We are going to Boston.

I have decided that I am taking Christopher with me.  More on that after our trip.

Shopping for a few things.

Christopher and I had just finished a very big shop at BJ's - two carts to get to the car.  So when I had to stop at Big Y to get just a few things that I don't buy at BJ's I thought I would see if we could do this shop without having him in the cart.  He did great!  He held my hand willingly for 90% of the time and the other 10% he stayed near by walking at my side.  It was only when we passed the Easter Candy and he spotted the Jelly Belly's that I lost his attention, but he recovered beautifully.  On our way through the check out they had stuffed animals.  One up high he exclaimed "COW!"  We bought it.  So cute, great job Christopher.

Just for fun - random pictures.

Ice Cream - Yum!

Computing at such a young age!

This suit once belonged to Daniel.

Snow day - no school.

Watching Disney's new show Chugginton.  (All Trains)

Choo Choo.

Public Hearing

Monday, March 1st 10-1:00
Public Health Council Meeting Room
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street
Boston

Letter to Governor & Director of Family Health and Nutrition

February 23, 2010

Governor Deval Patrick

State House Room 360

Boston, Ma. 02133

Ron Benham

Director, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition

250 Washington St.

Boston, Ma. 02108

RE: Testimony for DPH Public Hearing on the Commonwealth’s 24th Year Grant Application Under Part C of IDEA - Proposed Eligibility and Parent Fee Changes to the Massachusetts Early Intervention Program

Dear Governor Patrick and Ron Benham, Director, Bureau of Family Health/ Nutrition:

My name is Jennifer Chabott and I am writing because I am extremely concerned about the drastic eligibility changes and massive parent fees you are currently proposing to the Massachusetts Early Intervention program. I understand that the Commonwealth is facing a severe fiscal crisis but to ask children and families that rely on Early Intervention services to bear the brunt of the budget shortfall is unfair and will cause severe economic hardship to families like mine. I also believe that it is rather short sited in that through these services Christopher is learning a classroom routine; he is learning how to communicate and how to get along

with his peers. These are crucial life skills that he will need once in public education. These proposed changes will mean that for many children they will not have had the benefit of learning these skills prior to public education and there for the money not spent through EI will then be required at an older age. Why not provide the funds at the younger age and possibly in some cases not then need additional support in school?

I want to tell you what the proposed eligibility and parent fee changes would mean for my family and our child Christopher diagnosed last fall with Autism. 

Our son Christopher has been receiving Early Intervention for since early May of 2009. In September 2009 the Autism team also began working with him through the guidance of the EI team. He currently has three team members that work with him weekly for near 4 hours per week and the Autism team consists of 4 team members for near 14 hour per week.

Through the help and work of Early Intervention, Christopher has made a significant

transition from child care in NH nearer to my work to child care setting in MA in order to accommodate

services. This transition has impacted our daily lives in many ways. Financially the cost is greater

as we have to rely on and pay for a nanny to assist in the times he is not in child care and for transport.

My income has been cut drastically due to the reduction in hours that I can work in order to

provide the structure and care he needs to access these services. Leaving my job is not an option as it

provides for our family the much needed insurance coverage that helps to pay for these services. As it

stands today every week that I work it costs me 75 dollars more than I earn to pay for our medical, and

child care providers, this doesn’t include my travel expenses. All that said we, my husband and I,

continue to do what it takes to ensure that Christopher continues to get these services because we believe and have seen the strides he has made from the benefit of this service team. I believe that every child’s story is a complicated story; so much happens in such short period of their young lives that every day counts. For Christopher the complication began with a severe croup attack resulting in a life flight to Worcester

Umass Memorial Hospital at just 7 months old. Four days of intubation and a full week in the ICU. When he returned home all mile stones had been lost. Two months later mostly back up to speed. But then it was ear troubles, he wasn’t speaking. We went the route of hearing tests and even ear tubes. Still no improvement. At 19 months old we began the difficult task of exploring that there was more to this than ears. Once that ball

began to roll it all became a blur. In April we were told that he had the signs of Autism. It was a bumpy and challenging road from there to get a definite diagnosis from Baystate Medical in Springfield MA where we met several times with Dr Dredge – finally in August we had the diagnosis. The process is long to determine, it is hard, it is heart wrenching, it is a blessing, it is forever. 

At this point all the help we can get to manage the needs of his care for an improved self and a better understanding is critical for his future and our family. Through theses service not only does he thrive but we as a family are guided towards building a foundation for which we understand his needs, his challenges, and how best to keep him safe. I can’t imagine if these services where not available to him the struggles we would be facing alone. Christopher’s delay would have possibly kept these services unavailable to him. First off the testing takes time and is subject to the type of day a child may have, who’s providing the assessment, and who’s interpreting the results? I was very skeptical of this process in its accuracy because Christopher seemed to have such a random way that he placed with in the typical findings. He had some words, but

not many, explained off at first as a hearing issue, later ruled out. He had good motor skills, but refused to do some things. He is sensory scatter, doesn’t mind loud noises, and didn't even used to look; now he does. He will only wear certain clothes because of how they feel. He has a very limited diet, still not completely sure if this is sensory issue for the food texture, and or temp. We struggle each day. Yet each day we love him more

and the little crazy things he now does and says to us. We are very appreciative of all the hard work and support that our EI team provides us each week for the benefit of Christopher’s well being. I just simply can’t imagine these service not being available to him either because he didn’t meet the increased delay requirements or because of the increased costs.

I urge you to work closely with the Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium and the plan they have developed to address the EI budget shortfall in a way that is more fair and balanced and will preserve eligibility and minimize the impact on children and families like mine.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Chabott

“Christopher’s Mom” 

TUESDAY - February 23

Sarah D/O 8:30
Jim 9:00-11:00
Roberta 11:00-12:30
Sarah P/U 12:20
NAP 1:00-3:00
Hannah  3:00-5:00

A day spent in Mommy's shoes.

Christopher managed to find these shoes and wear them all through out our day together today.  He even managed to wear them down the stairs (with my assistance).  Since the temp outside is rather warm compared to the usual COLD our inside was rather warm - hence the T-Shirt today.  All day long he has tried to pull the sleeves down to make them longer.  I hadn't really thought about it but he has been wearing only long sleeves for some time now.  Even I feel a bit strange about my arms being exposed today. 

Bowling - Ugh, sigh.

Ok - So bowling was fun . . . well it had it's moments.  At first it was great, then it got hard for Christopher to understand that we all got a turn and there were times you had to wait.  Then once the lights went dark and the neon lights came on with some rocking music that was it.  We lost him to the disc ball light reflections.  At one point he simply got away and ran the length over the ally horizontal to the lanes, which means he was running in front of people as they prepared to take a shot.  People laughed and thought it was cute - and I agree it did look cute - but I at that point had completely lost control.  Control of him and of my nerves.  We managed to get through one game, D, K and I but I then bowed out of the second and let D & K play on their own while I chased Christopher around before finally retreating to the car while they played the last two shots.  D & K bickered some of the rules of play and I didn't handle that learning opportunity well at all, it's so frustrating once I get to the point that I feel like I am holding my breath that Christopher will stay by my side and behave that I can't afford the proper and fair amount of attention to his brother.  This felt like a failing Mom moment for sure, though I know I couldn't have done much different it still felt yucky.  This is definitely not a one adult venture, Dan will have to come with me next time.  Although I really can't see myself trying this again any time soon, I know we will.  Christopher did enjoy himself and could learn to be better behaved once he understands the limits better.  But for sure it is a parent team event next time.

Out for a walk. Still several weeks till spring - but it's getting closer.

Videos

I have three videos that I would like to post - but I am still unable to get them to upload!  Ugh!  Maybe before he's three I will get this figured out.

Playing with Kalster while she visited this week.

Visit with Friends - FUN

 

This was a great distraction from missing Daddy and Daniel so much.  They had left three days ago for a snowmobile trip and by this day Christopher was really missing them.  Thank you G and N for coming to visit today, we hope you'll come again soon and often.

Vistit From Mema Dy - Valentines Day Cupcakes YUM

Oh Used Art?

While playing in a big box last night, climbing in and out, under and over the box, we laughed and surprised each other several times.  Once when I was in the box I asked him to push on one side and the box tipped onto its side, far easier for me to get out that way.  Christopher with a very concerned face said, "Oh used art?" TRANSLATION = Are you all right?  Thank you Christopher yes I am all right. 

New Fish

TUESDAY - February 9th

Sarah	D/O 8:30
Jim	9:00-11:00
Roberta	11:00
Sarah	P/U 12:15
NAP	1:00-3:00
Hannah	3:00-5:00

Daddy!

Yeah Daddy is home. He has been gone for near a week. Christopher has been looking for him in all the places he would normally find him, at the basement door, near the back door to Daddy's office and even once pretended that his Twix candy bar was a phone and held it to his ear and started to talk to it as if Daddy was on the line. I am very happy Daddy decided to come home early, Mommy is very sick with a whopper of a cold!

Elefun!

I just purchased Elefun for Christopher. It took me a few days to remember size C batteries, but now after our pleasant trip to the grocery store yesterday Elefun is up and running. HE LOVES IT. It's age suggestion is 3-6 but I have to say I think it should read for ALL AGES. Christopher, Hawk and I all played last night. There are many simple steps to keep the game running. Christopher has learned to turn it on, gather the butterflies back up and to put them back in, and of course trying to catch them with the butterfly next nets is fun too! I highly suggest this game. It cost about 15 dollars plus batteries - well worth the investment.

THURSDAY - February 4

No Childcare today.
Sarah and Christopher will play together.
Hannah joins them here at 3.

Done want it.

On several occasions over the last couple of days Christopher has clearly said "Done want it" when I offer him something to eat. Done want it meaning Don't want it. This is of course one of those little things that in his world is so huge. Till now it was always some sort of protesting whine or grunt, to have words to express his desire of not wanting something is huge. Keep up the good work my dear Christopher.

Stressful trip made fun.

I had a giant ordeal with my car on Tuesday night that had me going back to Worcester yesterday to get it towed and repaired and so came along Christopher with me. (Visit Hawk's site to learn more about that, http://hawkchabo.blogspot.com/) CHRISTOPHER WAS GREAT! Paid the tow car man the money (I of course provided), sat & played quietly in a VERY small waiting area that had three doors of traffic coming and going through it and hung out in the car with me for awhile too. I hadn't expected it to be horrible but I never expected him to be so easy going the whole time - we left at 11 and were done by near 3 - with no nap even - he feel asleep on the way home and was very helpful in staying asleep in his car seat in the cart all throughout the grocery store, home by 5. Phew, what a day. Thank You Christopher for being such a joy to be with, you were an excellent travel partner on such a high stress voyage for Mommy.