A Few of My Favorite Things

There have been so many trying times over the last few years, not just because of educational frustrations or financial drought, but also just day-to-day parenting of a child with a language disorder. Someone once described to me her own experience as a parent raising a child with special needs as planning a dream trip to Italy, learning Italian, booking a flight, getting on the plane... and winding up in Holland. Holland is not where she dreamed of, and she had to adjust to the idea, but it would turn out to be a wonderful trip in the end.

For the last few months, so many things have really stood out as exceptional progress on FMO's part, and, if I am to turn this blog around to be a record of successes and happy times, as much as it has been a dumping ground for trials and tribulations, I must cyber-cryo freeze these developmental goodies.

FMO is using so much social language and answering questions. This is a huge leap from never answering a question, to identifying that a question is being asked, understanding an answer is expected, and producing an appropriate response. He is demonstrating understanding of What?, Who?, and Where? He makes spontaneous requests, with anywhere from single words to full grammatically correct sentences. His need for verbal prompting is greatly reduced, partly by his increased ability to recognize ASL signs, and using sign himself. His response to rhythm as a prompting agent, and his ability to employ it, is remarkable. He has shown a huge increase in willingness to take directions and be compliant. Just his willingness to hold my hand and walk through a store is really improved. He is following many directions on the first request, and understanding a few simple two step directions. He is more socially engaged with his peers. He will swing on a swing, which he never did until this year. It was a very, very long haul, but he is 100% toilet trained, and that is the heaviest weight off me, personally. As of last week, he is willing to try new foods, something he would previously refused to do. He understands more useful concepts which greatly reduce his frustration, such as first and then (as in, "First eat your sandwich and then you get a cookie."). There is so much that can easily be overlooked, especially in the midst of so many simultaneous advances. We noticed so many slight changes that parents of typically developing parents usually take for granted, like joint attention.

As hard as I try not to, I always end up creating a clinical-sounding report of current levels, but how I feel about this progress is thrilled and relieved and excited. He is doing great, happy as ever, and adjusting well to the new school. It has been a busy time, moving back home, reorganizing the house, a trip to SoCal, our big annual camp-out, and a visit from grandparents. It is possible things will now start to settle down and resemble "normal" life...