Speech
August 5, 2012
Preston is making more and more verbal sounds. The sounds are becoming more intelligible. So much so, that I feel like Preston is on the brink of actually saying a word. I have been down this path before, and feel like I have continually set myself up for disappointment when I think he is about to talk and he doesn’t. Jay and I are constantly working with him on verbal imitation and his sound repertoire is growing everyday. We will just wait and see.
I am beyond happy right now and have so many emotions. I was working on the computer as Preston was playing in the living room. He came and got me, and took my by my hand into his bedroom. He was reaching up for the top of his changing tower. His little light up turtle was up there. He then started trying to climb up the unit, and I pulled him down, and said, “Do you want your turtle?” Preston got so excited and then ran over and shut his bedroom door. He then proceeded to do the sign for “off” to turn the lights off. I flipped the lights off and Preston started doing the sign for “off” to turn the lights off. When the lights are off the stars from the turtle appear bright on his walls. As soon as I cut the lights off Preston started doing his sign for “shake” for me to shake, shake his turtle. Periodically I would turn it off, for him to be able to do the sign for “on” and “shake” again. The last time I turned it off, he didn’t immediately do the sign for “on.” I ask, “Preston what do you want to do with the turtle?” He went to the door and tried opening the door, and he couldn’t get it open. He then looked at me and did the sign for “all done.” I jumped up and flipped the lights on and opened his door, then he proceeded to take off running out to the living room. I was so excited as Preston initiated a game with me, as well as said he was finished. He is really understanding his signs and is able to generalize them to all settings!!!
What a day!
July 18, 2012
Today seemed like a whirlwind of a day! We started early this morning with swimming. When we arrived at the pool, we were greeted by about 15-20 people from the United Way of Escambia County. They were doing a site visit since the Seastars recently received a grant from them. As soon as Preston’s feet hit the ground, he ran over to Robin, grabbed her hand, and took her straight to the pool steps to get in. It was so cute, and couldn’t have been orchestrated better if it had been planned. They got to watch Preston do some of his lesson and asked various questions. When they were leaving one of the gentlemen came over to me and commented on how well I had done speaking to the crowd, and that I had a real gift. It was a heartwarming moment for me. Preston did phenomenal in swimming and I think he swam about 20 feet unassisted in his fins! After swimming we had to dash to a tour of Camp for Kids, that was hosted by Susan, the Executive Director of Autism Pensacola. It was a great experience to tour both locations to see all ages participating in camp. As soon as the tour was over we then had to get to ABA. During ABA Preston mastered the sign for “ball,” which was very exciting.
Here is little man hanging out on the side of the pool.
We met Robin with Seastars at the end of April at an Autism Resource Fair that was held at Sacred Heart Hospital. I had done Mommy and Me swimming at the local junior college and Preston was so so interested. I didn’t feel as though it was the best fit for us, and felt he would be far better off with private swim instruction. Robin went over all of the benefits of swimming not only for a neuro-typicl child, but also for those with ASD and all other special needs. We took Preston to his first swim lesson on Monday, April 23. Preston was okay in the water the first day, not excited and not irritated. On the second day of swimming he cried most of the time. Since we bought four sessions, we wanted to give it another go and see what happened. On lesson three he was better, and not crying, and continuing to get used to Robin. Lesson four was even more improvement with his comfort level in the water. Since he didn’t have any major meltdowns we decided to continue with the swimming and see what would happen. We did notice that he would get more vocal in the water with various sounds coming out. Another thing that we were anxiously awaiting was to see what kind of impact it would have on his balance. By the middle of May he was able to run across the sand at the beach and not fall over, as well as maintain his stance while standing out in the water at the beach. His level of confidence soared with swimming. As he would start to go under on his own, kick, scoot down the pool, etc. you could see his face light up with excitement and pride. He always looks to one of us to see if we saw what he just did. We are now twelve weeks into swimming, trying to go four days a week but not always, and he is doing phenomenal. Preston now has little fins he wears to help with his kick in the water and is virtually swimming. He goes farther and farther each day without assistance. I am quite confident he is a better swimmer than I am.
The thing about ASD is that it is a SPECTRUM, and every child is different, not only in their interests but their needs. We have found swimming to be Preston’s outlet, and he performs and focuses so much better when he has had swimming than on days when he does not. Not every child will take to the water immediately, but it is all about exposure and getting them used to it. I personally do not agree with the statement that, “oh they are on the spectrum so they will not like the water or the beach.” Every child is a unique individual and should be treated as such. If you are looking into swimming options, it really needs to be with a coach that understands special needs children, and that will go at their pace and not force them into something. There are several sensory inputs in swimming and you don’t want it to ever be too much to where it scares the child.
Please feel free to check out Seastars Aquatics at http://www.seastarsaquatics.org. It is a phenomenal organization not only for the special needs community but the children at risk as well.
Getting Started
June 26, 2012
Here is my first attempt at a blog. I feel rather behind the times. 🙂 I started this blog to have a venue to document our families journey through Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and all the early interventions we have tried and are trying. I think I will catch everyone up to date in a series of posts, so it will be easier to follow. I hope you enjoy!
Puzzle Pieces for Preston 
Written
on November 27, 2012