Ha!
It went fine. It was fine. A lot of worry over nothing.
There will be more appointments. Actual evals. They didn't do one today because R was so spooked by the fact they put us in a typical doctor's office type room, with the paper-covered examining table and everything. Then we were in a tiny, poorly-lit room with no toys or anything. It was the most ridiculous environment for any kid, and especially an autistic kid.
So. Chris and I both have a crush on our case doctor. She's very Tina Fey.
I inadvertently insulted them by saying I had heard nothing good about the Kelly O'Leary Center for Autism. Turns out they are affiliated. Tina Fey handled it beautifully, though, and asked what it was that I heard that I didn't like. I said ABA Therapy. She agreed with my central points against ABA--that it will essentially change who Robbie is and it won't teach him to think on his feet and express things in his own way.
So, she said she's on board with whatever we decide to do. She will help us find a more eclectic way of helping R. There is a new therapy called, I believe, RDI, but it's new and no one does it around here. Based on that alone it sounds interesting to me!
He doesn't have pdd-nos, after all. That would mean that many of his behaviors and things would be neuro-typical. And, really, none of Robbie is neuro-typical. I was thinking that since his autistic parts aren't all that autisticy, that he would have the nos. But I was incorrect.
We have a full speech eval and a psychological eval left.
Comments (13)
I hate the evals. I'm glad this one went so well, and I wish you much smooth-easiness with the others!
Posted by Sarahlynn | November 2, 2006 3:13 PM
I've been sending you good thoughts. I'm glad you like the Tina Fey lady. That's rather important, don't you think?
Posted by Jennifer | November 3, 2006 2:14 PM
Well, anyone who can take such an inadvertently rude statement and handle it with such grace is a gem.
I always like hearing that someone will support us no matter what we decide. That's freaking cool.
I heart you.
Posted by trisha | November 3, 2006 4:03 PM
Robbie, super hero again. I love the photo of him. Looks like he's conducting the sky, or inviting all of it to join him.
Posted by lu | November 5, 2006 9:41 AM
I'm glad this one went well, Trisha - and I LOVE that picture!
Posted by Jessica | November 5, 2006 12:38 PM
What a staggeringly beautiful photo! Seriously! That should be blown up to poster size and framed and hung where everyone can see it all the time. Talk about the proverbial "worth a 1000 words"...glad the eval went well!
Posted by Leslie | November 5, 2006 6:30 PM
That pic is just gorgeous. Like your boy, and you.
Posted by PK | November 6, 2006 11:42 AM
OMG, I'm so glad to have found your blog again! I just stumbled upon it. I just had to comment about your secret crush. I thought I was the only person out there who thought, "That person is too good for me." Whenever I say that people look at me like they have NEVER had that thought before. Thank you for making me feeling normal!
Posted by B-Girl | November 6, 2006 3:38 PM
RDI looks very, very promising to me, too. I went to Steve Gutstein's 2 day introductory to it and it changed quite a bit of my perceptions of autism and how I've been handling it for the last five years. Might be a good fit for you. It's a lifestyle. It's not about forcing things on the kids, it's about mentoring them to the point where they WANT to be with you cuz you're you... not because they get a skittle to be with you. How refreshing.
I'm awaiting for a four day parent training to come to town and simultanouesly saving money to fly to Houston to get it... I'm that impressed by RDI.
Go grab yourself a copy of "My Baby Can Dance" - its a good read - full of success stories.
Posted by deb | November 11, 2006 1:01 AM
Ohhh, thank you, Deb! Timely info.
It sounds right up my alley. Our Sensory Therapist saw him, too, and just raves.
Do you know much the four-dayer costs?
I need to spend some more time reading.
Posted by trisha | November 11, 2006 2:30 AM
The four day seminar is about $2,200 (they came to my area and it filled immediately because they only work with about 24 couples). That's for two people. I'm not sure how they work it for single parents, I don't think there is a price reduction because they would probably tell you they'd want you to bring Chris with you anyway. Or someone else who is close to you and Robbie.
Now I don't have that kind of free floating cash, but that's why we are saving for it... I was that impressed.
The two day introductory is only about $200 - I think that is the best way to get a feel for the whole process. They also have the two day on DVD, but it is expensive ($140) and DEATHLY BORING. He's much better in person.
Did you check out the website? www.rdiconnect.com.
Posted by deb | November 12, 2006 9:16 AM
Well, gosh. The $200 part is certainly doable.
Thank you one million for all of the info and for your opinions, which I regard highly. HIGHLY!
Guess I'll start with the book and the website and try to sell more of my pants on ebay.
Posted by trisha | November 12, 2006 7:44 PM
No problem, I'm just glad I found you again! (My good buddy Angie at Rocks & Garbage pointed me here. She's good to me that way.)
The website, it you register for it, will give you access to the message boards & stuff, there might be a consultant or consultant in training in your area. If not, you can still undertake the process yourself if you are willing to videotape your sessions with Rob & mail them to houston for "long distance" consultation.
They do tell you too, when people balk at the $2,200 for the four day intensive seminar (the two day seminar or viewing the DVD is a prerequiste for the four day training, btw) that it's still much cheaper than most therapies that people undertake, especially because you are doing most of it yourself. Still, I know, it's a lot of $$$$ but I think the thing that really sold me on it is how extensively scientifically backed it is. His bibiolography of research is pretty extensive. I get happy when I see science in this sort of thing.
Posted by deb | November 13, 2006 8:20 AM