Body blocking is one of the things I'm most excited about. Just that extra "touch" to keep his mind in the present to stop him from just wandering off to the side, front or lagging behind will be wonderful. It's hard to even go walking in our neighborhood because he drifts so much, and since we don't have sidewalks (country subdivision 1-way in/out, but still has 240 houses so there are always cars), I feel exhausted after what's supposed to be a fun relaxing walk. And when I stressed, then all 3 of them feel it.
I'm also thrilled with the deep pressure techniques. And although Cole is already huge for his age (4'7", 95 lbs, and in a size 6 shoe :yikes: ), I'm not looking into having the dog jump up on him to apply pressure to the chest, but rather lie over his legs/lap. It came to me that when Cole is having problems focusing on reading for homework, I get a somewhat thick/heavier blanket and drape it over his lap, and he does so much better with it. We do much of his work sitting on the floor, as the sensation of sitting on our table bench (he complains it hurts his legs after a while), the bright kitchen lights, the other 2 boys running around playing, well...it's all too much. But this way the dog could help during that time as well.
As for the seizure alert, I would want the dog to come get me if she senses a seizure at bay or one actively occurring. I've been told that training the dog to ring a bell (hand a bell pull from a doorknob somewhere or off the wall) would be better than trying to have the dog alert me in a more physical manner, to which I agree. Of course, if we're not at home, this would pose a problem.
Also, often times immediately after a seizure (zoning out, blank staring, often repetitive finger jabbing motion, & sometimes muttering jibberish), Cole will be VERY confused/disoriented and often just collapses. Like he will literally fall asleep in whatever position he's in, which has been standing at times, and just hit the deck. I've caught him most times, but not all. Maybe having the dog brace against him would help?
Honestly, I'm so excited, but I'm also already started to feel overwhelmed.
I appreciate everyone's responses and help. Pease bear with me through this, and remember that my perspective is that as the mother of a 7-year-old boy who is just now figuring out how to use words to verbally express how or what he's feeling (he's very intelligent and speaks with a wonderful vocabulary, but as those with similar conditions know, actually being able to focus and verbalized so others can gain understanding is hard). It so different being the parent and praying that you are making the right decisions and doing the right things.
I'm also thrilled with the deep pressure techniques. And although Cole is already huge for his age (4'7", 95 lbs, and in a size 6 shoe :yikes: ), I'm not looking into having the dog jump up on him to apply pressure to the chest, but rather lie over his legs/lap. It came to me that when Cole is having problems focusing on reading for homework, I get a somewhat thick/heavier blanket and drape it over his lap, and he does so much better with it. We do much of his work sitting on the floor, as the sensation of sitting on our table bench (he complains it hurts his legs after a while), the bright kitchen lights, the other 2 boys running around playing, well...it's all too much. But this way the dog could help during that time as well.
As for the seizure alert, I would want the dog to come get me if she senses a seizure at bay or one actively occurring. I've been told that training the dog to ring a bell (hand a bell pull from a doorknob somewhere or off the wall) would be better than trying to have the dog alert me in a more physical manner, to which I agree. Of course, if we're not at home, this would pose a problem.
Also, often times immediately after a seizure (zoning out, blank staring, often repetitive finger jabbing motion, & sometimes muttering jibberish), Cole will be VERY confused/disoriented and often just collapses. Like he will literally fall asleep in whatever position he's in, which has been standing at times, and just hit the deck. I've caught him most times, but not all. Maybe having the dog brace against him would help?
Honestly, I'm so excited, but I'm also already started to feel overwhelmed.
I appreciate everyone's responses and help. Pease bear with me through this, and remember that my perspective is that as the mother of a 7-year-old boy who is just now figuring out how to use words to verbally express how or what he's feeling (he's very intelligent and speaks with a wonderful vocabulary, but as those with similar conditions know, actually being able to focus and verbalized so others can gain understanding is hard). It so different being the parent and praying that you are making the right decisions and doing the right things.
