his friendships are tough and home life is stressful and full of opposition.

But today I had a break through!
After talking with another mom today about some problems she's been facing with her child. I got some wonderful insight into how to help Harry with a new perspective. She told me of some conversations she had had with her little guy and how something in him just clicked one day. It really got me thinking in how I talk to Harry, what expectations I verbally tell him. It gave me some hope to keep going and not give up.

I came home today and thought hard about how to help Harry with his schooling. We talked about school and what he likes. I also like to keep it positive and easy flowing. But today I thought I would best ask him why he doesn't like it? What would you make different about school? what would make it fun?
It turns out that fun is the word that school is lacking! He thinks "its boring and that its all work work work that's to hard, and no toys and no playing!" Said Harry.
He then asked if he could do school at home? Mommy "I want to do home school!" That statement alone, opened up a response that would help both him and me.

I told him that, I didn't think that would be possible. When I have tried helping you in the past, you don't want to listen or learn, you don't follow my direction and it always ends in tears when we try and just do homework! I know that seems a little blunt and some what harsh, but you don't want to beat around the bush when you are really trying to make a point that will somewhat serve as a wake up call.

It did the trick, he said straight away, "mommy I really want to try, I'll listen and do my work!" Great, lets do it! I didn't waste anytime, I thought if he is going to say it, then he needs to back it up with actions. So I gathered some work books and off we went to his bedroom, to work at his desk. It worked It worked!!!! OMG who was this boy? He sat at his desk, he wrote his name, he listened to instructions, he completed work and he enjoyed it!!!

Forget one day at a time, its one minute at a time!!!

Not having the best week.
We have had a few changes in the house this week, ripping up floors and moving the kitchen around, I am wondering if this is effecting him at home?
Harry is very emotional and very easily upset.
One second he could be having the best day, smile on face and is doing well. Something goes wrong and his whole world comes to an end. crying, screaming, hitting, breaking things and all because he couldn't just say "oops! my pencil broke, I need to sharpen it!" Why does such a simple problem seem to be so over whelming for him? Why does he swear so much at the moment? Why does he "over react" when it is such a small 5sec problem that most people can just see and fix?

Words that describe Harry this week....

Emotional
Out of Control
Bipolar
Inflexible
Unpredictable***
Depressed
Overwhelmed
Annoying
Attention seeking
Worried
Doubtful in himself

Sweet
Overly loving

In his swinging moments...
Happy to please after he has had a meltdown
Really getting up in peoples faces to make them laugh or show them something
Very active and wants to move around. Sits at the counter, sits on the floor, swings on the seat, walks around, climbs on his seat, all while trying to do homework!

....Ahhh Homework that brings me to the next issue
Silly and wanting to make people laugh

Finding a behavioural therapist

Trying to find a local therapist who specializes in children with add is driving me to drink....I think its an endangered species!

http://www.alansimons.com/index.html

Still on a ride, so much to update......

What a crazy few weeks with Harry!
will save that for a later post. I really just wanted to comment on the amazing response we have had with Harry going back to school and being back on his rigid routine. A-maz-ing! He is a different person!

Routine really takes him from out of control to more focused, semi-controlled and rational.
Last week we could not ask him anything without a complete meltdown, this week we could ask the same simple things of him, like Harry please pick up your shoes and put them away, sure mommy! what who is this kid? last week that was met with screaming, you always say that, he would get distracted, would ask him again, more crying which would end in him butting his head or running from the room saying I'm a moron!

Routine really does seem to be the change from then to now! Not sure how else to explain it?