I am not sure about the rules at your program, but our TSS does lots of fun things with our son (he is 13). They go to the weight room and the pool, it is not all teaching. For me, when we first started getting TSS hours, I had a hard time because my son was building a relationship with someone that was basically a stranger, and it was a short term thing. At 3, I think 40 hours sounds like a lot. If you cut back, will there be problems in getting a TSS to work the reduced hours? Sometimes they share kids, but scheduling can be complicated. Over the summer we get 15 hours/week of TSS. Sometimes I am ready to be done with the TSS after 3 hours (and he's a nice guy). You must be a very patient person to have someone there with you all day, and it's not driving you nuts!WOW---that seems like a lot. My 2 1/2 year olds get 20 hours per week of a full program (ABA/speech/OT) and we have built in ABA into our regular routine. I think kids still need to have fun and be kids, so we use our non-therapy time for many trips to the park and playing outside. My daughter is receiving 40 hours of wraparound services. It really breaks down to 15 hours at preschool, and the rest at home ( she goes until 6 pm). While at home she does ABA/VB. At times she is able to get through the last few hours, but most of the time she is "fried". Not much gets done after 3:30. Partly because she is "done" and because her TSS has no steam or didn't "bring a bag of tricks" to keep things fun. My question is, how much is too much for a 3 year old? All the research says the most intense therapy is the best route. Does that include a children who are so young? Does she need time to get used to such a long day? Im about ready to cut it down. Wondering what others have done.I would look at your programs and see which ones they are doing at what
times. How is the data looking? I have seen many kids make great strides
with a a good programmer. Is she displaying anti learning behaviors at the
end of the sessions or basically falling asleep? I always supplied the really
good reinforcers and changed it up a lot. How is the quality of the therapist?
You really should discuss this with your BCBA and do more fun play
programs at the end of the day. Do you have the dvd game Hallabaloo?
My son loved that game when he was at your daughters age.Thank you for all of yur insight,,,, I had been sitting on the fence in regards to Anna's TSS, she is alright. Strides have been made ut t has been a slow process. I was told to give the relationship time - so I did, plus I was told that if I dropped this TSS then there might not be anyone else. She is good with my daughter during cold probes and apraxia drills, but has a hard time thinking on her toes when a difficult situation arises(tantrums), and has a lack of creativity with activities and well, I can go on. Hard part is that we have been with her for about 10 months (I was always hoping that she would get it- she is such a nice person and cares so much about my daughter). But I think at this point I am going to drop some hours. You are right twinzrock, Anna does need time to be a kid and we need time to be a family.
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