Re: Mics progress reports??

[Guest guest]

Laurie, I can't remember how old Mic is but have read with great

interest you and your son's exploits. My son, DJ, is 11 years old.

He had a LOT of medical interventions in his first two years.

Didn't walk until 5 years and showed no interest or ability to self-

dress until about 8 years old. He wanted to put his shoes on and

could slide them on his foot only because his shoes were so big: he

had Ankle-Foot Orthotics to shore up some very weak ankles and his

shoes had to be big to go over the plastic braces. He could put his

shoes on but I had to remove them when he put them on only to put

his braces on and then replace those same large shoes over his

orthotics:( BUT when he turned ten the ortho doc said he no longer

needed the AFO's and we went out and bought well fitting velcro

strap shoes. He has learned to put them on, albeit, he needs

minimal help with the heel part; it catches and turns under

sometimes.

I found the book -Steps to Independence- to be a great help in the

area of self dressing as well as other areas. I know someone in

this group mentioned that book before. Our behaviorist taught

us " Backward Chaining " which is we teach DJ the last part of any

task: the Velcro strap going over the instep when putting on his

shoes. We were to do everything up to the strap going over, and

then we were to help DJ to do that and then praise him for " putting

on your own shoes! " We were to fade out our hand over hand over

time until he was doing that part himself, each time praising him

for a job well done. Then we were to introduce the part just before

the strap over part, which for DJ was " pull the strap tight " for

which we developed a " pull...PULL...PULLLLL! " cheer that encouraged

DJ to pull hard on the velcro. In this backward chaining way of

teaching DJ learned how to put his own shoes. It is not automatic

yet, but we are hopeful. Just know that this was not accomplished

overnight, or in a matter of a few weeks, but over several months.

I think you just have to determine to keep at it and make it a part

of your daily routine, like changing diapers. (We're still working

on potty training!) There are also helpful ways to lay out clothes

and put them on told about in the above book that can be helpful.

I understand the part about not having the motor skills to do

something, but hey, taking his shoes off himself is a skill! And

it's a great place to start. Do you have a place he can put his

shoes away himself, like a shoe bag on his wall or a spot in his

closet. Putting things away is an underestimated skill, but every

mother would applaud that skill.

I hate evaluation time, too. Always looking at how behind my son

is, or how UNable he is. I wish there was an easy way to get

through it. I often utilize a communication sheet to and from

school for daily or weekly reports and always included one area for

the person writing the report to tell " One Good Thing that Happened

Today. " The teachers often dismissed this area as not necessary,

but I insisted they put something good there. It is often my

emotional lifeline that I hold onto as I read about his week or

day. After awhile the teachers " got it " and enjoyed writing this

part of the report. You could always write them a request or even

put it as a goal in his IEP: " In order to increase parental support

and emotional well being in this IEP year every report given to

parent about Mic's progress will include an equal number of positive

supportive comments as reports of slow or no progress. " I'm not

sure how you could write measurable objectives for it, though!LOL

But I do hear what you are saying and want to encourage you. You

obviously care deeply about Mic. THAT will help him the most in his

life, deeply caring parents willing to fight for what he needs.

Hang in there.

Donnell (mom to DJ-age 11)

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> Well he isnt doing as great as I think but is in speech. His worse

scores are in OT and PT and he cant follow group activities without

prompting. " requires adult prompting to visually focus on stimulas

materials and the ability to follow group instructions. " He cant jump

or throw a ball his balance is way off and crawls up the steps

unless assisted.slow progress in areas of fine motor and visual

motor skills due to maladaptive behavior. " slow progress in all areas

of self help skills And last Speech Mic has progressed nicely this

quarter he is able to respond appropiately to a number of yes no

questions and is using vocalizations along with gestures to

communicate with others.And is accepting food and drinks again. At

what age did any of your kids begin to use self help skills Mic just

cant he can get his shoes and socks off but not even pull up his

sweats by himself his motor skills just arent there or maybe its too

soon.He does try to help get dressed if hes motivated to do

> so. I have a new method of dressing him before school I dress him

as soon as I wake him up thats way hes still half asleep and doesnt

fight me so hard.Just wondering about the dressing and self help

stuff. Maybe I will request more OT but I think its the hypotonia

holding him back any thoughts. Well I didnt cry on this progress

report always a good thing!!! Laurie

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