monday, psychotherapist, monday

SJ's developmental pediatrician had suggested that I make an appointment for SJ to see a psychotherapist.  He was concerned that SJ would be getting attention as puberty falls upon him and he wants him to have someone to talk to about those feelings.

So, on Monday we had his initial appointment with the psychotherapist.  When we got there, we were greeted by a very welcoming face.  I had a good feeling about the therapist as soon as I saw him.  He took us back and got some background on SJ.

He asked about his birth, milestones, his Autism diagnosis, diet, therapies (speech, occupational, behavioral), schooling, family dynamic and friendships.  After I answered all of his questions, I told him about his occasional anger issues and the petechiae incident.

He asked me to leave him alone with SJ, so that they could chat for about 15-20 minutes. After he was done talking to SJ, he had me come back in.  During their alone time, SJ told him that he would like to be a police officer one day.  He also told him that he likes Legos, video games and Star Wars.  He admitted that he gets extremely frustrated when he loses and when Bob agitates him. 

The therapist told me that he discussed with SJ to try to be a Jedi Knight in training.  He reminded him that being a Jedi means he needs to stay calm and on the "light side".  He should not go to the "dark side" (having tantrums, getting enraged).  He gave him some acronyms to help him remember when he gets mad or someone is bothering him.  I loved this idea.  So simple, but so clever!

For anger management, SJ is to remember this acronym.

Stop

Think

Act

Review

 

For conflict management, SJ is to remember this acronym.

Work it out, or else walk away

Ask other person(s) to stop

Request help

Self defense

 

He also told SJ that he needs to find a "Safety Zone".  This will be a place for him to go to calm down for 15 minutes. When he is in his safety zone, he is not to be disturbed.  His safety zone is going to be his room.  He told the therapist that Bob sometimes bothers him when he is in his room.  The therapist asked me if we could have a family rule about that.  I told him I would remind Bob that he can't bother SJ when he is in his safety zone. 

 

He also wants SJ to arrange a "Calm Down Kit".  He wants him to put five things in it that will calm him down.  He asked, "Like my plushies?"  The therapist said, "Yes.  Anything that makes you feel better."

 

He also asked me to keep a calendar to track his temper outburst.  Each day is divided in half .  If he does not have a temper outburst, he gets a star.  He gave us some optional rewards.  He said we could do a 5 items daily or weekly list.  If he gets 2 stars each day, he would get one item.  If he gets 11 to 12 stars weekly, he would get one item.  I am not sure if I want to do that, so we are still deciding on the rewards. 

 

He said he would like to see him back at the end of July.  I thanked him and told I was hoping these new techniques were helpful for SJ.