Adapting and Re-Adapting

In my book, I talked about my struggle to communicate with Billy Ray. I was doing everything recommended by the various professionals and nothing was working. Here is a brief excerpt from that chapter:

“I was taking pictures of each step in an activity and writing text about each step. Some activities took more than one page. The consultant assisting us at the time would say, “You will lose his interest if they are too long.” So I shortened them and tried to “do it right,” but discovered he only responded to my detailed visuals that contained real pictures. Again, you must adapt to your child’s needs and responses, not someone else’s ideas.

“Eventually we got a scanner and Larry scanned everything, even old Polaroid pictures. We wrote stories about various events in Billy Ray's life such as the story of his adoption. These were called Billy Ray’s Stories. He loved having his stories read to him and seeing pictures of himself doing the activities. You have to do what works for your child, period.” Excerpt from Chapter 9, Two Essential Words: Communicate and Adapt, used by permission of the publisher from "Parenting Your Complex Child" by Peggy Lou Morgan © 2006 Peggy Lou Morgan, published by AMACOM, division of American Management Association, New York, New York. http://www.amacombooks.org/

Billy Ray may be more complicated than some of your children because he experiences medical issues combined with multiple special needs issues. However, I think the principle of today’s post applies to most children and adults who experience special needs. We, as parents, generally don’t have the luxury of continuing to do things for our children because it is the way we have always done things or because of some established program.

It has been necessary to write addendums to the Long Term Vision and Care Plan through our county case manager for the coming year’s funding for in-home supports. As I wrote it, it occurred to me that I am the one changing more than Billy Ray here. Adapting is not a once and for all times thing, at least for my son. Here is a cut and paste to the addendum for the care plan:

“If his mother, and primary caregiver, remains very aware of potential pain, intestinal issues (bowel regularity), changes in blood sugar, assuring that conditions in his environment are not such as to agitate him, etc., etc. Billy Ray is able to function with less of the extreme agitation (physical aggression and property damage) that he was experiencing in the last writing (11/6/06). However, it should be noted that his tolerance for pain, routine and environmental concerns has actually decreased. Mom must be on guard at ALL times to assure that these matters are addressed BEFORE they go into severe agitation or a meltdown. This balancing act requires constant vigilance on the part of the family.

“Community activities are more of a challenge presently. On the one hand, Billy Ray wants to go. On the other hand, he is experiencing a substantial reduction in energy level so major flexibility must be allowed so that he can go out when he is able. This makes scheduling regular activities much more difficult. The only vocational activity he continues to participate in is his Meals on Wheels delivery. He is able to maintain that route which he loves because his stepfather does it alone when Billy Ray is not able to participate. Billy Ray still participates probably 3 out of 4 weeks but it exhausts him sometimes for several days. He continues to do restaurant meals and trips in the car as he is able because these can be done without as much scheduling.”

Whether it is because of physical changes, development or other issues a child is experiencing the need to adapt and readapt is a sure thing.

We are adapting in another way too. We have frequently talked about Billy Ray’s skin issues. (See here on this blog and here on my website for more details on our skin care regime. ) Until recently they were not on his face. He has a heavy beard and shaving is at times a struggle. We talked with the pediatricians years ago about whether growing a beard might be a good answer. That recommendation was that we not do that for sanitary reasons. However, Billy Ray is now getting lesions on his chin and while he doesn’t get lesions under his chin, his neck is gets irritated very easily from the shaving. After discussion with his present PCP, Brice Stanley, we decided to grow a beard because shaving may be causing more problems than it cures.

However, following the advice of our then pediatrician we taught started shaving pretty early. She suggested that we make it fun by having family who would normally give Christmas and birthday presents (his birthday is near Christmas) give him various types of after-shave and supplies for shaving. That way we could find his preference. It worked. He loves Brut and uses it for after-shave and deordorant. Shaving is a part of his bath routine. Thus, we are doing a gotee and he is fine with that as long as he gets to shave and wear Brut. Here is a picture of our start:

I will post another one when he has grown it longer.

Keep Adapting and Re-adapting,
Peggy Lou Morgan
Blogs: Amazon Author Connect, Parenting a Complex Special Needs Adult and Lighthouse Parents

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