Phew!

Well, Clint still wears Underwear. And I do believe he is initiating when he needs to use the toilet! He is very quiet about it, and you will miss it if you are not paying attention, but he definitely is trying to tell you when he needs to use the toilet. I am a little dismayed at the moment that he can tell when he needs to Pee in the toilet, but I don't think he has quite gotten the hang of ... well, Pooping in the toilet. This I can tell you, cleaning a dirty diaper is a lot more enjoyable then cleaning out dirty Underwear, my......... goodness, a LOT easier. So I'm still pushing through with that. And I would like to take this very moment to congratulate myself with a comforting pat on that back that I have not reverted back to diapers. Yes, yes, thank you very much(Although yesterday, we did have to wear a Diaper to Therapies for Speech and O.T., as ALL of his underwear was dirty and I had not the option of letting him run Nude at the Elk's. Darn. But we put the underwear back one once we were home!).


But I digress, I really wanted to talk about his day at school, on Wednesday. Monday was a Holiday, the day he learned what mysteries the Toilet held (I'll quickly divert from that analogy, that sounds like it can only lead to a most foul sort of humor), and Tuesday I kept him home from School so I could cement this idea of visiting the Toilet on a regular schedule into his yielding mind.


And So! Wednesday I accompanied him to school, and sort of tagged along behind his teachers as they worked with Clint.
My first visit was to Occupational Therapy, where they work with his different senses to channel into useful skills that will help him cope in the mainstream classroom. I was very amazed at how still he sat, and how well he listened! Even in my Presence! I should provide a little explanation here: Usually Clint will act differently when I'm in the room. I think most children act differently when there parents are present in their Classroom, or so I've heard. And it was in this session that Clint made the Eiffel Tower, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the Big Ben Clock. I could not believe it!! All of his teachers were quite impressed with his drawing capabilities, Vain Mother that I am, I can't help but brag about that(And if you would like to see pictures of these drawings, I have them up on Facebook, in my album titled "Clint", or e-mail me and I shall send you the picture! It's phenomenal how recognizable they are!).


But He continued to sit nicely throughout most of the day, only getting up to dance excitedly around the room, only to be caught by a teacher and asked to nicely "Walk" around the room, not run. And I must admit I saw a few instances where he would have gladly Bolted- usually while waiting in line, or traveling through the hallways to go from one room to another. But this was quickly quelled by the teacher who was nearest him, so I can definitely breath easier that he is being carefully watched.


What nearly made me cry, though, was when he went to the playground! They just let him, go, and sat at the sidelines and watched. He pushed no one, he didn't try to run out in to the parking lot (Which is very easily accessible from the playground). He also came directly when they called him to go inside! Waiting in line is still proving to be a bit of a stretch for him, though. I must find ways to boost his attention span at home, and find what is at the root of this need to flee whenever he is placed in a situation in which he must sit and wait for the next task. Transitions have always been a little hard to grasp, and while a lot of the time, I can easily distract him from one activity to the next, teaching him how to sit and wait for something to happen while doing absolutely nothing but sitting and standing is an entirely different matter.


The next topic is what I learned from his teacher. I would like to insert here how much I adore his teacher, Mrs. Marilee Haines (Whom I am sure I have not spelled correctly. Oops. Maybe next time, I'll pay attention). She is very firm with him, and you can tell she is very knowledgeable, simply because she understands a lot of what he is saying, because she has heard speech like this from a lot of different children. She related to me that half of the children in the classroom with Clint (Of which there are about 8... or 9, I believe?) were Autistic as well. I find it fascinating to see other children that are like Clint. All the rest of them are a lot more verbal than Clint, and that is what Mrs. Haines said she really would like to see improved with Clint: giving him more words.


Mrs. Haines is also giving me a lot of "homework" for Clint to do, and I'm very excited about this, because I want to continue to lengthen his attention span at home, and help him understand he needs to do what an adult asks him to do, be it at home, in school, or at another person's house. I think this is one area we really need to work on, because I'm pretty sure that Clint has decided wherever he goes, he runs the show. And if he is to be "mainstreamed" in a regular classroom (At the moment, he is only in a "Resource Room", with other children with special needs), he will have to mind the teacher, and let her give him instructions that he must execute.


Also! I have a "task" strip that Mrs. Haines gave me, which is a velcro strip with a little pouch on the end labeled "All Done". We will then attach little pictures of all of his tasks on it, along with a reward at the end, should he follow through. She also reminded me that I should not take too long with the tasks, every 10 minutes he should be rewarded for listening and paying attention. So, writing numbers, identifying shapes, and other schoolwork can be rewarded with a toy, or playing with legos, or drawing, or some outside time on the swing (or most likely, digging in the dirt...). Another thing she related to me is a lot of Autistic children like Slinky toys? Many will hold it up to their ears and listen to the noise at is pulled open and closed. She's convinced that a lot of them have finally attuned hearing: So this noise is very fascinating to them- Even though most of us probably have never really been able to hear this.


In closing: I am simply so excited to see that Clint has adjusted well to his environment in school, and he enjoys his time there. It is also important for me to see that he is safe and well looked after, and they really do care for his well being there. Each of them were so excited to see that he really did piddle in the toilet! They will be taking him to visit the bathroom every half an hour now, and this I know they will be consistent in.
Yesterday was his first day at school, using the toilet without Mom there to prompt him, and he only had one accident! And since yesterday morning, let it be known that he has had no ... Piddling accidents (hurrah!) But I still need to catch him before he releases, well. The other form of Waste in his underwear. It's usually in the evening that I've noticed this, right before dinner. I am trying not to be too frustrated when this happens though-- The accidents, I mean- because in my communicating, I want him to know this is a natural thing, it's perfectly fine, but it needs to end up, eventually, in the toilet.


So I must be patient and clean up a few more messes, and hope it will catch on. I know it will! I'm debating how best to communicate this to him...


So! Off to another bright, cheery day, filled with opportunities, changes to be made, and new ideas to be learned.

New Developments

Most of you reading this have probably heard the fantastic news: Clint has actually started using the Toilet!!


This is such a wonderful occurrence for me in so many ways, it has really hit me on quite a few different levels:


I shall try not to wallow in my guilt for too long, though it is such a temptation. Chelsea (His Developmental Therapist, who spends a lot of time with him) got him to sit on the toilet through kicking and screaming and horrendous tantrums, and he simply peed on the toilet. Just like that. Now, if only I had sat on him just a bit longer? But I figure we are just where we are at now, so it is simply best to move forward. What I can take from this: It is all possible! Very recently the full magnitude has hit me; Will I always be cleaning his waste? Will I always be picking out his clothes? Filling out all of his paperwork? Providing for all of his Daily needs-
I think this development has finally brought me to the conclusion that I may be able to bring him to his full potential- As long as I give my all for every step- knowing it brings him closer to this goal. And it will come!


Saying it is one thing, though. That's one of the reasons I started writing though, to prove to myself I can in fact be positive. I believe it can be managed!


And now for some Funny details- I'm sure Clint won't mind that I share these with you, If he does, my sincerest apologies of course, but I simply can't resist!


For some reason, he feels that all his clothes must come off when he sits on the toilet. I don't know why, I'm definitely going to ask Chelsea what would be the best way to move on from this. Try as I might, I cannot convince him that he doesn't really have to take off every last article of clothing.


And at the moment, he knows when he sits on the toilet, well, he must perform. Apparently drinking some water always brings the matter to a close- for he takes after his mother, and any sort of a liquid passes through him at supersonic speed. So, he asks for water when he feels piddling is not imminent. Chelsea related to me that the bathroom where they spend a lot of their time is very large, and so they have been hanging out and playing in there- Getting used to being in the bathroom. And so, he was drinking water to produce the urine, and I suppose he was confused at first, and so therefore began to pee back into the cup from which he had only moments before drank from. I admit, I probably have a very dark humor, I find this hysterical.


So far, I've only had three messes to clean up, and I am working hard on looking disappointed without causing alarm and trauma. But I'm trying to find a way to do this that is memorable. How much emotion does he actually perceive?


Anyways! Today, we are going to try this out at school, as yesterday, we stayed home all day, Naked- to get an understanding of how exactly this works. Let me rephrase that, We both stayed home all day, Yes- But only one of us was Naked-- HAH! I don't think we are about ready to create a Nudist Settlement just yet. *Sigh*
But I shall be accompanying Clint! And helping him to understand that the toilet at school is merely a toilet, just like any other toilet, and perfectly identical and just as comfortable as the one at home. Good luck to both of us (Clint and I, and NOT the Toilet and I, of course)!


And as far as seeing if he will eat a school lunch, has better attention in his school tasks, and finding out whether he sees his peers at school as companions or as objects to bounce projectiles off of, we shall see today as well! I have not been getting any disturbed calls from any teachers (And I suppose it just shows my ever- improving-optimism that I was expecting at least one), so I am of the opinion that No News is Good News, right?


With a few piddle puddles and only one bowel movement to clean up (I am always one for details, excuse my forthright account), I feel I am on the road to make a difference in Clint's life. I am beginning to understand that Potty training does not happen overnight, though (....Blast! %$@#%....And Double Blast!) Here's to persistence, and let's hope it sticks. Although not on me, or on the floor... but where it Rightly Belongs....




Also a word- For some reason, I can't seem to comment after all of everyone else's Comments? Perhaps I am doing something wrong- But It won't post my replies to your comments.


I just wanted to thank all of your for your support, It is a wonderful feeling to get feedback from all of you, and it helps me to push forward, I sincerely enjoy hearing from you. That, and I have a tremendous Ego that loves to be fed ;-)


As always, stay tuned! I have several pictures to put up! Now if I can only figure out how it is done...

Reflections

Tomorrow is the day, and I'm rather excited.
So, I decided to sit and write what's been swirling around in my head the past 2 or 3 days...


They have changed up his schedule a little bit, they will now have him come to School at Noon, so that he can partake of Lunch with his peers.

This should be rather interesting!
His teacher (a Mrs. Merilee Hanes, who is always a pleasure to converse with) explained to me that he will always have a choice of either salad bar, or school lunch. And even the school lunch has a few options as well. I think this will be quite the "experiment", as he very often eats very well with his Developmental Therapist, Chelsea, and eats relatively nicely with Daddy keeping a watchful eye.
But not so with me, and this is an area I will continue to work on...
But what I am keen to discover is what foods exactly will he be drawn to in a salad bar?

And the introduction of a Noisy room of lots of kids also enjoying their lunch will probably skew his normal reaction to choosing his own food... I shall be interested indeed to hear how this will turn out!


In other news, too, they actually hired another person, just to help wrangle Clint! I am rather proud of them, I must say... Mrs. Hanes has stated to me too, that Clint is by far the most Hyper child they have. They plan to have him rotate in increments to keep him busy, and will be introducing him into a new Resource Room (Last year, he was only in One-- for the entirety of the time he was there, and nowhere else really, save another building for Occupational Therapy).
At the moment, they will be working with trying to keep him as focused as possible, at this point means moving him quickly from one activity to the next, working with the limited attention span, yet still trying to make school a pleasant experience, all the while the goal being to lengthen these activities little by little, so as to be able to join a regular classroom at some point, even if for only a short period during the day.


Another point I've been pondering is doing extra activities with him at home, perhaps even finding some Home Schooling supplies, so I can do some more school work with him at home. Whilst in the Lobby at Elk's Rehab, I overheard a woman saying she did extra school work with her daughter at home, to help reiterate what was taught in school. Perhaps I'll ask to be indulged with details when I see her again...
I'd have to say, I don't think it would hurt! Besides, at the moment, I don't think Clint sees me in this sort of way, someone who exerts discipline and expects work from him, in all honesty. Would be good for both of us.

The only thing left to decide is what grade level to work with him at home? I think it would be very difficult to expect results from him that you would want from children his age, but he has shown such a leap in his comprehension of reading skills, I wonder what age group he should be placed in.
I've planned on getting his curriculum in a week advance from his school- When I talk with his teacher, Mrs. Hanes-- I'll have to ask her what sort of skills I should be working on at home.


I think this will be enough for the time being... Good to be able to see these ideas in writing...


And I have made a calendar for Clint and I! I need to make little icons for it, so he knows which days his Bus comes. On Weekends, we do tend to get a bit confused and frustrated. And as I was explaining the days of the week, and when School would start, he then proceeded to put on his sandals, grasp my hand and ask for the bus.
Any ideas on how to show him which day is today??! My only thought was having a movable, brightly colored piece of paper that said "TODAY", which would be placed on the day that was, in fact, Today.


So now I'm heading back to bed now. Releasing new thoughts only seems to encourage new ones to be born, and I'm sure they will begin to swim in my head shortly- Probably as I am trying to get back to sleep. C'est la vie.


I will try to get some pictures of Clint on his first day of school,tomorrow! I'm sure he will be very happy to be reunited with the long-absent-but-never-forgotten Bus.

School is Starting!

Next Tuesday, the 25th of August, Clint will be entering the 2nd Grade!


I'm looking forward to having some afternoons free, now... I feel like this Fall, I really need to work on organizing my life a bit more. We shall see how that goes, shall we?


Most importantly, I need to work on putting some structure and balance into Clint's life as well, through the use of Picture Schedules, and Calendars of the week, as well as the month, to see if I can get him to begin to understand the big picture. Maybe help him get a reference for when Halloween is, and Christmas.


Clint has just been through his second session of O.T.! His Therapist is a very Friendly as well as Knowledgeable individual named Ashley. Since having had a few sessions to observe him, we decided to work with a lot of Sensory and Physical activities, rather than Fine motor, seeing as he will have a large amount of Fine Motor activities at School, and his O.T. that works with him there will most definitely be working mostly with sitting at the table with paper and pencil in hand (Or scissors- various other tools of choice).


As I am writing this, I am realizing I am also recording my Journey as well. So all of you interested in reading about Clint, must also sit through my thoughts on how I am changing as well. Good luck :-D


Thank you to all who have come to visit, I shall try to write once a week, and upload pictures of Clint at school, perhaps even scan in some paperwork he has completed and significant drawings.


I am also very thrilled to begin to unravel the jumbled thoughts in my mind, I have been meaning to keep a journal for some time about my experiences with Clint... But have always seemed to loose the Notebook. So, now I have no excuses, do I?


Feel free to post any questions, comments, or suggestions! I will be happy for any and all feedback.


My next entry will be about Clint's First Days of School, so stay tuned!