In So Many Words

We hear a lot about various aspects of autism being “invisible.” I don’t think it’s so much that people can’t see certain issues or difficulties a person is having, but more that they assume these things are not related to the disability. Instead, they may simply see a person who “isn’t trying hard enough” or is being “lazy,” “non-compliant” or some other term that places a value judgment on the person rather than seeing someone who is doing the best they can within their current situation.

One example of an “invisible” special need is difficulty with organizational skills. Organizational skills is an extremely broad category, but I wanted to share today one specific area that we have implemented with my son to help with the pack-up routine at school.

The Pack-Up “Problem”
Packing up at the end of a day at school was not an issue at all in kindergarten or first grade for my son. I believe this is because the teachers had extremely clear routines in place and were very hands-on in making sure the children were all following the same routine and not missing any steps. There was also a very clear distinction between what you did when you came in each morning and what you did at the end of the day.

When Michael entered second grade, things began to go downhill with regard to getting out of school in a reasonable timeframe and with all of the proper papers, books and other items. He was often one of the last students to exit the building and rarely had everything he was supposed to have in his backpack. There were missing assignment papers, missing journal books and even missing papers that I was supposed to be filling out and sending back in.

Interestingly enough, one of the new responsibilities for second grade was for each student to copy down the homework assignments into a planner. The teacher checked and initialed each student’s planner every day to ensure it had been done correctly, which was a great relief to me (at least I knew which assignments we weren’t getting done!); however, she placed the responsibility for the other items that needed to be packed up on the students.

I mentioned this issue to my son’s case manager during the first or second week of school, and she felt that we should give him some time to see if he would get into the routine on his own. I wasn’t so sure her optimism was well-founded but decided to allow the wait-and-see approach for a short time.

When “Giving Him Time to Settle In” Didn’t Solve the Problem (What? You thought that would be all he needed too?)
Once my request for a written pack-up routine had been rejected dismissed addressed, I decided to start some data collection on this problem. Each day, I kept track of what was missing from his backpack, as far as I could tell, and waited to see if things would improve.

After the first month of school, I had only seen everything come home 3-4 times, so I brought up the issue again with the team. Faced with a written record of what had been occurring over the past few weeks, they agreed to create a visual checklist for him to use.

As they began to create the checklist, they realized that, although the morning routine was very consistent day to day, the specifics of what to put in his backpack at the end of the day would vary based on what type of homework he had and other variables such as whether they had had library that day. So they came up with a checklist for the afternoon routine that was actually a series of questions designed to help him figure out what he needed to pack up properly on a given day.

I was actually quite impressed with this way of designing the checklist, as it goes beyond simply supporting his need for being organized enough to bring the right things home and actually supports him in thought process behind the organization.

Here are screenshots of the morning and afternoon routine so you can see what they look like:

Morning Routine

Afternoon Routine

(For those who may be wondering, FISH means For Information Sent Home, and the FISH folder only comes home at the end of each week.)

The Outcome
Since the checklist has been implemented, there have only been 1-2 days in four months when Michael did not have everything he needed to do his homework, which makes me happy if not him, LOL!

For those interested in reading more on this topic, here are a few online resources I found on the topic of organizational skills:
National Association for Gifted Children – Organization Skills
Autism Support Network – Teaching Organizational Skills
Homework and Beyond: Teaching Organizational Skills to Individuals with ASD by Michelle Garcia Winner

Well, I didn’t get much checked off my list this last week – too many other things kept popping up that needed to be done. After going round and round with the DAN! doctor’s office, I have decided to get copies of all the test results we haven’t met to review yet and then cancel the follow-up appointment. It is just not worth the hassles I am dealing with every single time I need insurance paperwork done properly or even to talk to someone at the office. The office manager has been very helpful, but even she can’t make up for the other frustrations I have experienced.

Now I am trying to figure out what route we are going to go. I do have Michael taking a small amount of Essential Fatty Acids as well as Melatonin at bedtime and Liquid Zeolite, which we are trying out with a few other local parents. We are going to be tracking the zeolite on a weekly basis, so I can’t add the other supplements I was holding until the organic acid test was sent in (which is now on hold anyway!).

We have a behavior plan meeting Thursday morning with the school – very excited about that – and our wraparound agency is working on getting a new TSS b/c the current one is just not up to par with what we need.

With everything going on, I think reorganizing my to do list into more of a schedule would make sense and help me to feel less like I am trying to do too many things at once. Hopefully, this will move me closer to a routine like the one that was working so well last summer.

This is where the To-Do List normally goes, but I just still haven’t really figured out how to organize my schedule. So I guess this is really just a Biomed Update!

The behavior plan meeting went well. I’ll post more about that soon. Right now, we’re super excited about going to see They Might Be Giants on Saturday for a kids’ show – although it is supposed to be yucky and rainy. My sister-in-law and her family are planning to come. Two of their girls haven’t been feeling well, so we are hoping they will be better by the weekend.

For more To-Do Tuesday, visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting.

I’m really embarrassed that I haven’t posted anything since last week’s To-Do Tuesday; I think I need to add that to my list! I did manage to write my weekly post for 5 Minutes for Special Needs, but that’s about it.

So, here’s my to do list for this coming week, and I’m really hoping to spend some quality time blogging as well!

My To Do List:

DAILY –

Morning routine.

Evening routine.

Blogging routine.

WEEKLY –

Go through ASD HOPE pending items.

Check for library books that are due or on hold.

Check alternate email accounts.

Pay bills.

BLOGGING -

Research blog backup options.

Pick up where I left off Problogger 31 Days thing.

POSTS -

Update on Reading Challenges.

Making Choices About Therapies. I actually killed two birds with one stone and used this for my TTT post.

What’s On Your Nightstand?

Try This Tuesday.

Guest Post.

READ TOGETHER CHALLENGE –

Read with Michael in the morning.

Read Little House books at bedtime.

Go to library with Michael.

MISCELLANEOUS -

Review school notes and email thoughts to team for IEP/BIP.

Close stamp party.

Complete photo book.

Do paperwork for M’s upcoming doctor visits.

Research computer hard drive options.

Start planning trip to Illinois.

For more To-Do Tuesday, visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting.

I know I sound like an organized person on the surface, but there’s a difference between being able to list and categorize things and actually getting them accomplished.  Somehow, though, putting it all in front of other people via my blogs has been the motivation I needed.

For my weekly to-do lists, I have started writing just Morning Routine, Evening Routine and Blogging Routine instead of listing each task.  Otherwise, the list would be too stinkin’ long and I would hate having to check that many things off.

However, I do need to have them written down somewhere or I could end up forgetting things that are supposed to be getting done, like cleaning the cat box so the cat doesn’t decide to just go on the basement floor or something like that (not like that’s ever happened or anything!).

Morning Routine

• Make beds
• Pick up bedrooms & den
• Wipe down bathroom
• Clean cat box
• Do recycling
• Wash dishes
• Do one other household chore (so far this has been a load of laundry, vacuuming, or something like cleaning off the vent fan above the stove – yuck!)

Evening Routine

• Make dinner
• Unpack Michael’s backpack
• Add communication form notes to spreadsheet
• Update checkbook
• Check & respond to emails

Blogging Routine

• Respond to blog comments
• Work on at least one blog post
• Clean out Google Reader (read, share & comment)
• Check in at Twitter and Facebook

My schedule will probably be changing once summer starts, and I won’t have so much time in the morning anymore.  So I will have to move things around a bit, and that makes me really nervous about falling off the wagon.  I’m hoping to still be able to do at least the first five things on my morning routine, and just move the dishes and other chores to the afternoon, since I won’t be working as late either.

I will also have to turn in a bit earlier, so my time online will have to be a bit more focused.  Maybe I’ll go back to writing things longhand while I’m sitting in waiting rooms and such.  I think that’s where my more creative and reflective posts came from, anyway.

Where or when do you write the best?  How do you fit it all in??  Sometimes I feel like I am shortchanging my family and should just quit altogether, but then I can’t imagine my life without the connections I have made online and the joy I get from sharing my thoughts in this way.

Well, I’m late again with my to-do list; I may have to start posting this on Mondays to get it up in time! But that’s okay, because I got to spend some time with a good friend last night and hear how well her volunteer scrapbooking project is going.

I’m getting a little more detailed this week. My routines are still going well, but there are a bunch of other things that just need to get done, so we’ll see how it goes.

My To Do List:

DAILY – (Update: I got really off schedule for a couple of days due to having a tooth out and volunteering at the Autism Awareness walk.)

Morning routine.

Evening routine.

Blogging routine.

WEEKLY –

Check for library books that are due or on hold.

Check alternate email accounts.

Go through ASD HOPE pending items.

Look through post ideas and start one new post from them.

ASD HOPE –

Update evaluation form for Empowerment Workshops and add topic survey.

Email flyer to professional contacts for distribution/posting.

Print flyer and take to library to be posted.

BLOGGING -

Spread the word about my book giveaway.

Post my Spring Reading Thing list.

Post my Read Together goals.

Update links on the rest of the posts imported from Blogger.

MISCELLANEOUS -

Check with BSC that STAP paperwork is ready to go for next Tuesday.

Review IEP and other team communication to prep for new IEP.

Make table cards and name tags for Mother-to-Mother Luncheon.

Make photo book (yes, this was supposed to be my SIL’s Christmas present, but in my defense I am waiting on my DH to make time to help!).

Buy cat carrier.

Get car washed.

For more To-Do Tuesday, visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting.

This has been a good day (or morning, I guess it’s just afternoon now).  I have been posting my to-do list each week on my other blog as part of the new To-Do Tuesday from Crazy Adventures in Parenting, and it is really motivating me to keep up with things better.  I highly recommend it if you are a list-oriented person; it’s neat to see the other participants’ lists as well.

I feel like for the first time ever I have a morning routine that is consistent and that I can handle.  It may not be impressive to some of you, but here’s what I am doing now:

* Get dressed & make sure Michael is dressed
* Make beds
* Pick up bedrooms (meaning clothes and anything else that has a home is put away; any and all piles of clutter are not being touched right now)
* Pick up den (incl. put ironing board away if Bob used it that morning)
* Wipe down bathroom (not really cleaning, just getting rid of the facial hair all over the sink, LOL)
* Clean cat box
* Do recycling
* Wash dishes

This has been taking me about an hour, including my shower, and then I feel so much better about moving on to other things.  It also is becoming easier to sneak other chores in, like putting in laundry when I go down to clean the cat box, or picking up the living room as I am checking on Michael in between tasks.

I also got a call from Michael’s BSC with the Summer Therapeutic Activities Program (STAP) info this morning.  They are only going to be five weeks this year instead of eight, so I will have to use other childcare for six weeks, but at least now I have the dates. 

I called the places to find out more about how the programs are structured and found that one of them is actually being done in conjunction with the place where Michael did his auditory integration therapy.  The great thing about that is they use Floortime and are planning to work on some of the higher level stuff this year, plus the person in charge of that aspect of the program already knows Michael from working with him before.

We can’t apply to this one until April 7th, since it is starting later than the other programs, but we can get all the paperwork done and be ready to send everything over on that day.  Now I just have to figure out the rest of the summer, and I have one lead already, so that is good.

I’m a little late posting my To-Do List this week because of all the birthday busyness, but I still wanted to do it. I have a couple of items from last week that didn’t get done, so I’m making them the top priorities this week!

My To Do List:

Daily items –

Add school communication form notes to spreadsheet. (Only have four check marks because Michael was sick on Monday and didn’t go to school.)

Do dishes. (Yes, I realize this is pathetic. While I could say it was the whole birthday thing and then Michael getting sick, the truth is I just hate doing dishes!)

Left over from last week –

Write book review!!

Do taxes!!

New items –

Prepare agenda for ASD HOPE board meeting.

Schedule respite for night of church volunteer reception.

Submit paperwork for contact lens purchase to FSA.

Call contact place about two defective lenses. Update: That went well – they are actually sending a whole box to replace the two bad ones!

Buy cat carrier so we can return the one we brought the new kitty home in. (Not done but I did return the original one.)

Email list of GFCF snacks to Michael’s psychologist.

Write Try This Tuesday for next week.

Maybe next week I will be brave and add in more household chores that really should be getting done!

For more To-Do Tuesday, visit Crazy Adventures in Parenting.

It may sound weird, but it was so good to get back to work yesterday!  I did not work at all after Tuesday last week, so this pay period had no hours on it until I got back in the office.  Luckily, the team that is working on updating pricing is awesome, and we are going to finish the main spreadsheet by today.  Then I just have to focus the rest of the week on the other miscellaneous things that need to be updated.  Plus, I get to train someone on one of my other responsibilities and then shift it over to her – woohoo!

Michael had a great first day back to school, which was a relief.  He has been talking about school like a game and saying that each day is another level, which means that it is harder and harder to do well.  I am trying to help him look at it another way so he doesn’t make failure a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

We bought a responsibility/goal chart the other day (yes I know we could make one for free but he has Christmas money left and sometimes you need the shiny motivators).  He loves it!  He is racing around the house to get dressed and put his toys away and asking me constantly if he is showing respect and not whining (those are some of the goals on it right now – you can switch between 20 or so premade ones or make your own).  Of course, he wants to colored magnets put on the chart in rainbow order, but that’s okay, at least he is doing the things I am asking.  I haven’t had to count past 1 for the last couple of days, which is good.

I think we may be getting “real” cell phones one of these days (we have Tracfones now).  Bob just wants a basic phone, but I want something that will replace my Palm so I don’t have to carry it around anymore.  I also want it to play music so I don’t need to get an iPod, which is what Bob thought I should spend my Christmas money on.  He loves his, and it was a great purchase for him because he is such a music buff, but I am happy just borrowing his when he leaves it at home – like today it is coming to work with me since he left it on the charger!

Well, I better finish up and make lunch for Michael.  Poor little guy, he is alternating between hot dogs and waffles right now because the Camp Hill Giant stopped carrying his GFCF chicken nuggets and fish sticks.  Bob thinks the Karns out in Hershey has them, and I know the gluten free store in Dillsburg has the dinosaur shaped ones, but they are even more expensive than the Ian’s brand.  Healthy Grocer only carries Bell & Evans the last time I checked, and they are more like chicken tenders, which are too much like real chicken for Michael, not kid-friendly at all.  I have not been successful making ones he will eat either.  At least he has his ANDI bars for breakfast, so I know he is started the day off with a decent amount of protein.

Anyway, I would say sorry for rambling, but since that is the purpose for this blog, I won’t!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.