So, we requested a new service coordinator through the county, specifically, one that was more attune to those who requested/needed ABA type intervention. We were assigned someone yesterday, and she called. I asked her if she had experience with ABA. No. *sigh* I feel like a schmuck that is just going to be viewed as a troublemaker at the county. 9 more months of this.
So I haven't posted as much as I was. I guess I needed a bit of processing time. Zach is no longer speaking again. All the experts told me that a regression only happens once. What is this then? He no longer says anything except "pop" in Pop Goes the Weasel. This is totally breaking my heart. I thought it might just be a short period, and that perhaps he was developing in some other way instead. But after nearly 2 weeks of observing this, I can say that I don't believe so.
It is so hard to keep motivated when there is no improvement. I keep wondering what we are doing wrong. I know that we need to be more consistent at home with what the therapists are doing. Steve and I continue into the evening with working with him - Steve getting him to point at pictures in books, me withholding food items or toys in an effort to make him request the items through gestures or language.
I am concerned that there is something in his environment that is contributing to this lack of speech/language. His eye contact has also greatly diminished, again. Could there be a need for further dietary interventions? (is he possibly allergic to corn or soy or nuts?) Is he somehow still getting casein and gluten in his diet and we are unaware?
Steve says that in life there is no coincidence. Well, the other day when doing my daily research on autism, I came across some information that said there may be a correlation with Lyme disease and autism. As I stumbled upon this information, my stomach felt a jab. Zach had a possible tick "bite" back in the late spring/early summer of last year - just prior to the regression. When I called the pediatrician's office to discuss, they told me that if there was a problem with the tick bite, I would notice a "bulls eye" rash where the bite was. I didn't notice a rash, but it was in his hairline, and may have been difficult to detect.
So, back to work last week after taking a brief hiatus to get my wits about me (that didn't work by the way) , I ran into a fellow employee who I hadn't seen in several months. We exchanged the normal pleasantries and then the dreaded question about how the kids are. Well, I told her our news. I then asked J. about her daughters, one of whom I knew she had some difficulty with. J's daughter has had depression and behavioral issues with no known reason, and lo' and behold, upon a recent visit to a new Dr., they discovered she had Lyme disease. They began treating the Lyme disease and noticed an improvement in her behavior. OK - this is where this feels like coincidence. She was going to give me info. about their doctor and the specific test for Lyme disease that they used since several of the tests administered in typical Drs offices are not sensitive enough to detect older onsets.
Mom took a spill late last week. She was trying to knock down icicles from the roof from within the house, slipped and fell on the sink in the kitchen. She was pretty banged up, with bruising on her abdomen area, and a laceration to her shin. Mom is on coumadin for her blood clot, which thins the blood. Any possible bleeding (they actually request you do not work with knives) is considered unsafe. She called the doctor and they told her what to look for. UUggh. What was she thinking? I am sure this has to be frustrating to her, someone who always kept her house so meticulous not being able to attend to all the things she once did. I wish she would let us help her more. As I called to check in with her a day or two later, we got to talking about Zach. Out of the blue, my Mom mentioned the tick bite, and if that might have anything to do with this. God does not have to send me any more hints - I get it - I'll get this checked out. Now to find a doctor who has the appropriate test.
Sometimes I feel more like detective than a Mom.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Yesterday's crisis, the neurolgist with the engineering background, and a possible pig
Everyone is so tired in our house lately - Steve, myself, my mother-in-law (MIL), even the kids. Constant phone calls, emails, visits, appointments.
I dreaded coming into work yesterday because I am so consumed with all things autism that I feel like I can barely contribute at work. Well, while in a meeting, I received a voice mail. My SLP (speech language therapist) called to cancel the therapy appointments for the day for her and my OT. She said that since we didn't have a signed IFSP she was not able to provide services and that she had consulted with our OT and told her that there was no signed IFSP and she would likewise not provide services.
A little background: an IFSP is an Individualized Family Service Plan and is basically the contract, between the county and the parents, of what services are to be provided and what goals are to be met. We had an IFSP for Zach that started in July. I had requested a re-evaluation (new IFSP) back in October (verbally) and again in November (verbally) and December (in writing). They waited to address the IFSP until it ran out on January 10. The therapists continued coming and all told me they would have to backdate. The county coordinator also told me this. I was fine with this - thinking it seemed standard to them.
So why did the SLP all the sudden make issue of it yesterday? And why did she feel the need to let the other OT know what she was doing? (They work for different agencies) Our SLP knows that we are likely going to discontinue her services soon when a new ABA-based team is assembled. She also knows that I had coordinated for our privately hired therapist to observe both her and the OT with Zach yesterday. (intent??)
She cancelled 45 minutes before his scheduled session. She did not consult the county coordinator about her actions. When I called the county program director - she said a verbal OK from the county would suffice the continuance of the services and to let the coordinator know that the providers had cancelled and needed a verbal OK.
I need some opinions here - does anyone find this to be unprofessional? Does anyone find that what was OK last week suddenly not being OK this week suspicious? I know contracts are contracts, blah blah blah. How come it was OK to not work under contract one week after a week of not working under contract?
I feel that there was some other agenda going on here - and that no one had Zach's interest in mind, and the most important thing: in the end, Zach got shafted. And because of this, I feel anger now that I have never known.
Our new private therapist L. had her first visit with Zach. He cried. That's OK. Glad I wasn't there to hear the crying. I just need to make sure I give her the support she needs because that has to be hard for her too.
We had our appointment with the neurologist yesterday. She is particularly interesting because she has an engineering background (she has a PhD and an MD which is not all too uncommon for a neurologist.) Her resume reads so impressively - BA chemistry Princeton , MS Electrical Engineering Boston, Dartmouth MD and PhD, Fellowship Mayo Clinic). She said she doesn't believe Zach is having seizures, but that she still suggests an EEG. She also said that observing Zach was a bit of a deja vus. Apparently, her own now 24 year old son, had many autistic tendencies as a child like Zach's. He is now in graduate school in Colorado after an undergrad stint at Carnegie Mellon. She said, "Just ad me into your cheering crowd." I love that she gave us that injection of hope that all may be OK. It made me feel immeasurably better after the crazy set of phone calls I had to endure earlier.
So after the neurologist, we went to my mother's for dinner. She had a particularly bad day - the pain is back after her nerve block and she was unable to sleep the night before. However, she a made us dinner of homemade spaghetti sauce, meatballs and sausage that I found an additional comfort in.
The kids had an OK day according to MIL. Sophia had her "wear your pajamas to school day" event which she got a real kick out of. Slowly I was calming, calming, calming.
When we arrived home, Sophie and I read a book. I then pulled out my new laptop to play a game with her. She seems to do much better with the finger board on my new laptop (thank you dear husband for such an awesome early birthday gift) than a traditional mouse. She really engaged playing the game on pbskids.org. I was so excited for her - and first thing this morning she asked if she could try it again. She has avoided using the computer for the most part because of having difficulties with the mouse, although she is fine with the keyboard. I was very excited for her that we found some way to work around this for her, although I still want to work with her and a traditional mouse.
While I was in the office with Sophie doing our cool laptop online-game thing, I heard a bunch of accolades to Zach coming from the family room - and something about the word "pig" (I think). He's never said pig before that I know. I was really excited and happy - although when I thought to ask my MIL about it today - she couldn't recall what he said. We are all so tired, it didn't surprise me that she couldn't recall.
MIL leaves Feb 3. Don't ask me what I am going to do then...
I dreaded coming into work yesterday because I am so consumed with all things autism that I feel like I can barely contribute at work. Well, while in a meeting, I received a voice mail. My SLP (speech language therapist) called to cancel the therapy appointments for the day for her and my OT. She said that since we didn't have a signed IFSP she was not able to provide services and that she had consulted with our OT and told her that there was no signed IFSP and she would likewise not provide services.
A little background: an IFSP is an Individualized Family Service Plan and is basically the contract, between the county and the parents, of what services are to be provided and what goals are to be met. We had an IFSP for Zach that started in July. I had requested a re-evaluation (new IFSP) back in October (verbally) and again in November (verbally) and December (in writing). They waited to address the IFSP until it ran out on January 10. The therapists continued coming and all told me they would have to backdate. The county coordinator also told me this. I was fine with this - thinking it seemed standard to them.
So why did the SLP all the sudden make issue of it yesterday? And why did she feel the need to let the other OT know what she was doing? (They work for different agencies) Our SLP knows that we are likely going to discontinue her services soon when a new ABA-based team is assembled. She also knows that I had coordinated for our privately hired therapist to observe both her and the OT with Zach yesterday. (intent??)
She cancelled 45 minutes before his scheduled session. She did not consult the county coordinator about her actions. When I called the county program director - she said a verbal OK from the county would suffice the continuance of the services and to let the coordinator know that the providers had cancelled and needed a verbal OK.
I need some opinions here - does anyone find this to be unprofessional? Does anyone find that what was OK last week suddenly not being OK this week suspicious? I know contracts are contracts, blah blah blah. How come it was OK to not work under contract one week after a week of not working under contract?
I feel that there was some other agenda going on here - and that no one had Zach's interest in mind, and the most important thing: in the end, Zach got shafted. And because of this, I feel anger now that I have never known.
Our new private therapist L. had her first visit with Zach. He cried. That's OK. Glad I wasn't there to hear the crying. I just need to make sure I give her the support she needs because that has to be hard for her too.
We had our appointment with the neurologist yesterday. She is particularly interesting because she has an engineering background (she has a PhD and an MD which is not all too uncommon for a neurologist.) Her resume reads so impressively - BA chemistry Princeton , MS Electrical Engineering Boston, Dartmouth MD and PhD, Fellowship Mayo Clinic). She said she doesn't believe Zach is having seizures, but that she still suggests an EEG. She also said that observing Zach was a bit of a deja vus. Apparently, her own now 24 year old son, had many autistic tendencies as a child like Zach's. He is now in graduate school in Colorado after an undergrad stint at Carnegie Mellon. She said, "Just ad me into your cheering crowd." I love that she gave us that injection of hope that all may be OK. It made me feel immeasurably better after the crazy set of phone calls I had to endure earlier.
So after the neurologist, we went to my mother's for dinner. She had a particularly bad day - the pain is back after her nerve block and she was unable to sleep the night before. However, she a made us dinner of homemade spaghetti sauce, meatballs and sausage that I found an additional comfort in.
The kids had an OK day according to MIL. Sophia had her "wear your pajamas to school day" event which she got a real kick out of. Slowly I was calming, calming, calming.
When we arrived home, Sophie and I read a book. I then pulled out my new laptop to play a game with her. She seems to do much better with the finger board on my new laptop (thank you dear husband for such an awesome early birthday gift) than a traditional mouse. She really engaged playing the game on pbskids.org. I was so excited for her - and first thing this morning she asked if she could try it again. She has avoided using the computer for the most part because of having difficulties with the mouse, although she is fine with the keyboard. I was very excited for her that we found some way to work around this for her, although I still want to work with her and a traditional mouse.
While I was in the office with Sophie doing our cool laptop online-game thing, I heard a bunch of accolades to Zach coming from the family room - and something about the word "pig" (I think). He's never said pig before that I know. I was really excited and happy - although when I thought to ask my MIL about it today - she couldn't recall what he said. We are all so tired, it didn't surprise me that she couldn't recall.
MIL leaves Feb 3. Don't ask me what I am going to do then...
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tired
I just want to sleep and sleep and sleep. Three therapists coming to the house today - I'll be at work, so my mother in law will have to handle - plus taking Sophie to preschool. And then an afternoon appointment to the neurologist with Zach. I am not sure how much more I can handle at work. I have little ability to concentrate; all I ever seem to think about are the kids, autism, therapy, etc. I am totally engrossed in this stuff. I thought work might be a good break for me from the craziness, but I think it is just adding to the stress. They have been nothing short of awesome to me throughout this ordeal, I feel they deserve someone who can really produce, and it likely isn't me. *sigh* We could really use the $$ now with the private therapist thing. I want to go back to bed.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Why in Syracuse is ABA a dirty word? An unexpexted visit
Why in Syracuse is ABA a dirty word? OK, so it only feels that way. No - I can actually say I have witnessed people cringe when I mention it. So, I was wondering is this a universal feeling?
And then we went to Rochester to visit Steve's family for a late Christmas a few weekends ago. I said ABA - and lo' and behold, people nodded and said "oh yeah, I know what that is." No dirty looks as if I was about to administer electric shock to my child. In fact Steve's cousin K. a recent graduate of history from UB who is in a temp job until she starts grad school said she was trained and using it. Steve's cousin C. stated that she had used it when she was working with the autistic years ago and saw how effective it was, especially when it was implemented and consistent at home. There are schools out there. People have multiple resources in Rochester.
OK, so back to Syracuse, since I think the 3 hour commute daily to Rochester will likely make me want to beat my head against the steering wheel, and thus, should not be attempted.
What is going on in Syracuse?
I asked the county program director if we were the first parents to request ABA today upon our first face to face, uninvited, unannounced visit to the county's Special Children Services division. The response was "Your the first in two years."
So, yes, no more phone calls. We went to speak to the program coordinator herself, without calling first. I wanted to hear what she had to say for herself, and not through someone else. There was certainly something to the element of surprise. But it wasn't as if she needed preparation - I am sure she has given this speech before. There were a few strange looks when we entered the building, I made sure to where my high heel boots and professional attire - hopefully, at 6'1" with heels I could have some sort of psychological intimidating effect. They didn't know we were just parents, they may have thought we were some sort of certification or oversight personnel. They were very nice to us.
Much like our service coordinator, this program coordinator tried to deflect the conversation to Zach and his upcoming transition to within the school system. I told her that he would not be 3 until October, and I didn't want to see 9 months of no activity until this event. Talking about the future seems to make these people feel better. I also instructed her that I had already begun proceedings with the school district, to which I was told they were pending a report from the Early Intervention office. Yes lady - you guys are the ones holding up the show - not me! I also told her we were scheduled to visit 2 schools within the next few weeks. OKay -can we put this one to bed lady and get back to the issue at hand.
She says: "Blah blah blah - resource limitations, I'll have to check with my boss," and more idle rhetoric that I shouldn't have to bear witness to and isn't my problem. All I could think about is: "You've had 10 years to get this stuff worked out, why isn't it?"
*** WARNING: some censored vulgarities coming your way ****
We went on to exchange stories about what we thought was going on. Steve said not a word. I could only imagine that if he did talk, he would have told the lady something on the order of "stop the b*llsh*t and quit f*ck*ng with my kid's life." Lord knows that is what I was thinking at moments as I tried to stay proactive, positive, congenial, diplomatic, etc. rather than the straight talk approach I would have preferred.
At some point, the coordinator mentioned a name, as if I should know who it was, of a student in Westhill school district, and "too bad I didn't live there instead of West Genesee" blah blah blah. Off to Googleland I go to see who this kid she was talking about is. As I investigate this young gentleman's life, I frequently come across these words: facilitated communication.
Puzzle pieces are starting to fit together, or is it a connect the dots? I hope to figure more of this out and give you my viewpoint in some follow up posts. Stay tuned...
And then we went to Rochester to visit Steve's family for a late Christmas a few weekends ago. I said ABA - and lo' and behold, people nodded and said "oh yeah, I know what that is." No dirty looks as if I was about to administer electric shock to my child. In fact Steve's cousin K. a recent graduate of history from UB who is in a temp job until she starts grad school said she was trained and using it. Steve's cousin C. stated that she had used it when she was working with the autistic years ago and saw how effective it was, especially when it was implemented and consistent at home. There are schools out there. People have multiple resources in Rochester.
OK, so back to Syracuse, since I think the 3 hour commute daily to Rochester will likely make me want to beat my head against the steering wheel, and thus, should not be attempted.
What is going on in Syracuse?
I asked the county program director if we were the first parents to request ABA today upon our first face to face, uninvited, unannounced visit to the county's Special Children Services division. The response was "Your the first in two years."
So, yes, no more phone calls. We went to speak to the program coordinator herself, without calling first. I wanted to hear what she had to say for herself, and not through someone else. There was certainly something to the element of surprise. But it wasn't as if she needed preparation - I am sure she has given this speech before. There were a few strange looks when we entered the building, I made sure to where my high heel boots and professional attire - hopefully, at 6'1" with heels I could have some sort of psychological intimidating effect. They didn't know we were just parents, they may have thought we were some sort of certification or oversight personnel. They were very nice to us.
Much like our service coordinator, this program coordinator tried to deflect the conversation to Zach and his upcoming transition to within the school system. I told her that he would not be 3 until October, and I didn't want to see 9 months of no activity until this event. Talking about the future seems to make these people feel better. I also instructed her that I had already begun proceedings with the school district, to which I was told they were pending a report from the Early Intervention office. Yes lady - you guys are the ones holding up the show - not me! I also told her we were scheduled to visit 2 schools within the next few weeks. OKay -can we put this one to bed lady and get back to the issue at hand.
She says: "Blah blah blah - resource limitations, I'll have to check with my boss," and more idle rhetoric that I shouldn't have to bear witness to and isn't my problem. All I could think about is: "You've had 10 years to get this stuff worked out, why isn't it?"
*** WARNING: some censored vulgarities coming your way ****
We went on to exchange stories about what we thought was going on. Steve said not a word. I could only imagine that if he did talk, he would have told the lady something on the order of "stop the b*llsh*t and quit f*ck*ng with my kid's life." Lord knows that is what I was thinking at moments as I tried to stay proactive, positive, congenial, diplomatic, etc. rather than the straight talk approach I would have preferred.
At some point, the coordinator mentioned a name, as if I should know who it was, of a student in Westhill school district, and "too bad I didn't live there instead of West Genesee" blah blah blah. Off to Googleland I go to see who this kid she was talking about is. As I investigate this young gentleman's life, I frequently come across these words: facilitated communication.
Puzzle pieces are starting to fit together, or is it a connect the dots? I hope to figure more of this out and give you my viewpoint in some follow up posts. Stay tuned...
Made for TV and tings
I had this surreal feeling this evening after interviewing a possible ABA therapist; all of the sudden my life felt like a made for TV movie on the Lifetime network. I can be a drama queen at times although I would like to think this isn't a distinct characteristic of mine.
L. showed up at my door today and as I opened the door - I saw this beautiful young woman standing there with a smile. I know this makes no logical sense, but I liked her right away. She was so-o young - and for some reason I loved that! There was lots of energy and vitality to her, and not a lot of excess baggage.
I was a nervous wreck for the interview as I wasn't prepared and have been a total scatter brain as of late. I like to be prepared for things, and this drove me bonkers. Where were my notes and spreadsheets? Perhaps that is why I liked her so much, she seemed as nervous as I am. We talked non stop for 2.5 hours. Steve likely wanted to bat me in the head as he said very little but had to sit there listening to me ramble incessantly.
So Zach interacted with her a bit while she was here. She saw him and exclaimed how cute he is. I knew that whoever met him would think that - so far everyone has commented how lucky we are to have such a cutie, that it would likely make finding therapists a lot easier. Not a nice fact of life, but a real one nonetheless. Anyhow, he said a new word- "Tings" when requesting a snack of "Tings". Very cool - since we really didn't work a lot on it. Maybe he was showing off in front of the hot chick? LOL
Zach has been receiving services for almost 7 months, and for almost 4 months we realized his dx. I want something to start happening NOW. Enough waiting for everyone else to get their act together.
So, she can start immediately and I asked her if we could start Wed. We're on. This doesn't give me much time to verify references, background checks, etc. I know. But I have professional references for her - 2 from professionals in the field, 2 from families she has worked with and will verify as much as I can before she starts. Not to mention, she will only be here when someone else is here. My instincts say she is good - and I can say that my instincts are generally very good. Let's hope I am right.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Yet another blow and Imagination
So, today, a day that many have off as a holiday, I spent with 3 therapy appointments (OK - 1 cancelled and rescheduled for Wednesday) and a special ed. playtime that was a little too busy for my liking because many of us brought extra guests (other children, spouses, etc.) due to the vacation. Zach spent much of the class spinning around in circles, while I consoled Sophie as she didn't understand why none of the children were particularly good at sharing. One boy (maybe Downe's Syndrome) in particular seemed to want everything she was playing with and his parents were not the most attentive to his behavior.
We came home and Sophie insisted on watching Willie Wanka and the Chocolate Factory for the 5th time in 16 hours - yet another surprise gift by a terrific friend who has a lot on her plate with 3 kids under the age of 4 and a husband whose job takes him out of town a lot. We are so lucky to have such great friends.
Sophie's OT, who has been doing a great job with her, had a talk about her recommendations with me today. She believes Sophie is going to continue to require services if she goes to kindergarten. This will likely require a diagnosis of some sort because school districts usually require that in order to provide services (I believe that is a federal law - but am just looking into it.) I am wondering what kind of dx she would receive. The OT seemed to indicate that Sophie is not always the most socially aware - that other children in her class were sometimes confused by her behavior, and that she at times appeared to totally ignore the other children's requests and end up going off the play on her own when she didn't seem to understand the requests for mutual play. This is of course sending off flares to me as someone with a basic understanding of ASD criteria. Could Sophie have some sort of high functioning ASD? You gotta be kidding me. She is very bright, verbal, social, but yet has some obvious and frequent sensory issues, doesn't always appear to hear what I am saying, and doesn't understand some basic social rules or context. The OT will be calling the Special Ed. office in our school district to discuss. I had a brief discussion with Steve when he came home from work tonight, although I didn't mention the vague possibility of ASD, particularly PDD-NOS.
A recent situation has me particularly concerned: recently Sophie got into one of her moods and was very active. I encouraged her to jump into her bean bag chair to get some crashing out of her system and some pseudo-deep pressure. Well, she seemed to get even more spun up. At some point, I lay near the bean bag trying to ensure she wouldn't get hurt. Dumb dumb dumb dumb. Next thing you know she lands on my head, and I felt a crunch on my nose. There was blood everywhere. As I ran to the bathroom and called to Steve for help I thought - "she broke my nose for sure". Steve ran up to the bedroom and saw the blood everywhere. After he checked on me and got me ice, he began the massive cleanup. While cleaning up, Sophie said to Steve "Momma better not have gotten blood on my bean bag." I laugh at this now, but the lack of empathy/sympathy certainly does have me concerned.
Sophie has always had some strange obsessions and behavior. But what kid doesn't? When she was a toddler, her favorite toy were sticks. Anywhere we went she would pick up sticks and play with them. I recall a few neighbors commenting on Sophie and her sticks. She still has a thing for sticks. She evolved it a bit into straws for awhile: we would go to a restaurant and mandate from the waitress as many straws as she could finagle for herself. I remember Sophie insisting from a friends mom on a playdate for an orange straw that she recalled from prior visit. During all these evaluations with Zach we were constantly asked if Zach played with toys appropriately. He never seemed to do really strange things. When I asked them to define what this meant, I was surprised to realize they were describing much of how Sophie plays with her toys. I still think that some of this is bonk and that children who play with toys or non-toy objects as toys are merely more imaginative and creative - and I like it! This is how inventors are born. However, at Church Saturday night, I observed as Sophie separated and rearranged, several times, the monthly missiles with the music issues. She lined them up in 3 different configurations until she settled on one she appeared to like. I had never noticed this behavior before until I thought back to Sophie as a newly walking toddler getting into my pots and pans. I recall how she lined up the tops of my All Clad lids in sorted fashion from smallest to largest at just a bit over a year old over and over again. I remember thinking - wow - that seems sort of advanced or weird or something.
So now, I will likely try and get Sophie into the developmental pediatrician as well. A hearing screening is also likely in order. All because I noticed she wasn't writing well a year ago. *sigh* I thought I might be overzealous because of Zach - but I have had 2 professionals acknowledge that something is going on with her. I am contemplating some dietary interventions for her as well. Right now we are doing an OT brushing technique with joint compression, using chewing tubes to control oral fixations, and supplementing with fish oil. Some of you must be thinking I am a nutcase by now. No harm, no foul is my motto. Sophie is an incredible kid, and most likely most of you who know her are probably thinking that there is nothing going on with her. Alas, I am not overly anxious about her right now, however, I can certainly say that there are many people out there, professional and not, that would likely say she is certainly unique and has some interesting features. Boy do Steve and I have some crazy genes.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Meeting with FEAT
So on Friday we met with someone from the CNY chapter of Families for Effective Treatment of Autism, one day after our meeting with the county to discuss services. B. was kind enough to come to our house on our schedule (she has 3 kids of her own, 1 with ASD) and meet with me. She took a brief look at Zach's Family Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). She basically told me we should me that are IFSP looked inadequate to meed the needs of a kid with a dx of ASD, which I knew. She called an advocate to give us advice on what we should request based on our dx and Dr's recommendations.
B. also had references of therapists in the area - most of which I had already contacted. She indicated that one therapist in particular, although not completely certified, would likely be a great match. The best therapist in the area, was already booked (B called her to see if she was interested) and she said the young woman I was to interview on Monday was likely the 2nd best qualified in the area. For some reason, this out of all the news made me feel somewhat relieved. The young woman seemed nice on the phone, and eager! B. indicated that this could be our Bridget as a reference to "Let Me Hear Your Voice" by Catherine Maurice.
The other good news was that through FEAT, we may be able to get some funding assistance. By my calculations, Zach's therapy could cost us as much as $20,000 a year. This is better than I had read about, but still nothing to sneeze at. Anything we can get will be helpful - otherwise kiss my retirement fund bye-bye. Ahh ... who's kidding, I am never gonna retire anyway.
A glimmer of hope...
B. also had references of therapists in the area - most of which I had already contacted. She indicated that one therapist in particular, although not completely certified, would likely be a great match. The best therapist in the area, was already booked (B called her to see if she was interested) and she said the young woman I was to interview on Monday was likely the 2nd best qualified in the area. For some reason, this out of all the news made me feel somewhat relieved. The young woman seemed nice on the phone, and eager! B. indicated that this could be our Bridget as a reference to "Let Me Hear Your Voice" by Catherine Maurice.
The other good news was that through FEAT, we may be able to get some funding assistance. By my calculations, Zach's therapy could cost us as much as $20,000 a year. This is better than I had read about, but still nothing to sneeze at. Anything we can get will be helpful - otherwise kiss my retirement fund bye-bye. Ahh ... who's kidding, I am never gonna retire anyway.
A glimmer of hope...
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