What will Buzz do?

[specialmom]

So, I was wondering what kind of training Buzz has had and what he'll be helping with!

[skepticalpeach]

He's had a lot of training with sign language. My DD is non-verbal so it will be easier for her to sign commands to him. He's been trained not to get distracted by things like people, other dogs and food. He's been trained to put his paws on a tantrumming child and to sit down if/when the child runs in public. He'll be attached to Emma. When we get him he's going to go through a little bit more training before he leaves his transition home. I don't know the technical terms of what he's learning since I'm not a trainer; but I'm sure I'll learn more once we meet with the trainer! It will be interesting to see what else he knows once we meet him. The non-profit we got him through usually places puppies with families, but since we don't have our own house and yard it is better to get a grown dog.

[teddybears4ever2]

Buzz will also go to therapy with Emma.
Also the Autistic kid a baby sit for has a service dog, and she is trained to track him if he runs away. Kids with Autism have no fear, and if they can't talk it becomes harder to find them.

[specialmom]

Ah, yes.  That is great.  My own son with sensory integration disorder had 'flight or fight' for a very long time.  He'd run off.  Once at a family party, he had a meltdown and then ran.  We were in another city for the party and he took off through people's yards and woods.  We didn't want to ruin the party, so we hooked my younger son up with a cousin and we took off, my husband and I to find him.  My husband tried to keep up with him but that kid can be fast!  Two hours later, I found him.  Let me just say that I'd have liked a Buzz to stop that before it got started.  

I'll watch the link you sent me when I have a bit of time tonight too.

[specialmom]

oh, and probably everyone knows but how fight or flight affected kids with developmental delays was a little new to me with my son.  It is just like the neurological response we would have if we were attacked by a stranger on the street.  Your nervous system springs into action and will cause you to have a reaction of trying to fight your way out or trying to run and escape.  A child, such as my son, can have a situation trigger his neurological response in the same way.  It can look like a violent tantrum (fight) or running (flight).  I can certainly see how Buzz will be helpful for either.  

[skepticalpeach]

That fight or flight reflex is exactly what I'm talking about. My DD often has trouble processing commands or instructions. One day at Target she picked out a toy. I told her she could have the toy and put it in the cart. She interpreted that as me taking it away and thought I meant that she couldn't have it. She laid down on the ground and screamed and then ran off. She is also very fast and I have a hard time keeping up with her since I have bad knees (from serving tables). Thankfully my sister (teddybears4ever2) was with me and we managed to catch her before she reached the front door. I never do errands with my DD alone because of this, but with Buzz I will be able to. I'll even be able to take her to the park by myself. I usually have to wait until someone else is here to do that. I think he will make our lives a lot easier!