Early Intervention Specialist Elliott Family Speaks:

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Rick and Mary try very hard to give the kids what they need. They help in the classroom once or twice a month, and they try to follow up at home. I notice lately that Rick has been taking them to the library, which really impressed me. Mary tries not to let her asthma interfere with the kids too much, but I think she hides a lot of her physical ailments because she's afraid that we all think they are not as good as other parents.

I think that things get confusing at their home. The Elliotts need a lot of parenting classes and "coaching," because they don't really understand that their kids depend on them to be in charge. Kids don't learn very well if they don't have limits.

Gene, for example, is very curious and anxious to learn new things, but he doesn't know how to follow directions intended to keep him safe. He just darts around and shows no ability to stay calm and in control. I'm sure it's partly due to his severe language delay. Too bad Gene couldn't get a communication device before now -- maybe he wouldn't be so frustrated. He gets aggressive and angry when the other children or teachers don't understand him. He likes using Miss Roberta's Talk-Along computer that talks to him. Gene likes to sit with one of his classmates who uses a wheel chair. They have become fast friends because Gene gets to push her and she lets him have a turn sitting in it when she is at her standing table.

I work with Gene to improve language, social behavior, and thinking skills. He is beginning to think it is fun to dress up in play clothes, be a fireman, and pretend to take mom to the hospital. I guess he has seen her taken to the hospital for her asthma many times. He likes stories and movies, too. He hates lunch, except for macaroni and cheese. I've talked to both Mary and Rick about cooking more than one thing at a time, so the kids will get used to different foods and be more accepting of food. It seems like Gene and Emily are difficult eaters because they lack experience with food, if that makes any sense.

Mary has asked me directly to tell her if the children are autistic, but I can't make that decision and they don't need to know the diagnosis, as much as they need to know how to take charge of their household. They need more help with their older children and that should be their priority.

Ask Dr. Susan