Some changes took place in the last six months and what a difference six months makes!
The first adult program that RJC was in did not work out. They said there were constant behavioral issues with her. They wrote reports - none of which I actually saw - but they made sure to let me know they were writing them. For my part, I was frustrated that she spent her day playing Wii games. She did not go out in the community on a regular basis due to said behavioral issues. One thing led to the other and we made the decision to move her to a different program.
Fast forward six months. She has been in a new program that focuses on daily living skills. Though her start was a bit rocky, she settled in. She has been going out on a daily basis, and she has generalized skills she practices there. When we leave the dishwasher open she takes that as her cue to empty it and she does - no verbal prompting necessary. Same with folding towels - leave them out and she independently folds them.
The staff at her new program "get" her, like her, and she is very aware and sensitive to this. During the rocky period our Behavior Analyst and I met with the staff and we developed strategies to help her during her difficult times. They not only accepted the input but put it into action. It was a team approach which I was used to from her school days. Once she was in a more positive and supportive environment she once again began to thrive. Her language acquisition picked up, her use of language over tantrums picked up, and her demeanor was generally more calm and happy.
Once she was stable in her day program, we focused on what she can do after her day was over. After all, she was out of her program at 3 PM. In her school years she had an extended program until 7 PM. We added another day for horseback riding lessons and working on the farm. It has been beyond awesome. We then added a gym membership. She has gone from five minutes on the bike to twenty - twenty-five minutes on the bike. She listens to music that added for her on my iPhone and pedals happily. Before we go home she sits on the couch near the front desk and rests. The staff comes by to chat with her and she is part of the tapestry of the gym.
Six months ago I was stressed and a loss of what to do. I needed to get my tush in gear and make some changes but the thought of doing that was overwhelming. The good news is that I did indeed make the changes that needed to be made. She is busy with activities that add to the quality of her life. Her day program has meaning, her afternoons have meaning, and she is happy.
What a difference six months makes when we make them make a difference.
