Good Morning To All,
I just wanted to briefly keep up to date. Jacob has been very ill for almost 2 weeks. He has asthma and allergies and the change in the seasons, at times, affects him. So, we have spent quite a bit of time at Doctor's office and lots of bed rest. I apologize as this blog is meant to be "in real time" and I should have shared earlier.
Jacob and I are very excited about Mendability. We finished our testing shortly before Jacob got ill and had a discussion about the videos and things we are asked to do. Jacob, as I stated was not so keen on some of the details of treatment.
These are pictures I took on Jacob's birthday in December coming home from dinner. I had taken each picture but it was not meant for them to come out like this. We were just having a good time playing with my new phone. I just happened on them the other day and was feeling so down about Jacob's resistance. I cannot tell if it is his Autism or if it is just "the teen years". Either way, we are not giving up! I am giving him to process. Every child needs that even though without disabilities. I have never forced Jacob to do any therapy that made his symptoms worse or that he adamantly refused to do but he seems to want to participate. He is feeling really awkward just finishing his first year in high school. That is overwhelming in itself for all kids. I remember 9th grade and it was the pits.
For personal reasons, I have been unable to help Jacob with Mendability as often as I need and want to. I love the fact that it gives Jacob and me "time together" and even though, it is in a treatment setting; it doesn't feel that way for me.
I cannot nor do I speak for Jacob's opinion but I will ask him and see if he wants to write a post about his views.
I have always believed in inclusion and teaching Jacob self-advocacy and life skills. At this point, he is almost 16 so many of the issues we face may not be due to his diagnoses but instead to just being a teenage boy.
Jacob's Mendability Experience One
"When I first heard about Mendability, I was excited about it. But when I heard the age groups, I kinda got nervous about it because I did not want to do something I would not like. And when me and my mom saw the videos of the things I was supposed to do, first off; what they were doing was weird. Secondly, it creeped me out the way the person was talking about the things and lastly I was kinda reluctant because I know no one in my age group would like to do those things. This is my thoughts so far."
~ Jacob Klein
Jacob and I started last night by watching the videos and talking about the various exercises recommended for us after the first worksheet.
This was a short and difficult session.
I forgot to mention last time, I think it was a better experience, in part, because we figured out how to add a picture to Jacob's name. He was excited to pick a picture and was happy to make the one he chose fit properly in place. I think this is what lead to his complete attention.
Day One
Well, let's see!
Jacob and I sat down and started
Mendability today.
I told him in the morning that we were going to check it out. He asked if we could "schedule" sometime in the evening.
I said, "Sure, what time is good for you?"
He said, "How does 5:00 p.m. work for you?"
I said "Perfect!"
Five o'clock comes and as usual, Jacob is at my office door, and politely informs me that it is time. I never notice the time. I just keep working until I cannot work considering how much I have to do. I, as usual, ask him to give me a few minutes to finish up what I am doing and he says "OK" and shuffles away, slightly ticked off. A few minute go by and I try to quickly finish what I was doing so we can start on a great foot.
I call him into the office and as he pulls up a chair, explain to him, that I have no idea what we are going to see or how the system works. I inform him, straight away that it may not be smooth and that we must learn how the system works. I want to prepare him so he does not get discouraged. He nods in understanding.
I explain to him how Kim asked about video recording his sessions as I pull up the website and log in. His face glows and as he is still beaming, informs me "Well, we do not have any batteries for the camera." I downplay the conversation, realizing I spoke too soon, by telling him "Well, we don't want to videotape the first time, right? How silly will we look as we figure this out?" Jacob chuckled and I sighed....no meltdown.
