The Intervention Specialist called me the other day to let me know how things are going. In other words, not that great. While Jack's vocalizations (verbal abuse) has gone down, his physical "abuse" has gone up. I get weekly reports every Friday on his behavior, and just about every day consists of some episode of hitting a staff member. Usually, it's his Intervention Specialist, because she's the one stepping in when there's a problem, and sending him to her room. He used to stop before he made actual contact, looking all the while for a reaction. Or, he would look like he was going to punch, but then slow down so he barely tapped. Now he just full on hits people.
I have thought about what is causing this behavior. He's been on the Intuniv (3mg's since July) pretty much on-going for one full year now. That's long by anyone's standards, from what I've read. Most studies (back when Jack started it) were (I think) around 6 months, tops. While the National Alliance on Mental Illness states that there are no known problems related to long term use, how many kids have they studied that were on it for a year or more? Probably not very many. Unfortunately though, there are no other non stimulant meds for Jack to take. So either we take him off and he's hyper as hell, or we put him on anti-psychotics or mood stabilizers. I wish he wasn't on anything. Really.
Jack no longer cares about his "technology breaks".. the 5 minute blocks of time he can earn for good behavior that allow him to use the iPad or computer. He isn't motivated by that anymore, because wow- 5 minutes is nothing. (I'm actually ok with him not earning computer time- back when they started this incentive, he was getting 5+ breaks a day, which I thought was a bit much). He is spending less time in his general ed. classroom, because it seems he's able to get his work done quicker in a quiet space, in the IS's room. The IS told me over the phone that she was going to keep Jack in her room for two days, so they could see if the problem with him is environmental- too many distractions in the regular classroom, for example. Only when the Principal called me a couple of days later, she said that didn't seem to be the problem, because he had a really difficult day in the IS's room. They simply don't know what his triggers are, they don't know what motivators to use, either. The Principal told me that they have taken away all rewards from him- he has to earn his "right" to be on Field Trip, too.
He has a "med check" appointment coming up on Thursday. I'm afraid the pediatrician is going to feel this medication is no longer helping Jack, and not know what else to try. He has to be on something, though.. he's going to run out of his 3mg pills before our visit (good thing I have pills in smaller doses from when he saw the psychiatrist). As well, he can't afford to not be on something while we wait who know knows how long for the clinic to get him in. (I hear that it's really hard to get in).
We have taken away use of the computer. (The computer my husband set up for the kids was broken down and totally put away a couple of weeks ago because of an incident between Jack and Savannah). I limit time on technology to my phone, only on the way home from school (and only on days I hear were really good). We have taken away things like his Nintendo DS, especially on weekdays. If he's had a great week, he may be rewarded with them on the weekend. TV has also been taken away, depending on behavior. You can imagine this leads to a lot of whining about being "bored". LOL (It's a shame our society is so technologically advanced.. well, compared to when I was a kid. Some days I really wish I lived on a farm out in the middle of nowhere).
Other things on my "To Do" list this week...
-I now have the paperwork in order to be reimbursed for taking Jack to school myself. I get $5 a day, and can only "cash out" at the end of every school year- possibly every semester, but I'm not 100% on that. Any more often and the payout is virtually nothing. Once I get the Principal to sign off on it, I can hand it in at the District office.
- Early morning IEP coming up this Wednesday. This presents an issue on numerous levels. The Husband takes Jack to school in the mornings, and I take Savannah. Only this week, he has to take both. This means she has to be ready to go when Jack leaves, since she'll have to go with them. This means she misses out on a special Breakfast at her school, as a student nominated for exhibiting exceptional behavior. It starts just as Jack is getting to school- and it takes a good 12-15 minutes to get back to this side of town. I won't be back in time to go, either. I'm really sad about that. Chances are pretty good that this won't be Savannah's only nomination, though. So hopefully we can all make the next one. *fingers crossed*
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