http://www.balancebikes.com/mini-glider/blue-mini-glider.html
We just ordered our second balance bike from Go Glider! I cannot wait to see my 4 year old figure it out like my 7 year old has. Pictures to follow!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Just blogging
I've gotten away from my blogging. I tried the monthly devotional thing for a short period of time. But I think I'll just get back to blogging.
So Mason, my 4 year old full mutation decided to paint his walls with poo yesterday. I'm way over it at this point. But if it were to happen again, I'm not so sure that I would be calm under the stress of it all. My husband and I worked together scrubbing the walls. He did way more cleaning than I did. As he finished up all the details like the dresser that had it all over, the outlet, and the steam cleaning. I scrubbed the kid down from head to toe given he had it all over him. Several people posted information about fecal smearing since. I read it all. I understand it can be a sensory experience. There was something else that Mason did later that day that he got in trouble for that was along the same line but it's escaping me at the moment. Either way, I can see how that texture is smearable. The first thing he said to me when I went in there was, "I'm sorry mommy, it's my fault." I had just said, "Oh my god!", shut the door and walked out. I needed a few minutes to process what I was about to have to deal with. I thought we had gotten away from having to duct tape his pull up . I was wrong. I only pray that now that it's over, he doesn't attempt this with the pull up duct taped. He could still make just as much of a mess. That's the thing. With the Fragile X Syndrome, you don't know what they have learned and what they understand. What's to stop him from doing it again. And everything I've read says to stay cool under the pressure. Showing a reaction is really bad. So I PRAY that I don't get put in that situation again. An example of him not understanding something is every time I let him go out into the back yard to play, he seems to play in the hose. I say "no hose!". Guess what, he comes back into the house soaking wet. Well, I wouldn't say every time or I just wouldn't let him go outside. But often. I spank him and take his wet clothes off of him. He cries and says I'm sorry. Again, "it's my fault". But nothing is to stop him from doing it the next time. Some of it is age appropriate. Some of it is just his personality. Charlie learns from a couple of times. Mason likes to push it. I suppose I should do the same thing and not show a big reaction. But it PISSES ME OFF! I have to go find more dry clothes and get him dressed all over again. And go down and make sure the hose is off. It's a huge pain in the butt. When I catch him, I say no hose! And he drops it and goes and plays with something else. I enjoy letting him play in our big backyard. We are on 3/4 of a acre with a fenced in backyard in a subdivision. I know he is completely safe. I guess it's just one of those things I have to prepare for and to remember that he is most likely looking for my reaction. Most of the time, these boys are good. I'm a stay at home mom now so they are my main focus. They really are good most of the day. And I LOVE that they nap! That's how I'm able to do this right now. It breaks up the monotony of the day. I'll tell ya, I love summer. But school can't come fast enough. We are bored! It's hard to get the boys to go to the pool. They tell me they are bored there. ALL they want to do is watch tv. I try to deter it as much as possible. We play in the basement, we paint, we do puzzles, we play outside, but there just isn't anything that is really fun that's passing our time. We are quite simply bored. When I do try a new activity like if I try to initiate play with puzzles sometimes, they just ignore me and turn on their Nabi's. Or Mason goes outside and Charlie stays inside and watches his Nabi. They need the structure of school. Charlie is much happier on the days that he has summer school. He goes tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday is his last day.
Mason's IEP is Wednesday to determine if he will go into Charlie's inclusive classroom. I am very nervous but excited. It is going to break my heart if the director of pupil services puts the breaks on this plan. It can be so good for Mason. As it is, they are just letting Mason lead the aide around and when he is getting overstimulated, he goes in the empty classroom next door. There isn't a lot of learning going on. He is staying dry there so I think the potty training is going well. But I think overall, he needs to be made to adhere to a schedule. And the inclusive classroom is all about a schedule. It's going to get him in a routine. For these kids, their anxiety comes from not knowing what comes next. So with a planned out schedule, he will know what to expect. And he will know what is expected of him. And the teacher, Robbie, already assured me that Mason will be offered an opportunity to lay down during the day. (He will be the youngest student in the classroom.)
Anyway, I hope the next time I blog, it will be able how Mason was approved. Oh before I go, Charlie is doing AWESOME on the potty! He's very motivated to go in and poop for a pickle! I'm so proud of him! We were telling him that soon, he will be able to wear underwear and he won't need pull ups anymore. I'm not sure what he thought of that. But I pray that it's true. We do have a lot to be thankful for!
Thanks for taking the time to read about my life with my two boys with Fragile X Syndrome. God bless!
So Mason, my 4 year old full mutation decided to paint his walls with poo yesterday. I'm way over it at this point. But if it were to happen again, I'm not so sure that I would be calm under the stress of it all. My husband and I worked together scrubbing the walls. He did way more cleaning than I did. As he finished up all the details like the dresser that had it all over, the outlet, and the steam cleaning. I scrubbed the kid down from head to toe given he had it all over him. Several people posted information about fecal smearing since. I read it all. I understand it can be a sensory experience. There was something else that Mason did later that day that he got in trouble for that was along the same line but it's escaping me at the moment. Either way, I can see how that texture is smearable. The first thing he said to me when I went in there was, "I'm sorry mommy, it's my fault." I had just said, "Oh my god!", shut the door and walked out. I needed a few minutes to process what I was about to have to deal with. I thought we had gotten away from having to duct tape his pull up . I was wrong. I only pray that now that it's over, he doesn't attempt this with the pull up duct taped. He could still make just as much of a mess. That's the thing. With the Fragile X Syndrome, you don't know what they have learned and what they understand. What's to stop him from doing it again. And everything I've read says to stay cool under the pressure. Showing a reaction is really bad. So I PRAY that I don't get put in that situation again. An example of him not understanding something is every time I let him go out into the back yard to play, he seems to play in the hose. I say "no hose!". Guess what, he comes back into the house soaking wet. Well, I wouldn't say every time or I just wouldn't let him go outside. But often. I spank him and take his wet clothes off of him. He cries and says I'm sorry. Again, "it's my fault". But nothing is to stop him from doing it the next time. Some of it is age appropriate. Some of it is just his personality. Charlie learns from a couple of times. Mason likes to push it. I suppose I should do the same thing and not show a big reaction. But it PISSES ME OFF! I have to go find more dry clothes and get him dressed all over again. And go down and make sure the hose is off. It's a huge pain in the butt. When I catch him, I say no hose! And he drops it and goes and plays with something else. I enjoy letting him play in our big backyard. We are on 3/4 of a acre with a fenced in backyard in a subdivision. I know he is completely safe. I guess it's just one of those things I have to prepare for and to remember that he is most likely looking for my reaction. Most of the time, these boys are good. I'm a stay at home mom now so they are my main focus. They really are good most of the day. And I LOVE that they nap! That's how I'm able to do this right now. It breaks up the monotony of the day. I'll tell ya, I love summer. But school can't come fast enough. We are bored! It's hard to get the boys to go to the pool. They tell me they are bored there. ALL they want to do is watch tv. I try to deter it as much as possible. We play in the basement, we paint, we do puzzles, we play outside, but there just isn't anything that is really fun that's passing our time. We are quite simply bored. When I do try a new activity like if I try to initiate play with puzzles sometimes, they just ignore me and turn on their Nabi's. Or Mason goes outside and Charlie stays inside and watches his Nabi. They need the structure of school. Charlie is much happier on the days that he has summer school. He goes tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday is his last day.
Mason's IEP is Wednesday to determine if he will go into Charlie's inclusive classroom. I am very nervous but excited. It is going to break my heart if the director of pupil services puts the breaks on this plan. It can be so good for Mason. As it is, they are just letting Mason lead the aide around and when he is getting overstimulated, he goes in the empty classroom next door. There isn't a lot of learning going on. He is staying dry there so I think the potty training is going well. But I think overall, he needs to be made to adhere to a schedule. And the inclusive classroom is all about a schedule. It's going to get him in a routine. For these kids, their anxiety comes from not knowing what comes next. So with a planned out schedule, he will know what to expect. And he will know what is expected of him. And the teacher, Robbie, already assured me that Mason will be offered an opportunity to lay down during the day. (He will be the youngest student in the classroom.)
Anyway, I hope the next time I blog, it will be able how Mason was approved. Oh before I go, Charlie is doing AWESOME on the potty! He's very motivated to go in and poop for a pickle! I'm so proud of him! We were telling him that soon, he will be able to wear underwear and he won't need pull ups anymore. I'm not sure what he thought of that. But I pray that it's true. We do have a lot to be thankful for!
Thanks for taking the time to read about my life with my two boys with Fragile X Syndrome. God bless!
Friday, March 21, 2014
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Monthly Devotion February
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Jesus Calling "When your thoughts flow freely, they tend to move toward problems, Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, circling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery. Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus. Worst of all, you lose sight of Me. A renewed mind is presence focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment every situation. Sometimes you can find me in your surroundings: a lilting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight. At other times, you must draw inward to find Me. I am always present in your spirit. Seek My Face, speak to Me, and I will light up your mind."
I like this post better than my previous post. I removed it because I'm not really that negative. I believe in seeking the lord in my current struggles with Mason's difficulties. It's not any one's fault. I just need to keep praying.
Jesus Calling "When your thoughts flow freely, they tend to move toward problems, Your focus gets snagged on a given problem, circling round and round it in attempts to gain mastery. Your energy is drained away from other matters through this negative focus. Worst of all, you lose sight of Me. A renewed mind is presence focused. Train your mind to seek Me in every moment every situation. Sometimes you can find me in your surroundings: a lilting birdsong, a loved one's smile, golden sunlight. At other times, you must draw inward to find Me. I am always present in your spirit. Seek My Face, speak to Me, and I will light up your mind."
I like this post better than my previous post. I removed it because I'm not really that negative. I believe in seeking the lord in my current struggles with Mason's difficulties. It's not any one's fault. I just need to keep praying.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Monthly devotions 2014
When our children explore their environment, they are learning. They touch everything. Having just spent Christmas Eve with family, the exhaustion hasn't worn off. Constant "don't touch that, don't go in there, don't do that", leads to please child; just sit and eat. Then you get a family member who later says, "the boys were pretty good!" Oh my. Sure if you consider that my husband and I tag teamed the entire time to ensure that one of the beautiful lined up nutcrackers didn't get broken, or the glass coffee table didn't get stood on, or better yet, they didn't venture outside. It took several days for us to shake the whole thing. Catch phrase was fun but that's because the children sat mesmerized that full grown adults can get so excited and shout and react with lightning speed totally on their level that they were wondering what had gotten into us. It was refreshing. But looking back, how bad were they? Did they break anything? No. Did they try to play with anything that shouldn't be played with? No. They were just curious. That's how children learn. They explore their environment. And my husband and I are just so worried the whole time that they are going to come across as little holy terrors and break stuff that we are all worked up. It's like being in fight or flight the entire time. I couldn't even think to build the Thomas the train wooden track as the group of cousins sat around me in a circle watching like vultures making me feel even more self conscious because I was fumbling with the pieces. And then when I was done it was like I was making the boys play with it. They didn't want to! It was a new environment. Even if most everyone seemed to be saying no to this and that, it was new territory! Isn't that what God means for us to do with scripture? To be hands on. To get in there and explore. Learn by doing. Immerse yourself. Because how can we learn if we put distance between our lessons and ourselves. Just think about how much more learning takes place in our own homes where we allow our children to explore their environments. Thanks be to God!
Matthew 18:3-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said" "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
I won't back down!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68p1O09L_0w
On our way home from Kennedy Kreiger today Jeremy turned Charlie's favorite song on for him. I'll never forget the day that Jeremy sat on Charlie's bed and opened the electric guitar with him. I thought it was over the top for Charlie. Until he started strumming and singing "Well I won't back down, no I won't back down, you can stand me up at the gates of hell and I won't back down." Jeremy and I just looked at each other in disbelief! And we realized right away it was from watching the movie Barnyard.
Anyway, it occurred to me, listening to this song, that this is the perfect motivational song for a boy like Charlie. Fragile X doesn't have him. He is still very much an individual. He is funny. He is talented. And and he is very cool. And there isn't a thing about him that I would change. I love him just the way he is. I know he will never back down. And I will be right there next to him cheering him on his whole life! Him and his brother! God bless them both. I love them to pieces!
On our way home from Kennedy Kreiger today Jeremy turned Charlie's favorite song on for him. I'll never forget the day that Jeremy sat on Charlie's bed and opened the electric guitar with him. I thought it was over the top for Charlie. Until he started strumming and singing "Well I won't back down, no I won't back down, you can stand me up at the gates of hell and I won't back down." Jeremy and I just looked at each other in disbelief! And we realized right away it was from watching the movie Barnyard.
Anyway, it occurred to me, listening to this song, that this is the perfect motivational song for a boy like Charlie. Fragile X doesn't have him. He is still very much an individual. He is funny. He is talented. And and he is very cool. And there isn't a thing about him that I would change. I love him just the way he is. I know he will never back down. And I will be right there next to him cheering him on his whole life! Him and his brother! God bless them both. I love them to pieces!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Is It Autism, or is it Fragile X Syndrome?
| http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/Is%20It%20Autism.asp |
How many children have been diagnosed as Autistic without having the simple blood test to determine whether they have Fragile X Syndrome?  If that is your child, run don't walk to your Doctor's office and request the blood test. Yes, there is a simple test to identify the difference. The correlation is remarkable and overlaps in many cases. For between 2% and 6% of all children diagnosed with autism the cause is the Fragile X gene mutation.1 Even more remarkable is the fact that between 15% and 30% of boys with Fragile X meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.2 Why is there so little public discourse concerning Fragile X when there is a diagnosis of autism? If you don't know much about Fragile X syndrome you are not alone. It is a relatively new area of study.There is an entire spectrum of abilities for Fragile X Syndrome children and adults ranging from the learning-disabled to the very low functioning. Fragile X Syndrome is the second most common cause of retardation, but the range of functioning is broad with many strengths and weaknesses. Fragile X Syndrome is an X-linked hereditary disease affecting cognitive, physical, and sensory development. It involves genetic repeats found near the tip of the X chromosome. There are many overlapping characteristics between Autistic and Fragile X Syndrome children. These include hand flapping, poor eye contact, repetitive, self-stimulating motor behaviors, as well as difficulty with social interactions, and poor play skills. The profile of Fragile X children with autistic features is visually indistinguishable from the children with autism and those without Fragile X Syndrome. For young children these behaviors are easily identified, and cry out for appropriate educational settings and therapy for both autistic and Fragile X syndrome children. Multiple sources of information are critical, and that would include both medical and observational rating scales. It is important for children with Fragile X Syndrome to seek genetic counseling and access to treatments that have proven to be effective for these children. Some of the success stories involve the use of schedules, calming techniques, emphasis on functional language, visual cueing, and focusing on concrete experience based learning. |
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Dreaming big...
I saw a post just now that really hit home for me. I've often wondered, how much happier would we be as a family if we moved somewhere costal where we lived off of the land. We want our boys to be well adjusted. I'm not sure they will ever "get" the concepts of our educational system. They need basic education but more focus on life skills than education. With my husband driving 50 miles each way to work and gone 12 hours a day, it doesn't feel "right". I've gotten to where I don't care so much about what we drive, the house we live in, or any other material things in life. I'm envious of a different lifestyle. I don't know what that lifestyle is or how we would get there. But I will keep praying to God to lead us down a path of an easier option. I don't want to give up entirely on educating my children. I just don't want to live so close to one of the most expensive areas in the US that there is to live. My husband grew up here. I love Loudoun County. It would be a dream to have a few acres and build out there. But with gas, his commute, and everything being so expensive, am I crazy to dream of another option? Winters are difficult (unless there is snow) because we don't get outside as much.
My boys need to be active. They need to be busy. They are happiest during days like yesterday when Nana and Papi came to see us and went out on the boat with us. We had a short day on the water but the joy of watching those boys do something they really liked was priceless. Jeremy hurt his back getting the heavy battery into the boat and still scrubbed it down so that it would be clean for all of us. He really enjoyed the day. So did I. And to have a mother-in-law who comes out to see us and brings dinner and plays with the boys is priceless. And in two days we get to have that with Aunt Barb! (Who spoils us too!) Love you Nana, Papi, Johm Mimi, Casey, Aunt Barb, Aunt Roberta, Ray, Emily, Edward, Crystal, and the whole Miller family. We are blessed to have such a wonderful family!
My boys need to be active. They need to be busy. They are happiest during days like yesterday when Nana and Papi came to see us and went out on the boat with us. We had a short day on the water but the joy of watching those boys do something they really liked was priceless. Jeremy hurt his back getting the heavy battery into the boat and still scrubbed it down so that it would be clean for all of us. He really enjoyed the day. So did I. And to have a mother-in-law who comes out to see us and brings dinner and plays with the boys is priceless. And in two days we get to have that with Aunt Barb! (Who spoils us too!) Love you Nana, Papi, Johm Mimi, Casey, Aunt Barb, Aunt Roberta, Ray, Emily, Edward, Crystal, and the whole Miller family. We are blessed to have such a wonderful family!
Monday, June 24, 2013
http://www.filefolderfun.com/
This site is dedicated to providing teachers and homeschoolers with fun, educational games for
free. If you'd like to learn more about how to use file folder games in your classroom, please check
out our tutorials section. We are a Christian Homeschooling family, and file folder games have been an amazing help to our small budget for teaching supplies, so we started this website to help families.
This site is dedicated to providing teachers and homeschoolers with fun, educational games for
free. If you'd like to learn more about how to use file folder games in your classroom, please check
out our tutorials section. We are a Christian Homeschooling family, and file folder games have been an amazing help to our small budget for teaching supplies, so we started this website to help families.
| We are a Christian Homeschooling Family living in Oregon! We have a 7 year old daughter "Sissy", and a 5 year old son "Bubba", a 1 year old little "Monkey", and another little boy coming Christmas 2010! (He's already in the picture above!)Our homeschool is very "Art" orientated, as we believe that creativity fosters learning. Education wise, I have a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, and my husband has a Masters in Education......Which is all fine and dandy, and sounds real fancy..... But daily life with our children has been the most challenging, and rewarding "education" we've yet to receive. We're blessed to be able to spend the extra time with them, helping to steer them towards the path that God has provided for them. We're taking our homeschool one day at a time, and we haven't made any long term commitments quite yet....but we're enjoying the journey along the way! You can read more about our daily homeschool life on our personal blog here: |
| Visit us atThe Crafty Classroom |
What are you doing to encourage your children to read/listen to books this summer?
1. Tip Tip Dig Dig
2.The Mixed up Chameleon
3. Pete the Cat and his White Shoes
2.The Mixed up Chameleon
3. Pete the Cat and his White Shoes
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20 Books Read Equals
One Free Ice Cream!Sunday, June 23, 2013
Clemyjontri Park
http://friendsofclemy.com/playground.html
Clemyjontri Park features a unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. It is a playground where every child is welcome.
This park is a place where children who use wheelchairs, walkers or braces, or who have sensory or developmental disabilities, can have a parallel playground experience of fun and exploration.
At Clemyjontri...
- Ramps connect structures
- Swings have high backs, arm rests and special safety features
- Rubber ground surfaces are not-slip and allow wheelchairs to roll easily
- Lowered monkey bars provide easy access
- Equipment is designed to be sensory rich so all children can participate with peers
- Wider openings allows easy access to play structures
- Tent sails provide areas of shade in the playground and benches are located throughout the play area
The two-acre playground consists of 4 Outdoor "Rooms" surrounding a centerpiece carousel, as well as a large covered picnic area and restrooms.
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Monday, June 10, 2013
They loved it!!!!!!! 
Waiting for someone to reach a state of grace...
A wise woman knows the importance of speaking life into her man. If you love him: believe in him, encourage him & be his peace -Denzel Washington
State of grace: Oneness with God. Being open to receive his message. A state of mind. Recognizing the power of the sacraments. Letting God do his works through you.
How do we reach a state of grace? By opening our hearts. Starting with opening our hearts to God and then opening our hearts to others in our lives. "Peace be with you" really means "I wish you a state of grace".
It's not something that can be rushed or forced on someone. But it is something that someone can see in you and for you to project that sense of inner peace. It truly gives you the feeling that no matter what happens, above all, you have God. And that is enough. Even death for ourselves and for our loved ones. While it may cause some pain and suffering, God knows the plan for each of us. We have to trust in that plan.
Health concerns, financial strife, work and home stresses, the struggles we all face today...are all not a big deal if we do as God commands us to do. Pray to him. Ask for his grace.
It doesn't automatically make anything go away but with a different mindset, it changes your way of thinking and therefore you place less emphasis on it. Change has to occur step by step. We have to change our way of thinking and make the correct choices in order to have control over the situation.
Yesterday at mass, Fr Escalante said if you want to grow closer to God, start with 1 Kings. Look closely at how he did his works. Trust fully that he is doing the same in your life. What do you have to lose? Do as he asks and pray to him about what is weighing you down. Pray about the big things and pray about the little things. He wants you to come to him in prayer. Don't expect the changes to happen over night. But trust that things will start to fall into place. Open your heart. Believe in him. Trust in him. Go to him. He's there and waiting.
State of grace: Oneness with God. Being open to receive his message. A state of mind. Recognizing the power of the sacraments. Letting God do his works through you.
How do we reach a state of grace? By opening our hearts. Starting with opening our hearts to God and then opening our hearts to others in our lives. "Peace be with you" really means "I wish you a state of grace".
It's not something that can be rushed or forced on someone. But it is something that someone can see in you and for you to project that sense of inner peace. It truly gives you the feeling that no matter what happens, above all, you have God. And that is enough. Even death for ourselves and for our loved ones. While it may cause some pain and suffering, God knows the plan for each of us. We have to trust in that plan.
Health concerns, financial strife, work and home stresses, the struggles we all face today...are all not a big deal if we do as God commands us to do. Pray to him. Ask for his grace.
It doesn't automatically make anything go away but with a different mindset, it changes your way of thinking and therefore you place less emphasis on it. Change has to occur step by step. We have to change our way of thinking and make the correct choices in order to have control over the situation.
Yesterday at mass, Fr Escalante said if you want to grow closer to God, start with 1 Kings. Look closely at how he did his works. Trust fully that he is doing the same in your life. What do you have to lose? Do as he asks and pray to him about what is weighing you down. Pray about the big things and pray about the little things. He wants you to come to him in prayer. Don't expect the changes to happen over night. But trust that things will start to fall into place. Open your heart. Believe in him. Trust in him. Go to him. He's there and waiting.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
An Experimental Drug’s Bitter End
NY Times! Go Holly Usrey-Roos !!!!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/business/an-experimental-drugs-bitter-end.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/business/an-experimental-drugs-bitter-end.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&
 |
| Holly Usrey-Roos, right, with Parker, 14, and Allison, 10. Both have fragile X syndrome. Ms. Usrey-Roos said Parker was helped by the drug arbaclofen. |
By ANDREW POLLACK
Published: June 6, 2013
Holly Usrey-Roos will never forget when her son, Parker, then 10, accidentally broke a drinking glass and said, “I’m sorry, Mom. I love you.”
Daniel Acker for The New York Times
Ms. Usrey-Roos with her son, Parker. The experimental drug he took for years, she said, “opened the lid and let Parker out.”
It was the first time she had ever heard her son say he loved her — or say much of anything for that matter. Parker, now 14, has fragile X syndrome, which causes intellectual disability and autistic behavior.
Ms. Usrey-Roos is certain that Parker’s new verbal ability resulted from an experimental drug he was taking in a clinical trial, and has continued to take for three years since then. She said she no longer had to wear sweaters to cover up the bruises on her arms she used to get from Parker hitting or biting her.
Now, however, the drug is being taken away. It has not met the goals set for it in clinical trials testing it as a treatment for either autism or fragile X syndrome. And Seaside Therapeutics, the company developing it, is running out of money and says it can no longer afford to supply the drug to former participants in its trials.
The setback is a blow in the effort to treat autism since the drug, arbaclofen, was one of the furthest along in clinical trials. And the company’s decision has caused both heartbreak and outrage among some parents.
“I waited 10 and a half years for him to tell me he loved me,” said Ms. Usrey-Roos, who lives in Canton, Ill. “With fragile X, you’re like living in a box and someone is holding the lid down. The medication opened the lid and let Parker out.”
“I don’t want to go back to the way life was,” she added.
The situation raises questions about what, if anything, drug companies owe to patients participating in their clinical trials. It also points out the difficulties in developing drugs to treat autism and fragile X syndrome. If the drug worked so well in some patients, why has it not succeeded so far in clinical trials?
One reason is that the symptoms and behaviors associated with autism and fragile X vary widely among individuals, making it hard to capture the effects of a drug by looking at any one measure, like irritability or social withdrawal. Seaside and doctors who participated in the trials said that there were improvements in some aspects of behavior in some studies, just not those considered critical to a trial’s overall success.
But could it also be that the parents are deluding themselves into seeing changes that are not there? Could improvements be the result of the children simply growing older?
“It’s kind of hard to make the argument that the company should keep providing it if it’s not working,” said Dr. Michael R. Tranfaglia, medical director of the Fraxa Research Foundation, of Newburyport, Mass., which provides money for research on fragile X syndrome.
Dr. Tranfaglia, whose son has fragile X but was not in a Seaside trial, said arbaclofen appeared to significantly help about a third of patients. It also made some patients worse. Without being able to tell in advance which patients would benefit, it would be hard for the drug to succeed in a clinical trial and win approval, he said.
Similar situations have risen occasionally in the past. In 2004, patients with Parkinson’s disease protested when Amgen stopped providing an experimental drug that some patients said had restored their lives. Amgen said the drug had failed in a clinical trial and might even be dangerous.
Two patients even sued, but a court ruled the company had no obligation to continue to supply the drug to participants in its trials.
In the case of arbaclofen, parents are appealing to Congress and have started an online petition hoping to find financing for the drug’s development. They are also organizing through social media.
Seaside executives declined to be interviewed.
Until recently, Seaside, one of the few companies pursuing autism drugs, was considered a shining light by family members of those with the condition.
The company, in Cambridge, Mass., grew out of the research of Mark F. Bear, a neuroscience professor at the M.I.T. Its co-founder and chief executive, Dr. Randall L. Carpenter, has a sister with an intellectual disability.
As of a year ago, privately held Seaside had raised about $90 million. Most of it had come from the Barony Trust, run by the family of Peter Whipp, a wealthy Briton. But it apparently never was the plan for Mr. Whipp to carry the company indefinitely.
Last year, Seaside entered a partnership with Roche, the Swiss pharmaceutical giant, which provided an undisclosed amount of money in exchange for intellectual property rights covering a different class of autism drug and an option to license arbaclofen.
But given the failures in the clinical trials, Roche says it has decided not to license arbaclofen, apparently ending financial support for studies of the drug.
“We concluded that arbaclofen wasn’t going to provide that real difference for patients,” Luca Santarelli, head of neuroscience research at Roche, said in an interview.
Dr. Bear of M.I.T. said he was hopeful new financing could be found. He said the company was started to help families, “not a play to make money.”
He added, “I think the signs are sufficiently encouraging. It would be really tragic if we abandon this now.”
On May 1, Seaside announced that arbaclofen, which is also known as STX209, had not met the main goal of reducing social withdrawal in a 150-patient midstage study of children and young adults with autism. But the drug did succeed on a different measure — the clinicians’ assessment of the patients.
The drug had previously failed in a Phase 2 trial for fragile X, which is caused by a mutation in a gene on the X chromosome and affects about 100,000 Americans.
In that trial, the main goal was to reduce irritability. While it did not do that, it appeared to ease social withdrawal. So Seaside began two Phase 3 trials for fragile X, one for young children and one for adolescents and adults. This time, social withdrawal was the main measure.
But the company said recently in a letter to parents that the trial in adolescents and adults had not succeeded. Results from the trial of children should be known this summer.
In the middle of May, Seaside told doctors and patients that because of “resource limitations” it could no longer supply the drug. “We know that this termination will be disruptive and disappointing for many families,” executives said in a letter to parents.
That is putting it mildly. Christina Murphy of Holton, Kan., wrote on the Web site stx209stories set up by families wanting the drug back, that her 11-year-old son Rhett, who has fragile X, made friends for the first time ever once he started taking the drug and sang in the school talent show, overcoming his usual fear of crowds and getting a standing ovation.
“I had never in my life witnessed something like that,” she wrote. “There was hardly a dry eye among the adults in the room. I have never seen him so happy in his entire life as when he finished that song and looked out at the crowd.”
Only a few hours later, she learned that the drug would be taken away. “I am sad, I am hurt and my heart is breaking,” she wrote.
Parents and patient advocates say there could be 300 patients or more taking the drugs. Some say they were promised the drug would be available until it reached the market or was totally abandoned as ineffective.
“When I found out, I went upstairs to my husband. I was crying so hard he thought someone had died,” said Cortney AbouElSeoud of Holt, Mich.
Ms. AbouElSeoud said her 5-year-old son Ayden, who has fragile X, spoke only a few words before entering the trial last October. Now he is up to 50 words. “He talks to us and answers us,” she said. “It’s crazy and awesome to see him emerging into a little person.”
Some parents say that they feel betrayed by Seaside and that the company has not communicated enough.
“I believe I, along with many others, are entitled to a better explanation of why our lives are being turned upside down,” Lori Armer of Newport News, Va., wrote on a Facebook page for families weaning their children off arbaclofen. She and other parents wrote on the site that behavioral problems were returning as the drug dosage was reduced.
There are some options. Arbaclofen is a derivative of baclofen, a generic muscle relaxer that is already on the market as a treatment for spasticity. While there is some evidence that arbaclofen is more potent, some parents are turning to baclofen.
Others hope to enroll their children into trials of other drugs for fragile X and autism being run by Roche and Novartis.
Ms. Usrey-Roos, who works for the National Fragile X Foundation, based in Walnut Creek, Calif., said she was hopeful that if one drug worked, another might, too.
While sad that the study ended, she said, “I’m still thankful for this experience. It has given me such hope.”
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Facebook groups...
Check them out!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/189561464532499/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/FragileXAndAutismFamiliesForStx209
Check out this site too!
http://stx209stories.com/
And these blogs...
http://www.fragilexfiles.com/
http://ourfxjourney.blogspot.com/
http://myfragilexboy.blogspot.com.au/
http://famigliagrande.blogspot.com/
http://lifewithmyxmen.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/189561464532499/?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/FragileXAndAutismFamiliesForStx209
Check out this site too!
http://stx209stories.com/
And these blogs...
http://www.fragilexfiles.com/
http://ourfxjourney.blogspot.com/
http://myfragilexboy.blogspot.com.au/
http://famigliagrande.blogspot.com/
http://lifewithmyxmen.blogspot.com/
Common gene known to cause inherited autism now linked to specific behaviors
UCLA researchers find abnormal brain networks in Fragile X syndrome
The genetic malady known as Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited autism and intellectual disability. Brain scientists know the gene defect that causes the syndrome and understand the damage it does in misshaping the brain's synapses — the connections between neurons. But how this abnormal shaping of synapses translates into abnormal behavior is unclear.
Now, researchers at UCLA believe they know. Using a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), they recorded the activity of networks of neurons in a living mouse brain while the animal was awake and asleep. They found that during both sleep and quiet wakefulness, these neuronal networks showed too much activity, firing too often and in sync, much more than a normal brain.
This neuronal excitability, the researchers said, may be the basis for symptoms in children with FXS, which can include disrupted sleep, seizures or learning disabilities. The findings may lead to treatments that could quiet the excessive activity and allow for more normal behavior.
The study results are published in the June 2 online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
According to the National Fragile X Foundation, approximately one in every 3,600 to 4,000 males has the disorder, as does one in 4,000 to 6,000 females. FXS is caused by a mutation in the gene FMR1, which encodes the fragile X mental retardation protein, or FMRP. That protein is believed to be important for the formation and regulation of synapses. Mice that lack the FMR1 gene — and therefore lack the FMRP protein — show some of the same symptoms of human FXS, including seizures, impaired sleep, abnormal social relationships and learning defects.
"We wanted to find the link between the abnormal structure of synapses in the FXS mouse and the behavioral abnormalities at the level of brain circuits. That had not been previously established," said senior author Dr. Carlos Portera-Cailliau, an associate professor in the departments of neurology and neurobiology at UCLA. " So we tested the signaling between different neurons in Fragile X mice and indeed found there was abnormally high firing of action potentials — the signals between neurons — and also abnormally high synchrony — that is, too many neurons fired together. That's a feature that is common in early brain development, but not in the adult."
"In essence, this points to a relative immaturity of brain circuits in FXS," added Tiago Gonçalves, a former postdoctoral researcher in Portera-Cailliau's laboratory and the first author of the study.
The researchers used two-photon calcium imaging and patch-clamp electrophysiology — two sophisticated technologies that allowed them to record the signals from individual brain cells. Abnormally high firing and network synchrony, said Portera-Cailliau, is evidence of the fact that neuronal circuits are overexcitable in FXS.
"That likely leads to aberrant brain function or impairments in the normal computations of the brain," he said. "For example, high synchrony could lead to seizures; more neurons firing together could cause entire portions of the brain to fire synchronously, which is the basis of seizures."
And epilepsy, Portera-Cailliau said, is seen in up to 20 percent of children with FXS. High firing rates could also impair the ability of the brain to decode sensory stimuli by causing an overwhelming response to even simple sensory stimuli; this could lead to autism and the withdrawal from social interactions, he noted.
"Interestingly, we found that the high firing and synchrony were especially apparent at times when the animals were asleep," said Portera-Cailliau. "This is curious because a prominent symptom of FXS is disrupted sleep and frequent awakenings."
And, he noted, since sleep is important for encoding memories and consolidating learning, this hyperexcitability of brain networks in FXS may interfere with the process of laying down new memories, and perhaps explain the learning disability in children with FXS.
"Because brain scientists know a lot about the factors that regulate neuronal excitability, including inhibitory neurons, they can now try to use a variety of strategies to dampen neuronal excitation," he said. "Hopefully, this may be helpful to treat symptoms of FXS."
The next step, said Portera-Cailliau, is to explore whether Fragile X mice indeed exhibit exaggerated responses to sensory stimuli.
"An overwhelming reaction to a slight sound or caress, or hyperarousal to sensory stimuli, could be common to different types of autism and not just FXS," he said. "If hyperexcitability is the brain-network basis for these symptoms, then reducing neuronal excitability with certain drugs that modulate inhibition could be of therapeutic value in these devastating neurodevelopmental disorders."
Other authors on the study included Peyman Golshani of UCLA and James E. Anstey of the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine. The research was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NICHD R01HD054453 and NINDS RC1NS068093), the FRAXA Research Foundation, and the Dana Foundation.
The UCLA Department of Neurology, with over 100 faculty members, encompasses more than 20 disease-related research programs, along with large clinical and teaching programs. These programs cover brain mapping and neuroimaging, movement disorders, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, neurogenetics, nerve and muscle disorders, epilepsy, neuro-oncology, neurotology, neuropsychology, headaches and migraines, neurorehabilitation, and neurovascular disorders. The department ranks in the top two among its peers nationwide in National Institutes of Health funding.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Charlie Miller and stx 209
For the first time in his life, Arbaclofen gave him the ability to hug us and tell us he loved us.
His coping skills were better in regard to transitioning. He was less shy. He was less emotional. He was less aggitated. He had stopped running away from me. He hadn't bit me or pulled my hair. He was far less concerned about having to go to the doctor. He wanted to socialize with people in public. He wanted to go to school. He didn't tell me no. He followed commands better. He seemed to learn easier. Potty training went better. He could cope better with being told no. He smiled more.
His last dose was 3 days ago. It feels like we are missing something really important by not giving him the tiny little pill to chew that helped him so much!
We will find another trial. We will move on. Just sucks to have to start all over again. But we were blessed to be a part of stx 209.
His coping skills were better in regard to transitioning. He was less shy. He was less emotional. He was less aggitated. He had stopped running away from me. He hadn't bit me or pulled my hair. He was far less concerned about having to go to the doctor. He wanted to socialize with people in public. He wanted to go to school. He didn't tell me no. He followed commands better. He seemed to learn easier. Potty training went better. He could cope better with being told no. He smiled more.
His last dose was 3 days ago. It feels like we are missing something really important by not giving him the tiny little pill to chew that helped him so much!
We will find another trial. We will move on. Just sucks to have to start all over again. But we were blessed to be a part of stx 209.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
"Blocking CB1 cannabinoid receptors with the Rimonabant pharmaceutical drug normalizes cognitive alterations"
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-therapy-fragile-chromosome-syndrome.html
Researchers discover new therapy for fragile X chromosome syndrome April 10, 2013 in Medical research Researchers at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Achucarro neurosciences centre have discovered a new therapy for the fragile X chromosome syndrome. This new therapy proposes the modulation of the cerebral endocannabinoid system in order to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease. "Clearly, a cure as such is not going to be achieved, as it involves a disease of genetic origin, but the fact that, by manipulating in a certain way at a cerebral level in order to obtain an improvement in the symptoms of the disease is something highly positive", stated Ms Susana Mato, researcher at the Department of Neurosciences at the UPV/EHU and at the Achucarro centre. This scientific finding has just been published in Nature Medicine.
Enhancing the Quality of Human Life The Future of Stem Cell Therapy
Fragile X chromosome syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent known cause of inherited mental retardation and disorders in the autistic range. It involves a genetic disease, with an incidence in Spain estimated at 1 in every 4,000 individuals. The syndrome arises from a deficit in the expression of the FMRP protein (fragile X mental retardation protein), which plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the neuronal function. Patients with FXS present mental retardation, attention deficit, anxiety, self-harming and autistic behaviour, hyposensitivity to pain and a high rate of epileptic crises. All these anomalous neuronal expressions are regulated by the endocannabinoid system. The research, using genetically modified mice that lacked FMRP protein and that partially reproduced the symptomatology of fragile X chromosome syndrome in humans, have shown that blocking CB1 cannabinoid receptors with the Rimonabant pharmaceutical drug normalizes cognitive alterations, sensitivity to pain and epileptic crises.
This finding suggests that the administration of pharmaceutical drugs that block the function of the cerebral endocannabinoid system may well be a chnew strategy for treating patients with fragile X chromosome syndrome. Rimonabant pharmaceutical drug has been on the market for some time "for the treatment of obesity", explained Ms Mato. "Then, however, it was used in much higher doses and these high dosages gave rise to certain psychiatric problems, and this is why it was taken off the market". Nonetheless, it involves a drug which "has been used a lot in preclinical research into the endocannabinoid system, and its action mechanism is very well established". The next step, Ms Mato pointed out, should be "to better characterise the action mechanism of this treatment, and test the various dosages to see what would be the optimum one to normalize the deficit.
And the following stage would be the clinical trials. In fact, we believe this would be relatively feasible, because as it has already been marketed, all that preclinical stage regarding toxicity of the drug for humans has been undertaken, and it is a relatively safe pharmaceutical drug". Although Ms Mato considers it to be a great advance that it has been shown in animal models that "the cognitive deficit caused by the disease has been normalised to a certain extent", she is aware that it could be that "the clinical trials do not produce such good results, as it is common for this to happen when developing therapies for psychiatric disorders". More information: Busquets-Garcia, A. et al. Targeting the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of fragile X syndrome. Nature Medicine doi:10.1038/nm.3127
Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-therapy-fragile-chromosome-syndrome.html#jCp
Researchers discover new therapy for fragile X chromosome syndrome April 10, 2013 in Medical research Researchers at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Achucarro neurosciences centre have discovered a new therapy for the fragile X chromosome syndrome. This new therapy proposes the modulation of the cerebral endocannabinoid system in order to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease. "Clearly, a cure as such is not going to be achieved, as it involves a disease of genetic origin, but the fact that, by manipulating in a certain way at a cerebral level in order to obtain an improvement in the symptoms of the disease is something highly positive", stated Ms Susana Mato, researcher at the Department of Neurosciences at the UPV/EHU and at the Achucarro centre. This scientific finding has just been published in Nature Medicine.
Enhancing the Quality of Human Life The Future of Stem Cell Therapy
Fragile X chromosome syndrome (FXS) is the most frequent known cause of inherited mental retardation and disorders in the autistic range. It involves a genetic disease, with an incidence in Spain estimated at 1 in every 4,000 individuals. The syndrome arises from a deficit in the expression of the FMRP protein (fragile X mental retardation protein), which plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the neuronal function. Patients with FXS present mental retardation, attention deficit, anxiety, self-harming and autistic behaviour, hyposensitivity to pain and a high rate of epileptic crises. All these anomalous neuronal expressions are regulated by the endocannabinoid system. The research, using genetically modified mice that lacked FMRP protein and that partially reproduced the symptomatology of fragile X chromosome syndrome in humans, have shown that blocking CB1 cannabinoid receptors with the Rimonabant pharmaceutical drug normalizes cognitive alterations, sensitivity to pain and epileptic crises.
This finding suggests that the administration of pharmaceutical drugs that block the function of the cerebral endocannabinoid system may well be a chnew strategy for treating patients with fragile X chromosome syndrome. Rimonabant pharmaceutical drug has been on the market for some time "for the treatment of obesity", explained Ms Mato. "Then, however, it was used in much higher doses and these high dosages gave rise to certain psychiatric problems, and this is why it was taken off the market". Nonetheless, it involves a drug which "has been used a lot in preclinical research into the endocannabinoid system, and its action mechanism is very well established". The next step, Ms Mato pointed out, should be "to better characterise the action mechanism of this treatment, and test the various dosages to see what would be the optimum one to normalize the deficit.
And the following stage would be the clinical trials. In fact, we believe this would be relatively feasible, because as it has already been marketed, all that preclinical stage regarding toxicity of the drug for humans has been undertaken, and it is a relatively safe pharmaceutical drug". Although Ms Mato considers it to be a great advance that it has been shown in animal models that "the cognitive deficit caused by the disease has been normalised to a certain extent", she is aware that it could be that "the clinical trials do not produce such good results, as it is common for this to happen when developing therapies for psychiatric disorders". More information: Busquets-Garcia, A. et al. Targeting the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of fragile X syndrome. Nature Medicine doi:10.1038/nm.3127
Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-04-therapy-fragile-chromosome-syndrome.html#jCp
Friday, May 31, 2013
A message from my husband....
Corry and I are sitting here getting ready for our walk tomorrow and looking over our site and we are completely overwhelmed by your generosity. When I sent out the email asking for donations in all honesty I felt bad about doing so and would have been completely fine with nobody donating. Much to my suprise you all have helped us raise over $3,400 in just a couple of weeks for what we of course think is the best cause out there, and as of a few minutes ago the donations are still coming in. I just wanted to say thank you one more time before we head out to the walk to everyone for helping us absolutely crush our goal and helping to ensure that things like the drug trial that has helped Charlie so much over the past 6 months continue to come available.
Fragile X is the number 1 inherited cause of intellectual disability. However, since the exact mechanism that causes Fragile X has been identified and since it is a genetic defect in a particular gene in the X Chromosome, it is curable and will eventually be cured, so your donations will not be wasted.
We have had a lot of ups and downs over the past couple of years as we found out about and began dealing with what is going on with the boys, and I can't express with words how much it means to find out that we have this much support. Thank you all not just for your donations but also for your kind words and for your thoughts and support.
Jeremy
http://www.crowdrise.com/CharlieMason
Fragile X is the number 1 inherited cause of intellectual disability. However, since the exact mechanism that causes Fragile X has been identified and since it is a genetic defect in a particular gene in the X Chromosome, it is curable and will eventually be cured, so your donations will not be wasted.
We have had a lot of ups and downs over the past couple of years as we found out about and began dealing with what is going on with the boys, and I can't express with words how much it means to find out that we have this much support. Thank you all not just for your donations but also for your kind words and for your thoughts and support.
Jeremy
http://www.crowdrise.com/CharlieMason
Saturday, May 25, 2013
I'm not mad! (About STX 209 being cancelled)
How could I be mad? I got to experience my son in a different light for 6 whole months. All because Seaside Therapeutics spent their money on our child duing the trial. That's a blessing. When there is so much to focus on in terms of things to work on improving for my sons, I have to take all the blessings I can get! Someone paid to let my child take an experimental drug that helped him! Soak that up for a bit. Drugs cost lots of money to bring to market. We were lucky enough to be on the experiment side of arbaclofen. If it gets to the market stage, the drug company deserves to make a lot of money. They invested a lot of money!
Just like the school situation. Charlie had developed (all as a part of fragile x) difficult behaviors prior to our participation in the trial. In fact, he was getting suspended for aggression (towards staff, never another child). He had difficulty transitioning and there were many cases where proper training on de-escalating the behavior by redirection would have helped him. My husband found out about the trial, we got him on the arbaclofen, and followed the protocol. Given it was double blind, we weren't sure that he was getting the drug. Although he started showing affection and actually offering to tell us he loved us and hugging us! During the end of the trial when they titrate down, we realized just how much Charlie had benefited from the drug! He hit a wall in terms of ability to be taught, to control his impulses, and to inhibit his aggression. We had to take a month off of school for time to get Charlie ramped back up on the arbaclofen and overcome all of the behavioral issues. We did so and noticed good results. We also made the very difficult decision of starting him on Abilify for his hyperactivity, aggression, and impulsive behavior . He was displaying less of these behaviors but still not free from them. Abilify really helped! We wanted to get him back to school. Instead what we were offered was two days a week at 1/2 each session, OT/ST treatment and then PT treatment. Totaling an hour a week. We agreed given the BCBA was present and they could see that Charlie was in fact, doing fine and could be socialized again. After all, he hadn't shown any signs of aggression. It was then that the principal said she was afraid to let Charlie come back to kindergarten even with the BCBA present! We were not happy. We spoke with another very involved and self advocating as well as support to other parents with special needs families, mother of a child at our school. She spent two hours on the phone with us and we had never met her before this call! Then she wrote a very supportive email. Our developmental pediatrician also wrote an email saying, "Hello! You can't deprive a special needs child of his education. Especially with an IEP and BIP in place!". And it all worked. (Failing to mention ALL that we did to pull strings on pupose here.)
But guess what? We weren't mad after we noticed they did everything we asked for! We went to the IEP expecting some resistance. There was none! They agreed with us! They agreed to let Charlie attend lunch with his classmates prior to therapy (with the BCBA present.) And to 15 hours a week of ABA therapy with trained staff at Grafton at their location and therapy on the side, for the summer. And the therapists might even be able to come to the Grafton office rather than me having to take him to the school! Oh and not just the ESY summer, all summer!
So tying these two situations together, lets look at why having a good attitude can help...
1) Because our children mimic what they see.
2) We need to treat others the way we want to be treated.
3) Realize that others do want for your child what you want for your child.
4) Being grateful goes a long way!
5) Not being demanding helps you to maintain control of the situation and helps with your case of asking what you want to get.
6) You can meet great people along the way and build relationships with them based on your outlook and theirs. That can translate into having meaningful deep friendships!
7) The school staff/trial staff will look out for you more if you treat them well!
8) You stand out to others by projecting positivity.
9) You feel good about yourself and who you are.
10) SHOULD Go in #1 spot! Because God is present in our lives!
So I hope this inspires anyone who is having trouble with this transitional time. It's meant to inspire you. We don't have it easy. Some of us have FX times one, two, three, or even four. Some of our FX kids hurt us or others. Some cannot do for themselves as a typical child can. But the common thread here is that we learn from one other and inspire one another.
Just like the school situation. Charlie had developed (all as a part of fragile x) difficult behaviors prior to our participation in the trial. In fact, he was getting suspended for aggression (towards staff, never another child). He had difficulty transitioning and there were many cases where proper training on de-escalating the behavior by redirection would have helped him. My husband found out about the trial, we got him on the arbaclofen, and followed the protocol. Given it was double blind, we weren't sure that he was getting the drug. Although he started showing affection and actually offering to tell us he loved us and hugging us! During the end of the trial when they titrate down, we realized just how much Charlie had benefited from the drug! He hit a wall in terms of ability to be taught, to control his impulses, and to inhibit his aggression. We had to take a month off of school for time to get Charlie ramped back up on the arbaclofen and overcome all of the behavioral issues. We did so and noticed good results. We also made the very difficult decision of starting him on Abilify for his hyperactivity, aggression, and impulsive behavior . He was displaying less of these behaviors but still not free from them. Abilify really helped! We wanted to get him back to school. Instead what we were offered was two days a week at 1/2 each session, OT/ST treatment and then PT treatment. Totaling an hour a week. We agreed given the BCBA was present and they could see that Charlie was in fact, doing fine and could be socialized again. After all, he hadn't shown any signs of aggression. It was then that the principal said she was afraid to let Charlie come back to kindergarten even with the BCBA present! We were not happy. We spoke with another very involved and self advocating as well as support to other parents with special needs families, mother of a child at our school. She spent two hours on the phone with us and we had never met her before this call! Then she wrote a very supportive email. Our developmental pediatrician also wrote an email saying, "Hello! You can't deprive a special needs child of his education. Especially with an IEP and BIP in place!". And it all worked. (Failing to mention ALL that we did to pull strings on pupose here.)
But guess what? We weren't mad after we noticed they did everything we asked for! We went to the IEP expecting some resistance. There was none! They agreed with us! They agreed to let Charlie attend lunch with his classmates prior to therapy (with the BCBA present.) And to 15 hours a week of ABA therapy with trained staff at Grafton at their location and therapy on the side, for the summer. And the therapists might even be able to come to the Grafton office rather than me having to take him to the school! Oh and not just the ESY summer, all summer!
So tying these two situations together, lets look at why having a good attitude can help...
1) Because our children mimic what they see.
2) We need to treat others the way we want to be treated.
3) Realize that others do want for your child what you want for your child.
4) Being grateful goes a long way!
5) Not being demanding helps you to maintain control of the situation and helps with your case of asking what you want to get.
6) You can meet great people along the way and build relationships with them based on your outlook and theirs. That can translate into having meaningful deep friendships!
7) The school staff/trial staff will look out for you more if you treat them well!
8) You stand out to others by projecting positivity.
9) You feel good about yourself and who you are.
10) SHOULD Go in #1 spot! Because God is present in our lives!
So I hope this inspires anyone who is having trouble with this transitional time. It's meant to inspire you. We don't have it easy. Some of us have FX times one, two, three, or even four. Some of our FX kids hurt us or others. Some cannot do for themselves as a typical child can. But the common thread here is that we learn from one other and inspire one another.
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