seizures vs. side effects

which is worse...seizures which interfere with life and learning or medication side effects which alter physical state and personality???

skill deficits :(

I've been making a list of deficits in the daily living department lately. Obviously curbing the negative destructive and aggressive behaviors continue to be first and foremost and still have the highest priority, and of course, language delay is a HUGE component in these behaviors and other social and academic deficits, but the lack of finesses in the daily living skill set will likely become much more limiting on his independence if not addressed soon...

When I first started jotting things down, I was thinking, "Gosh, I wish there was an overnight summer camp that would focus on just everyday skills in an everyday environment." It seems like a complete focus and arena to pay attention to small gains, etc would be key...maybe that's how the morning time next school year will be when it's just him and I and no other schedules...

SO...Here's my list...

1. going to the bathroom without being asked (listening to his body) and managing the entire affair-- getting all of urine into toilet instead of on the floor, etc, sitting on toilet (using hand to deflect any urine into the toilet in that position), wiping, managing fasteners, understanding not to touch dirty/germy areas of bathroom (and washing if you do!), navigating a public restroom (+stranger danger in this environment)--ugh

2. Mealtime--using a fork/spoon better without having to use his hands, feeling confident with a variety of cups, glasses, bottles, etc, learning to tuck a napkin in his shirt or put on his lap...because he's messy (a lot goes on his lap and all over the floor--this could be an oral skill issue as well).

3. Getting dressed/undressed without help and without supervision in a reasonable time :)

4. brushing teeth independently -- learning to spit! -- wiping/blowing his nose appropriately in a kleenex and not on my arm :)

5. showering -- managing the faucet, washing all his parts, managing/coordination of soap, washcloth, & shampoo bottles

6. out & about -- managing sensory overload in different stores, restaurants, etc -- approaching strangers appropriately -- not touching others' food (at the restaurant last weekend, upon leaving he bee-lined it to another table where a little girl had french fries on her plate...he reached out to grab them, I tried to deflect his hands, half the fries got spilled about --UGH)...what do I say in these instances??? Driving home, I realized I should've paid for the little girl's meal!

I'm sure there are others...but these skill areas seem to be key to helping him fit in, have pride, privacy, and a chance at the most independence!

Success! When a smile says a 1000 words!

a good note...

Last Thursday, school had a hot lunch (finally) that Weston could eat and he decided to buy.  He was pretty verbal at home about getting a tray and who he wanted to help him, etc so once we arrived at school to encourage his language I prompted him to tell Toth and Huellmantel that he was buying lunch and that he wanted Cody to help.  Huellmantel asked him a question about whether he had money, and it appeared he went to check his backpack in the hall.  We continued talking and then realized he wasn't around...come to find out, he took it upon himself to walk down to the cafeteria to see Ms. Farmer and buy a chocolate milk. I learned later that he waved at the ladies in the office on the way down and on the way back.  The lunch lady emailed the following when I asked her about how that conversation went...would've LOVED to been a fly on the wall...

"Wes was very talkative!  He told me he needed a tray!  And he needed a chocolate!  I told him I'd bring his tray to class later!  Very smiley and confident!"

He returned to class with a huge smile and an attitude that exuded "I'm the man!" as he put the milk on his desk and got to work on his morning news.  I'm thrilled that he independently decided what he wanted, navigated the building (and a social encounter) and completed the task -- woo hoo!  

Later that day he took empty tape rolls to the office and asked "Can I have more tape please?" without anything written...they had orally practiced before he left the classroom :)

Small steps...long journey...priceless moments!