plan

Researcher

 Introduction

Hello, AB once again thank you for participating in this interview.

OK, before we begin the interview itself, I’d like to confirm that you have read and signed the informed consent form, that you understand that your participation in this interview is entirely voluntary, that you may refuse to answer any questions, and that you may withdraw from the interview at any time. Also, I would like you to know that I am recording this interview and as stated in the consent your information will be secure and remain confidential.

Do you have questions before we proceed?

 Participant AB Response

: It is my pleasure to help out, any which way that I can.

: I have read the form and I do understand what it is saying!

No!

Codes

Researcher

Questions

AB responses

Codes

 AJ

How have you been treated by professionals (doctors, therapists, etc.) regarding your opinions and knowledge of your child’s disorder?

Wow, I’ll you this, when I first found out that my son had autism I was shocked. I knew something was wrong. I mean he was hitting others, certain things would set him off, he did not like the sounds of police cars and so on. I would tell him no he cannot have something or tell him to wait and he would say “no” and throw so many tantrums that he got kicked out of 3 daycares.

AJ

I can only imagine how tough that must have been for you!

It was tough but to me the craziest part was when I was talking to the therapist and certain doctors. Once I my son was diagnosed at age 3.5. I mean he is 6 years now, however for his first few years, I started to do research on the disorder and I tried several BHRS services, but I felt that I was being judged and when I say that this intervention is not working they are telling me that I am doing it wrong. One time a doctor tried to tell me that I should put him on mediation and I said, “well we never try everything first”. The way that he was talking to me was like it was my fault. I felt they had the degree and that I should listen to them and have no opinion. “I left the office sometimes in tears”. One day I went to pick him up at a daycare (placed her hand on her head) and I saw this lady working with another child and I knew the child had some issues, but I did not know what. I asked the teacher who was the lady and they indicated she was a play therapist. I remember sitting in my car until the lady came out and I approached her. I told her my situation and she give me her card. To make a long story short she began working with my child using play therapy within my home.

AJ

What are your experiences of using the play therapy interventions that are used inside and outside of the home when your child is displaying aggression/tantrums/non-compliance? What are some of the interventions used? How does your child respond?

 When I first started, let me tell ya, it was frustrating because I could not get it. Also, I worked and using some of the things that she was telling me made no sense. When I was looking at her working with him, to me they were playing. After a few sessions it started to make sense what she was doing. Although apprehensive I figure I will give it a shot. It’s not like I was not disappointed before with services. And I figure if this does not go well, I will tell her in the nicest way not to come back (laughs). Let me start with the interventions.

AJ

Sure!

Some of the things that I was taught to use, “hold on let me look in his play room” (laughs) I have to take the lab top to his playroom so that I can show you since we are on video (laughs again). “We use building blocks to help him release his anger, all these books (shows books on being a good friend, cooperation, coping skills) we also use for social stories especially when he is having a tough day. Sometimes I take them with me in the car. One thing that he really enjoys, and it help calm him down about 70% of the time is a sensory bottle that we make with the therapist. It has sea shells, colorful stones, sand and something else ...oh glitter. So, when we must transition, and I see him getting agitated I reach for that bottle. At home I try to act out stories, but he does not always respond to this intervention, but I still keep trying it...(crossed her fingers and laughs)”. Son came into the room and said “hello” and sat watching a video on what appears to be his lab top. “mom calls son…what do you like to do when you get upset?”...(little boy) “paint” he loves drawing and this is helping his anger go down too. I remain hopeful!

AJ

What do you mean by that?

 I have to have hope that my son will get better, where I can manage his behaviors. He is getting better at school and I am learning to trust the process. Well that’s what he plays therapist say to me when she sees me getting frustrated because he responds better for her than myself. I’m learning not to take it personal (laughs)

AJ

 What are some of your thoughts about play therapy after experiencing the therapy with your child after the first few sessions? Why?

Took deep breaths) Well how can I put this? I was kind of disappointed t first because I did not see much improvement, my child, my baby boy was still upset and angry and I could not get him to open up and explain without him escalating more. “ I felt lost’ When the therapist left my house I often wonder if I should just give up. (tears started to drop from her eyes) “I” “I” use to watch him go to sleep after struggling all day and I felt “guilty”

AJ

 What do you mean you felt “guilty”?

“I felt at peace and I was happy that he was asleep and that I can have a moment for myself to breath, to think” (dries her eyes). But I started to see some kind of hope, I saw him getting angry with the therapist and would say to myself “this lady is going to run the hell out of here” (laughs) but to my surprise she did not back down, after about the 5th session I saw him opening up more and doing more with the therapist. I mean when I asked him to do something it was not a “no “right away, he was compromising more with me and his teacher reported on the playground he was not pushing other children when he got upset although did he yelled. That’s when I knew that something as to be working I just had to be consistent and follow the routine. 

AJ

 Is there any information you would feel comfortable to share which has not been included in the questions? 

 Not that I can think of! I must say that it was nice that someone wanted to learn about how parents have to deal with their children on the spectrum. I think that if everyone took the time to really understand how families struggle things might change with the way people look not only at the child but also with the child.

 AJ

This is one of the many reasons why I wanted to get an opportunity to understand the lived experience of families in relation to using play therapy. I want to thank you for part-taking in this study. Would it be okay if I contact you if I have any follow up questions?

 Sure! Just let me know ahead of time, would be great if you can come also when he is in therapy.

 AJ

Interview ended

 AB: Hung up

Researcher

 Introduction

Hello, CM once again thank you for participating in this interview.

OK, before we begin the interview itself, I’d like to confirm that you have read and signed the informed consent form, that you understand that your participation in this interview is entirely voluntary, that you may refuse to answer any questions, and that you may withdraw from the interview at any time. Also, I would like you to know that I am recording this interview and as stated in the consent your information will be secure and remain confidential.

Do you have questions before we proceed?

 Participant AB Response

: It is my pleasure to help out, any which way that I can.

: I have read the form and I do understand what it is saying!

No!

Codes

Researcher

Questions

CM responses

Codes

 AJ

How have you been treated by professionals (doctors, therapists, etc.) regarding your opinions and knowledge of your child’s disorder?

As a parent with a child with emotional and behavioral needs, “I feel well respected by the service professionals (e.g. therapist, psychologist, program director, clinical supervisor, and case manager)”. Since the start of services each professional involved has shared with me what will be expected for my little girl’s treatment process. Her therapist has made us feel at ease and knowledgeable about her behaviors and diagnoses

AJ

After participating in Non-directive and directive approaches to the play therapy procedures, what are your experiences of using these procedures at home with your child? How? Why?

My daughter’s therapist has helped me with learning what play therapy procedures are helpful to decrease my child’s negative behaviors. I feel like I can help her more when her therapist is not present. I’m able to use 1,2,3 Magic, social stories, planned ignoring, and art which she enjoys the most to help her decrease negative behaviors and express herself more. Before it was hard taking her butt out in public, where you find others staring because your child is acting out and you feel lost and just want to run and hide (took a sip of water) but I mean everything is a learning process and thank God the therapist is willing to work with me and my child.

AJ

How do you implement play therapy when your child is displaying disruptive behaviors during social interaction inside and outside of the home? How do they respond?

My daughter has a temper (shaking her head and rolling her eyes) and has difficulty getting along with peers her age. I remind her to use her relaxation techniques learned by her therapist to calm herself. She is able to count to 10, take deep breaths, ask for breaks, and use stop, think, and act while playing with her brothers and sisters and peers. Once my daughter reaches a calming state she is able to return to playful activities with others. We have her therapist to thank for all these helpful techniques.

AJ

What are your experiences of using the play therapy interventions that you used inside and outside of the home when your child is displaying aggression/tantrums/non-compliance? What are some of the interventions used? How does your child respond?

I use planned ignoring, timers, if/then statements, removing privileges, and token economy system which have all been effective within our home. My daughter responds well (clapping her hands and smiling) to each especially the token economy system because she likes to work towards receiving things like ice cream, a day to the movies, going to the store to pick out things she likes, and earning more time on her electronics or video games.

AJ

What are some of your thoughts about play therapy after experiencing the therapy with your child after the first few sessions? Why?

 ( Clearing throat) Play therapy is so helpful and beneficial to not only my daughter but for me. I have learned a lot about play therapy interventions that have been helpful not only in the home and school, but outside in the community (e.g. park). I have noticed my kid (laughs) has improved her behaviors and has even been able to express herself more without any anger.

AJ

 Is there any information you would feel comfortable to share which has not been included in the questions?

No (laughs) but I would like to say thank you for allowing me to share my experience with my child

 AJ

Interview ended: Shake CM hand

 CM: left the room