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Our son Alexander Prentice was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Alexander is 2 1/2 years old and recently attended speech and occuptional therapy at Cornerstone Rehabilitation in Davison. Our insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield only allows 30 visits a year, and at the b...

My Ideal Vacation

My ideal vacation would start off by actually thinking of a vacation that might actually happen.  The thought of actually having a break from my chaotic life, would be a dream.  But once I actually was on a vacation, I would have all sorts of ideas on what to do, or not do.  I hate to say it, but I would have to leave the kids if I were to actually use a vacation to regroup.  I have been to several countries, and the one that I remember most was Haiti.  I would love to relive that vacation.

                So my ideal vacation would be spent on the cost of an island in the warmest of climates.  I wouldn’t want any plans or schedules.  These would only lead to stress and anxiety on my part.  I would want to do absolutely nothing with my best friend, my husband.  I would love to lay on the beach for hours and hours, and watch sunrise and sunset while listening to the best music.  I would only stop from my most intense activity of nothing, to eat, and drink, and swim.  Of course I want the scenery to be perfect too.  There must be beautiful trees, clearest water, and tiny little people off in the distance.  After much needed relaxation, I would consider shopping, and hiking to new and foreign places.  I love to go to other countries and experience their culture.  This vacation would have to last at least a week.

Christmas Shopping

     My hubby and I have three kids.  We have 8 and 2 year old boys, and a 1 year old girl.  Christmas time can get quite expensive with three kids, and all our nieces and nephews.  We decided to use a few new methods to our Christmas shopping to save money this year.  First we are only buying for children.  After all, children are the reason for season, right?  This will save us tons of money, and be able to give the children a better Christmas.  The little ones don't really care about presents, so our next method to save money involves buying what the little ones need.  An example of this would be:  diapers, wipes, toddler snacks, sippy cups, clothes.  The little ones generally end up playing with the boxes anyhow.  This advice was given to my hubby from one of his coworkers.  The coworker said that this helps the older ones still believe in Santa because the they still receive gifts.  Of course they will still get a few toys in addition to the items.  The next method involves Craiglist and EBay.  We always sold stuff on Craigslist and EBay, so why not buy on there too.  Kids don't seem to care if there toy is used or not.  Most of the time the toys look brand new, just without the packaging.  Who would want to deal with the 30 tie tags and plastic cutting that takes forever to get to the gift?  Not my kids!  This will save us tons of money and our children will receive a ton more gifts.  We generally only buy new from the store for our nieces and nephews in case there is a problem, they can return it.  I also like that we have found a lot of items on Craiglist and EBay, that can't be found in stores.  I hope, and anticipate our kids running out of their bedrooms Christmas morning with tons of excitement.

Research findings

     This is a blog about my research findings for the essay in English 102.  We had to write about the field, or career we are going into, so I choose physical therapy.  The research for this was difficult at first, but then it was easier as soon as I adjusted my topic to fit the findings.  I found the research interesting, and surprising at the same time.  There was a lot that I did not know that physical therapy treated.  When I found out how much it treated, I found this essay easier to write.  There was more diseases and disabilities than I could have imagined.  The most significant group of people needing physical therapy is the elderly.  The research I did on the elderly made me realize how physical therapy can give them their life back.  I want to be able to do as much in my 80’s as I do now, so I can imagine the heart break when you cannot do the everyday things you could as a middle aged person.

     This paper was also difficult to write at first because I have not written a paper in over 10 years.  Last time I did a research paper I did not use any online sources.  I think writing a paper using all the online tools made it much more convenient and accessible.  For instance, I could look up research with my kids running around screaming and do dishes at the same time!  Now if I took my kids to the library, they would all be paddled, and the dishes would still be dirty hours later.  I enjoyed the research essay because I was able to design it and see the end product.  I loved being able to add graphs, and charts.  I think these really add character to the paper and break it up so it is easier to read.  Now, I will wait for Professors Brooks’ comments and hope for the best!

http://www.parentgiving.com/.../can-physical-therapy-help-your-aging-parent-you-%20bet/%20-

What's next???

  My son Alexander has Autism and needs a lot of therapy.  I just found out today that he has only 2 sessions left that our insurance will pay for.  Our insurance will only pay 30 visits of speech therapy per calender year. I will find a way to get my son the help he needs; I'm just not sure how yet.  Early intervention with Autism is very important.  I already have him enrolled in special education classes at GISD, where he also receives speech and occupational therapy.  These therapies are only 2-4 times a month and in a group setting for 15 to 30 minutes.  This time is crucial but also lacking compared to the outside therapy he was receiving through our insurance.  The therapy received through the insurance gave him a hour of one on one speech and occupational therapy.  With this benefit gone, I am devastated.  The new year is coming with a new set of thirty visits, but we have to meet a $3000 deductible first.  Then on top of that, 30 visits for 52 weeks, still isn't enough therapy.  How do I know this?  I know because of plenty of research, and contact with a lot of professionals in the field.  Alexander needs to have speech and occupational therapy on a more consistent basis.  I believe that he needs to have these therapies twice a week for an hour each.

      I am spending all of my free time trying to find resources to help Alexander.  I am currently researching fundraisers, and government assistant programs.  The more I learn, and the more I speak with others, the more help I find.  The next calender event is to attend our first Autism support group.  I am sooooooo excited to speak with other people who have similar situations.  The group leader said that the kids are welcome, and it's a place where they can just be autistic.  In other words, I won't have to worry about how he acts because everyone will understand, and their kids will be doing similar things.  Alexander can go, and not be reprimanded for any non ordinary behaviors.

www.geneseeautism.org

Research Topic Blog

     This blog is about my topic of research for the final exam. I have to write about my career choice for the final exam; which will help me have a better understanding of this occupation. People always ask others what they want to be when they grow up.  I never could decide and now at the age of 31, I finally decided to go back to school and make that big decision.  I decided to be a Physical Therapist Assistant.  I chose this career for many reasons. First, I chose this path for the money.  I need to be able to feel like I contribute to my family.  I guess any career choice would have helped out in the monetary part, but I felt that this career fit our needs with the amount of time I would spend achieving it.  The second reason I decided on the career is because I have an interest in the field.  I felt that if I was going to spend a lot of my time doing one thing, I should enjoy it a little too.  I spent many hours observing a PTA, and discovered this would be a good fit.  My daughter received Physical Therapy, and this spiked my interest a lot more.

     I started my research by summarizing my resources.  My most important resources are the actual PTA's at the rehabilitation center where my daughter and son receive treatment.  The ladies there have been so helpful and informative.  Their kindness, understanding, and support helped me finally decide to go back to school and choose the physical therapy field.


http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/pt_asst.htm

    

Understanding Developmental Delay

About a year ago, my eyes were opened to many new issues that could go wrong with children. I was completely oblivious to many of them. Around the same time we were hit with the many issues in health that my daughter Olivia had, I started to notice little things that were different about my son Alexander who was 18 months old. He didn't speak yet, didn't make eye contact, and had many repetative routines. Of course I was comparing him to how my 8 year old was at that age and also many other toddlers. Then there was the online timelines of what and where your child should be with development. Lastly there was the doctors questions about his speech and other development. All of these events made me realize that something was just not right. I started to research online and ask other parents, and my family for suggestions.  Around the same time Alexanders doctor perscribed him Occupational and Speech Thereapy.  My daughter was currently going to Physical Therapy so we spent hours every week at therapy for the two of them.  Alexander had many tests at therapy to see what age he was at for development. They also asked a million and one questions about how he does EVERYTHING.  The conclusion was that he defiantly needed therapy and they continue to work with him today.

     After Alexander was in therapy for awhile and it was suggested that he might be autistic, I started to do more research.  I was determined to have the best help he could receive. I contacted the school district and applied for an Early On Program for developmental delayed children.  After Tests done by the school district the coordinator arrived at our home a few days ago with the results.  Alexander is 30 months old now and, mostly scored in the 13-15 month range. He is approved for the program!  I'm glad that he can receive more assistance, but at the same time this is very emotional to hear that he scored at that level.  The next step is a meeting at the GISD for and IEP.  I know very confusing!

    Alexander was also tested at the GISD (Genesee Intermediate School District).  They will have their results on the 13th of October.  When they give you the results they call the meeting an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  At this meeting we will find out if he is approved for a school based program. Can you imagine sending your two year old to school? This thought stresses me out, but I know that it could be the best help there is.  They will also be able to tell us if Alexander is on the spectrum. This is a rainbow spectrum of autism.  They call it that because there are so many different ranges and areas of autism. Every child is different.  This whole process is exhausting , and I wish that no one else had to go through it.  As we wait for the IEP meeting, we are open to any suggestions or support. 

    It feels really good to write out my feelings on this subject.  Thanks for listening! I mean reading.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CEAQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autism-society.org%2Fsite%2FPageServer%3Fpagename%3Dlife_lifespan_early&ei=SRemTPenKYzanAeN_diPAQ&usg=AFQjCNEz-RssMve_MzivmyAVfi-O-VM_hw