Creating Change in Patterns with Positive Approaches

Gluing on piece #2!

What does it take to get my daughter out of bed in the morning?

MOTIVATION!

Pondering how to get my nearly 30 year old daughter awake before noon or later after being up and busy a good deal of the night, I remembered a strategy offered up by Nathan Ory, my favorite behavior guy . 

My Girl has a team of support! She is in her own home with supported living so "choice" is a priority.  Creativity is Key in providing choice!  LG has different relationships with the different staff members so one person's approach works and another's doesn't.  Some of them can get her moving in a heartbeat and some can't.  

NEEDED A STRATEGY

To circumvent a melt down at lunch last Wednesday, I started drawing Arthur - yes that PBS aardvark on the back of the placemat.  It looked nothing like Arthur, so we searched google for a pic.  It hit me!  Make a puzzle out of the picture of a book that she wants.  "Arthur's Big Hit"  and have her earn her way awake in the mornings! 

I printed in color, glued to a piece of construction paper and cut into 6 pieces.  

She earns a piece for each day that she awakens and gets out of bed before 10 am.  We will keep moving the target earlier but need to set a realistic goal to begin. 

WE WANT HER TO SUCCEED

Yesterday, she got the first piece. This morning #2.  

I'll let you know how many days it takes!  And then... what we do next!

Hope you see the light show in the sky tonight. http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/05/23/315130886/tonight-s-new-meteor-shower-could-be-a-great-one-nasa-says 

Trudy

Where would I Start?

Today, I receieved an email an in it I was asked " If you were to re-educate yourself on choices for your adult children where would you start?"

You ask a very interesting question. I am going to really think about that before I reply. I think my first response is to know that whatever I did, I did the best I could with the information and experience I had when those decisions were made. Knowing that life is fluid, assures me that change is always possible.

Meaningful Writing

I have never been much of a writer. I do feel that I gather and share so much information that it is a waste not to share it with the community at large.

I am going to stir my creative juices and see if I can't get some posts that matter on this blog.

You'll hear from me soon.

New Inspiration

I have been AWOL from the blog for some time now, a little over a year. I have decided that instead of wasting time of FB, I will now commit to blogging something that could be of value to someone, if not only me :)

Let's see how I do.

Amidst the Rain

Today, I looked forward to peace and quiet. That was quickly abandoned by a surprise visit from my daughter (along with her support person), a prolonged visit by my mother and 1/2 box of reduced guilt wheat crisps from Trader Joes.

Who says food and 1/2 xanax can't cure what ails you?

How do you deal with frustration?

Inclusion Article from 1995

Something forgotten:

I am certain that I am not the only one who "googles" herself. While googling to see if I could find this very blog, I came across an article that I wrote in 1995 about a Neighborhood Playgroup that I started for Lauren when she a mere 6 years old. That was 20 years ago!

If interested read the article (link below) which still has considerable merit even with all the efforts made by agency folks to conduct inclusion, this method demonstrates what parents can do in their own communities to include their child in the neighborhood.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go2827/is_n7_v25/ai_n28657310/?tag=content;col1

It's Her Life

Yesterday, Lauren made a powerful decision. She decided that she did not want to go on her "vacation" to North Carolina. This was no easy decision as she was going with her dad, whom she adores, for a week.

There was mention to her support staff that she didn't want to go but we thought it a passing thought.

Lauren has been supported in the most authentic person centered practices that I have ever witnessed. She knows that she has power over her own life and she is now exercising it. What an amazing self-advocate she has become!

I am continually amazed.