To get the full effect of this blog, please start at the beginning (click here) and read chronologically by clicking on "Newer Post" at the end of each post. I am updating this blog with old entries from a written journal. Please feel free to read it as the historic document that it is becoming. Return often for the rest of the story.

School Changes

We've done a Ritalin trial and discontinued due to a spike in anxiety.  Due to poor academic performance we pulled her out of the Maxwell Spanish Immersion school, moved her back to 2nd grade, and put her in a "regular" school (Ashland).  At first we thought it was a pretty smooth transition, because she didn't voice any concerns about the new school.  However, she has been talking about wanting to go back to Maxwell and be put in Kindergarten.

She feigned a tummy ache today to get out of going to school.  We called her bluff and told her she had to stay in bed all day. Miraculously she was cured by 8:15am.  Her academic performance is still pretty poor.  Her new 2nd grade teacher as well as her special ed teacher have told us that she has been testing boundaries and limits.  And finally, the director of her after school program has given us several reports of acting out behavior (including today).

I think it might be time for another therapist referral.  With the holidays coming it might take us until the new year to get her in somewhere.  So, the sooner we start the better.

Transitions

Carrie's individual therapy has come to an end for now.  We are very focused on vision therapy and tutoring this summer.  Both of those things have given us quite a busy schedule.  I’d say that the vision therapy will last until at least the end of her Fall semester.  I’m happy to say that Carrie's behavior was absolutely awesome during our vacation.  It was the first vacation in our 7 years as a family that she didn’t have a high level of anxiety and/or throw a fit.  I have praised her many times for her good behavior.  Keefer and I have also recently discussed the need to dust off our PCIT skills, which we have been using off and on. I believe that has helped with her behavior lately.  Dr. R also gave Carrie a prescription for Benadryl to use when she feels anxious.  We have been sparing it our use of that, however.  I’d say that we use it less than once per week.  All in all, things are going smoothly.

Math Tiles

Keefer went to school with Carrie this morning to help her with "Math Tiles". This is a game working with numbers. Last week it was a pleasant experience. She was working hard and getting most of it right. Today she was not working or focusing at all. She could not answer the question, "7 minus zero equals what?" She also took longer than anyone in the class putting up her work and was generally in a obstinate non-cooperative mood. I guess we can talk about it this afternoon with her therapist.

Affirmations

Keefer had an interesting conversation this morning with Carrie on the way to school. He asked her to repeat the 3 positive statements that we have learned. (I am lovable, I am smart and I am important). She yelled them out then he told her that was not the correct way to say it. Then she said it using baby talk. He asked why she did not use her normal voice, and she said that she did not believe it. We plan on getting her to say it every day.