Angela's Blog

What can I do?   I have been thinking about this for awhile now and I have an idea to share with you....

Come and be part of therapy!   

How can I do this you might ask, well here are some ideas:

1.  Ask Angela to play catch.   We have small toys to throw.  This builds strong eye/hand coordination especially if you take small steps backwards between throws so as to require her to recalculate the distance and hit her mark.   This can be done while she is in the bed or out in the yard.  Many times Josh starts at the foot of the bed and gets all the way back to the closet before she tires.   This can also be done in a triangle if you come with a friend.   Angela puts up her hand so you know where to throw it to her.   You might have to remind her to open both eyes and you might have to retrieve her missed catch on the rare occasion that she drops it.

2.  Bring a category and ask Ang to name a certain number of things in that category.  Examples:  fish, birds, colors, States, ... you get the idea.  Five is a minimum and we are curious how far she can go.

3.  Be more adventurous and play round robin with the category...let's name birds, I'll go first - robin.   Your turn... and count how many times you go back and forth or go around if you are in a group and report in to Josh or me so we can record in the speech therapy journal.

4.  Bring math puzzles in your head or on a piece of paper or with flashcards.   Things like:  Add these two numbers and divide by this number.   Add these two numbers, divide by this number and then subtract this number.   See how many steps she can keep in her head and if you have to repeat the steps to get her to solve.   Remember to only ask items you already know the answer to so as to be able to provide that stabilizing base for her brain.    If you are like me, you have to write these puzzles down in order to remember them....   so bring a "worksheet".

5.  Ask for our pocket dictionary and randomly pick a word.  Ask Angela to spell it, define it, use it in a sentence, tell you its opposite, tell you something it reminds her of, 

We are recording attention span - how long will she stay engaged.  We are recording if she can follow directions.  We are recording her ability to calm herself if she gets stressed (going slowly and being calm yourself help facilitate her ability to remain calm).   We are also recording how well she plays with others.   SO...report your successes, failures, observations, questions....  it all gets reported in the ST journal for the "experts".  It all gets used to show progress!   REMEMBER:  We started with a 20 second attention span.

A.  If you are the hugging kind, ask her for a hug.   A stand-up hug.   This will require Josh or me to show you how to get her up out of bed safely but this is great exercise:  getting up, having balance, getting back down... and HUGS are therapeutic all by themselves.

Last night my sister stayed with Angela.   I was obsessing about the chair transfer sequence as there are so many parts and so many chances to hurt her.   I was talking through it with my sister and having her check my written instructions but I was not calm.   Angela calmly announces she has to go to the bathroom.   My sister jumps in and processes the sequence with small tips, suggestions, clarifications, reminders, etc. from me.   When Ang gets back to the bed and my sister moves over to wash her hands, Ang looks at me and says "Feel better now, Mom?".   She NEVER fails to astonish me.

If you come and we are are in Physical or Occupational therapy - come cheer! ! !   WOW!, You can do it, Way to go, High Five may all be appropriate and help encourage the little trooper.   You know your husband and mother think you are amazing but when your friends and family members do too....well, maybe it is true.

Josh pointed out several stage VII behaviors and the stage IV behaviors are subsiding unless she is provoked.   Happy Days for that !!!

Thanks to all of you who remind me to pray and then make prayer happen before you leave.   It calms the room and brings the grace and Holy Spirit right in where they are welcome and where they belong.   

We are so grateful and appreciative of your assistance in getting our girl back to "normal" (stage X).    

Hugs,

Teresa