Clinic Day

We went to Logans first clinic. This is where our team all gets together to talk about Logans progress and brainstorm ideas to solve challenges and come up with new goals. It gives us all an opportunity to get on the same page. As parents it shows us how to work with Logan and allows us to ask questions.
His clinic went really well the General Comments/Observations were as follows:
Logan has been doing very well; he is progressing nicely through his programs. However staff have seen an increase in number of tantrums over the past couple of weeks. The antecedent for tantrums are normally based on transitions (moving from something highly preferred to something else.) On average there are 1.25 tantrums a day that range in length from 2minutes up to 30 minutes. Logan's hoarding behaviour is almost non-existent in sessions and his flapping has also decreased, on average Logan flaps nine times per session. Logan's flapping behaviour is only occurring when he is very excited. All in all Logan has been showing great progress!
It is also noted that Logan will sit at his desk during non preferred tasks 9 out of ten times, after a short period of time on something preferred Logan remains calm when asked to clean it up without a warning, he is responding to clean up, come here, sit down, give it to me. Logan also is answering yes/no, and asking to do it again, asking help please, and saying I don't know. They are working on Turn taking and Logan will wait for the other person to complete their turn before taking his turn. 77% of the time. As he currently waits his turn playing with two people they will now add another person. When it is Logans turn he will only take one piece at a time instead of hoarding all the pieces. Logan is also playing memory when he is presented with 3 cards he will only flip over two to see if it is a match. If they match he will put one on top of the other and place them in the container. If there is no match then he will flip both cards back over and leave them in place then choose 2 new cards till he finds a match. They will now go to four cards. Logan will complete 3 simple close-ended activities that take up to 5 minutes to complete. They will now up the time to 10 minutes. When playing Cariboo Logan will match a colour card to its appropriate match 40% of the time they will now move on to letter cards. When handing something to anther person Logan will make eye contact 43% of the time next they will work on when receiving an item from another person Logan will make eye contact. When working on haircutting desensitization 83% of the time Logan will remain calm when running fingers through hair as if getting it ready to cut with the scissors open, and when opening and closing the scissors. He will also remain calm when running a comb through is hair dry and wet. They have also introduced getting Logan to put on and take off his boots and are working on show Logan which is right and which is left for his boots. They have also shown Logan grabbing his jacket off a hook by the hood and finding the tag inside. Logan is also working very hard on his pincer grasp using clothes pins (clipping it to paper) and tweezers (to pick stuff up). Last but not least they have been working on Ruby time to show both kids how to play by simple turn taking and for Logan to ask Ruby for help and asking her to give him items he needs.
In all Daddy and I are so proud of the progress Logan has made and we enjoyed watching him on Clinic day. He was so proud of himself and when working on everything Logan had a huge smile on his face that tells me we are on the right road.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Logan's therapy is progressing well. He is now starting to realize that it is not all play and there are expectations for him in sessions. At times he does not like these expectations and has a tantrum. He has met another milestone as he has learned to put on and take off his shoe. He is so proud when he does this. Who knew I would be so happy about him putting on/taking off his shoes but it is wonderful to see him become a bit more independant. He is also doing well with teeth brushing. He actually tolerates it without me pinning him down. My next challenge is the dentist....Tuesday we go to the dentist I am expecting the worst hoping for the best. I will keep you posted on what transpires.

Chocolate Milk Please!

It has been too long since my last post. My intent is not to have such a long time between posts but life happens. We are away for a bit. We are in to BC to watch Nana (my mom) participate in the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. What a wonderful experiance for the kids. Although Logan could have done without the crowds they are enjoying themselves.
We flew her and I was very nervous that Logan would not like the flight. He did so GREAT. We talk to him about it being loud and told him we were going to drive a bit, then blast off and go in the clouds he really liked that. When it was time to land we told him we were leaving the clouds, then bump, drive really fast and stop. I think he thought it was a great ride.
I am such a proud mom and Ruby is a proud sister. The other day Logan looked a us and said "want chocolate milk please...I firsty!" Ruby said to me "mom I don't think Logan is Autistic anymore!". I asked her why and she said "because he can talk better now". To be a child and things be so easy. Sometime I think we take life to seriously. My kids are both so innocent sometimes it is nice to look at things the way they do...it is refreshing.