Routine Changes

So we're almost a full month into school for both Lyla & Emmalee. We've got our routine down, and then....we decide to add the autism program to Lyla's IEP. Stepping Stones offers therapy for students on the spectrum, there are two types they offer, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) and SCERTS (Social Communication Emotional Regulation Transactional Support) (click to see more about each). After reading up on both, we felt that the SCERTS approach would fit Lyla's need best, of course we went back and forth because how are we supposed to know what will work?? We just have to try, so if after several months no progress is being made, we'll try the alternative approach. I've got faith that this will help her grow. I mean, already, with just daily interaction in a classroom setting with kids on or off the spectrum, and small group speech and the routine of getting on and off the bus, she's already changing, for the better!

So what does this mean for Lyla's routine? Well it's changed, AGAIN, but for good! When we got the diagnosis of ASD the doctor who we met with recommended Lyla work up to 25+ hours of intense therapy. Starting off she was going to school for 2.5 hours each morning. (12.5 hours total/week) We've added before and after class clinical hours. Monday through Thursday she goes in an hour early to work with one of the specialists from her team (speech/special ed/TA) and 3 days a week she stays an hour late. So that brings her up to being at school for 19.5 hours a week! My little 3 year old! She's doing great with it so far, it's been a week of doing this new schedule, and she's excited to get on the bus every morning, even at an hour earlier than we had gotten used to! On top of all this she's also getting speech and OT (occupational therapy) in the classroom in a small group setting. And today we're having a PT (physical therapy) evaluation done to see if she qualifies for any services in that area as well.

At home we've noticed more eye contact. She's babbling more, and using single words functionally, such as "more, all done, want, uh-oh, thank you, hi, bye," and "oh no!" She's also interacting with Emmalee, Owen & Noah more than ever. Small little things like this add up, and we are in awe of all of them!