Last Updated on August 30, 2013
A few weeks ago we started a new therapy program for Rachel. Our new therapist is trained in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), and we became acquainted with her through church. I want to start by saying I am not endorsing this program over any other, but after numerous conversations with this lady, I realized she is what Rachel needs.
First of all, our therapist is a firm believer in compliance. This doesn’t mean robotic obedience, but it does entail following rules, which is important for any child. She has high expectations for Rachel and believes Rachel is very intelligent. She also says that she doesn’t have all the answers, which is an important concept for a therapist to believe, in my opinion.
The first session; however, was anything but stellar. They went upstairs to the therapy room and… Rachel spent the next hour screaming in anger. Several times I heard the therapist say, “What? I don’t know what you mean?” My first instinct was to go upstairs and rescue Rachel. I knew what she wanted, and I hate to hear her scream.
But then I thought about it. I remember children screaming at me because they didn’t want to complete a task when I worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist. The therapist was “playing dumb” to get Rachel to better communicate. Furthermore, she had to establish therapeutic control in the beginning, or there would be a constant power struggle. And you know what? I often feel like screaming when I see piles of laundry, but I’ve had to learn that just because something is hard, doesn’t mean I don’t have to do it. Rachel must learn the same lesson.
That first session, Rachel screamed for 45 minutes. Why? She didn’t want to sit down at the table to work. But I was so glad I didn’t interfere. After only a few sessions, Rachel has already started complying more at home with us. Plus, she is using more words. In fact, when she is upset, she uses lots of language. The last session, Rachel went right upstairs to get to work.
Yay!
Jennifer Dyer has an M.S. in Communications Disorders, which served her well in her professional career as a speech-language pathologist. Never did she imagine that her education and career were God’s way of preparing her to be a mom to her own daughter with autism. Today, she enjoys reaching out to other families who face similar diagnoses. As a cancer survivor, carpet-cleaning veteran, and originator of the “Messy House Ministry,” Jennifer feels blessed to share joy, peace, and humor with others facing life’s challenges. She is mom to two beautiful daughters and is thankful to be raising them, serving other families with unique needs, and using her gift of writing and speaking to minister to others. Jennifer is also the author of a youth fiction book series and is trusting God with His timing on publication. Jennifer has been a mom for 11 years. She and Brandon have been married for 13 years.
Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing this milestone with us! It is SO HARD not to rescue our kids when they are in difficult situations (and I imagine exponentially more for you with Rachel), but it is awesome to see them grow in their independence! I'll be praying for you and for Rachel!
Thank your for sharing. I often hope to find someone for my son who has autism I have often contemplated moving to a different state to find this kind of caregiver. I live in Alaska but it seems resources are much fewer here. In seattle we had lots of options for therapists as my son get older it is getting harder and I often wish for a care giver for here at my home just to be with me and watch when my back is turned. I admire your strength to hear what was going on and hold your ground, it is hard for me to hold my ground when it comes to my son because I feel it is my job to protect him. You are doing a great job keep up the good work 🙂