9-22-11 - I love mornings

Mornings are great!
I got here at 6:30, and Isaac woke up at 6:40 this morning. We talked a little while I opened the curtains and got the room prepared for the morning, then sat on his bed. I leaned back on the end of the enclosure, and he snuggled up on my shoulder. We decided to snooze for 15 mins or so, then got up and started getting ready.

Breakfast came and he ate everything that was not nailed down. He got dressed and his therapies were back to back. In hindsight, it appears we maybe should not do that. OT brought him back up early and reported he refused to cooperate....even with the iPad. She apologized to him if she did anything wrong, and we shut the door. He was glassy eyed and not responding well.

I talked to him for a few minutes, and he was able to tell me that his brain shut off and he didn't know what to do. He also was thinking about choking. (It was hard, , but I kept my composure) We talked about how it was good that he could communicate that his brain shut off, and that he was safe from the choking. It wouldn't happen anymore.

I was thankful that our Neuro came in at that time, because we were able to communicate the same physical cues to her and she was able to explain why he felt that way. Wow, does she have a way with children. Definitely her calling. I later found out she is a former missionary. Can you say "God thing"??? I'm still listening, Lord, I promise!

Anyway, we now know to say "my brain is tired" when we get too overloaded. It may take some time to get it all out, but the other therapists have been informed so they know what to do.

We played bingo with the Neuro until she had to leave, then wanted to play on our phone.

I put up his safety nets and went to get some lunch. On my way back in I brought him the lego present. He perked up when he saw the box, so I carefully opened the box (so we could close it again) and put them on the tray. Soon he had all the legos arranged and was starting to build the image on the box.

As we put together the helicopter, I noticed his attention span was minimal. Then, when he tried to pick up pieces that were just images on the instruction booklet, I began to get worried. I noticed a pill cup near him, and after taking it to the nurse to identify, learned he had not taken his Ritalin at 1. It was now 4, so it was not a good idea, but it did explain the difference in his ability to focus. (I was not prepared for the difference)

He and I went down for family dinner night, and we prepared on the way for the people filling up the room. I strategically put him at the end of the long boardroom table, with mom and I on either side, to help him be slightly isolated in case he needed space. With one slight episode of looking down to put himself back together, he did great.

He went to sleep about 8 tonight, so I expect he will be up early again in the morning.