We have developed some good reinforcers for L. Chocolate chips have replaced M&Ms, Lays have replaced Cheetos, and homemade ice cream has replaced McDonald's ice cream. We have even added in some reinforcers. Raisins and peanut butter have both been preferred items. Bananas also work pretty well, and I even got her to eat some chicken using carrot fries as the reinforcer. Overall, it is a pretty impressive list.
Except there is one major problem. There was no replacement for her number one reinforcer - root beer. I have no idea why root beer became such a preferred item last summer. I will say that my daughter would not have survived that summer without it. I honestly believe it was her reason for living during the difficult times.
When her panic attacks started to increasing again this last month, she started asking more and more for root beer. I needed to improvise a plan. It is possible to make paleo root beer. The ingredients are a foot long and would require special customs to import - ok I am exaggerating. Let's just say it is a bit over my head, and while I have been proudly becoming a DIY kinda gal I can only do so much.
We finally settled on buying Zevia - a soda that is made with stevia. Is it good for you - um, no it is soda. While it is better then other soda it is still carbonated and contains caramel. The ingredient list contains more then three items, and some of them are long words. Yet, considering what is on the market this soda is practically a health food - yeah I am stretching that a bit.
So, we bought a six pack. I held my breath, thinking of the five dollar investment, as I opened the first can and had her try a sip. I could practically hear her body relaxing. It tasted just as good, or better, then the generic root beer we used to buy (Yes, I tried a sip). When L had a homework triggered anxiety attack at her after school program, it was just the thought of a sip a root bear when she got home that allowed her to finish a sheet of homework and not run out of the car.
The best part - almost a week and a half after we bought the soda we still have a can and a half in the fridge. L was also quite content with my limit of one six pack per month. Even better, while at a friend's house she turned down the root beer they had, knowing she should not drink it. No, this soda is not perfect - but in our house it is like mana - sent from heaven.
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