Friends, the wait has been long. Another catch-up entry needs to happen unfortunately, but I will be starting a blogfest from this point onward. I promise. No really. Blogfest. It's what's for dinner. It's amazing how life makes those unexpected turns and puts you in a different frame of mind and moves you forward, for better or worse. I'd like to think that we're moving forward in a positive sense, and here's my explanation why...
1. GROWTH HORMONES
The test results came back, and Jack does indeed have a growth hormone deficiency. This is also the cause of his random bouts of hypoglycemia. So, that problem is solved! I've been doing some research and found a study that looked at children with autism secreting low levels of GH. They discovered consistent advancements in socialization and communication after the children had been administered GH injections for three to four months. I also know a fellow teaching artist who gives his son GH injections, and he's seen a dramatic increase in focus and eye contact soon after the initial treatments. So, these are all good things! Here's the downside: GH treatments are horribly expensive, and we've already gotten our first denial letter from the insurance company. We have an advocate from the pharmaceutical company that will help us with the appeal process, and they put us on the interim program, which provides the hormone treatment free-of-cost until the insurance company caves. Apparently, it's common for medical insurance providers to refuse this treatment right off the bat because it's considered experimental. Hence, the MRI and additional blood work we're getting next week to push our case. Long story short, we received our first shipment, and a nurse came this evening to show us how to give him the injections...DAILY injections, mind you. We shall see, folks. We shall see...
2. SCHOOL DAYS
Jack is in his third week of school at the LEAP Preschool, and he loves it! I'm overjoyed because I know he's getting his needs met those three hours/day: therapies, socialization, play, etc. Since I work with children and have this intense background in education/arts, I felt that I could do everything for Jack on my own, and when I couldn't live up to my expectations, the weight of failure and pressure to be "on" every moment of every day started to cripple me. He's with professionals who are dedicated to working with children on the spectrum, and he heads excitedly to the door when he hears the phrase "go to school". AND...I have three hours of "me time" every afternoon. I didn't even know what to do with myself the first week. My house is actually clean. I'm getting lesson plans written and developing a new training. I can even watch reruns of Desperate Housewives and have a mimosa, if I want. Here's a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Jack's school:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11255/1173585-114-0.stm
So, Jack's schedule just got extremely intense. School M-F from 12:30-3:15. W and F mornings, he's in therapy at Sensory Link www.sensorylink.com , and soon, we'll have wraparound services, also from The Watson Institute, M, Tu and Th mornings. All good things. He'll have someone on his tail from 9am - 3:15 every weekday. That's right, buddy. You can't escape anymore. ;) We also received his Dynavox Maestro speech device last week, but it needs to be programmed to suit his particular communication needs. www.dynavoxtech.com Adding it to the to-do list...
3. MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE
I'm a teaching artist for Gateway to the Arts, and this organization is affiliated with Wolftrap's Education Program for Early Learning (PreK mostly). See link below for more information about the program: http://www.wolftrap.org/Education/Institute_for_Early_Learning_Through_the_Arts.aspx
Well, my boss recently submitted my teacher training materials to Wolftrap's headquarters to be considered as a national presenter, and they liked what they saw! So, I'm headed to DC in late November with fellow TA, Christina Farrell, to audition for their roster. That means, I could be called upon to present anywhere in the US for a nice fee and travel expenses paid! For someone who does not feel comfortable talking in front of adults, I'm a little flabbergasted by this!
Also, a child care center, The Alphabet Tree in Blawnox, decided to redesign their entire school curriculum based on my teacher training, STRETCH Your Storytime. I'll be offering them professional development throughout the year and completing a 6-week residency with two classrooms.
Bob and I watched a documentary called "Autism - The Musical" a couple months ago, and it chronicles The Miracle Project, developed by Elaine Hall, that provides socialization opportunities for families of autism via the children writing/performing in a musical. Dramatic play, music and movement are all used to help children on the spectrum socialize and express themselves, and the results are amazing! I co-taught with the amazing visual artist, Alison Zapata, this summer, and we decided that we're going to launch a similar arts-based project for the Pittsburgh autism community! Laurie Tarter, another teaching artist colleague and fabulous modern dancer, is joining our cause, and I've talked to several other amazing performers and musicians to volunteer their time. So, this fall is all about grant writing and program development! Maybe a launch next year? My goal is to give parents an AFFORDABLE and accessible way to provide these experiences for their children because the arts motivate, inspire and surprise, right? Plus, who can afford $300 for six music therapy sessions? UGH! That's the other option here in town.
And there's more: there's a possible part-time job opportunity on the horizon that might double my current salary in addition to Gateway and make things much, much easier on us financially. I'll keep you posted!
Well, I think I wrote enough for five blogs here, but I thought I would at least get the ball rolling. There's more to share. I mean, it's been about six weeks since my last post! Later, gators!
