School-age Challenges| School-age Challenges |
We came to see you because Cole was so unfocused. We would talk to him, but he wouldn’t hear. It took Cole a long time to do things, like getting ready to go places. Cole had started kindergarten, but developmentally he was not ready to be in school. We were frustrated and didn’t know what to do.
In the program you gave us strategies to help him at home. And tricks for grocery store where he would get so squirrelly with the lights, commotion and noise. Through the home program we taught him how to focus.
It helped so much to understand what was behind his behaviors. We knew that Cole was not a bad kid, but he would be so goofy. In working with you we were able to see the real reasons behind his behaviors, and how to work with the causes of his behaviors.
At first we had good days and bad days. Now we see him behaving in ways that we only could hope for before. I am sure that being two years older has made a difference. But Cole has so much more confidence now. He can say, “I can do this. I can focus.”
The house is more peaceful. Cole can go with flow of family and activity. He is not getting into as much trouble. Cole is able to dress himself instead of having to be completely managed through the whole process.
Cole’s systems are much more resilient. Before he would startle when we touched him. Now he is not as jumpy. Cole is not as fearful of situations. He is trying things that I never would have imaged that he would be comfortable trying. For example, we went horseback riding. He was a little nervous about getting on the horse, but once he got on, he loved riding. Before Cole would have felt out of control on a horse and would have let his fear take over. Now he doesn’t let himself get scared. He doesn’t have as much anxiety.
This summer we did indoor sky-diving. Cole loved it. This involved lots of gear and challenge – a scratchy suit, goggles, helmet, the wind blowing on him, and being tossed up into air. It’s amazing to see how far he has come. The world has opened up for him.
School, on the second week of September is so far, so good. Cole has said he is able to focus. Handwriting is coming along. He has friends.
It’s all there for him, the joy and the struggles, but now struggles don’t define him the way they used to. He has come so far.
Going through your program went better than I thought it would go. I thought I would have to drag Cole to session and he would hate it. But it was actually pretty painless.
It has been awesome for Cole to have play as therapy. He loves the bow and arrow activity. It is a game instead of an assignment.
The activities were the right level of “I can do this”. We had a big enough range of activities and modifications of activities. You gave us plenty of flexibility for making choices. The program was good, easy pace. We could manage it as a family.
We still can draw on the exercises if Cole is stressed. If he has trouble sitting still, has sensory issues, or is skittery or jumpy, we can be creative. I understand now what he might need for different challenges.
Mother, Beth McAllister
Interview, Sept 12, 2007
Catherine Burns (Tender Sprouts) and Janet Oliver (Plan for Learning) created a neuro-developmental program for Cole McAllister.
| School-age Challenges |