Therapeutic Riding Program

Many parents who have special needs children are looking for a permanent therapeutic horseback riding program to help their child develop better motor and communication skills, strengthen their bodies and give them an opportunity to interact socially with children like them.

The closest up and running program, Project R.I.D.E. is located in Elk Grove and has a year-and-a-half waiting list. The other local riding program TREC (Therapeutic Riding for Exceptional Children) closed down over 4 years ago.

Parents, community members and Karen Schauer, Galt Joint Union Elementary School District’s superintendent, are working to start a pilot program for children in the Galt area. Schauer said she’s ready to get some kind of riding program rolling, even if she has to do it on her own property. “I’ll do whatever I need to do,” Schauer said.

For more information contact Karen Schauer at 209-744-4545. See the Lodi News-Sentinel for the complete story.

The New Normal

I find comfort in the idea that I’m living in a “new normal”. I went from thinking my life was pretty normal, to it being quite abnormal then finally realizing that my new normal is as normal as it’s going to get, get it?

I think I need an example. We went on a short family trip to Santa Cruz this past week. I envisioned my children enthralled with all the fun and excitement of the Boardwalk with its rides, food and attractions, not to mention the free Chinese Acrobat show we could view from the beach. Pretty normal, right? Well Alex wasn’t having any of it.


He loved watching the sky ride with the gondolas that slowly go round and round above our heads. That was it. We now know that there are 42 gondolas in an assortment of pastel colors and number 1 is orange. He talked about them over and over again, drew them at lunch and still wants his little sister to ride in number 1 even though we’re back in Lodi.



Sometimes I feel like we’ve been visited by an alien. He has come to live with us, learn our ways then depart to report back to the mother ship.

With two young children, one typically developing and one with autism, my husband and I transport back and forth from one world to the other, taking turns in our parallel universes.


I get into the most trouble when I try to force the old normal back into our lives. Life is still blessed and enjoyable in my new existence - in an odd sort of quirky kind of unconventional way.

I’m a wanderer, yeah I’m a wanderer…

I dread going to the park, the store, the mall or even having my child play in the front yard.

I see other parents unbuckling their children from car seats and turn their backs while the child gets out and waits close by.

I’ve seen parents who sit on park benches and watch their children play while they read a book.

I’ve even seen, if you can believe it, kids actually hanging out on the front lawn while their Dad mows.

Over the summer, my son attended a school that had both a front and back door to the bathroom. Guess which door he decided to escape out of?

I lost him at Kindergarten orientation. I was talking with a friend and saw him walk down the hallway. He turned the corner and “poof” he was gone. I tried to play it cool - smiling at the teachers as I broke out in a sweat frantically going up and down stairs and around corners trying to find him. You’d think I just ran a marathon. I could almost hear their thoughts, “Oh there’s Mrs. Bjork, losing her child again”.

When we took my kids to Micke Grove Zoo a few years ago, Alex literally took off along the path and ran by every exhibit without even a glance at the seals. I think we were done in 15 minutes.

People in my neighborhood wonder if I even exist because we are often sequestered to the house or backyard.

I just read a story on CNN.com about an organization called “4 Paws for Ability” that trains service dogs a variety of methods to help keep kids with autism safe. “Since many children tend to wander away and get lost, 4 Paws uses a technique called "tethering," where the kids are tethered to their dogs while in public.” Hmm, not a bad idea. See CNN.com for the full story.

It’s not that I never let my son go to the park or play out front. It’s just that it’s not one of my preferred activities...and I may tantrum.

Some Helpful Books

Below is a list of some books I’ve read on autism (when I’ve had the time!) that have educated me and have given me clarity, direction, understanding and hope. I hope they will benefit you as well.

Helping Children with Autism Learn – Bryna Siegel, Ph.D.
A Psychologist at the MIND INSTITUTE recommended this book to me. It’s very lengthy and a bit dry, but boy does it cover just about everything there is to know about autism and current treatments in great detail.

Facing Autism – Lynn M. Hamilton
A Mother’s journey to helping her son. Lots of detail on where to go and what to do. I related to a lot of her experiences.

Emergence – Labeled Autistic and Thinking in Pictures – Temple Grandin Ph.D.
Temple Grandin, Ph.D. is one of the most accomplished and well-known adults with autism in the world. She is known worldwide for her work on the design of livestock handling facilities. She has written a number of books about her life and how she sees the world. Check out www.FutureHorizons-autism.com for a complete listing of her books and other resources.

Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew – Ellen Notbohm
The first book I read on autism. Great initial explanation of how your child views his world.

The Science and Fiction of Autism – Laura Schreibman
I have been so worried about whether or not I’m doing everything possible for my son. A report from the Interactive Autism Network states that there are over 300 treatments for kids on the spectrum. How do we make the right choices? This book wades through the sea of misinformation and conflicting reports in an effort to help you think critically and make informed choices of treatment for your loved one.

TalkAbility – Fern Sussman
People skills for verbal children on the autism spectrum – a guide for parents. Clearly written with lots of pictures and examples to guide you on how to teach your child to navigate the demands of everyday social life.

Play Groups to the Rescue!

Soon after his diagnosis, I was faced with the daunting task of teaching Alex social skills. (It’s like teaching a fish to sunbathe.) I can pick up the phone and schedule a play date like the next parent, but what to do once the kids arrive is a bit of a head scratcher.

Well, like a little blessing from God, there was a flyer in my son’s school bag from an organization right here in town called Speech Therapy Associates.

It read, “Building Blocks Language Playgroup...a unique educational playgroup designed to help your child develop the speech, language, literacy and social skills they’ll need to be successful in school”. There was more… “Children of all abilities are welcome!” Still more…4:1 teacher child ratio, only 8 children per class and your 3 – 5 year old can attend once or twice a week for 2 hours a pop!

Needless to say I signed Alex up and he really enjoyed it and grew from it. I was comforted knowing that Alex was learning social skills in a structured environment by highly trained, caring individuals in addition to the help he receives at school and home. I was also comforted in knowing that I have the option of zoning out in Target for almost 2 hours twice a week.

Well, just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, another flyer shows up asking the questions: “Does your child have difficulty making friends, asking and answering questions, have repetitive speech, limited attention…?” Speech Therapy Associates was announcing the launch of another social skills playgroup called “Circle of Friends”.

This program is different from Building Blocks in that it’s for kids ages 5 – 12, has only three children per group and goes twice a week for 1-½ hours. “Circle of Friends gives children the opportunity to build social and language skills that will help them initiate and maintain peer relationships. We make communication experiences functional, positive, and fun!”

Did I hit gold or what? Alex’s group is working on turn taking, attending, following directions, asking and answering questions and interacting appropriately in various social situations. We receive video clips of the session periodically and were given a social story to read to our child before he attends to reinforce good behavior.

The team is just wonderful: very knowledgeable, always kind, supportive and present for any questions I might have.

In addition to their preschool language and social skills play groups, Speech Therapy Associates also offers complete speech and language evaluations, individual speech and language therapy, and school and agency staffing,

They also offer Parent education classes where Parents learn about communication and language so they can help their child’s communication develop.

For more information on how Speech Therapy Associates can help your child, call Sara Peterson at 209-334-0830 and visit www.staspeech.com.

Gene Discoveries Yield Autism Clues

I saw an encouraging article on CNN.com about gene discoveries and autism. I’ll admit I had to read it a few times to really grasp it.

What I find hopeful is that, for some children, therapy can “turn on” genes that were stuck in the “off” position. The article states: "There are ways that are being discovered to activate genes...This might be an unanticipated way of developing therapies in the long term for autism: Identifying these kids where all the right genes are present, just not turned on in the right way."

CNN.com has all the details.

Interesting Article on Proposed Chelation Treatment Testing

A front-page article in the Lodi News Sentinel on July 9th stated that Government researchers are pushing to test chelation therapy on children with autism. Chelation is a process that removes heavy metals from the body. The treatment is based on the fringe theory that mercury in vaccines triggers autism.

The article states this theory has never been proven and is rejected by mainstream science. Still, many parents feel the process has saved their children and are pushing for the study. The director of the National Institute of mental Health supports testing it on children as long as the tests are safe.

The article goes on to say, “Despite lawsuits and at least one child’s death, several thousand autistic children are already believed to be using chelation.”

For now, the study has been put on hold because of safety concerns.

The Associated Press story has all the details.

Tips of the Trade

I’ve come across some tips over the past few years that have spared me from what could have been some pretty unpleasant outings with my son. I hope some of them will be helpful to you as well.

During Christmas time I read an article about how to keep your child with autism calm during the holidays: a calculator! I cannot tell you what a miracle that little thing has been for us. We’ve been able to go out to dinner, visit friends and make it through a long shopping spree while he sits punching away at the numbers. Yes, it’s stimming, but hey, if it works…

Some restaurants have ceiling fans going that have kept his attention through an entire meal! Promising to go by the fan section at Lowe’s has made a trip to get some light bulbs tolerable as well.

During car trips, Alex stays calm while watching the track numbers on the CD player while listening to his favorite music. Beware the person who dares to play a song out of order.

Alex used to fight holding my hand in the parking lot or while crossing the street. I heard that asking him to hold on to my shirt, pant belt loop or other piece of clothing might work. I’ve almost had my jeans pulled down while dragging him into the store, but by golly he was safe. I’m happy to say that we’ve graduated to finger holding.

This might not be earth shattering, but a Ziploc bag filled with his favorite treats and a juice box has done wonders in Target.

Binoculars can make the time spent in the shopping cart an adventure. Bringing magnetic letters and a board or a magnadoodle has been helpful as well.

Then there’s the tried and true, “I’ll take you by the dollar section and buy you another calculator if you’re good”.

Boy with Autism on America's Got Talent

This 7 minute segment of a 9 year old boy with autism singing on America's Got Talent 2008 will touch your heart. His mother's reaction to her son is precious. Have a box of tissues handy!

A Successful Plunge into Swim Lessons

I finally took the plunge and signed my kids up for swim lessons. I was so concerned about Alex’s sensory issues and his reluctance to follow directions that I haven’t looked into lessons until this summer.

I thought private lessons would be best and was pointed in the direction of John Griffin, the Lodi Swim Team head coach. My hope was to receive some referrals from him, but instead, I was thrilled to learn that he was giving private lessons through a program called “Swim America” with his crew of talented teens at Tokay High.

He offered 3 sessions; each consisting of eight 30-minute lessons over a two-week period…and the price was reasonable too!

Thank goodness for experienced instructors, because, if it were up to me, I would have rescued my kids from the terror of the initial plunge once the cries came – and they came. John just pulled Alex right into the water and started going. Wouldn’t you know it – the crying eventually stopped!

John has been wonderful with Alex, singing to him the whole time in the pool and having him count his kicks to keep him distracted from his fear. He slips in the next challenge so seamlessly that Alex doesn’t have time to object (or at least, not too strongly).

At the start of the second lesson, John picked up Alex in his arms and jumped right into the pool. I almost had a heart attack, but I could tell Alex liked it. In fact, every day his enjoyment is increasing.

I so value teachers, therapists and instructors like John who have come into Alex’s life with a talent for knowing when to ignore his complaints and keep pushing him and when to slow down. It’s an art I haven’t quite mastered yet. All I want to do is take him right out of the uncomfortable situation and feed him his favorite hot dog sandwich.

I must be getting better. At the last lesson I was filming my kids as they cried and bargained for their lives. I just gave them a big thumbs-up and said, “You’re doing great honey!”

For information on how to obtain swim lessons for you child, contact John Griffin at 209-368-8475.

Circus Lessons

Speaking of sensory issues, we visited the San Joaquin County Fair a few weeks ago. Alex was in extended year at Beckman and his class planned a field trip there. I came along to share in the special moments with my son.

There was excited anticipation as the children went to experience first-hand the clown and circus acts that would further enhance their "circus" summer school theme. It was a great idea, but we were soon disappointed with what was actually presented.

First on the venue was a “clown act” which turned out to be two jolly, well meaning adults dressed in full wacky attire blowing up animal balloons in the 100-degree heat. Unfortunately, the sight of the balloons sent Alex backwards a good 15 feet with hands in perfect over–the-ears position. The threat of a balloon popping drained the joy right out of him. We backed right next to a father and his daughter who were having similar issues.

I don’t wish sensory problems on anyone, but I did appreciate being around others who share in the same challenges. It helped me to realize we weren’t alone.

There was a small circus performance a little later with the main act being two clowns blowing up balloons and popping them. Oh great! Half the class had to escape to higher ground.

We survived and that’s probably the positive take-away point. Alex has to live in this world and there are going to be unpleasant experiences. He made it through and the memory of his success will serve him well next time around.

Kudos to their teacher Mrs. Hazen and the instructional assistants for going above and beyond, ending the summer session with a fun classroom circus performance. There was a magic show, juggling, tumbling, stilt walking and even a flying Alex (see photo). It was wonderful to see the children do so well despite their various challenges. They each received a certificate at the end, highlighting their improvement over the past two weeks. My husband and I were two of the many proud parents attending that day.