5.19.2010

Positive Change


After a hospital stay a couple weeks ago (4 days) to figure out if her behavior was actually seizure related, behavior, or both, they concluded it was behavior. They blame it largely on the fact she is on the Autism Spectrum and the developmental delay she has. I was devastated. I felt like we were back to square one. Basically the doctor said we just need to cope with it all, and that it could go away in anywhere from 6 months to a year. I was so hoping they could give us some extra help, make some kind of suggestions or start her in some kind of therapy. I had to process it all, and figure out what to do next. It was like I was mourning-I cried for days. But I got up dusted myself off, and started using some new tactics to see if it could help her.
Its been a week now of trying new things and at this point it seems to be working-thank goodness for that! Also I believe her medication (for the seizures and its also a mood stabilizer) is working better for her.
Gillian has NEVER been affectionate. The past several days, she has walked up to me and hugs me multiple times in a day now. I can't tell you how good that feels. My son was like that alot, and still is. For my girl to be doing this is a dream come true. I will take all of them that she gives me. She normally has never given hugs unsolicited. There have been many times I have wanted to hug her and she would not let me, so I was so excited.
This past weekend I was alone as my husband was gone out of town. I was extremely stressed out, I had no idea how I would handle it. He always helps me with Gilly on the weekends.
Amazingly, Gillian did so well. No trouble at all. We had fun, and for the first time in a looooooooong time, I enjoyed her.
I have spoken to her school principal about making some changes to help her at school. At first I thought I would have to put her in the special ed class-actually I was geared up to do so. But, they are going to pull her out for longer than they have been (she's only been getting 55 minutes per day) and work with her. They can pull her out up to 3 hours per school day before she is considered qualified for Special ed. I am going with the flow. I meet with the teacher and others next week to put that plan in place so that next school year we are good to go.
Homework is a real problem too-I need to talk to them about adding some extra time for her homework too. I already told the teacher I will not work on it with her if it causes us (her and us) extra anxiety. Sometimes its a fight to get her to do it , so some extra time would be helpful.
I have been so grateful for the support I have gotten from wonderful friends during this awful last couple of months. I now feel like things are looking up. Trying not to get too excited though-I have learned my lesson, because it never seems to last long :(

2 comments:

  1. Kristy, she looks great and you sound much more positive, albeit with a 'what if' addendum. I hope and pray this is a real and lasting turning point. You did WELL and you're doing amazingly well!

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  2. kristy i am glad to hear you had some positive days. try to keep smiling if you both have some setbacks.

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