Yay Speech Therapy

Brad has been receiving in-person speech therapy since April. The school decided to finally give me what I asked for in September for April. I just happened to check the house voicemail and saw the message. For some reason, Brad's home school never calls my cell first, which is the primary number. Brad did good at first, but lately...he can do a good 20 minutes, 25 minutes some days, and other days, he acts a fool and does 10 to 15 minutes of therapy.

Jose is a good therapist. He brings the ipad and puzzles. He works with Brad, but Brad does not always work with him. The best part is Jose is a strong male. This man will chase Brad down and help with meltdowns and temper tantrums. Because of this, I can not just clean the front room anymore. I have to clean the living room, front room, kitchen, wash room, and sweep the steps, because Brad will run everywhere, including upstairs and out the back door.

I have no idea how to get Brad to stay in the front room and work consistently for 20 or more minutes. He has the same issues with his online speech therapist. Some days good, some days bad. I am about to find that website on making homemade weighted jackets or vests for Brad.

Yesterday, I forgot Jose comes on Mondays (used to be Tuesdays and Thursdays), now it's Mondays and Tuesdays. He texted and said he will change the time to 12, but I assumed it was Tuesday. Jose showed up. I got Brad dressed quick. Sent him downstairs. I got myself dressed and the baby dressed, while listening and peeking in the front room from the top and side of the steps. Brad did excellent the 10 minutes I wasn't directly in the room with him. Then, BOOOMM, I heard footsteps and Brad ran into the bedroom. His snack for excellent participation went to Kalen and Riah (my great niece).

How would you get a 12 year old, Autistic, ADHD, child to sit still during therapy? Any suggestions will be taken. Brad is very strong and solid as well, and I can not pick him up and lift him anymore. Too much work on my back.

The ambush

The ambush

scheduled brad's speech therapies back to back today. Did it different this time. Online first, then in-person. Brad sat still for 20 minutes during Shannon's session, which was good. She also did a straight session--no video breaks to get his attention. Door bell rung. Jose came early. 10 minutes. I went back upstairs to finish with Shannon. Brad started acting up, ran downstairs, straight into session 2. Ambushed lol. He also did about 20 good minutes with Jose as well. He ran around the whole downstairs though. I had not gotten to clean the living room yet. I woke up, straight to the tub, got the kids clean, and set up for online speech.


I knew the den was clean. The living room on the other hand---my daddy needs to stop drinking. 2 brandy bottles plus a bottle of MD 40/40. I got all the bottles out the way before Brad ran into the living room. Picked up a lot of blankets and clothes as well, but other than that, Im glad I cleaned the kitchen and washroom last night. I cleaned the living room, but I guess it did not do me any good. Willie C. needs to hurry up and find him a place to stay or go back to his wife. I can't be doing all this cleaning two or more days a week (depending on the therapy schedule). It is getting to be too much. At first, it was cleaning the den only for Kalen's sessions. Now, I have to clean everything since Brad is getting in-person sessions (If only, I can keep my child in one place). With all these adults here, someone should at least help keep the living room clean (and stop all this drinking. It's not good for anyone, especially if you have a decent job at a hospital.).

Now I need to go fix some lunch for the kids. Kalen's therapist is coming at 12:30 (Physical therapy).

How Katie got a Voice

I read How Katie got a voice, in exchange for honest review. The book was written by Patricia L. Mervine and published by Trafford Publishing. I received a print edition of the book a few days ago, and read it in one sitting. The book is excellent.

I chose the book because I felt a connection to Katie. I have two special needs children. My oldest, for those, who don't know, has ADHD and Autism. My youngest has developmental delays.

Katie is disabled (wheelchair bound) and can not speak. Katie relies on her attendant to help her in the classroom. She also uses a speak book, which allows her to use her eyes to communicate with her assistant. She enrolls at Cherry Street school, where everyone has a cool nickname. The book is narrated by Miguel, who gives out the nicknames to most of the school, including the principal, teacher, and janitor. With a little help from the speech therapist, Ms. Lips, Katie learns new ways to communicate, and earns a nickname. Ms. Lips and Katie, work together to surprise the classroom.

Definitely enjoyed the book because people have different methods of communication. Not everyone can traditionally speak. Brad can speak, but he can also point, grunt, and knows a few signs. Kalen also does not speak except his one word. therapist is attempting to teach him sign language. The book will be a great read for the special needs community (parents, siblings, speech therapists) and can be used to teach acceptance, inclusion, and disability etiquette. The last few pages in the book, after the story ends, lists disability etiquette. Some tips include:

1. Do not stare and/or ignore people with disabilities. 
2. Do not shout or speak to the disabled, like they are younger or not as smart as you. 
3. When a disabled person has an aide, speak to the person, not the aide. If you talk to the aide, don't ignore the disabled person, as if he or she is not there. 
4. Don't pet service pets without permission. They are performing a service and should not be distracted or disturbed. 
5. Do not touch or play with any assisted technology devices. 
6. Don't ask about their condition unless they bring up the subject. 
7. Be patient. 
8. Focus on the person, not the disability. 

I also attached a wonderful video, from Patricia's website. 

Book Information:
Author: Patricia L. Mervine
Illustrator: Ian Acker
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Distributor: www.speakingofspeech.com. The book is also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble (print and Kindle formats)
Publication Date: July, 10, 2012
40 pages, softcover
ISBN: 978-1-4269-6649-1