Well, it's been an OK week. Arley had a huge meltdown last night because at bedtime we couldn't find his iPad to charge it overnight, and we couldn't find it because he'd hidden it under his pillow. I took it back and told him it would now stay in my room, and then he refused to brush his teeth and the drama unfolded from there. He was very angry and then very remorseful. It was heartbreaking.
Carmie and I have continued with Taekwon Do, and Arley is still just watching, however we are planning on taking private lessons with the instructor until Arley feels like he can join in with the group lessons. Arley seems to think this will work, so I'll be trying to organise that over the next few weeks. Horse riding went well this week - Arley was happy to go, and Carmie is just so stoked to be back on a horse. Jeffrey and I are so happy to have found this place. The therapist was certified in the same course as our old beloved equine therapist, so it is very familiar to us.
On Tuesday our plans changed and we had an open afternoon which doesn't happen very often, so I took the opportunity to take the kids to the Mary Cairncross Rainforest. There's a cafe there, and a little nature centre, and rainforest walks. It's half an hour away, and we had to wait 45 minutes for our lunch, but somehow the kids sat through it all and there was no drama. We chatted and had a lovely time. Arley started getting stressed in the nature centre because he was more interested in getting into the actual rainforest, hoping to see some animals. He then became extremely controlling of our walking and was very stressed about the noise our feet made...it was quite upsetting for all of us. Then we saw a pademelon, which is like a very small wallaby, and he chilled out a little after that, as he realised the animals didn't care very much about our loud footsteps. He also got upset with Carmie for straying off the path, because there were signs saying not to. I think if we went back, he would be absolutely fine, but his first time anywhere is very stressful because he doesn't know what to expect. He really enjoyed seeing all the pademelons and different birds. I just have to expect that first times will always be tough.
The kids had OT this morning, and then Arley's new behaviour therapist came over to meet us and start an assessment. Arley is going to be working with him weekly. His name is Matt, and he seemed very knowledgeable as well as fun for Arley to connect with. He has already given me a few good tips, so hopefully he can really help Arley. His main goal is to help Arley cede control of his environment. Right now Arley shouts at us when we sing and dance, and when Carmie moves her body, or when she has bad manners at the dinner table, and he's taken to not letting us talk in the car now too. So Matt is going to try to help Arley tolerate more in his environment, and open his interests up into other things. Fingers crossed!
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