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!!!
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.
Puzzle Pieces for Preston 
Written
on July 12, 2012