Tough questions

On the way into school yesterday, Joey asked me why he takes his "silver medication" (Keppra for his Epilepsy). I said, "You remember hearing me say you have Epilepsy, right?" He said, "Yes, but what does that mean?" I told him that it means that sometimes his brain hiccups. He said, "Ok."

Later that night, he asked, "Ben Daddy was your first husband. Why did you marry Ben Daddy and then Bryan?" Completely thrown for a loop, I said, "I was married to your Daddy because I loved him and then I married Bryan." He said, "But whyyyy did you marry Daddy and then Bryan?" I said, "You know sometimes people realize they are better as friends but that's ok because we had to come together to make you." I squeezed him tight and as he went to walk away after our hug, he turned to me and said "I. Have. No. Words." I said, "Why did you say that?" feeling panicky. He said, "I don't know; I hear you say it all the time."

I need to come up with better responses. Before you know it, I will be dodging the puberty curveball questions.

"Poop free" for 7 days

From Sunday to Saturday last week, my son was beaming with pride. By Saturday, it had been 7 days that he was "poop free." After his big, "chocolate pudding" explosion last Sunday, he was able to make it to the toilet to get the poop out. And since he was cleaned out, there was no poop to smear in his undies. On Tuesday, he even excused himself from the lunch table at school and went to poop in the bathroom outside the cafeteria. Amazing progress for my little pooper. Ok, maybe I should change his nickname?

ADHD and ABA

Behaviorbabe just posted this link on FB and I had to share:

Thank you for posting. I keep my son on a thin reinforcement schedule for homework. I've also broken it up over 5 days, instead of trying to do too much in 1 or 2 days. It helps minimize complaints and also doesn't make it such a huge task if we tried to do it all at once.

Here is the link: If you don't follow this blog, you need to!
http://appliedbehavioralstrategies.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/using-aba-to-address-adhd/

Using ABA to Address ADHD

December 11, 2012 by Applied Behavioral Strategies

After yesterday‘s post regarding the use of ABA to treat ADHD, readers expressed interest in learning more. So today, one intervention to address ADHD behaviors will be discussed.

Reinforcement

Readers should not be surprised to hear that reinforcement is a recommended intervention. Reinforcement is a key topic in almost every single post on this blog. The important thing to remember is that reinforcement must be individually designed and administered in order to obtain maximum results. Individualization is not easy for teachers or parents. However, if appropriate reinforcers and correct schedules of reinforcement are utilized, great changes in behavior will be observed.

Differential Reinforcement

There are many types of differential reinforcement:

• differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO)
• differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI)
• differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA)
• differential reinforcement of higher rates of behavior (DRH; designed to increase desirable behaviors!)
• differential reinforcement of lower rates of behavior (DRL)

Essentially, differential reinforcement is the use of reinforcement for one behavior and not for others. Differential reinforcement requires implementors to reinforce one behavior while withholding reinforcement for another.

Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)

In this intervention, reinforcement is provided when an alternative behavior is observed but not when inappropriate behaviors are observed. Specifically, if a child is engaging in off task and distractable behaviors, alternative behaviors would be identified. It is important to know why (e.g., to get out of work, to get teacher attention, etc). An assessment must first be conducted to know why a behavior is occurring. To read more on assessment, check here, here, and here. Once the assessment has been completed, then alternative behaviors to obtain the same reinforcers are identified.
If a child is trying to get out of work, an alternative behavior is to work faster so that play and non-work time may be accessed. If a child is trying to gain teacher attention, then the child is taught to use appropriate behaviors to get teacher attention.
The next step is to reinforce the new/alternative behavior. If the child is working quickly, she needs to be reinforced with a nice long work break or play time. If the child appropriately recruits teacher attention, the teacher needs to come over quickly to give attention.

Thin Reinforcement

As with any intervention, the goal is to get appropriate behavior then to thin or reduce reinforcement so that the child may function like the rest of children in the class or home. It is important to thin reinforcement at a pace that will prevent the ADHD-type behaviors from escalating.
I hope this helps readers better understand one way that ABA may be used to address ADHD.

Will you play with me?

It was 27 degrees out yesterday and that was the morning Joey decides he'd like to play soccer in the backyard with me. I asked my AZ child if he realized how cold it was outside. He put his hood up and said, "No sweat, Boba Fett."

My son is an only child and I have long realized that I am his favorite and most constant playmate. I always try to make myself available to play with him, no matter how big my To Do list is. Lately, he seems to be asking for more of my attention and more playtime.

On Thursday, I made a list of activities for his new habilitator. I would like them to work on transitioning from a preferred activity to a non-preferred activity. One of them was kicking the soccer ball outside. He loved it! It was almost like I needed to show him he can play sports with someone other than Daddy.

Yesterday, we played a total of 3 times before the sun went down, lasting at least 30 minutes each time. We had a great time. In the beginning, he told me I was 50% the athelete his Daddy is. As the day progressed, he told me my "number was going up" and I was at 80%. His number? 120%.

Best Report Card EVER

Yesterday, I received the best report card ever for Joey. I am so proud of him that I was almost in tears! I was with my Mom at the time and I think she got misty too!

Here's the lowdown:
P = High level of performance
I = Making steady and sufficient progress
N = Needs more time/practice/support

                                               1st quarter                      2nd quarter
Listening                                       N                                     P!!!
Speaking                                       N                                     I
Spelling                                        N                                     N
Writing                                         I                                       I
Reading                                        N                                     N
Math                                             I                                       P
Social Studies                               I                                       I
Science                                         I                                       P
Study/Social Skills                       I                                       P
Music                                                                                   P
Art                                                                                        P
PE                                                                                         P

He improved in completing assignments on time, exhibiting self control, and increasing dependability (all under study/social skills) and reads with understanding (reading). He also got a + for areas of strength in comprehending oral directions and messages read orally (both under listening). I am just amazed. He truly is amazing!!!

I am so beyond proud of Joey's report card. He got his standard P's in his specials (P=high level of performance), but he also got a P in math, science, study/social skills, and....wait for it...listening. His areas of strength were comprehending oral directions and messages read orally. This is truly amazing for my little dude. Back in October, his ped at Melmed wanted him on Focalin 5 for attention and compared his processing to that of a stroke victim. I refused to medicate him. His report validates my belief that medication isn't always the answer!

The significance of numbers

329,000+ The number of files found on my hard drive, almost 2 months after my hard drive failure. 1.3-2.3 Joey's new reading level after being at .9-1.7 for the first half of 2nd grade and .9-1.4 for Kindergarten and 1st grade. Numbers that I've been waiting for to change. Interesting how they both happened on the same day. I am so beyond proud of Joey. He truly amazes me everyday!

5 years...went by in a flash

Happy 5 year "Date-iversary" Bryan F Hogan! I'm glad I decided to go on another 1st date, expecting the worst but I got the best. If it wasn't for your support when I left my job (when you and I weren't even married yet) to get Joey his services, who knows where he would be? And then your support in Seattle so I could finish my degree which enabled me to have the job I have today, helping other families. I know you're waiting to be a stay at home Dad (keep waiting;)), but I know your payback comes in the form of Joey calling you "Daddy" and having him to share your love of science and space. We love you!

5 years went by in a flash, yet we have done so much. We bought a house, got married, you moved to Seattle for a year, I finished 2 graduate degrees and started a new career....all while Joey got the help he needed, learned how to use functional communication, stopped hitting himself in frustration, learned to tolerate being around others and how to socialize with other kids, learned how to make friends, became interested in others and other things (besides Legos). He has come so far and I have such high hopes for him. I used to be afraid of what the future held for him, but he shows me everyday that he is an amazing kid and is capable of so much.

This is also a milestone for us. 5 years together...no break ups...this is the longest I've ever been in a relationship without one. I know our goal is our 4 year wedding anniversary, which will mean we are together 5 years and 5 months, beating my relationship and marriage to Ben, so I look forward to that time as well. But there is something about this 5 year mark today; it is making me nostalgic. This month marks our 5th Christmas in this house, which means it now beats out the last house as Joey's longest residence.

So many important things have happened over the last 5 years for you, Joey, and I, it's hard to put in words how I feel. I'll just say...I love you, B, and we could not have done all that we have without you!

Love, Me
Forever and Ever Babe!