About this blog.

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 24 months. I created this blog to bring meaning to the often-confusing label. Sometimes I have answers. Other times, just more questions.

Friday, March 28, 2008

The wheels of bureaucracy in motion.

Brad is now modestly ramped up on services. His schedule:

  • Monday:
    9-10:15 Early Intervention playgroup (toddlers, an integrated program)
    3:15 - 5:15 Floortime with specialty provider
  • Tuesday:
    8:45-9:45 Speech pathology
  • Wednesday:
    9-10:15 Early Intervention playgroup
    3:15-5:15 Floortime with specialty provider
  • Thursday:
    8:45-9:45 Floortime with speech pathologist
    10:00-11:00 Occupational Therapy
    3:15-5:15 Floortime with specialty provider
  • Friday:
    3:30-4:30 Developmental specialist

    Total: 12.5 hours

So far, we're genuinely impressed with the Early Intervention services. In particular, Brad's speech pathologist, Robin, is a real angel. She comes twice a week, once for traditional speech pathology, and once for Floortime. Robin is formally trained in Floortime, and she genuinely embraces the child-led approach. All of her notes are really positive. She sees Brad's potential, and she does everything she can to tap into it. At a time when I'm looking for hope, she gives it to me.

The jury is still out on the specialty provider. Turns out the Floortime therapists are ABA therapists cross-trained in Floortime. I think in the normal course, they'd go to some one's house, perform an hour and a half of ABA, and maybe mix in a half hour of Floortime. So when I said "no ABA", they were a little stunned. And from what I can tell, their version of Floortime isn't truly child-directed. That's the bad news. The good news is that Brad's therapist, Sinead, is a real pro, and Brad seems to have taken to her already. And when she teaches him something, she does really drill it into him. For example, last week she taught him "I want", and now it's in high rotation in his verbal repetoire. (For better or worse.)

3 comments:

Judith U. said...

Ah the joys (and sometimes challenges) of dealing with different therapists.

So cliche I know, but seriously, go with your gut. If parts are too ABA'ish for you, don't waste a lot of time if there are other options.

As for the positives, aren't people who "get" kids on the spectrum just so incredible? Definintely one of the perks of this crazy life...

Laura said...

Thanks Judith! I'm so totally ambivalent about the Floortime therapist. I'll be really sad if Brad is cooped up over the summer.

Judith U. said...

He shouldn't be. A great deal of learning can take place on the playground, or in the swimming pool, or whatever his natural environment is ... don't let them tell you otherwise...

By the way, wow, thank you for your support of the run!