Let me just start off I am glad I got super busy with life to not write on my blog last week because I was quite steamed to say the least.
Week 3 of ABA was not what I had planned, one of the tutors called in sick yet again and they had no one to cover his shift. This was not the first time this had happened and was becoming a trend and needless to say I was not happy. I have very strong feelings on stability and reliability, if someone is coming into my sons life and becoming a part of it they need to have these same feelings. Autistic children strive on schedule and routine and while I don't think Joseph noticed ABA tutors didn't show up that is not the point. So that night I sent an email to the consultant, Erin which is like a supervisor, they are the ones that train the tutors on how to run "lessons" with Joseph like learning to use his sippy cup, sing a song, how to use PECS, etc. I told her that I would like to setup a meeting to go over some concerns. So instead of me getting an email back reassuring me and setting something up I got an email from her boss, Rachel stating Erin would no longer be on Joseph's case!! Why? Who knows, no one ever told me but maybe I scared her with my up front approach, but I learned later it was for the better. Rachel arranged for a new supervisor Nimantha (pronounced like Samantha with a N) to come out to the house for a meeting, she ended up coming during the day so I arranged with my work to get off early and "SURPRISE"Mommas home early. Yep I surprised even Jason that I came home early, I didn't walk into a disaster or anything. Not sure why I did it, maybe to just keep them on their toes as they never know when I will walk through the door. So as I talked with Nimantha I really knew this was an answer from God, she is just the right fit for our family. Unfortunately, when I brought up the attendance issue with the tutors or I should say "a tutor" she told me that it was part of the business of ABA and that she has a lot of families complain about it to her. Well, this can't be good business I thought to myself? Is not one parent standing up for their kids? Then she went on to inform that the evening shift was being cancelled because the evening tutor called in yet again and that's when I literally lost it inside. I did tell her I was very disappointed and couldn't believe this was happening and left it at that because I knew it was not her responsibility. After I put Joseph down for his nap I just couldn't let this go. I was thinking back to when I was choosing the right ABA company for us and when I called Capitol Autism I specifically brought up reliability and when I told the manager on that first call about my work schedule and how I wanted to be a part of the sessions he said they were completely flexible and could split Joseph's sessions 1 in the am and 1 in the evening so I could be there for at least the evening shift which is the one that is constantly missed. So I called the one the made this promise to me directly and I was very direct with him, polite but direct. I told him he made a commitment to be reliable and in 2 1/2 weeks time there was 5 cancellations, I did give them the benefit of the doubt I feel but this is just ridiculous. I told him how I was being told that the missed sessions are apart of the ABA business and he was in shock!! He said that is not the case and apologized for quite some time about his staff. He said he had no idea this many sessions had been missed. I pretty much told him I was questioning my decision in choosing his company and told him how sad is it that I look forward to the phone call from the receptionist almost daily to cancel a shift? She probably has my number memorized. So he promised me he would speak with all the staff immediately and if it is not improved to let him know. Did I stop there, nope. I sent an email to the Regional Center that pays for Joseph's services and told them what was going on and they should really re-consider having Capitol Autism as a provider being what has happened with us. She had no idea either all this was happening so she wanted me to keep her posted and she agreed if things didn't improve we may have to look at another provider.
The next day I was informed the normal evening shift tutor had a family emergency and would be gone for a week but Misty the day tutor would take his place during his absence. No big deal to me, I am not concerned if a different tutor comes my problem is when "no one" shows up that's what is very concerning. Joseph is such a bright boy and with constant enforcement he excels so quickly, but when tutors or staff don't show it's hard because I am wanting the help so badly for my son. Yes, I do work with him myself and I don't rely completely on them but they have the experience and I make wrong choices all the time in teaching him new things. When I show him the wrong way it can take weeks to correct it, so if they just showed up we could be so far ahead then we already are.
As well, the next day after the call to the manager I got an email oh emails you should really read twice before you hit send oh well I said what I said and it has gotten us to today. So one of the consultants Janet sent me an email. (Janet won't be on Josephs case much longer either mostly because I didn't jive well with her and Joseph didn't seem to connect with her so I requested that she be removed from his case.) Anyways, she requested that we have a meeting at our house for training with Jason and I and all the tutors, go over lessons, show Jason and I how to run them (which will help with me doing things correctly) but it was during the day on a really busy work day for me so I replied to her and of course included Rachel her boss and the Regional Center and told them it wouldn't work for me because I work during the day and needed an evening time. She then replied to tell me how they all have such busy schedules and will have to see what she can do. Seriously?? You are worried about your schedules?? I am the client they should be working around my schedule not the other way around. That email alone just lit a fire, it took me a matter of seconds before I replied "With all the attendance issues of the staff I would rather see 2 weeks of consistent attendance before meeting to ensure you are the company for our family" I am sure she wasn't too happy with my response because she replied "I understand" Seriously?? That's all you have to say, oh well I let it be and Rachel has been calling me daily since to see how things are going and to address all concerns I have which has been really nice.
In the past week I have seen a huge difference not 1 cancellation, it was just awesome. I felt like things were right on track but as I mentioned above the evening tutor was out of town. So while he was out of town things were great, very interesting was it him or was it because I called the manager/owner? Hmmmm.
Joseph has learned so much in the past week it is just amazing, I am going to be honest I know for a fact it is not all "ABA". There are a handful of people that support us in our journey and I know they are praying for Joseph and a lot of this is God's work, it truly is. Every person that comes into our home is completely amazed at how quickly Joseph picks up things and has grown. The past week has been the most change I have ever seen. Joseph has gone from 2 words to 6 words as well he says "All Done" "Whats that" and my daughters favorite "Whats up". It is the most amazing feeling ever to know what my son wants instead of a complete melt down and trying to guess correctly as quickly as possibly before the melt down goes out of control. As well, Joseph is ready for Phase 3 of PECS. How awesome is that, in 4 weeks times he went from no words with meaning to 6 plus Phase 3 of PECS.
I feel like each milestone he makes is like when you child took their first steps, or said their first word ever, because when this all began I never thought any of this was ever going to be possible I really had my doubts and to see my doubts taken away, Ahh. Oh and now when we call Joseph's name he turns on the first try unless of course he is distracted but almost every time he turns and makes "Eye Contact" Huge Huge!!!
This past Thursday the normal evening shift tutor came back and he didn't really seem like he even knew what was going on. He played drum and Mr. Potato head and was asking me how things were being done, OK shouldn't you already know? After a week of good things and he comes back and a little red flag is starting to go off...maybe he doesn't really have 5 years experience like he told me. After 5 years of experience to me you should be almost an expert at your field. So....I called Rachel and told her I am questioning his knowledge and he just acted like he didn't know what the heck he was doing. She understood and said she would try and get the lead tutor out for Friday's shift to show him how to run them. So did someone come with him on Friday? No!! He seemed to work on a couple different things but was letting Joseph play with Mr Potato incorrectly. We are supposed to correct him when he places the ear in the nose hole, was this happening no. Then he informed me the Friday evening shift won't work for him anymore, did he tell his boss? No he tells me. Really, do I look like your boss? You are telling the wrong person. He then goes as to ask if I even really want someone on Fridays, because he will be here on the other days. Like he is all "ABA" he can't even show up on a regular basis. Jason and I really like him as a person, he is a super nice guy, that's what makes this hard to just say he isn't working for us. If I didn't like him he would've been gone a long time ago so I am stuck. At this point I think we might just need to go our separate ways for Joseph's sake because as my blog states I am "Joseph's Voice"
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