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E-journal of Cara's progress |
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Noell's e-journal of Cara's progress
In November of 2007 I was approached by Cara's
mom, a podiatrist who had seen the amazing
results with Alzheimer's patients in a local
assisted living. She asked if I would try the
process with her daughter, a 10 year old girl with
autism. I was thrilled to have the chance to try.
My previous experience with a 21 year old autistic
male was very positive and I was anxious to try it
with a younger child.
In November of 2007 I was approached by Cara's
mom, a podiatrist who had seen the amazing
results with Alzheimer's patients in a local
assisted living. She asked if I would try the
process with her daughter, a 10 year old girl with
autism. I was thrilled to have the chance to try.
My previous experience with a 21 year old autistic
male was very positive and I was anxious to try it
with a younger child.
Noell Hammer, Founder, AWB
First Session
Although I read what I could to prepare myself, I was a bit
overwhelmed with Cara's impulsive nature. She barreled into the
house and zoomed around like a bumblebee, picking up and
exploring everything. When we finally got her to sit down at the
table, she grabbed everything in sight on the table. I was reminded
of playing Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker
Here are the things I observed:
Although I read what I could to prepare myself, I was a bit
overwhelmed with Cara's impulsive nature. She barreled into the
house and zoomed around like a bumblebee, picking up and
exploring everything. When we finally got her to sit down at the
table, she grabbed everything in sight on the table. I was reminded
of playing Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker
Here are the things I observed:
- No eye contact, little expression, gazed off in the distance
- Didn't want me to touch her
- Had trouble getting her to the table
- One-two word sentences: "paint! paint!" "Fish!"
- Didn't sing with me
- Her swinging was uncoordinated and jerky, she kept trying to
take her hands away and didn't like to be touched - When presented with the butterfly catcher game, she didn't
respond - Didn't know right from left
- Grabbed the paintbrush with her fist and swirled, rather than
a left to right line - Didn't respond to directions at first
- Grabbed the paint and squirted it onto the painting
- Would follow the stroke instruction, then swirl it all together
- Jumped up and left the session several times and when the
painting was done wouldn't return to the table - Wouldn't name the painting or respond to a story about the
butterfly
Photos used by permission
Session Two
Although I thought the first session was a disaster and I would
never see them again, Cara's mom called and reported that they
had their first two 5 word sentences in the week following the first
session! Everyone was anxious to give it another try.
Here are the things I observed at this session:
Although I thought the first session was a disaster and I would
never see them again, Cara's mom called and reported that they
had their first two 5 word sentences in the week following the first
session! Everyone was anxious to give it another try.
Here are the things I observed at this session:
- More eye contact
- Allowed me to touch her more
- Speaking more
- Sang a few words with me, but plugged her ears and
wouldn't participate. - Her swinging was a bit more coordinated and smooth
- When presented with the butterfly catcher game she
responded with the wrong hand, and mimicked the
butterfly, rather than be the catcher - Painted left/right, right/left with much less swirling
- Followed directions better
- Still grabbed at things, but showed some improvement
- Stayed seated for the whole session, jumped up at the
end, but returned to the table to name the painting.
Session Three
Cara's dad reported that she sat through an entire movie for the
first time after the second session. Her parents noted improvement
in verbal skills and impulsive behavior
Here are the things I observed:
Cara's dad reported that she sat through an entire movie for the
first time after the second session. Her parents noted improvement
in verbal skills and impulsive behavior
Here are the things I observed:
- Eye contact and more facial expression
- Much more calm
- She voluntarily gave me a hug
- Multiple word sentences
- Her swinging was more coordinated and smooth
- When presented with the butterfly catcher game, she
responded with the correct hand and caught the butterfly
instead of mimicking it. - Painted left/right, right/left with minimal swirling
- Had no trouble following directions
- Less impulsive about grabbing things. When asked to wait for
the brush, she folded her hands (see picture, right) - Stayed seated for the whole session, but jumped up as soon
as the painting was done. - Came back to the table to name her painting and wrote the
title with only help with spelling
Session Four
Cara's mom reported that everyone was amazed at her new verbal
skills and smiling face. She seemed much happier and more loving.
Here are the things I observed:
Cara's mom reported that everyone was amazed at her new verbal
skills and smiling face. She seemed much happier and more loving.
Here are the things I observed:
- Much more facial expression
- Verbal explosion! She greeted me when she came in, "Hi, how
you doing?" Gave me a hug and went to sit down at the table
without prompting - She used longer sentences and spoke with ease
- She initiated the sing and swing and her swinging was more
coordinated and smooth - When presented with the butterfly catcher game, caught the
butterfly quickly and responded with the correct hand. - Painted left/right, right/left- straight with no swirling
- Followed directions with ease, did not swirl at the end of each
stroke - Less impulsive about grabbing things.
- Stayed seated for the whole session and didn't jump up when
it was over. - Named her painting herself and wrote the title with only help
with spelling. - After the session, said to her mother, "Look, Mommy, a frog!"
(improvement in joint attention dysfunction)
Comments from Cara's parents:
"The past few weeks have been just amazing since
we started working with Noell. Cara surprises us, at
least once every few days with something new.
Yesterday, she said, " Look Mom, Barney stickers".
If you know about joint attention you know this is
major. This is a process, and Cara is having fun
while she is doing it. We can't be more pleased
with her improvements."
"The past few weeks have been just amazing since
we started working with Noell. Cara surprises us, at
least once every few days with something new.
Yesterday, she said, " Look Mom, Barney stickers".
If you know about joint attention you know this is
major. This is a process, and Cara is having fun
while she is doing it. We can't be more pleased
with her improvements."
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| Butterfly in the Trees by Cara |
