Preparing For Changes

Elizabeth came yesterday but didn't bring her sister-in-law as we previously discussed. She also didn't do any ABA assessments. Next Monday, she'll be coming with her boss, Jane, and one of my new behavior therapists, Jeanine, who is going to be taking over Elizabeth's role as team supervisor. Jane is coming so she can answer all my questions - such as the exact start date, program details, when my new physical therapist will be starting once Trish leaves this month, etc. Jeanine will be here because she wants to observe how Raquel works with Elizabeth. She also wants to take part in the assessment tests.

Elizabeth spent a good portion of the session preparing me for the program. She thinks it will be implemented next week. Since the initial part of the program involves a parent training component, I mentioned to her that I planned on taking vacation during this time so I wouldn't be distracted by work. She said that in the beginning, it will be pretty much play therapy, where the new therapists are just getting used to Raquel and Raquel is getting used to them. They won't be implementing too many new things and will only be putting small demands on her. That gradually increases. She said that three to four weeks into it is when it gets really tough. This is when Raquel will start to resist the therapy and the behaviors will come out. This is when she recommended that I take some time off work. Even though she said it gets worse before it gets better, it does get better, and that my new therapy team will be constantly reminding me of this as well as pointing out Raquel's progress.

At one point during our session, she stopped and said that I seemed very overwhelmed. Elizabeth is the one that attempts to keep me grounded. She said that joining the TACA group (www.talkaboutcuringautism.org) will be really great for me and that I will meet so many wonderful people that are going through the same thing and are feeling the same way. My first meeting is on the 26th. I figure it can't hurt to at least try it out.

She also prepared me for the assessment tests - prepared me for Raquel scoring low and not to freak out about it, that they are tests they are required to do before she starts in order to accurately track her progress. She really thinks that she will do extremely well in this program. Elizabeth was able to keep two therapy hours per month so she'll be able to come once per month to check on our progress. I'm thinking next Monday is going to be her last day for awhile.