From Parenting to a Professional: One Parent’s Journey

Presented by: Nichole Pangle

About Me 2002 graduate of Shippensburg University

with a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work (BSW) I have worked in many different fields,

including foster care, victim’s rights, children’s services and domestic violence prevention

I have also worked with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and this is where my journey as a parent and professional began.

The Journey Begins

Matthew David Pangle April 9, 2007

The First YearMatthew’s first year of development was typical, and often accelerated!

Milestones•Laughing at 2

months old•Rolling over at 3

months•Almost standing

alone at 4 months•Beginning to crawl

at 5 months

Milestones•Sitting alone at 6 months

•Mama and Dada at 6 months

• Cruising at 8 months•Walking alone at 10

months

Other MilestonesBy 13 months old, Matty could:•Wave hello and good-bye•Give high-fives•Say 15 words and use two-word sentences•Point at pictures•Sort and place objects in correct boxes•Draw with chalk•Dance•Play with other children•Throw the ball back and forth•Shoot hoops!•Play peek-a-boo•Clap

Health Issues During the First Year Dairy Allergy Seizures Acid Reflux Disorder

Then Came Change

I began to notice subtle changes when Matthew turned 14 months old.•Less eye contact•Staring into space for extended periods of time•Withdrawal and little interaction with other children•Spinning•Excessive running•Obsession with mulch, sticks and other strange objects

QuestionsMatty lost the following skills between 14 and 18 months:•Clapping•Waving•Speaking (only two to three words remained)•Pointing•Playing with other children•Giving high-fives•Sorting objects•Interactive play•Eye contact was rare

Professional Connects with Mom At this time professionally, I was working

at The Arc of Northern Shenandoah Valley and educating myself on Autism. I was seeing many of the characteristics described on paper in my own home.

Concerns

At Matty’s 18 month check-up, we talked to our pediatrician and said we had some concerns about regression. We were told not to worry about Autism because Matty seemed social.

Our First Evaluation

I wasn’t satisfied with my pediatrician’s evaluation. In November, I contacted the Infant-Toddler Connection to schedule an evaluation.

Results“We are not overly concerned.”

December-January 2008 Things are not looking any better! Maybe a hearing issue?

Playing the Waiting Game Matty’s hearing

and developmental evaluations were not scheduled until April 13th. We had four months to sit and wait.

April 13, 2009The day our world changed.

“Your child has Autism.”

Learning to InterveneBecause of my professional experience, I

was able to connect to a host of parents who had travelled down this road before me, and also learn about various types of intervention including:

Traditional Behavioral Biomedical

May 2009—Beginning Intervention

Matty began receiving services from Infant/Toddler Connection. Speech therapy

one hour every other week

Developmental therapy one hour every other week

June 2009Since Matty was two,

we had the option of having him evaluated for special education. This process began in June with the Child Find Project.

July 2009 Evaluations galore!

Psychological Developmental Speech/Language Educational

August-September Matty was found

eligible for special education services due to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Speech/language delay.

Dietary Interventions During this time, I placed Matty on a

wheat and dairy free diet to help alleviate some of his symptoms.

He began to focus more, make more eye contact and his digestive issues improved.NO!!!!

NO!!!!

October Matty began

attending NREP twice a week for four hours. He received classroom instruction as well as speech therapy services.

Other Interventions We began eliminating

chemicals from our household BPA containing plastics Making my own household

cleaners Going organic with food and

household items, such as sheets and soaps

Making Progress!!Pieces of Matty began

to come back! More eye contact More sounds More interaction

More Services Matty began receiving occupational therapy

in January 2010 once a week—in Sterling He was also screened for physical and

occupational therapy services as part of his Individualized Education Program, and began receiving those services in April 2010.

We made the decision to begin other biomedical treatments and started with a visit to Dr. Megson in June 2010

How could I NOT mention BTS?!?!?!

A typical day…if there is such a thing! 6:15-7AM: Wake-up, make breakfast (from scratch),

pack lunches, get Matty ready for either school 7:20 AM: Drop of Matty at Grandma’s houseWhile I am at work: 9 AM-1:30 PM: School or time at Grandma’s house 2-4: BTS, Occupational therapy or other (hopefully!)

structured activities 4:30-5: Indoor play (ball pit, speech videos) while I

make dinner 5:30-7PM: Outdoor play, walking, sensory work or

BTS 7:15: Bedtime and storytime

The Road We have Chosen: Matty’s Current Course of Treatments Special education Occupational, speech and physical

therapy Biomedical treatments and testing

Vitamins/Supplements Zinc, cod liver oil, calcium, B12 injections, multi-

vitamin, multi-mineral, Gluathione, Probiotics, Metal Detoxification

Epsom salt baths DMG with folinic acid

Looking Ahead My knowledge of being a parent and a

professional has lead me to a wonderful position at NW Works that seeks teaches job, safety and social skills that will give them the tools for community employment. This program is called the Autism Inclusion Initiative.

About A.I.I The Autism Inclusion Initiative was

developed to provide adults with Autism the opportunity to receive specialized training in several job settings. The training runs twelve weeks and teaches skills in the following settings: Office/printing Landscaping and outdoor work Animal care Food service Factory work

How Participants are Taught Participants are taught in a classroom

setting by two instructors (supervisors). The focus of each job skill is based on

breaking down what is required of each job into manageable parts. Pictures, PDA equipment, I-touch, etc.

Each morning, participants fill out a time sheet. All “real life” job requirements and language will be used—calling in sick, reporting to a supervisor, etc.

Community Involvement is a Must! Participants of the program will learn job,

safety and social skills associated with each environment, and many local businesses will be providing the participants and opportunity to practice their skills in their businesses!

The A.I.I Program will offer opportunities The desired outcome of the A.I.I program

is to teach adults with Autism who learn in a very specific manner the opportunity to do so, and develop a sense of self-esteem through knowledge and a paycheck!

The program is needed because not long from now, our children will be ready for the workforce and will need training to make them competitive. That is the hope of this parent…and professional.