Visiting the Lotus Group

Well we went to the Lotus Group last night and met with a therapist named Janis. She had worked with children on all ends of the autism spectrum. She thought Cassidy was very high-functioning. I told her that is what makes her more difficult because she seems normal at some points and others she doesn't. She doesn't fit the stereotypical profile of an autistic child.

I told her that I wanted to find a way to help Cassidy cope emotionally and pull herself out of her fits and to correct her insomnia issues. I told her about my "Stop a Fit" technique. She thought I was on the right track. She had some "assignments" for us.

1. Keep a journal of every fit.
a. Time
B. Date
c. Trigger or Possible Trigger
2. Brushing Her Arms and Legs...(she suggested a baby hair brush but I am using different paint brushes and a make up brush)
3. Use a box of tactile objects to calm her (feathers, felt, velvet...)
4. Do a series of predictable things when a fit is coming on
(ex. "stop a fit technique")


5. Log times and days of insomnia in journal.

Basically right now we are looking for patterns to try to decipher what is bringing on her outbursts.

I am so sick of getting ways of DEALING with this disorder. I want a way to make her better. To make her FEEL BETTER! It is like she has a disease and instead of curing her we are just trying to learn how to deal with the outbursts she has because she is miserable because she is ill.

Imagine if she had cancer and instead of trying to cure it they just tried to teach us all to behave when she screamed in pain. I will do the things suggested but I think it all sucks. I want answers and I want HELP! HELP! Not "give me $125 and I will tell you some bull-shit you could look up on the Internet for free."

SOMEBODY HELP US!!!!