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Bill & Cheryl Jensen
MemberEczema anyone?
Apparently a lot of children with autism may also have problems with eczema.
My son usually got eczema on the backs of his hands in winter and it disappeared in the spring. Last year, it didn't go away. It was very itchy, inflamed and became open sores. We tried cortisone and prescription hydrocortisone and they didn't help. It kept getting worse. He would scratch in his sleep. Just try telling a typical child to stop scratching, never mind one with autism.
In June we were promised a referral to a dermatologist at Children's Hospital, but it would take a while. We were going through bottles of antihistamine to manage the discomfort. We bandaged his hands with gauze to prevent scratching and also to cover up the open wounds that began to look like burns.
We tried all kinds of lotions, cream etc. Nothing worked. My son began scratching his thighs and buttockes so badly, that they bled. It was now summer and it was too hot to keep him in pants.
A friend recommended we switch from soaps to Cetaphil or Spectrogel. It helped, but his skin was in such bad shape that it made very little difference, but I'm sure it played a part in things getting better.
I found some literature that recommended evening primrose oil. Since my son couldn't yet swallow capsules, I got a bottle of gel caps, pricked them with a pin and massaged the oil into his skin after bath every night. He didn't mind, and actually looked forward to the massage. It does tend to stain the pajamas. We tried the same process with Vit E, but it was very sticky, hard to massage around and took forever to dry. The evening primrose oil soaks in very quickly, so I didn't have to worry about oil marks on furniture. The skin began to heal, but very gradually.
I came across some Essential Fatty Acid gelcaps for children that were chewable. There are several kinds available at health foods stores, and I've even seen some at Walmart. The brain is the biggest user of EFAs (which the body cannot manufacture), but the skin also needs EFAs. The itchiness decreased substantially and the skin slowly began to heal over. As a bonus, he got used to taking the gelcaps and learned to swallow pills without hassle.
We've now seen the dermatologist 3 times and the eczema is under control. I thought I would also pass on some of her recommendations.
Dr.'s Recommendations:
1. bathe daily in the tub – ou want to get the skin damp and lock in the moisture with lotion/cream/ointment.
2. use an unscented soap or body wash such as Cetaphil, Spectrogel or Dove for sensitive skin
3. do not use:.. bubble bath
.. shampoo in bathwater – wash hair separately
.. perfumed skin care products
.. "scented" baby skin care products
4. pat skin dry
5. immediately apply an emollient, such as unscented Vaseline petroleum jelly, Aquaphor ointment, Vaseline Creamy, Moisturel Cream or lotion, Eucerin Cream or lotion, Cetaphil Cream or lotion.Creams sting more than ointments.
If you go into a hot tub or chlorinated pool, be sure to shower after and put on moisturizer.
Although the doctor discounted the use of the evening primrose oil and the EFA's, they were the ONLY things that helped while we waited 4 interminable months for the referral to come through.
Good luck!
MemberExperienced ABA Therapist available for Langley/Surrey area
I have worked in aba for 2 1/2 years, mostly with preschool children, and have loved every minute of it! I have experience both on home teams running discrete trials and also accompanying children to preschool. I am enthusiastic, energetic and have good references. With school starting, I have some openings on weekday mornings. If you are interested, I would love to hear from you.
Please phone Sheila at (778) 228 3333
MemberTherapists wanted for ABA therapy team in Langley (Walnut Grove)
We are looking for line therapists for our ABA home therapy team for our 6 year old son. He is high-functioning autistic, very smart, has a great sense of humour and likes people who have fun while they work. Minimum 2 shifts per week, plus mandatory bi-weekly team meeting (approximately 6-9 hours per week). A minimum one year commitment is required. Criminal records check is necessary.
Our behaviour consultant is Kathryn Theroux from Able Developmental Clinic.
If youre thinking this could for you, please call us. Experience is helpful, but well train people with the right attitude! Remuneration commensurate with experience.
Please call Cheryl at (604) 888-5037 or (604) 690-5649, or email me at onaroll@telus.net.
MemberTherapists wanted for Langley (Walnut Grove) team
We are looking for line therapists for 2-3 shifts per week on our home ABA team. We have various weekday and weekend shifts available. Preference to experienced therapists, but we're looking more for good attitude. One year commitment would be helpful. Criminal records check required.
Our 5 and 1/2 year old son is high-functioning, very smart, has a great sense of humour and likes people who have fun while they work.
Our consultant is Kathryn Theroux from the Able Developmental Clinic.
If you love kids, work well on a team and want to make a difference for a child, please contact Cheryl at (604) 888-5037 or (604) 690-5649 or email me at onaroll@telus.net.
MemberTherapists wanted for Langley (Walnut Grove) team
We are looking for line therapists for 2-3 shifts per week on our home ABA team. We have openings for Mon, Wed and Fri mornings and some weekend shifts. Preference to experienced therapists, but we're looking more for good attitude. One year commitment would be helpful.
Our 5 and 1/2 year old son is high-functioning, very smart, has a great sense of humour and likes people who have fun while they work.
Our consultant is Kathryn Theroux from the Able Developmental Clinic.
Please contact Cheryl at (604) 888-5037 or (604) 690-5649 or email me at onaroll@telus.net
MemberApril 20, 2007
Friendly family in Walnut Grove, Langley, is establishing a team of people to conduct ABA therapy with our 5 yr old son, newly diagnosed as high-functioning autistic. While prior experience is helpful, it is not essential as we will train the right people.
We offer you a great opportunity to work under the direction of Michele Fagan from New Jersey, who has experience with the developmental clinics at UCLA, Rutgers and Princeton. Michele will be conducting a 3 day (paid) training workshop for us in early May 2007 and your attendance at that workshop is mandatory.
Subsequent to the workshop, the ongoing commitment would be for 6-9 hours per week. Please contact us at onaroll@telus.net (preferably with your resume or summary of experience) or call Bill/Cheryl at (604) 888-5037 (home) or (604) 835-7771 (cell) for more info.
MemberApril 20, 2007
Friendly family in Walnut Grove, Langley, is establishing a team of people to conduct ABA therapy with our 5 yr old son, newly diagnosed as high-functioning autistic. While prior experience is helpful, it is not essential as we will train the right people.
We offer you a great opportunity to work under the direction of Michele Fagan from New Jersey, who has experience with the developmental clinics at UCLA, Rutgers and Princeton. Michele will be conducting a 3 day (paid) training workshop for us in early May 2007 and your attendance at that workshop is mandatory.
Subsequent to the workshop, the ongoing commitment would be for 6-9 hours per week. Please contact us at onaroll@telus.net (preferably with your resume or summary of experience) or call Bill/Cheryl at (604) 888-5037 (home) or (604) 835-7771 (cell) for more info.
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