- aba therapy, autism awareness, Autism parenting, Autism Spectrum Disorder, COVID-19 Autism, Doberman Pinscher, Early Intervention, Feeding therapy, mental health awareness, occupational therapy, teletherapy, Uncategorized
Autism Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic #autismawarenessmonth
It's been a while since I've updated Autism Mom Diaries. So much has happened since November, the biggest change, no doubt, being the coronavirus outbreak. Let me detail some of Ethan's developments since November, including how we've coped with the COVID-19 situation until the present time. #autismawareness
- aba therapy, autism awareness, Autism parenting, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Inspiration, Uncategorized
ABA Adventures at the Botanic Garden and Beach!
Since Ethan and his ABA therapist have had a lot of time to build rapport at home, we frequent Hickory, Wilson and South Park, which are all in the area, we've been to Torrance Beach a couple of times, and we recently visited the South Coast Botanic Garden.
Ethan’s Graduation from PTN
PTN will always be the first place that Ethan developed a pre-school based routine and had a life away from mom and away from home. He learned to participate within a community, socialize with other kids, take turns, mimic actions and songs from circle time, sit nicely when asked to, among other things.
Ethan’s Transition Meeting from PTN to LAUNCH Preschool
Our former Harbor Regional Center coordinator had told us that Ethan’s transition meeting would just consist of introductions. That it was, a brief meeting where preliminary introductions were made and we were given an opportunity to advocate for Ethan’s needs. I can say with confidence that the transition meeting last June 6th, Thursday, was a great success. The meeting consisted of a special education teacher from Torrance Unified School District, our new Harbor Regional Center coordinator, our son’s teacher and a teacher trainee from Pediatric Therapy Network. SIDE NOTE: It was funny how Ethan was turning the lights on and off the whole time.😂The teacher from TUSD just pretty much…
Sensory-friendly Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese’s!
Ethan had a field day with the different games at Chuck E. Cheese! The sensory stimuli from the lights and sounds definitely had him perked up and interested. He was running around, touching everything and giggling.
- autism mom video, Autism parenting, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Family fun, Inspiration, Uncategorized
Ethan Loves Water!
Ethan loves loves loves his new water table. His clothes get all wet when he plays with it, and I have to give him a shower afterwards, but just seeing him giggle in glee makes my day.
- autism awareness, Autism parenting, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Family fun, Inspiration, mental health awareness, Uncategorized
Autism Speaks Walk at the Rose Bowl!
We had so much fun at the Autism Speaks Walk at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. It felt right to join in the advocacy for autism awareness and walk for Ethan.
Video: Physical therapy progress
Ethan has been going to physical therapy at Kids in Motion since July 2018 and receiving PT at the Leaps and Bounds program at the Pediatric Therapy Network since September 2018. It was July when he started walking at 21 months. This was one milestone that was definitely emotional for me; I began to get extremely worried when Ethan hadn’t walked yet at 18 months. He progressed so much since starting physical therapy. (He started around the time he took his first steps). The development of his gross motor skills and motor planning definitely skyrocketed! His therapist at Kids in Motion is Thérèse Willis and in Pediatric Therapy Network, Stephanie…
Getting the official diagnosis
I had been waiting for this day for exactly four weeks. In Ethan's psychological evaluation, the doctor had said he met the criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder. We weren't exactly sure what the level of severity was, but he knew he was most impacted in the area of social communication.
A Conversation With Kathie Sarles M.Ed, HRC Early Childhood Specialist
Kathie M. Sarles, M. Ed is an Early Childhood Specialist and Advanced Transdisciplinary Infant/Family Mental Health Practitioner at the Harbor Regional center.
