Screaming/Potty Training and now I am sick
by admin on Jun.07, 2010, under 2010
We have turned the corner hard on this communication thing and while approximations are emerging and the babbling is still there…there is a new sound that con’ts and actually seems to be getting worst each day. Screaming. Full fledged blood curdling screaming. I really enjoyed the moment on Sat when he looked at a stranger and just screamed. That was a new one for me. Since it’s new; I haven’t quite worked out a good response.
While this feels ish and depressing to develop screaming, it might be explained with how he’s feeling. As today my nose went from normal to runny…I realized I was developing exactly what he has had for a few days. My throat is on fire, scratchy, horrible. I laid down at 6:30 to wake at 10. Now it’s midnight and I am quite awake, but my throat is screaming despite the medicine I took.
It makes me wonder how much pain he’s been in these last few days? Constipation and now a cold. And it’s great that mind has taken a huge interest in potty training!
I bought him a simple potty chair yesterday. Today I rewarded him w/ stickers if he would simply sit on it for a second. He is quite willing, so at least that is not a battle. I originally bought the potty ring, but I think w/ his motor planning issues, that climbing up to the toilet is just asking too much yet.
I hate to re-teach sitting on a toilet, but I want him to feel safe too.
I don’t really know how to get this to happen. I am not really sure he is ready either. But, he is 3. It is summer. And I like the idea of the naked teaching. So I have been doing that the last 2 days. I have learned that he pees about every 2 hours. I am learning that even when he pees, he wants to get away from people. So, in the few opportunities to get it in to the potty have been lost, but I am learning that it’s going to happen quickly and when I least expect it.
I have never been happier than to have an ABA program at this time. I am happy to hand this project over to someone else. With his lack of expressive language skills, it makes it hard for me to know what he is understanding. I know that potty training is often times hard for most kiddos, but this is one topic I really don’t think I would do well on alone. Let’s hope that with my new interest in moving forward, that they think he is ready and we can move forward on this topic together this summer.
June 18th, 2010 on 3:21 pm
Wow. I guess I would just make a joke about the screaming. “He just learned about the BP oil spill” or something like that. What else can you do but try to laugh? I guess it’s that or “I’m sorry, my son has autism and isn’t feeling well.”
You say when he needs to go potty he wants to get away from people. Even you? I’m not sure why that’s a problem, because going to the bathroom is rather private. It sounds like he’s doing okay with potty training, accepting the stickers. Just keep up the repetition, invest in stickers. It’ll happen.
June 18th, 2010 on 4:40 pm
I haven’t really started potty training. I did some potty testing to see if he’s ready. I am not sure he is. I need to see how the school would like to approach this. My guess is they don’t think he’s ready yet.
You’re right, it’s a good thing that he wants privacy! But other than occasionally moving away from me, not a lot of indicators when he has to go.
The screaming is a nightmare. Tho, I am hoping as he feels better it might go away? I don’t know, I am just being wishful. He has been home with me now the last 2 days with a fever. I think he’s had a fever all week. Here’s hoping some of these maladaptive behaviors will go away once he’s feeling better.
June 23rd, 2010 on 5:26 am
Dear MN Autism Mom,
We have an aquatic therapist training coming up in 3 weeks in Eden Prairie (Minneapolis; July 9-10, 2010) called Aquatic Sensory & Motor Integration for the Pediatric Therapist.
We have several open seats, so we have decided to open up this therapist-training to parents of children on the spectrum. Would you be able to help us get the word out? More information is available at: http://www.aquaticnet.com/aquatic-sensory-integration-for-the-pediatric-therapist.htm
The instructor Jennifer Tvrdy holds a doctorate in occupational therapy, runs her own Minnetonka-based aquatic practice, and does amazing sensory integration work in water.
Parents can watch a You Tube clip of Hot Dog Station to get an idea of the content that will be taught at the course. Click on link here to watch: http://www.aquatic-sensory-integration.com
The course costs $595 for 18 hours of training. We can give any interested parents/therapists in your network a $100 discount if they tell us they heard about it through your blog. Couples are welcome.
To get the discount, parents can call (800-680-8624) instead of registering for full-price online.
Thanks for any help you can offer by forwarding this email to parents/colleagues. It’s an amazing class.
Andrea Salzman, MS, PT
–
Aquatic Therapy University (brought to you by Aquatic Resources Network)
3500 Vicksburg Ln #250
Plymouth, MN 55447 USA
800-680-8624 Main
888-514-6133 Fax
http://www.aquatic-university.com (University)
http://www.aquaticnet.com (Command Center)