treatment update

We've been working hard to figure out the "maze of autism" and how to get Lewis the best help we can. Thanks to some other parents in the area, I'm learning how to tap into some of the resources Kentucky has to offer that will make additional therapy more affordable. While we pursue those things, we went ahead and started an ABA program. We had training for our first 5 volunteer therapists last week. They will be learning as they go for the next several weeks, along with Justin and I, and then we'll begin adding more helpers into the mix. I have to say though that we have a wonderful group of people who are generously giving of their time to invest in Lewis' life. We are so grateful for each one!

Lewis has had a mixed reaction so far. He loves the reinforcements that come with his good performance, but he obviously does not like having so many demands placed on him. That is a totally normal response, and we know he will get used to it in time. He is already vocalizing more which is wonderful. He's consistently using the "d" sound again, and understands that "da da" or "dad" means dad or father. I asked him to say it the other day when he woke up from his nap and he said the word and did the sign at the same time! We took a video right after that where he did both things separately. (Forgive the high pitched "good job" at the end!) We are encouraged that he is making this connection.



He's also learned several animal signs this week, mostly from his Signing Time Zoo Train dvd. He's learned: penguin, crocodile, elephant, gorilla, shrimp and dog. It is a random group, but he loves doing them and it is amazing that he is learning just from watching the video and not having us manipulate his hands.

So for now, we are keeping a lot of plates spinning, and praying that God provides in abundance for our needs. Here's what is coming up and we'd love for you pray with us:

--Our ABA program progressing and our therapists gaining confidence, Lewis adjusting.

--Applying for an HCB Waiver which would provide Lewis with a medical card, opening the door for several other programs (Impact Plus, respite, further speech and occupational therapies).

--Waiting on First Steps' Record Review. We have requested additional units (hours of therapy) including occupational therapy. They should have made a decision by now but we are not sure if this week's weather kept them from meeting. Pray we hear about this soon!!

--Biomedical treatments. We are seeing a DAN! (Defeat Autism Now) doctor this week who should be able to discuss food sensitivities, supplements and other medical treatments that have proven helpful to many kids afflicted with autism. We were very disappointed that our local doctor has seemed blind-sided by Lewis' diagnosis and really need a medical professional who can help steer us in the right direction.

--CDC at WKU. Lewis was accepted into the Communication Disorder Clinic at Western for the spring semester. We are praying he gets a scholarship to cover the cost of speech therapy twice a week. We are also praying he gets into the Big Red School for the summer term.

--Vanderbilt Sib Study. Vanderbilt is doing a study on infant siblings of children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. These kids are at a higher risk of becoming autistic themselves and so the study will provide diagnostic evaluations free of charge (which are normally in the thousands of dollars) meant to give peace of mind to parents and to catch abnormal behavior at an early age. We are praying that Owen could participate!