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Letters form VK's Parents
May 2, 2007
Dear Dr. Roberts.
It has been nearly a month since we finished VK's MME in your office and we thought that we would share some of his progress with you and your staff.
There have been so many improvements with VK in the past eight months it is really difficult to know where to begin. I am certain that we have forgotten many of the negative behaviors that he had before we stared with the TD-DMPS and the magnetic mattress in September. I know that he does not put things in his mouth nor does he flop his hands back and forth. Last fall he would eat sand and throw it in his hair, even after we corrected him. He could not eat a meal, because he would not stop waving his hands around long enough to use his fingers. Last summer when he went out to play he would just start running and not stop, even when we called his name! I am sure that as he has improved we have forgotten the negative behaviors; many more than I can recall.
VK has made fantastic gains in the past eight months, some occurring during our 300 hours of MME. His mother and I are impressed with his ability to focus on books and learn new words. He has really made strides in this area. The eye contact when we call his name is unbelievable. This past weekend we were able to sit outside on the lawn and watch him play in the sandbox, instead of chase him around the yard,. On Sunday we walked down the sidewalk, in town, without having a tight hold on his hand. He walked right beside me.
Another thing we have noticed is that he is now aware of pain. Before the TD-DMPS, we would spank him or he would fall down and not cry; in fact many times he would laugh at us. The other day he scratched himself on his Grandmother's ring. VK said "ouch, that hurts" and rubbed the spot.
His mother and I have also noticed that he displays emotions more appropriately now. I scolded him for pulling his sister's hair one night and he actually pushed out his bottom lip and started to cry. When we tell him his Grandpa is coming up the drive, he begins to jump up and down and clap his hands. "Yeah, Grandpa's here!" - most remarkable.
As we were on our way to your office for one of our nightly visits I asked VK, "who works at Dr, Roberts' office, VK?" He replied, after a minute or two, "Pierce, Rick". I almost drove the car off the road. I am glad I was with it enough to continue with the conversation. "Who is the girl that works in Dr. Roberts' office?" His reply was "Ashley". This was a huge revelation to us; he would have never responded to an ambiguous question like this before. He might have been able to point at something form a book, out the window, or is he had an object in his hand and we gave him a hint, but nothing like this. It's the little things like this that typical kid's patents take for granted.
VK pointed to the sky the other day and said, "Look. Airplane". Now I admit that I have pointed out several hundred airplanes a month to him since he was born, but for him to get my attention, look at me, and point to an actual plane in the actual sky is a big deal.
One of the most exciting experiences for us occurred during the week of Easter. We had debated a while about buying VK and his sister bikes. We were both quite frustrated with VK right up through February as he still could not ride a tricycle. After much consideration we brought home a bike for each of them thinking that VK's bike would collect dust and go into the yard sale in a few years. Later in the week we put VK's helmet on him and had him climb up on the seat. He took off like he had been riding all along. Something in his brain has changed to allow this to happen. When he rode his tricycle before, he would sit almost completely side ways and he could not pedal. Nor would he keep his feet on the pedals; it was almost as if he were paralyzed. His teacher said that this is a huge milestone for him. He rides now sitting up tall and straight and his feet are on the pedals. Yes, he still has to rely on training wheels, but most 4 year olds do. Fantastic!
A few weeks ago VK had a great time bowling at a cousin's birthday party. I showed him how to roll the ball down the alley and after several tries he was doing it by himself. He later asked to do it himself. "Daddy, no help.". After we left the party, VK was playing with a cheap plastic toy he received, as he became frustrated with it he handed it to me and said spontaneously, "Fix this Daddy". Wow.
It has become part of his bath time ritual that his Mother comes in the bathroom and blows bubbles from a jar each night. He loves this and lately has been asking his Mom to do this - "Mommy blow bubbles?" Last night, his Mother was not available and he began asking; when I told him that she cold not do this, he responded with - "Daddy, blow bubbles?" This is very exciting. He evaluated the situation and changed his approach to fit the problem. VK also responds correctly when asked his phone number, birthday, and age. He can also determine if a person is a girl or boy when asked. About a week ago he was playing a joke with us saying "VK not a girl", "Daddy not a girl".
Lately, VK is very much into teasing and playing with his sister. His interaction with her has improved tremendously. He has made exceptional progress in his potty training as well and now sleeps through the night and wakes up dry in his underwear. He will sometimes ask to use the bathroom. Often times we do have to remind him and he will go willingly. This is a huge step; VK was still in diapers before he began MME.
We began to see some small improvements shortly after he began his TD-DMPS and the magnetic mattress in September. These have snowballed and have really been difficult to keep track of. VK does attend a special education preschool 4 days a week for 3 hours each day. He receives special services for occupational therapy and speech. His teacher made the comment that he will not need those for the summer because he has made such dramatic progress and has retained so much.
One of the most interesting observations of VK's progress probably comes from a most unlikely source, his barber. The barber, who has been cutting VK's hair since July, has me the comment - "I can't believe it is the same kid". VK has progressed from kicking and screaming and crying to saying "Hi Chad" and willingly going in the door all by himself and climbing up on the chair. In fact, the last time we went I asked him if he wanted a haircut and he replied "Yes. please".
Family and friend, who do not see VK daily or even weekly, comment on his progress when we gather for holidays or birthday parties. It is certainly encouraging to hear this from people who don't know what we have been doing for him. It is most impressive in church and in settings where he has to sit still.
Each day brings more for VK and we are convinced that he is coming back to us. If it were not for you knowing what to do he would not be as far along as he is today. It is a shame that the first Doctor we visited is giving children with autism no hope. It was a topic of debate between us whether to begin your treatment after our first telephone conversation. I guess we thought it was too good to be true, but it was worth every ounce of effort and every dollar spent to get him on track for his future. Thank you so much for being there for him. We will certainly make sure he knows the impact that you have made on his life and ours. God Bless You.
If any autistic patients or their families need some reassurance of your treatment please be sure to share out story and give then out number or email.
Thanks does not say enough!
VK's Dad, Mom, Sister, and especially VK.
June 17, 2007
As my children are napping and my husband relaxing on this Father's Day, I felt the need to send you a letter. I attended VK's IEP on Friday, 6-15-07. His teacher just needed me to sign a form allowing him to participate in "floor-time" for 4 Mondays this summer. She commented that "this won't take long" and I signed the form and she then said, "Well, I don't have to tell you how great VK is doing; here is the proof". She provided me with his recent percentages (which now he is being assessed in the 3-6 yr. old group). She stumbled for words as she said, "Look at the improvements even since February!" Dr. Roberts, VK HAS ACHIEVED AND MASTERED ALL OF THE GOALS THAT WERE SET FOR HIM! It was a MOST joyful moment to hear all of the positive words that were said about VK. I asked, "Is there anything I should work on or be concerned about?" And the teacher, speech pathologist, and occupational therapist all said, "Just keep doing what you're doing!" I cannot BEGIN to tell you how differently this meeting was as to last summer's. VK is talking A LOT and he is observing his environment and expressing his needs and wants like NEVER before. A year ago, he didn't even answer to his name, and now he will say things such as "Good morning, Mommy. I want orange juice please!" The other day he told his Dad that he wanted to go swimming. We are just BEYOND thrilled and although I know that we will meet this summer, I just HAD to share my excitement with you. If VK had made these significant gains in the past 10 moths, can you even imagine how great he will be in a year?! VK is an awesome kid and I will continue to thank you and God for helping his return to us.,
In much appreciation, VK's Mom
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