Update on Ryan

[Kathy]

I keep meaning to update, and life keeps being unbelievably busy.

Not even two days after I posted here I called the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to see if Ryan qualified for a Case Manager. I figured it was a wasted call since it had been far too long for good news, but knew I needed to make the call to find out one way or the other. Well...Ryan qualified, but the coordinator there got behind and hadn't contacted us the week before. She actually apologized! I was just stunned and so grateful to finally be getting some help.

The Case Manager came out to the house to meet with me and Dan and then with the boys. She is amazing. Truly amazing. She listened, understood (her dad also has Asperger's, so she really gets it), and immediately looked at how she could help us. After a few more visits (and a lot of softball with Ryan and Arden, which they loved!), we all decided to try and get Ryan into a program that works at home to hopefully prevent placement into foster care. It's like a residential placement in many ways, but at home. She knew it would take until this Summer to potentially get this in place, so in the meantime she set up a behavioral specialist who deals with the most aggressive kids to come out to our house once a week for 10 weeks and come up with a behavioral plan. We love him, too. And finally have someone come HERE, where all of the bad stuff actually happens, is absolutely huge. Both he and the case manager have already seen many of the behaviors that we've tried again and again to describe, but that no professional ever sees in an office setting.

Oh, and yesterday and today I did training on positive behavior support (hmmm....doesn't that sound like what we all do with our kids anyway?) and how to evade someone trying to hurt or hold you, and also how to restrain if absolutely necessary (in a way that doesn't hurt the restrainee).

Ryan's behavior has been all over the place, especially since the school year ended. Transitions are always really hard for him. Having me gone for a week didn't help any at all :-(. So right now we're trying to help him stablize and come up with a schedule for the Summer so he knows what to expect, which will hopefully help.

So we're getting help. It's too soon to tell if it's all going to make a big difference or not, but just knowing that we aren't completely on our own is a really huge thing. It gives me a lot of hope, for all of us.

[Wendy]

what a relief it must be to finally have people actually able to help you!!!!

[gfrach]

Hugs, Kathy!! I'm so very glad you're getting the help you need and hope with all my heart that this makes a huge difference for Ryan.

Huge hugs!

[libbylibbylibby]

What great news, Kathy! I really hope that this is a new beginning for Ryan and a chance for him to truly get the help he needs to be successful.

[riversprite]

Yay!
I'm so thrilled that you are getting tangible help and can look toward the future with hope!:yay:

[collier]

(((((Kathy)))) I am so glad that there are people there to witness the problem and are working to help you and Dan. I think about you all a lot.

Best!

[jerzymama]

I keep meaning to update, and life keeps being unbelievably busy.

Not even two days after I posted here I called the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to see if Ryan qualified for a Case Manager. I figured it was a wasted call since it had been far too long for good news, but knew I needed to make the call to find out one way or the other. Well...Ryan qualified, but the coordinator there got behind and hadn't contacted us the week before. She actually apologized! I was just stunned and so grateful to finally be getting some help.

The Case Manager came out to the house to meet with me and Dan and then with the boys. She is amazing. Truly amazing. She listened, understood (her dad also has Asperger's, so she really gets it), and immediately looked at how she could help us. After a few more visits (and a lot of softball with Ryan and Arden, which they loved!), we all decided to try and get Ryan into a program that works at home to hopefully prevent placement into foster care. It's like a residential placement in many ways, but at home. She knew it would take until this Summer to potentially get this in place, so in the meantime she set up a behavioral specialist who deals with the most aggressive kids to come out to our house once a week for 10 weeks and come up with a behavioral plan. We love him, too. And finally have someone come HERE, where all of the bad stuff actually happens, is absolutely huge. Both he and the case manager have already seen many of the behaviors that we've tried again and again to describe, but that no professional ever sees in an office setting.

Oh, and yesterday and today I did training on positive behavior support (hmmm....doesn't that sound like what we all do with our kids anyway?) and how to evade someone trying to hurt or hold you, and also how to restrain if absolutely necessary (in a way that doesn't hurt the restrainee).

Ryan's behavior has been all over the place, especially since the school year ended. Transitions are always really hard for him. Having me gone for a week didn't help any at all :-(. So right now we're trying to help him stablize and come up with a schedule for the Summer so he knows what to expect, which will hopefully help.

So we're getting help. It's too soon to tell if it's all going to make a big difference or not, but just knowing that we aren't completely on our own is a really huge thing. It gives me a lot of hope, for all of us.

xx

[Sue]

((((Kathy, Ryan and family)))) I am glad you are getting help. I am also glad to hear people are getting a realistic view of what is going on! Keeping you and your beautiful family in my thoughts!

Please keep us updated.

[sarahs]

Oh I am so very glad. That is wonderful Kathy. {{{{{All of you}}}}} (nt)

[Storymama]

Good news! I love the idea that there is an "at home" residential placement available for families that can deal with that (and you are obviously well suited to it.)

[hamamelis]

Excellent Kathy! I'm so glad things are going the way they are with the DDS people :grouphug:

[mirage1]

Kathy, I can imagine how much it must feel beneficial to have them come to HIS environment and not have it all left up to you to have to try to convey his behavior to them in the office.

I hope this really makes things easier for you all!

[Kerry]

Kathy, I'm so glad you were able to find the help you need, and I hope it proves to be very helpful. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[Jeb]

Hope things continue to work for the best for Ryan!

[threecubs]

I'm so happy you have some someone to listen and to help you and Ryan! That's wonderful, and I hope the program is a huge success for your family! :-)

[Sarah]

HOORAY!! :kiss: (nt)

[Brenda]

Kathy, it is great to read you sounding so hopeful. I'm glad that some things are finally falling into place for you.

[Tammy]

I keep meaning to update, and life keeps being unbelievably busy.

Not even two days after I posted here I called the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to see if Ryan qualified for a Case Manager. I figured it was a wasted call since it had been far too long for good news, but knew I needed to make the call to find out one way or the other. Well...Ryan qualified, but the coordinator there got behind and hadn't contacted us the week before. She actually apologized! I was just stunned and so grateful to finally be getting some help.

The Case Manager came out to the house to meet with me and Dan and then with the boys. She is amazing. Truly amazing. She listened, understood (her dad also has Asperger's, so she really gets it), and immediately looked at how she could help us. After a few more visits (and a lot of softball with Ryan and Arden, which they loved!), we all decided to try and get Ryan into a program that works at home to hopefully prevent placement into foster care. It's like a residential placement in many ways, but at home. She knew it would take until this Summer to potentially get this in place, so in the meantime she set up a behavioral specialist who deals with the most aggressive kids to come out to our house once a week for 10 weeks and come up with a behavioral plan. We love him, too. And finally have someone come HERE, where all of the bad stuff actually happens, is absolutely huge. Both he and the case manager have already seen many of the behaviors that we've tried again and again to describe, but that no professional ever sees in an office setting.

Oh, and yesterday and today I did training on positive behavior support (hmmm....doesn't that sound like what we all do with our kids anyway?) and how to evade someone trying to hurt or hold you, and also how to restrain if absolutely necessary (in a way that doesn't hurt the restrainee).

Ryan's behavior has been all over the place, especially since the school year ended. Transitions are always really hard for him. Having me gone for a week didn't help any at all :-(. So right now we're trying to help him stablize and come up with a schedule for the Summer so he knows what to expect, which will hopefully help.

So we're getting help. It's too soon to tell if it's all going to make a big difference or not, but just knowing that we aren't completely on our own is a really huge thing. It gives me a lot of hope, for all of us.

124

[Debra]

{{{{{Kathy}}}}} I'm so glad you guys are getting some good help. :hugging:

[Jill]

I am so happy for you that you've finally got a TEAM in place, people who care and understand or at least WANT TO understand and help!
YAYYYYYY!

[webbeccjo]

thats wonderful news Kathy!!

[Artemis]

I am so happy for all of you. It sounds like a wonderful program!

[Lynn]

Kathy, I am so happy to hear your good news!
I am just so happy that they are going to your house.
It's sounds like the ideal set up.

I think of you and your family often.
~Lynn/beanzz

[serialmom]

Kathy, I am so happy your family has support. nt