Andy's been busy!

Andy at physical therapy

Andy is now in school for longer days twice a week, and he is receiving therapy after school on the shorter days two to three times a week. He's been very busy, and getting worn out, but in a good way. He will sometimes nap when he gets home, and other times he just becomes cranky around dinner time. I try to get him to bed early on some of those nights, but he isn't always willing to go to sleep.

The ABA therapy seems to be going well. He seems to be enjoying his time there. He isn't crying when I pick him up. They are trying to work on getting his attention, by having him track moving objects that light up and make noise like a toy phone. They are also trying to help him practice his pincher grasp and getting him to pick up forks or spoons and put them into a container. This will help lead him to self-feeding skills. Just grasping anything and holding it, then putting it back down is a challenge for him. He will often just drop things, but we instead want him to have a controlled release of the object. It is hard for me to work on these same things with him at home, because he often becomes very frustrated with the tasks. He will then start having a meltdown. I guess I need to find out what they do to combat meltdowns at the center.

My house is cleaned and organized now that I have had more time without Andy. I think he misses me, and shows it by cuddling up to me more when I'm holding him.  I think he's been crying a bit less too.

Andy listening to music to stay happy on a long car ride

I got to go to lunch with my husband today, which was awesome, while Andy was at therapy. I brought home the leftovers for Andy to eat once I brought him home. It was nice to see how much Andy was enjoying the food, and he kept showing me he wanted more by extending his hand towards the food. He then said a word so clearly, he said "yum", and it was so cute. I love hearing him say words, which is so rare. I always acknowledge that I just heard him say a word, and let him know I was happy to hear it. I know it is so tough for him to get any kind of words out. He doesn't ever repeat them.

It also seemed he tried to say "kitty", when I was having him take steps down the hall yesterday, and the cat appeared in front of us. I told him, "Wow, you said kitty! Yes, there's the kitty!". I hope that's what he was saying. I know for sure he said "yum", because I heard it loud and clear, and he was loving the food too. It is so awesome to hear Andy saying Anything, and makes me dream of the day that I will be having a conversation with him.