I stayed and played with them and tried to learn as well. We all sat on the floor and got to know each other while passing a ball around. The therapist gives me an activity record at the end of each session. Her notes said: First day working with Stevie. He responded when he placed a toy in a small bucket and therapist would dump it out. He was able to repeat this for a few turns, as well as look at therapist when she paused in the middle of the action. He was also interested in a "bumpy" ball that therapist brought. Throughout session, he would pass ball back & forth with mom and therapist. He would then occasionally crawl to mom and hang on her/hug her. {He really did hug me. He NEVER does that and he sat in my lap for a minute too - very rare} Stevie was also observed throughout the session "blowing raspberries" {duh, spitting}. Mom reports that he does this quite often. Parents have tried different ways to help him stop, but nothing seems to work. The plan is to have therapist meet with OT or Speech Therapist to help stop the behavior.
So overall, I think we met the goals for the day. He was well-behaved most of the time and played like we normally do. I know we have to start slow. I woke up anxious to start. I want to learn all the therapists tricks and I want to be aggressive with his treatment and I keep hoping for miraculously quick results. But truly, I think patience will be my best friend throughout this process. Just like with everything else. Baby steps for the baby!
P.S. On a side-note, after 6 consistent days of time outs (even a couple in public) as well as a round of hot sauce and even one spanking yesterday, the spitting is getting worse and worse. I can't fight with the kid like this every day. Its way too exhausting. I know children push parents to the limit and want to test their boundaries, but this is ridiculous. When hubby left for work this morning, I couldn't help but tear up, knowing that I was not ready to face this day. The lack of sleep doesn't help, but I felt like if it was anything like the rest of the past week, I would be on my way to the nut house. It probably seems like such a stupid, small thing in comparison to so many other issues. Stevie's will is stronger than mine, apparently. And in some ways, I don't think he understands this. He is not at the level of an 18 month old developmentally. So maybe he's just not ready for time out? And the therapist said it could also be tied into his sensory issues. I almost feel like I'm traumatizing him by acting/being angry so much. Who wants to be around that?! And its soooo not me. I'm not happy feeling that way. So I don't have an answer yet. I don't know what to do. But that's where we're at.
