The fact that he has been in school for less than two months and he has already met all of his IEP goals. We obviously set the bar too low.
How I have been charting his spontaneous speech for one hour every month, and every month it more than doubles?
The fact that I worried that sending him to an all Autistic classroom would do nothing for his socialization skills but he gets excited to see the students, and he knows them all by name. He has never known a peer by name in the past, but he will now say bye to friends by name. We have had playdates and I have watched him interact with, and share toys appropriately with other kiddos - such a big change from throwing himself on the floor, screaming, and throwing things when someone takes or has a toy that is his or that he wants!
He will not only play alongside peers, but I was told by the Autism coordinator that he will get into the faces of peers to engage them, and that one neurotypical peer (around 4 years old) in recess who is like the "leader of the pack," Finnigan repeatedly tried to sit in his lap the other day. Maybe not appropriate, but definitely very social!
The Autism Coordinator and Parent Advocate have stated that they think we should begin to integrate him into a regular class in the fall. Much, much sooner than I had hoped!
We have been having success, finally, with potty training. Both poop and pee have made it in the toilet, although we are still not consistent.
And a huge breakthrough is that Finnigan yesterday was "drawing," on his doodler, I was cooking in the kitchen. He came and sought me out to show me what he had drawn, and labeled it a "hat." Now, his scribble looked nothing like a hat, I have to admit. But the fact that he imagined it was a hat and sought me out to show it to me is BIG, BIG leaps and bounds of progress. He has never sought me out to show me anything. He has never gained my attention to share his interests in anything, ever. He then drew, "juice", a "ship", and a "truck" on the doodler, and sought me out each time to show me.
Also, he just said, "I wuv you," yesterday as well. It was echolalia and I am not sure he knows what it means, but it sure does do a momma's heart some good to hear him say it.
I could go on and on, but you get the point. We are doing, SO so well. I have purchased curriculum online from CARD, I took a webinar by a BCBA to learn how to effectively run a home program and I will be getting personalized coaching over the Skype starting this summer by a BCBA. Excited to see the continued progress.
I am almost certain we are going to loose his diagnosis. However, I don't care either way if we do. I have confidence that he will be able to make his wants and needs known, and connect with people. That's all I wanted, really, out of this process.
Adeline's doing well, too. She is super cute, loves to babble, and laughs a lot. And, Colin got her to finally take a pacifier while I was away at work over the weekend so that was exciting for everyone! We are going to get three month pictures next weekend, and our having her blessed today at church.
Thank you for your guys' continued love and support!
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