eSpecially Ben

AMBUCS is a wonderful organization, providing adaptive bicycles and tricycles for kids and adults with special needs. Ben is on his second tryke, and this one was a gift from his Aunt Olivia a few years ago. One of our biggest challenges in the past has been getting Ben to keep his hands on the handlebars, but he is now listening to our directions and holding on tight. We added a strap to help keep his chest in place and provide extra support. With assistance, Ben can ride up to five blocks now. When he gets tired, he starts to slump over. Holding his chest and body in place in addition to pedaling are hard work, but great exercise. Our goal is to get him to ride all the way to the playground after school to see his brothers. It is six or seven long blocks. I think it will be an accomplishment that will get lots of attention from other kids which is a great motivator for Ben. At the end of the day, like any kid, he likes to show-off. Joey, walking beside Ben, is one of our

Ready or not! Ben - 5th grade Logan - 4th grade Sean - 1st grade

Many parents with special needs children chart behavior, medicine and any other information they may need to know. Up until this June, I had only made note when Ben had seizure activity and this was at the request of the neurologist. I had made sad attempts to track his sleep in the past when it was haywire, but nothing was consistent because I was too tired to follow-through. I started this journey with a goal of a four week dairy elimination diet. Now we are on Day 60, tracking the following items: Seizure medicine changes Addition of allergy pill Addition of probiotic Bowel Movements Sleeping hours (including any naps) Dietary changes Cheating with diet changes We have learned so much from keeping this chart. As you can see from the photo, I did it "old school", on a paper calendar. I used pencil, pen and different colored highlighters to help things stand out.  These are a few areas in which I think charting may help: 1. It is a good reminder about t