H.A.L.T.

Yesterday during our behavior session with Elizabeth, I mentioned how frustrating it can be trying to figure out what Raquel is trying to tell me. She will cry unconsolably throughout the house at times, and I have to piece together what I think she wants. Elizabeth introduced me to a concept called H.A.L.T. - which stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired - and suggested I use this with Raquel. Once I determine what she is upset about, I can break it down further by category.

Then it happened during our session. All was fine and then she started crying for no apparent reason. I would ask her what she wanted, but all she would do was cry. Since it was mid-morning, I thought it might be a hunger or thirst thing so I proceeded to ask her to choose a cup of juice or yogurt. She wanted the yogurt. Halfway through the yogurt, she started the crying again and wouldn't eat anymore. The tantrum started to build - nothing would redirect her, not even the music. Elizabeth had me put her on her bed and give her a stuffed animal to try to get her to calm herself for several minutes but she would eventually come back out to me for comfort. I repeated this about five times to no avail and then, beyond frustrated, threw my hands up in the air and said, "Now what?" She told me to keep doing it, but I couldn't. I picked her up, held her tight so she couldn't hurt me and started rocking her in the rocking chair. After a few minutes, she started calming down. Fifteen minutes later, she was fine.

Although Elizabeth says that I know my child best and to follow my instincts, she said that doing what I did completely reinforced the behavior. I told her how hard it is for me to not know what she wants. She understood but also reminded me that one of the main things Karin wanted me to work on this week was teaching Raquel self-calming techniques. Right now we are attempting to find transitional items that she can go to when stressed. Nothing in her bedroom worked yesterday, so we'll need to find something else. This is definitely going to be a challenge.

She also noticed a couple more red flags that she wasn't previously doing. Now Raquel will turn certain items upside down - such as toy cars and chairs, and she's also doing the hand stemming with her shadow. Elizabeth will be going with me to the autism screening on the 16th and, since she worked at Regional for so long, is pretty certain she will be able to go in with me during the screening, which will be wonderful.

Mary didn't come yesterday for speech therapy because she had a sick daughter, but next Monday she is overlapping with Elizabeth and we will have a longer session.