We had our first in home/school therapy session today for Lorenzo and we feel so good about the new program we are in. ACES just opened a branch out here and when I say just opened I mean JUST OPENED. They made it a point to put Lorenzo on the top of their list and both Jeremy and I are really impressed with what we have seen so far. When we had our first intake a few weeks ago, Lorenzo had really rough time at the start. He never does well adjusting from home to school and school to home and when we put a doctors appointment or evaluation in the mix we have a recipe for disaster, to put it mildly. They were awesome with him and helped him pull out of his upset quite quickly. They were super supportive to Jeremy and I and just made us feel like family.
After reviewing Lorenzo's observations and reports and also spending some time with him over the last couple of weeks they keep saying things like , this is typical autistic behavior, it feels so nice to think we are not the odd guys out and that there are a lot of families going through what we are going through!!! We have had a couple of people even tell us that they had have seen kids like Lorenzo who also first were dx with bipolar because autism behaviors can present like bp. It is just nice to know that we are not alone. We are going to be changing doctors this week and I am looking forward to having another opinion about the bipolar dx. We have had a lot of input from both our therapists and doc.'s that Lorenzo may have had yet another misdiagnosis. Oh, the joys of the dx roller-coaster.
The new program lorenzo is in is 6 days a week, we are going to be super busy but I really am feeling optimistic about it. They are going to be providing support for him in the school as well as at home, in addition his behavioral therapist can even come to doctors appointments with us, heck she will even go the the store with us. He has a tutor that will be coming to the house 3 times a week for 3 hrs. each session in addition to his behavior specialist that will be also coming 3 days a week too. Tuesday Lorenzo is going to start their day camp and they have even made accommodation for Riley to go with him. All I can say is WOW! we feel so blessed that ACES has decided to open their doors in Hawaii. After a full year trying to get approved for additional help and have it be something that would not send us to the even poorer house I am just thrilled about this :)
As for the rest of the family we are all doing well. We are trying to prepare for Jeremy's departure but I feel like we can make it. I told the kids it is only 13 or so Sundays and when I think of it like that it does not seem like all that long. I may be singing a different tune next week :)
5 days ago
2 comments:
I'm glad ACES is there to help you guys and that you finally seem to be getting somewhere with all those crazy docs!
You should have the kids make a paper chain and every Sunday cut one of the rings off to count down when Jeremy comes home.
You can do it! You'll be in the groove of things before you know it. Sometimes, not always, I felt like I could say it was empowering as a woman to be in charge and taking care of the little lives of children, home, food, school, and bills. You are WOMAN!
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