My son, like most sons to a mother, is my super hero. What sets him apart from other super heroes, is that he has a sidekick named Toby, who is just as equally a super hero in my eyes. Toby works long hours, assisting my three year old son Merrick on his journey through life with Autism and Unilateral Hearing Loss.
Merrick was first diagnosed with Autism, along with Sensory Processing Disorder and Expressive Receptive Language Disorder, before his second birthday. Two months later, he was diagnosed with severe to profound Unilateral Hearing Loss. Early Intervention started immediately, and Merrick was clocking in at about 20 hours a week of therapy. Half way through through the year, our thirteen year old cat, Kittie, decided to sit along side Merrick for therapy. Myself, as well as his therapists, noticed that Kittie was serving as emotional support; soon as she joined in, Merrick had less melt downs and would focus more on tasks. He would seek her out whenever he was experiencing frustration or an overload, which lead to him wanting to take her out with us whenever we left the house. That’s when it occurred to me that he would benefit from having a service dog, which lead us to where we are now.
Toby has been such a miracle worker, and it’s not just me who feels such; Merrick’s therapists and teachers all seen an immediate change. Merrick has even overcome his language disorder diagnosis. He tested out of speech therapy a month ago! He has even graduated from physical therapy because he has been able to withstand social settings with Toby and is involved in soccer, track, and dance classes. He even became motivated to learn to catch and throw so he would be able to play fetch with Toby. His Occupational Therapist even incorporates Toby into therapy sessions. She has taught Merrick when he gets lost or bolts, a password is yelled and upon hearing it, he is to run back and find Toby and hug him tight until Mommy arrives. This has significantly decreased his urge to run away. Merrick attends to tasks and sits now, decreasing his perching or crouching, which allows him to sit down and eat now. Sleeping has been so much better; it no longer is a two hour process. Toby will lay beside Merrick or on top of him if deep pressure is needed, which quells Merrick’s anxiety and night terrors.
As if these achievements weren’t enough, I never thought I’d be able to say this: Merrick is finally potty training.