Another One Bites the Dust

After almost two years of trying to stay cautious and avoid COVID, we got hit with it. We found out Friday that we'd been exposed by an Autism Therapist (could've happened anytime, but obviously anytime you have several people coming in and out of your home, that risk multiplies). My third kiddo (second kiddo with Autism) started showing symptoms that night and tested positive the next day. The rest of us have been negative (with two fighting bronchitis and my husband fighting a sinus infection). Last night my oldest (not on the spectrum) had a stomach bug that we're thinking might actually be COVID. The plan is to go get tested again tomorrow (barring anyone else throwing up) and see if we need to start our 10-day quarantine all over again. The point of all this is though that, even with the frustrations and potential for illness, I still think ABA therapy is worth it. My older kiddo on the spectrum has been doing therapy since 2017 and my other since Spring of last year. We've seen the progress they've made: my older kiddo was absolutely nonverbal with a severe developmental delay and is now mainstreamed and doing well in his class. He takes a little longer to get homework done and sometimes (read more than sometimes) it takes finding a new way of teaching the information for him to get it, but he is brilliant and so sweet! My next kiddo is writing his name, knows his letters, is doing the basics for learning to read (letter sounds), etc. I have had some people say, "Ya, but you could've done that on your own." Sure, I could've done it. Except times that by two plus a typically-developing child who is a voracious reader and learner of anything and everything as well as a baby/toddler (both of who still need attention). They're able to get targeted help (not just academically, but social, behaviorally, etc) and are trained in ways that I just am not. I've learned (and continue to learn) so much every day. Is it still aggravating when we get sick or stressful keeping track of schedules? Heck yes! I think it would for anyone but add that on to my diagnoses of Anxiety, OCD, and Mild Depression and it can go into overdrive! But it's still so worth it! I will keep doing everything I can to make sure they get the help and therapy they need for as long as they can or until they no longer need it. If you know anyone who you think (or heck, if you know) is on the Autism spectrum, encourage them to get ABA if they can. Especially early on in their life. We were told the first five years of life are critical for setting up interventions and getting kids the help they need. We have been very vocal about that because we've seen that help. Ok. Off my soapbox. I need to go sanitize things and run more laundry before I pass out from being up all night with my kiddo. Stay healthy!