Behavior Challenge Thread

[GraceLuvsWDW]

For your viewing pleasure, dd on "Cookie":

Jodifla, does a Cert Behavior Analyst give feedback on reducing anxiety and such?

How would I go about finding one? Would they go to the school and shadow her for a day?

Thanks!

 

[kirstenb1]

Grace, she looks so happy in that photo---what a beautiful little girl!! I'd have about 8 copies made, and put them everywhere in my home and office!!

 

[jodifla]

Here's the web site:

http://www.bacb.com/

You can search for local folks in your area.

I'm not quite sure about the anxiety part of your question.

The person who did ours was a behaviorial psychologist so she may have factored that in.

What you are looking for is a positive behavioral support plan for your daughter, I believe. I imagine that would also go a long way to alleviate her anxieties. For our son, it was very motivating and helped him hit his goals every day. His frustration and his time on task have greatly, greatly improved.

Like I said, the most striking thing to me is how immediated it was.

 

[jodifla]

Oh, and yes, she did shadow Casey at school and come up with the behavior plan (with a lot of input from another report we had from the university research hospital we go to.)

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

NBC's "Parenthood" shines light on Asperger's syndrome
March 2, 2010
http://www.northjersey.com/arts_ent..._light_on_Asberger_s_syndrome.html?c=y&page=1

I contacted a Behavior Analyst. They want me to #1 talk to the school to see if they are accepting of outside personnel coming in to the school and #2 fill out an intake form and take it to dd's pedi for signature.

Their website stated they can shadow at home and at school and develop plan and strategies for dealing with behavior. Thanks for letting me know about this!

Will keep you posted.

 

[bookwormde]

Just make sure that it is skill based.

The picture is great, I can not wait to show it to my wife, it will probably make her cry.

bookwormde

 

[dogodisney]

For your viewing pleasure, dd on "Cookie":

Jodifla, does a Cert Behavior Analyst give feedback on reducing anxiety and such?

How would I go about finding one? Would they go to the school and shadow her for a day?

Thanks!

That's such a sweet picture.

 

[hunnybean]

I was just curious if anyone out there has a child diagnosed with childhood onset schizophrenia. My DD 8 was just recently diagnosed, although I had suspected it for awhile.....Anyway, it is supposedly very rare. The doc from Atlanta was fascinted. We are getting ready to start intensive in home therapy soon, so I was wondering if anyone has seen good results from this. My main concern is the stress she seems to be under lately as the voices in her head get louder. We do not go out much, as her bahavior has become very unmanageable....She does not even go to school anymore. The school has her on home placement, and her teacher comes to the house for 3 hours a week.....I guess I was just curious if anyone had any experiences with this.....or even just to know if there is someone out there....

 

[bookwormde]

Is it just voices or does it include imagery. We all hear voices, primarily our own, but when individuals cannot reconcile them with conscious thought it can be very damaging and debilitating.
It may not be the case with your child but 90% of the individuals diagnosed with early onset schizophrenia in the 1940s and 1950s actually turned out be de individuals with mid to higher functioning Autism.
I just mention it to make sure that she has been screened for Autism/Aspergers characteristics. Internal "theatrics" are exceptionally strong in higher functioning females with Autism genetics and if they are from levels of consciousness close to the subconscious (sort of like a day dream but much further away from conscious thought), without the understanding of the source can create manifestations which substantially mimic schizophrenia.

bookwormde

 

[hunnybean]

Her diagnosis for the past 2 years was PDD with features of both asperger's and autism. We had so many people disagree with that, like teachers,etc. This year, though, her teacher was very observant. My daughter has very swiftly changing personalities.....and when in 6 year old mode, she is autistic....as weird as that sounds....at other times, she isn't. hallucination wise, she has several people who come to see her all the time. She can see, hear, and feel them touch her. One of these people is good, and the rest are horrifying....She can "go places" with these people. She also has several people who live in her head. These voices are always there....She will cover her ears, turn up the tv, etc. They have several people that they need to kill....and she does not agree, so most days we are at war.....She has always been paranoid, thinking always someone has done or said something....She tripped her teacher over the fact of a marble that she was going to give another child, when in reality the marble never existed....The docs are fascinated because she has been showing signs of this since she was very small...Hallucinations at 4, saying always her other self was looking at her....The chairs wouldn't stop following and looking at her....We adopted her when she was 5, and her birth family is paranoid schizophrenic....so we knew to watch for things, but just didn't expect to have to do it so soon....It breaks my heart....she is my world....and her days can be so scary and confusing for her....

 

[dogodisney]

I was just curious if anyone out there has a child diagnosed with childhood onset schizophrenia. My DD 8 was just recently diagnosed, although I had suspected it for awhile.....Anyway, it is supposedly very rare. The doc from Atlanta was fascinted. We are getting ready to start intensive in home therapy soon, so I was wondering if anyone has seen good results from this. My main concern is the stress she seems to be under lately as the voices in her head get louder. We do not go out much, as her bahavior has become very unmanageable....She does not even go to school anymore. The school has her on home placement, and her teacher comes to the house for 3 hours a week.....I guess I was just curious if anyone had any experiences with this.....or even just to know if there is someone out there....

Her diagnosis for the past 2 years was PDD with features of both asperger's and autism. We had so many people disagree with that, like teachers,etc. This year, though, her teacher was very observant. My daughter has very swiftly changing personalities.....and when in 6 year old mode, she is autistic....as weird as that sounds....at other times, she isn't. hallucination wise, she has several people who come to see her all the time. She can see, hear, and feel them touch her. One of these people is good, and the rest are horrifying....She can "go places" with these people. She also has several people who live in her head. These voices are always there....She will cover her ears, turn up the tv, etc. They have several people that they need to kill....and she does not agree, so most days we are at war.....She has always been paranoid, thinking always someone has done or said something....She tripped her teacher over the fact of a marble that she was going to give another child, when in reality the marble never existed....The docs are fascinated because she has been showing signs of this since she was very small...Hallucinations at 4, saying always her other self was looking at her....The chairs wouldn't stop following and looking at her....We adopted her when she was 5, and her birth family is paranoid schizophrenic....so we knew to watch for things, but just didn't expect to have to do it so soon....It breaks my heart....she is my world....and her days can be so scary and confusing for her....

Oh, your poor baby. It must be so difficult for her....and you!
I have a cousin who has schizophrenia. He is in his early 40s. I'm not sure when he was diagnosed because my aunt kept it a secret for many years. I live in a different state from them so i may see them every few years so anything I hear is through the grapevine. I do know that he has been institutionalized off and on and can become very violent if he doesn't take his medication correctly.
I do remember that when he was young he was was really really hyper.

God Bless you all.

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Hunnybean, I know this is super inappropriate to ask, but did your child live with the birth parents for a time before you adopted her at 5? Could she be modeling behavior she saw as a child? Add that to the normal imaginary life of a child, or an ASD one, to boot, and you've got a situation that seems really out of control.

Sometimes I think my son is going crazy because he talks to the air and has elaborate conversations with his own head, but my daughter told me that he is "teaching a class" about music or discussing his TV shows with imaginary friends. He's pretty high functioning, but the social thing is still a huge struggle.

I took DS to dinner last weekend, just the two of us, and tried to talk to him about life. I asked him if he had any friends at school. He said only a few girls at school play with him and these are girls that have been his friends since Kindergarten. They play "Family" on the playground. He said none of the boys play with him but that it's OK because he really doesn't understand the way they play anyway, and doesn't like any of the same things they do.

I started to be sad about it ,but then I asked him if he cared that he didn't play with the other kids and he said, "I'd rather play myself and do the things I'm interested in anyway." SO there you go.

Grace, that is so great that your DD is doing so well with the riding. I'm so proud of you two. Keep it up. That picture is wonderful!!! What a great instructor, as well. That is exactly the right person you needed!

Sorry I've been MIA. I've been trying to paint the farm house and take care of the horses and it's just making me so tired. By the time I get fit enough, then it will be time to mow and weedeat. I am looking at my finances and thinking my time table is too fast for opening the bakery this Spring without taking on a bunch of debt. So I'm taking it slow and working towards more fiscal responsibility and less pressure. I do have my Food Manager's certification near the end of March.

Life is tough. I'm so sorry for Hunnybean. I can only imagine how tough it is to walk a mile in her shoes. Just when I start to throw my own pity party, someone comes along and show me why I should get my head out of my A#$.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Life is tough. I'm so sorry for Hunnybean. I can only imagine how tough it is to walk a mile in her shoes. Just when I start to throw my own pity party, someone comes along and show me why I should get my head out of my A#$.

I echo DDM, I don't have experience with schizophrenia, but we're all here to listen without judgment and give you our support.

 

[hunnybean]

Disdreaminmom- She was 11 months old when they removed her from the birth parents home. There were a few visits at the Dfcs office, but nothing major. Then the mom just kind of went away....there was no more contact. My dd does not really have her own memories, but she does have her sisters, my other dd who was 3 1/2.....But even her memories seem to be things that they were told by foster parents or workers...When we first got her and were looking through paperwork we saw mention of her hallucinations when she was 4...and we thought maybe she was mimicking behavior seen, but after spending time with her, we realized that there weren't really any memories

Graceluvswdw- It is really good to know that there is support. I can't always get out of the house.....We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the special needs stroller we ordered......but she loves playhouse disney, so if she is having a good day, I can get on my laptop......

It is just good to know that I can clear my head for a minute or two and feel so not alone, or in some cases take a breaher from all the "people" at my house...It takes an insane amount of energy some days, but at the end of the day she gives the best hugs, and I know I will keep going....A lot of people in our lives latley(teachers, doctors, etc.) keep saying that they do not know how I do this.....that she is lucky to have me....that I am doing something so wonderful for these kids....which kinda upsets me, I know people are trying to be nice, but they are my kids. There are no guarantees with children, biological or not. I am just being a parent, and doing what I should. Truth is, I am lucky to have them, not the other way around. All children are blessings

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Has anyone heard of Sherry Moyer, author of The Eclipse Model? DD's OT is using it at OT and recommended I get the book and follow the curriculum at home. Wanted to see if anyone had experience with this method.

Our play therapy was a disaster today. Instead of going into the details I'll just say next week is our last appt. Perhaps the fit was not the best.

I should just focus on our successes and run with those and try not to become discouraged by the failures.

BTW, I cut all of dd's hair off last night. Yes, that's right I just did it! It looks cute (considering I have NO artistic ability at ALL) and she's loving it so far. Now what was I so afraid of???

 

[kirstenb1]

Has anyone heard of Sherry Moyer, author of The Eclipse Model? DD's OT is using it at OT and recommended I get the book and follow the curriculum at home. Wanted to see if anyone had experience with this method.

Our play therapy was a disaster today. Instead of going into the details I'll just say next week is our last appt. Perhaps the fit was not the best.

I should just focus on our successes and run with those and try not to become discouraged by the failures.

BTW, I cut all of dd's hair off last night. Yes, that's right I just did it! It looks cute (considering I have NO artistic ability at ALL) and she's loving it so far. Now what was I so afraid of???

Grace,
I am not familiar with Sherry Moyer, but I'll google her.

FWIW, I'm glad you cut your dd's hair. Sometimes we (me) get so bogged in trying to survive, we forget simple solutions. To me, hair and bathing are just like eating, something we can hopefully help our kids master, without a lot of extra drama. It helps that our daughters and me, have that crummy stick-straight thin hair, which looks best short. Still I know it's a change for both of you.

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Grace, my hair is super duper curly, and to this day I become extremely upset when someone else tries to comb or brush my hair. It makes me sneeze or feel like someone is yanking it out by the roots. It's terrible. It's hard to describe how it feels, but my feet are the same way and I don't let people touch them. So when I was about 5 my mother took me in and got me the Dorothy Hamil haircut and I wore it that way for years. No more sobbing child and people running around after me to cut my hair. Life sometimes is full of super simple solutions. Oh, and get your DD into two riding lessons per week and screw the social skills group. Just my humble opinion.

Hunnybean, you are so sweet to say what you said about kids and life in general. I think there are people who see it "our" way and people who, ummm, don't. No judgment, really, just an observation. Here is a giant from all of us.

Interestingly, was at DS's music lesson and there is another girl taking lessons at the same place that is 9 and ASD. She "talks to herself" and does the same things that DS does. She's being raised by a relative who is a wonderful lady that has the patience of Job. It is nice to talk to someone face to face and feel like I'm not the only monkey on Mars. Ever think something like that? Sometimes I'll be in the middle of a situation with my son and think, "Oh my God, I'm a monkey on Mars and this is crazy!"

Yesterday was one of those days. My son was really tired and still drowning under this terrible chest cold he got two weeks ago, and he was perseverating and going on and on about music instruments to anyone with ears in this teeny tiny waiting room, and my head was about to explode and roll down the hall and out the door. UGGGGGG...Poor kid, I know he was having a tough time, but it was a bit much. Glad when I got everyone home and in bed and day was over.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I guess that's what this thread is all about: behavior challenges. I don't know why but I am starting to get a handle on priorities with regard to dd's behavior. Cutting her hair was cathartic for me. It was symbolic in a way. You see, I was suffering. I was having a pity party for myself about how no one understands or "gets" what I go through. Hair washing, hair brushing, tooth brushing, getting dressed, "this itches", "not those shoes, they hurt", fearing the next door neighbors are going to call CPS because dd is screaming while I hold her and wash her hair....etc, etc, etc. This post is not a pity party it's a celebration!

Monday at Play Therapy I made dd go. She fought and protested and I've got this NT brain that says "I am the parent and I can't let her drive the bus". I made her go to "therapy" (ironic as therapy should be helpful) while she cried 25 minutes on the drive there. I knew she was ramping up. And she had an all out fit there while the "therapist" judged my parenting skills (ok that may be in my head but she sure didn't help!). And I disciplined dd for throwing marbles across the room and as I left I KNEW deep down I caused the tantrum. She was telling me all along she was not in the mood. And my "but I'M the parent" brain said no you're GOING!

Anyway, experiencing it taught me a valuable lesson. And I know this is all kind of cryptic but I FEEL better. I'm letting go of "therapy" that doesn't work. Things are BETTER. I'm learning to PRIORITIZE. Like ok, hair sticking up not a priority. Kids making fun of dd's hair, not a priority. Fighting dd to take her meds-A PRIORITY. The meds help. And the difficulty factor in our household has gone from 99% to 49% because of the meds. So fighting dd to take her meds-that is going to happen. Holding her while I brush her teeth-that's going to happen. Cutting all her hair off because I can't deal with the screaming anymore-that's going to happen. Spending 1 millisecond concerned about the play therapist's take on my parenting, or the principal's take on dd, or my "friend's" take my parenting???---NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

And I feel pretty good about that.

8 Days and counting!!!! Nothing is going to get me down!

Oh and DDM, I am a monkey on Mars a lot. And I am starting to be ok with that.

 

[bookwormde]

That is a big step, in becoming the best parent you can be for your child.

congrats

bookwormde

 

[C&G'sMama]

I
8 Days and counting!!!! Nothing is going to get me down!

AWESOME!

Hey everyone. Not much to report here. DS's play group finished up last week. We go to see an individual therapist for an intake for him next week. We'll see how that goes. He's a trip. The other day he tells us he's going to set aside an hour a week on Sundays to work with sister because she needs "anger management" and he's going to help her (this is because as the older sister he sometimes drives her nuts and she tells him to knock it off, oh and she "hits" him) Well can you blame her? it's usually when he's sitting on top of her and she can't get him off.

We are back to LEGOs on Thursdays. He isn't very fast and the child he was paired with is a perfectionist (imagine that) so both of them were getting very frustrated, so next week they are switching partners with a pair that were having the same problem.

We had his IEP yesterday. Nothing big, he's tested out of PT which we knew and are fine with. He's going to get OT for another year. We requested he get speech again, but because he's doing well academically we get the, "well it's not affecting his school work so the district can't....." We'll see what they say and decide if it's worth fighting or not. One of the local colleges has a pretty good speech pathology program with a community clinic. So if we really feel he needs it, we'll take him there.

We are marching in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Saturday. DD is dancing and George I will March with the Irish counties. He's going to be a leprachun It's a trip. I'll try to remember to post a picture.

Well that's all in our world.

To all, good luck with all that you are doing. And like we always say this is a great place to vent.