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August 1, 2005
To The Hyperbaric Team:
We have been thrilled with the changes we have seen in Jack's language since visiting the
Hyperbaric Therapy Center and doing our 10 dives. I thought y'all would like to read about
what we are seeing. Following is a narrative of what we saw in the first few days after
returning home.
Thank you for the fabulous work you are doing there for these kids. We were thrilled with
the treatment we received from the entire team while we visited with you for a week. You
took great care of us. We are truly grateful.
Thanks for your service to the autism community!!
Karen Halbert and Jack
PS The photo shows off Jack's new photo-taking skills thanks to mHBOT!!!!!
Changes from mHBOT (10
treatments in 5 consecutive days)
Day 6: Much less anxiety
today than before treatment.
Crying while watching a
video with a sad song in it. The
beginnings of empathy?
Said “ouch, ear”.
When I asked if ear hurt, he said “Yes” to Right ear (which he
originally indicated) but “No” to Left ear. (first time to indicate pain
other than an obvious boo-boo)
Said “Mmm, yummy” and
rubbed his tummy while eating snack (first time to rub tummy)
I said, “It is time to
play with Andrea (ABA Therapist)” and Jack said, “No, it’s movietime!”
ha.
Easily put blanket and
pacifier in bed when told. Actually
brought blanket and pacifier down to den and, when told to put it in his bed,
immediately went to his room and followed the directions.
Day 7: Sat through the entire church service in the auditorium (without
needing to go to the cry room) – haven’t had that success in MONTHS!
Great imaginative play
during church with toys…pretended markers were trains; walked his Dora
colorforms around on the seat.
When we arrived home, we
parked the car in the driveway. As
we walked through the empty garage, Jack said “Daddy, where’s the purple
car?”
Tried to climb up the back
of our kitchen chair like a ladder.
Day 8: First day back to school since treatment
Per Jack’s teachers:
Walked into class and said “Hi Miss Penni” and hugged her,
unprompted. Did art project without prompting.
Easily came to the table when he was called.
Jack emphatically did the animal noises during circle time with the
class. Initiated more independent
play with peers, with very little prompting from teacher or aide.
Gave aide a ball during gym time and said “Shoot a basket!”
A student came into class with new shoes on and Jack said “I like your
shoes. Your shoes are blue.”
When I arrived to pick him up from school, Jack acknowledged me but then
went on playing with a dollhouse and the dolls appropriately.
He had no interest in leaving, and usually I can’t finish getting the
teacher’s daily comments before he’s whining and pulling me to the door.
They also noted that NO pictures were needed today from his visual
schedule.
At a store, Jack looked at
an Elmo book. Typically he would
then be fine with putting it back. But
today he wanted to take it in the car with him (so I bought it).
When we got home I told Jack to show Daddy his book.
He immediately pushed it over to Daddy and said “I have a potty
book!”
Much less anxious doing
routine things that previously caused anxiety (walking on asphalt).
When dressing in the a.m.,
I said “Let’s wear your monkey shirt” and Jack said “No, train shirt!”
Woke up this morning asking
what day it was (said “Today is…? Today
is?” was excited to know it was Monday.)
In evening, peepee-d in the
potty for the very first time ever!!!
Day 9: Great language has been observed.
Longer sentences. More
appropriate commenting. Talking
about what he sees on tv.
Awesome pretend play today
– acted out the “On top of spaghetti” song with the meatball.
Never seen him act out anything before!
Smiled for the camera for
the first time. Was able to take 5
photos, each time he’d smile and look at the camera and wait until I counted
to 3!!! He said “More smiles.
More pictures!”
I went out to dinner w/some
friends. When I came home, Jack ran
from the den to the top of the stairs beaming with a giant smile and yelled
“Mommy!!!” He then watched me in
the kitchen for a few minutes, waiting for me to come to him.
He never turned away, didn’t go back to playing.
Seemed genuinely excited to see me in a way that was different than
before.
Day 10: During
ABA
therapy at home, he and the therapist watched the rain outside.
Later, when we went back into the therapy room, Jack looked out the
window and said “It’s all done raining!”
I don’t remember him commenting like this before.
Day 11:
ABA
and Speech Therapists shared a shift today.
When Paulette, the SLP, entered the room Jack said “Carolyn and Miss
Paulette – Together!” He also
commented on stickers on the door: “Those
stars are VERY high!” Great new
commenting!! On a different note,
poop has changed back to yucky stuff. Has
the yeast returned?
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here.
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