Our Son-Rise Journey

Energy, Enthusiasm and Excitement! The three E’s!

14/09/28 at 11.49pm   /   by sdcarlson   /   0 Comment

So I wanted to give you a little dose of what Lucas is doing with our volunteers.  Have I mentioned we have AMAZING volunteers?!  Here is one of our earlier sessions and already Lucas was showing affection, asking for touch/tickles and really connecting with our volunteer.  This has been the case across the board.

For a little boy who historically shied away from human physical contact, this playroom has opened up a whole new world in human interaction for him.  His school is even amazed at the difference from last year.  I’ve been asked if he is the same boy….LOL! This is what the 3 E’s in this program will get you.  Hope you Enjoy!

We finally have an edited video!

14/09/22 at 5.21pm   /   by sdcarlson   /   0 Comment

http://sonrisewithlucas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kate-clip-3.wmv

I wanted to show you a small little clip of what one of our playroom sessions look like. I am going to warn you, I can be loud, so I would put your volume on low : )  Also, I am still in the learning process, but even so, we have seen so much physical contact and interactions from Lucas since starting this!

In this video you will see me joining (doing what Lucas does) and building on an existing activity/interaction that he has started.

The Son-Rise program developmental model breaks down things like duration/frequency of interactions, eye contact, language, flexibility, etc. into bite-sized goals which we then incorporate into the interactions.

The wonderful thing about this program is that it is not a goal driven process.   Lucas decides when these interactions happen so there is no forcing these goals.  It allows them to happen so naturally, and we have so much fun in the process.  Enjoy! (Please ignore my terrible singing voice. LOL)

Another productive week!

14/09/15 at 12.22am   /   by sdcarlson   /   0 Comment

Even though we had a sick day in the middle of the week, it turned out to be a pretty great week overall.  We added another awesome volunteer and everyone took steps forward with Lucas in the playroom.  This week was marked by a lot of physical touching with Lucas ranging from hand squeezes to hugs to playing with Lucas’ hair (which is a rare event)!  As soon as we figure out this video thing we have a bunch of short clips to post of Luke and the volunteers interacting in ways he has not shown in the past.  We want to thank everyone involved with this program again as you are definitely making a difference in our lives and we are taking steps in the right direction with Lucas!

What a week!

14/09/05 at 11.27pm   /   by sdcarlson   /   0 Comment

Well, I might be partially biased, but I really do have the best volunteers!  We had our first week of everyone in the playroom with Lucas.  There were so many amazing moments that happened just during the training period that I will do my best to highlight them all.

First of all, my volunteers are catching on so quickly and are so at ease in the playroom.  Lucas is having a blast…PLAYING!  It’s crazy.  He is really loving it.

I have never been able to truly interact in play with my child.  It has always been him stacking blocks by himself, puzzles by himself, potato head by himself. It didn’t really matter if I was there or not.  He has been engaging in games repeatedly with everyone on my team.  We pretend the door is magic and wave magic wands when it is time to open it, we play bridge building games and celebrate our ability to get across, we dance, we sing music.  The list goes on.  For the first time, I am truly able to enjoy just being with my child on his terms even if we are just waiving a chew tube around and staring off at the ceiling.  It’s an amazing feeling.

Additionally, previously physical contact was at a minimum and only when he allowed it.  He really never has initiated contact in a loving way.  I know he loves us, but he has never shown this physically. Lucas has reached out countless times during the inception of this program to touch us and our volunteers, grabbing our hands and caressing them next to his face.  He making so much eye contact that we weren’t prepared for it…lol!  Great problem to have!

Yesterday, my daughter and Lucas were swinging  on their bellies in the backyard next to each other.  An activity that is generally exclusive to Lucas (meaning he does this without the need for anyone to be there with him or interact with him).  They were looking at each other the entire time, slapping hands every time they passed, giggling.  You guys I don’t even know how to hold in all the happiness I feel right now!

I really believe the possibilities are endless for Lucas and am seeing so many things that are so easily happening that seemed like such huge barriers before.  I can’t wait to see where this program takes us.

We have lots of videos and are working on how to edit them on our computer and such.  I will be sharing them as time goes on…. so stay tuned!

What an awesome first couple of sessions!

14/08/30 at 7.20pm   /   by sdcarlson   /   0 Comment

I just have to take a minute to tell you about the first few sessions Brad and I have had with Lucas.

I went in our playroom for the first time last week and began joining Lucas.  In only about 10 minutes of joining, Lucas got up came over and hugged me!!  He has not initiated a real hug really ever!  As I’m sure you know, this mama was ready to let the tears pour, but I realized what a wonderful time to celebrate him!  I felt like he knew that I accepted him and was entirely happy just “being” with him without demanding anything of him.  What a wonderful moment!

My second session with Lucas:  I began joining and following the Son Rise principles, and we had our first ever real game of pretend animals.  He kept requesting me to be a crocodile and decided to be a horse.  For a child on the spectrum, this is a truly amazing step in socialization.  We had so much fun together!!

Brad has been in the playroom with Lucas as well and within 10 minutes of joining Lucas, he put his hands on  Brad’s face and caressed his chin while looking in his eyes.  These are the moments a mom and dad dream of when they have a child and this program is already facilitating these moments that we have longed for with something as easy as just accepting and being with our child the way he is.  We cannot wait to see where this program takes us!!