Jason Update

I went to Dr. Hermann Peine today. He seems like a great guy, who focuses on the whole families needs. He seems like a very concerned and helpful doctor. I found this online that explains his credentials.

Ψ - Hermann Peine, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Autism Specialist

Dr. Peine earned his doctoral degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Utah with a minor in special education. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Hospital for Sick Children Great Ormond Street in London, England – Department of Psychiatry. Since that time Dr. Peine has taught at the University level and worked at an administrative and teaching level in community mental health agencies, the Utah State Developmental Center and for Children with Special Health Care Needs at the Utah Department of Health.

Dr. Peine’s doctoral research and clinical expertise is with the Design and Treatment of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). ABA is an in-depth analysis of antecedents and consequences to behavior that impacts the probability of learning new behaviors or strengthening desired behaviors using empirically based procedures incorporating a functional analysis of behavior. Dr. Peine continues to train parents and program specialists in ABA and has a particular interest in home and class room environment and how they impact children’s behaviors.

Dr. Peine is also a Marriage and Family Counselor. He specializes in treating clients of all ages, as young as 2 years old, with an emphasis on accessing and intervening with the individuals and families struggling with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental problems in childhood.

He watched Jason as he tried to tear his office apart, spoke to both Brett and I about our concerns, and tried to interact with my boy. He asked whether we were involved with Early Intervention, and what they have expressed about Jason. He also asked what it is that we would like to see happen with Dr. Peine's help.

We told him that we are just wanting to help Jason, like the rest of our kids, be the best person they can be. We want to give him the tools and know how to take care of his own individual needs.

Dr. Peine definitely sees a whole lot that is a concern. He does have things that fall in the Autism Spectrum. He could be ADHD, OCD, Autistic, or PDD-NOS. Dr. Peine doesn't like to label kids, unless it will give them help with their needs. So we are going to go back next week with some evaluations that we and some others will be filling out.

His suggestions were to get him off Dairy, and to get him on whole grains. Less sugar. He needs routine, routine, routine. We knew that already. We also need to find things to reward him with. He wants us to make sure to reward him for eye contact. He wants everyone to make sure, to not just give into him. To make sure that he works for his treats.

He also suggested to completely ignore his bad behavior. Unless it is causing harm to himself, others or property. We'll see how well that goes.