Autism Awareness

I am asked constantly what I do for work, so in order to inform and help educate Autism Awareness I would like to share a little bit about what I do.

After graduating from USU in 04 with a B.S. in the Social Science field I moved to Idaho and became certified as an Intensive Behavioral intervention Therapist. This is a very specific program sponsored by the state of Idaho which is available to children.
IBI therapists work with children to develop positive behaviors and the skills they need to function in typical home and community environments. IBI is a one-to-one, time-limited service that is individualized for each child. IBI uses theories of Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavioral Supports. One of the primary teaching techniques used is Discrete Trial Teaching. Skills are also generalized into play situations and naturalistic situations. http://www.childrenstherapyplace.com/ibi.html

I worked as an IBI therapist with primarily autistic children and as an HR representative for "The Children's Center' in Idaho for 4 years. During this time I decided to pursue a Master's degree in Human resource Training and Development from ISU. I worked full time during the day and went to school at nights, spending most of 2008 working on my Thesis, which I successfully completed & defended at 9 months pregnant. I worked right up until the day I had Jackson, literally the day of July 30th 2008 was my last day as an IBI therapist and Jackson's birthday.

Two months later we moved to Portland for Lee's schooling and I left my job. Leaving such a great job was a difficult transition for me. I love being home with my son, but I truly believe that I am a better Mom when I am able to work outside of the home. My time with Jackson and Lee is much more effective and quality based when I am able to work. I also feel that I have an obligation to work considering I have 6years of post high school education which I can use to benefit my family. Finding a job in Oregon that met my qualifications and schedule was not easy. Prior to taking my job this summer as an Autism Therapist I had been offered numerous positions. Many were in the H.R. field requiring I work outside the home from 9-5; this was not an option for our family, while other job offers did not meet my pay requirements. I do not believe that working outside of the home works for every mother, but for me the perfect job came along for my qualifications and our families' schedule.

I work for ABC (Autism Behavior consulting) services out of Vancouver WA. http://www.autismabc.org I work part time averaging 15-20 hours per week. I set my own schedule and try to work around Lee's school schedule so that Jack is typically with him when I'm working. I am blessed to have a wonderful friend who helps watch Jackson, I trust her with him completely. This job is truly an amazing blessing for our family; I am so grateful I get to work in the autism field and help support my family while Lee completes his education.

   I am very passionate about what I do, and helping the children and families I work with. Autism is the most common of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, affecting an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control Prevention, 2007). Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. And this number is on the rise. Based on statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and other governmental agencies, autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per year. At this rate, the ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees -this is why early diagnosis is so crucial. By learning the signs, a child can begin benefiting from one of the many specialized intervention programs.

What I do
   I follow a very structured program designed and directed by a psychologist and BCBA Director, employing Discrete Trial Training and Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy where core skills are broken down into manageable parts, and taught systematically using prompting strategies and a positive reinforcement system. These sub-skills are taught until mastered, and then those skills are used to build new skills. Challenging behaviors are analyzed, and a program is developed to reduce those behaviors while replacing them with socially-acceptable replacement behaviors.

Though this is a lengthy blog, it is really just a brief synopsis of what I do. Awareness and education are key, as well as early Intervention therapy for children who are diagnosed with Autism. If you would like to learn more about Autism please visit the Autism Society of America's webpage at :
http://www.autism-society.org

Facing the Miles

I remember watching a friend run cross country in high school and wondering to myself why anyone would volunteer to run. I played volleyball in high school and running was always something given to our team as a punishment, miss a serve run a ladder, hit the ball out of bounds-the team ran a lap, it was something I learned to avoid-it was punishment. My memories of junior high include avoiding track days at all cost, running the mile twice a quarter was torture.
(this is not my #)

Running was a journey I started during my undergraduate at Utah State in Logan Utah, ironically the same place I finished my 3rd Marathon last September. It was my freshman year at USU, and I signed up for a workout class. The day I ran my first mile without stopping I was 19, I couldn't believe I had survived, but I had-and I was addicted. Running for me is about so much more than just running.

(BlackSmith Fork Canyon)

I relish getting to see the sunrise, getting that special jump on the day before the rest of the world, feeling that postrun glow push me through busy mornings and long days. "Running is so boring," so many people complain to me. I disagree with this entirely. I get some of my best work done while I am running. I write therapy plans, solve complex work issues, find solutions to nagging problems, finish chapters in my Graduate Thesis-then walk myself through its defense, and even compose comprehensive to-do lists without touching pen to paper. I also daydream, play out amazing vacations Lee and I will someday take, listen to songs which transform me back to childhood and beyond, grieve for lost loved ones, and celebrate all of the blessing life has given me.

Then there are times I think about absolutely nothing except the run, nothing but the sound of my feet hitting the pavement like a therapeutic trance calming my information overloaded mind. I have run 8 months pregnant, and 5 weeks after my son was born, both times my pace was so slow Lee could speed walk and keep up, but it didn't matter to me, the point was I was moving. I have ran in Mexico, Georgia, Boston, and down the streets of Daytona Florida, in California along the beach with Lee, a trail with mountain lion warnings in Idaho, farm roads in Utah, past waterfalls in Oregon, and across the red rock desert of Page Arizona.

(This is the temple which got me through the race, I ran towards it for the last 6 miles, since the race ended at a park just below the temple hill)

I have felt pain at miles 19 and 20 of a Marathon that would knock me to my knees on a regular day, but not on race day, because I am ready for them, I am prepared mentally and physically, there is nothing that can break my stride. "Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go…" T.S. Eliot. I don't believe everyone needs to run to find out who they are, but I do believe that anyone can do anything they put their mind to do, especially running.

( Hardware Ranch where the race began)

I have said it several times; anyone with enough willpower, heart, and desire can finish a marathon, which is more about an individual's level of determination and grit-than their physical ability. Training is essential though, 26.2 miles demands a persons respect. Life is about setting goals, new goals, higher goals, avoiding complacency at all costs. For me, my future running goal is the coveted Boston Marathon, which requires Women ages 18-34 to run 26.2 miles in a maximum time of 3 hrs and 40 minutes. Wow. That is fast! That equals around an 8:20 mile for the entire 26.2 miles, meaning my ten minute miles aren't going to get me to Boston, and changes are on the horizon for more speed work! I have a long way to go.

This goal today seems unachievable, but so did the thought of running a Marathon 5 years ago. I would have never believed that my body or mind could sustain that type of endurance, but it can, and I did. We never know how far we can push ourselves in any aspect of our lives until we just do it. A favorite quote of mine reads… "We have no idea what infinite potential for greatness we possess- just below the surface of what we limit ourselves to do." That is the question then for all of us, what infinite potential do we all possess just below the surface of our fear, and how much of it have we actually discovered?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The latest and Greatest

Party Week

We had a busy week. Grandma Peterson flew in from Utah and stayed for a week, we were able to celebrate her birthday at a fancy litte desert retaurant in downtown Portland, as well as Jackson's first birthday party. Jackson loved having his Grandma spoil him, and I really appreciated all of the help with his party.

The birthday balls were a huge hit with the babies, which was a good thing-since the 70 degree weather wasn't allowing for much of our original 'water party.'

It was a great party! We appreciate everyone who showed up to help us celebrate, and all of the great gifts as well!

Jackson got to eat a little dog cake, it was so cute before he started eating it! In retrospect though, I think I will do a different color than muddy brown next year, it looked much too much like

"- - - -"

(u get the picture), but he still had so much fun eating it! He is such a QT, we coudn't imagine our family without him! Happy Birthday little Jack and Grandma!! We love you. Can you sense the apprehension? He wasn't quite sure, right up until he discovered how yummy frosting really is!!

An Oregon Summer

Here it is the end of July, almost one year to the day (tomorrow) since Jackson was born and we are in the middle of a great Oregon summer. We have had so much fun this summer, it safe to say we are adjusted to Portland life, and we LOVE it here! :)

This is the first summer since high-school which I haven't been working a 9-5 job, even last July I worked right up until the day i was induced with Jack. Staying home has been a new experience. Now that Jack is turning one, I will be re-entering the workforce, but it has been so much fun having this time at home with him and enjoying our wonderful summer days. So far this summer we have been on a ton of hikes, usually Sunday after church, or in the evening after Lee gets home from school, we will drive up to the Gorge and check out a new hike, so far we haven't been disappointed! Lee and I both love getting out and moving, spending time in nature and teaching our son the importance of an active lifestyle. We even found our own little waterfall, it is a tiny one off the beaten path called "fairy falls."Along with our hikes my summer mornings have included a lot of miles. At least three times a week I am up around 6:00 am, my running girls and I getting our morning dose of fresh air and a great workout, completing our goals and setting new ones. We just finished a 1/2 together and now I'm setting my sights of the Top of Utah full marathon in September. This is truly one of the best parts of my day, waking up before the rest of the world, pushing myself, spending time getting my thoughts in order, and gaining strength from other motivated people doing the same thing.I love summer. I love the heat, the fresh fruit we were able to pick and make jam from, the BBQ's, Jackson's cute tan lines, spending time with our great friends at the pool in our complex, the green everywhere, the fact that the sun stays out until 9:00 pm, my races, my evening walks with Lee, and just the overall feeling in the air. The feeling of freedom, fireworks, parades, carnivals, and good friends. Aww...its *Summer* what more can I say.

Heyyyyyyyyyyyy...they sayyyyyyyyyyy...........its your birthday..............

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADA (Jackson with Great Gram)
from your biggest fans in Utah. We miss you so much, we wanted to send a birthday wish your way and show you what we have been up to........................

Jackson ate his first ice cream cone at the zoo....................

While watching the elephants do tricks..............................

we saw the rock creek damn come over the top................

And Mom held me up to see the monkey's too!

I've held a baby hound puppy that just wouldn't mind......................

And got a new zoo hat and plenty of kisses from Mom everyday..................

We miss you so much and wanted to share with you all of our many adventures.........................................................

Jackson has been a big help to Grandma sweeping the porch

And a big boy with grandpa riding the horses

And we even spent time at the Starvation Reservoir.

We wish you could be here too, but we know you are studying hard.

Have a wonderful birthday, we will see you soon!!!!!

Love Valerie and Jackson.............................................................