Week 166 - School's Out for Summer!

Summer is here!  Ryan finished up with a second year of perfect attendance.  Julia had perfect attendance this year too!

We were lucky to have my cousin here for a few days this week.  The kids stayed with her when school was not in session and it was a nice change in pace for them on their half days of school rather than going to day care.  Their fourth quarter report cards were as expected and we are very proud of what the two of them accomplished this year.

We finally got a letter back from OPWDD in response to our application.  It took over two months for them to review our paperwork and we now need to submit additional paperwork.  Ryan was denied services at this stage and everything is being sent to the second review committee.  We had his new psychologist and psychiatrist write letters of support and added them with the additional paperwork and reports that they were looking for.  We were told this step will take approximately two months as well.  Geesh!  We didn't ask for a lot of services; out of everything they provide we simply asked for someone to help Ryan with his schoolwork a day during the week.

His psychologist said that he is familiar with the process and it is typical for them to deny during the first round, especially for younger kids who may grow out of a lot of the symptoms they currently portray.  In his support letter he explained his assessment of Ryan and wrote, "As a past liaison between OMH (Hudson River Psychiatric Center) and the previously-termed OMRDD (from about 2006-2008), I am familiar with the referral and acceptance process for OPWDD services.  I believe that Ryan meets the criteria for OPWDD services and I hope he will be given favorable consideration."    Hopefully we hear word by the end of the summer.

Jack turned 11 months old this week!

Last soccer game

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Father's Day dinner

Ryan and Amelia

Over the past two weeks we've been working with a Behavior Analyst through a company called Little Steps Great Success.  The analyst has interviewed us several times and comes to the house once a week to observe Ryan in order to create a Functional Behavior Assessment.  Things are going well so far and she has been able to collect data on Ryan. We were hesitant at first worried that she wouldn't be able to collect any data since Ryan tends to be on his best behavior around new people.  But during the first full session Ryan was very resistant to doing the tasks she asked of him and she was able to observe a part of the Ryan we see on a daily basis.

Ryan is still taking the Focalin twice a day.  His eating habits have changed drastically.  His appetite is about a quarter of what it used to be.  He rarely finishes a meal (even with smaller portions) never mind asking for seconds or thirds like he used to.  Sometimes he gives us a hard time about eating and skips a meal altogether.  This is common with this type of medicine.  I just hope he doesn't lose too much weight as he is already so thin and bony.

Julia performed a solo in a recital this weekend.  Ryan said the best part was when she came out dancing and the audiance said, "Awwww!"  Here's the link to the video- Julia's Solo

We're looking forward to sharing our next post with you from sunny California!

DC