A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/12) New Thread Begun on TR Board!

[MRYPPNS]

I knew that Tigger was a good guy!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

Awww!! What great pictures. I'm VERY anxious about character meets for our first trip. So we'll see what happens, character meets could prove to be disastrous on our first trip. But I'm trying to stay optimistic.

 

[KathyRN137]

Awwww!

Precious pictures of the kids with Tigger -- that was so sweet of him to take the time for Billy to feel comfortable with him.

It's part of what made me fall in love with Disney! The Cast Members are awesome!

Awwwww... your kids are adorable !

Thanks... they have grown so much though!!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

I knew that Tigger was a good guy!

Must be all that bouncing...

Awww!! What great pictures. I'm VERY anxious about character meets for our first trip. So we'll see what happens, character meets could prove to be disastrous on our first trip. But I'm trying to stay optimistic.

Suggestion: start with "face" characters like princesses, pixies, Aladdin, and Mary Poppins... "real" people did not seem to frighten Billy at age five.

The following year, he went to all the characters with no hesitancy!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Well, no work today... I love having Fridays off!

I've been picking up a few odds and ends for the Disney box... the kids are still wearing shorts and tee shirts, so I haven't been able to put much clothing aside... I keep all of our matching Disney tees and sweatshirts in a plastic container so they are all where I can get to them easily... I did buy packages of nice new socks for everyone (woo-hoo, right?!)

My biggest concern of late has been Billy. He's been having some behavior problems on the bus... not in class, only on the bus. He gets it into his head that he wants to get out of his seat so he's been taking off his seat belt and standing up. When the bus aide (who has worked with Billy for the past three years) tries to get him to sit back down, Billy throws a screaming tantrum! It was so bad yesterday that they had to pull over on the way to school and call us!

Luckily, Ed had not gone to bed yet, so he gave him a stern talking-to via the cell phone and got him to sit back down. But then, they had the same problem on the way home! We're really concerned because he has been having real problems with delaying gratification that started in the summer and seems to be getting worse.

Fortunately, there is a behavior team at his school and they are working on a plan of action with the bus aide and driver. I also had a call from his case worker about the problem... we were afraid that he might get kicked off the bus if his behavior does not improve. She assured us that they would "handle" it, but Ed and I are considering voluntarily driving him (three towns over) to reduce the stress on him and the rest of the bus.

This would cause some very real logistical problems for us... Ed works nights, I work days, the traffic is so heavy at those times of the day, etc, etc. I was able to move his appointment with his psychiatrist to Monday, but I know what I'll hear: "Lets give him more medication."

Obviously, I'm not too happy about that... I'm hoping he will just "settle down" naturally and with positive re-inforcement, but he just seems to spin out of control so easily lately...


Kathy

 

[mrsksomeday]

Kathy I am so sorry to hear about the issues with Billy. I hope you, the school aides, etc get the situation figured out very soon. Is there something he can take to school to do on the bus to occupy him? This has to be frustrating for you and Ed .

 

[joy13]

First off - that story about Tigger brought tears to my eyes - what a great CM!!!

Sorry about the bus issues Billy is having. I don't have any hands on experience with autism, but I know for any kid the beginning of the school year is such an adjustment. I would think it might be even a bit harder for him with his routine changing - so hopefully you and the aides can come up with a system and with time he'll get back into the routine.

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy I am so sorry to hear about the issues with Billy. I hope you, the school aides, etc get the situation figured out very soon. Is there something he can take to school to do on the bus to occupy him? This has to be frustrating for you and Ed .

Hey Tracy!

He has always refused to bring books, toys, music, etc on the bus but for the past few days we've made him take a portable CD player with headphones to help distract/occupy him. It works for the first half of the trip, then (according to the aide) he suddenly pulls the headphones off and starts acting up. It's very puzzling because he's been riding the same bus for six years and never had a problem before.

There is a boy on the bus that Billy does not like; the boy always makes faces at him and also makes chomping motions as if he wants to bite Billy. The aide has already separated them... one at the front of the bus and one at the back... but Billy still turns around to look at the boy. I believe it's when the other boy makes those faces at him that Billy starts to get agitated but, what can you do? The other boy is dealing with his own autistic issues...

It's hard to see my sweet little boy as an aggressive child... its so not like him. But, I suppose that he's older now (11) and when that boy starts to antagonize him Billy just wants to pop him one!

Funny thing is... last year one of the girls in his class was getting physically aggressive with others and several times she attacked Billy. (He came home with notes from the nurse and minor scratches and bruises.) But his teacher said that he never reciprocated... just tried to stay out of her way! Perhaps its because this kid is a boy.... I really don't know.... but I hope and pray that it stops!

I'm sure the school has a behavior plan in place for the other boy... we just aren't privy to the information. I feel so sorry for the driver and aide... they've been so good with the kids, I hate to stress them out...they are both retired gentlemen.


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

.... I would think it might be even a bit harder for him with his routine changing - so hopefully you and the aides can come up with a system and with time he'll get back into the routine.

I had been hoping that getting back to the regular routine of school would be helpful! Perhaps in time....

He currently has what is called a "token economy" plan in place... if he follows all the "bus rules" he "earns" a special treat (a DVD) when he gets home. Needless to say, he has not been earning them. Naturally, that just seems to make him more upset!

I am doing a lot of praying...


Kathy

 

[joy13]

I had been hoping that getting back to the regular routine of school would be helpful! Perhaps in time....

He currently has what is called a "token economy" plan in place... if he follows all the "bus rules" he "earns" a special treat (a DVD) when he gets home. Needless to say, he has not been earning them. Naturally, that just seems to make him more upset!

I am doing a lot of praying...


Kathy

I bet! I just read above about the issues with the other child. That's hard too when other kids are involved. I'll add to the prayers that this resolves itself quickly.

 

[jcc0621]

HI Kathy,

FIrst - We love CP. It was Jimmy's first GOOD experience with the characters too.

Second - After the cpuple off PM's we exchanged about Jimmy I completely understand your concerns about Billy now I have no advice, but I can give lots of hugs and support.

 

[KathyRN137]

I bet! I just read above about the issues with the other child. That's hard too when other kids are involved. I'll add to the prayers that this resolves itself quickly.

HI Kathy,
Second - After the cpuple off PM's we exchanged about Jimmy I completely understand your concerns about Billy now I have no advice, but I can give lots of hugs and support.

Thanks... I really value the friendship and support I get from my DIS-friends!


Kathy

 

[maroo]

Oh no!

I am so sorry. I hope it gets better very soon!

It certainly sounds like you are already doing all of the right things to fix it...so I hope it fixes itself very soon!

 

[KathyRN137]

Oh no!

I am so sorry. I hope it gets better very soon!

It certainly sounds like you are already doing all of the right things to fix it...so I hope it fixes itself very soon!

Thanks, Maroo!

I hope you feel better soon and I really feel bad that you are considering cancelling your December trip! I hope you can work things out...


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

To all my DIS-Friends who are celebrating Rosh Hashana....​

Happy New Year!!

Kathy

 

[Dreamer & Wisher]

I may be way off base here but perhaps it is making Billy nervous to have this boy sitting behind him? Would it be possible to have Billy sitting behind the boy so that he can see what he is doing?

If Billy is able to see the boy in front of him it may be less threatening to him. The boy making the chomping gestures sounds scary.

I hope this can be resolved. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[irish dancer]

Hi Kathy -

Sorry, I'm a couple of installments behind.....

- thanks for the essay! So very true and I see many of those traits in everyone in my house.

- what cute pics at CP. DS9 has also had his character issues, he's OK now but when younger he wanted to go to them but always pulled back.

- so sorry to hear about the bus issues. We had a similar problem with DS9 toward the end of last year. His issue was he wanted to be first off the bus, unfortunately since he was the last picked up he sat toward the back. I hope they can find a social story or picture cue for him to help him out.

 

[KathyRN137]

I may be way off base here but perhaps it is making Billy nervous to have this boy sitting behind him? Would it be possible to have Billy sitting behind the boy so that he can see what he is doing?

If Billy is able to see the boy in front of him it may be less threatening to him. The boy making the chomping gestures sounds scary.

I hope this can be resolved. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

That's a thought... I'll mention that to the aide today. Thanks!

They are trying an experiment and picking him up last in the morning and dropping him off first in the afternoon to see if lessening the time on the bus helps. (This will cut off 40 minutes per day.) Today was the first day and I'm hoping it helped.

Keep your fingers crossed!


Kathy

 

[mom2mek]

Kathy - love those Tigger pics - how special!

I'm so sorry to hear about the bus issue. It sounds like you are doing all the right things and combined with some time to get used to the new situation, it will hopefully resolve. It sounds like you have some great drivers/aides involved that are very willing to work with each kid's needs and requirements. The idea of sitting behind the other boy is certainly worth looking into. I hope the shortened time on the bus works today! Many prayers your way!

Sara

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy - love those Tigger pics - how special!

...Many prayers your way!

Sara

Thank you so much!!


Kathy