This behavior modification protocol is working I’m happy to say. Gage is adjusting well to his new classroom and teacher and doing well in special ed. I even attended school lunch #4* today as a treat for him. I’m a tad scared to say things are going well to our friends, family and the Internets for fear of jinxing the whole thing, but there you go. I said it.

It was nothing – this new child management program, masterminded with the help of Dr. KATB (Knows All Things Behavioral). The 300 positive things we say everyday, recognizing good behavior with loud praising affirmations** and noting it by writing it down on poster boards all day long, about $2000 gladly-out-of-pocket spent on the psychologist, printing and keeping up with Gage’s “Daily Report” cards from his teachers, attending school for lunch once (maybe twice) a week as a reward, and being consistent with the timeouts (which have decreased dramatically) have helped.

It was just so simple. You know…besides all of that.

*This behavior stuff is not for sissies.

**That means we don’t just say “Good job Gage.” We loudly, with the most excited voice we can muster, say: “GAGE, I REALLY, REALLY LOVE THE WAY YOU ARE DOING THAT! YOU HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH! YOU ARE AWESOME!"