We are in the process of filling out the necessary paperwork to enroll Gabriel in the Lovaas Institute headquartered in Los Angeles. The Lovaas Institute provides “intensive, progressive, innovative ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) services to children with autism.

 They have two differnt types of services. One involves them sending a team of 3-5 trained therapists to the house for 40 hrs a week with weekly supervision from higher-ups. The other involves Josh and I hiring our own team and supervised visits from the institute every 4-6 weeks. Josh and I are choosing not to let their team in our home to teach Gabe because we want to raise our kids in godly manner, using the rod of correction when necessary with out the fear of having strangers in the house observing this. So, we need to hire a team as soon as possible.

We’ve asked the women in our church if any are willing to be trained to do this. We’re praying that many will respond. “Many hands make light work”! I will be doing half of the work myself. Lord willing my other kids will cooperate.  That makes 20ish hours a week (while the others are napping-I am so glad the other are still young!) that I will be working to Gabe to overcome his PDD. So far we have one woman who responded with a desire to help. I am optimistic. I know the Lord knows what Gabe needs. I know he will provide.  When you think about it, please pray for us that we would be able to find enough people to help to make this program work.  Studies have shown that unless the instruction is exhaustive, meaning not much less than 30-40 hrs a week, these methods do little good for the child.

We are praying as well for God’s financial providence, as this program is very expensive. But we know that no price is too much for our little guy to have a happy fulfilling life full of satisfying relationships. We know that only God can truly provide this kind of life for Gabe, but in His common grace, He has also provided help for little ones like Gabe who have many hurdles to jump, specifically in the social and communication aspects.

 Please pray also for Gabe’s physical health as there has been sure evidence of more siezure activity lately. I suspect that he has had at least two more siezures (maybe more) in the last month. His neurologist gave us the go-ahead to increase the dosage of his anti-convulsant meds. But the higher the dosage of this type of medicine, the more it affects his behavior, specifically his emotions and agressiveness.  Please pray that I would have sympathy and paitience with this. I grow very tired (physically and emotionally) of breaking up fights between the boys, always instigated by Gabe, as well as the emotional outbursts at anything he doesn’t like, specifically changes in routine. You can praise the Lord with me that Josh has been strong through all this. I don’t know how I would handle this trial without him.

Today has started out well, for some reason all the kids are still sleeping, so I’ve been able to relax a bit, and even blog! I heard something in a sermon recently that really stuck with me.  Every one of our trials, as believers, has been specifically hand-crafted by God for each of us and where we are in our maturity.  He knows our frame that we are dust.  He loves us and through trials brings us closer to him. With all the trials we’ve been going through lately I can assume two things. I am not very mature and God loves me very much and wants me to grow closer to himself  :)