I am amazed...
Tags:
at the way that Simon has been talking since I got home from NZ/Australia. He is actually engaging in conversation, answering questions, asserting his opinion verbally. This is a huge difference even since before I left. Around here we like to speculate on just what it is that is making these changes...and yet, it is so hard to tell if and what therapies are helping the most. Always searching for something that will make a difference for him...
One of the things we have been doing differently with his treatment over the last month is the addition of vitamin B shots as recommended by our DAN doctor. (This is in addition to his special diet: gluten/casein free diet, his developmental preschool that includes occupational & speech therapy, and other vitamin supplements.)
Another thing we have noticed this last week is that he has been telling Chris not to “scare” him in the evenings since he has been home. In the past Chris would chase him up the stairs (as I carried him) when it was time to go to bed - he would giggle with glee and get all crazy. He wants none of that now and is in fact asking not to be scared (way more my style). Before this I had never heard him mention the word "scare," let alone put any meaning along with it.
Right now he is watching an animal video and saying things like, “that’s a good zebra” and “you are running” as the zebra runs by on the screen. This is a big change from just identifying the name of the animal in the past. So much more language...
Behaviorally I have also noticed a change. We went to our local outdoor pool yesterday and he did great waiting in line for the water slide - no pushing or whining as he had done earlier this summer. He also really seems to be listening & following instructions so much better than normal.
Maybe it is all because I have been gone and I can see things differently now. Maybe it is the shots. Maybe it is all the outdoor exercise and fresh air he got while visiting with grandma and grandpa. Maybe it is that he is just growing and it is his turn to "get" a bit more of the world we inhabit.
Whatever it is, it is good (except that he is crying right now about having some meat for lunch).
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
83 comments
I know all kids are different, but our son, Sam, changed dramatically after attending EEP and a special Ed kindy...by the time he started 1st grade just two years later, the people at his new school just weren't sure he needed an IEP...but then the tests were run and there were still lots of idiosyncracies that weren't noticeable to the untrained eye. I know I've shared this with you, that he is now a senior in high school, plays football, is a B student, has a plan for his life. He's doing really well. We had nothing as far as therapies go, except speech and language at school.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
that is SO GREAT -- !!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Oh Ali, that is awesome news! You just wait... you'll see how his speech will become "normal" and it will be so amazing to hear him. My son is doing pretty good now - he's been in speech therapy since he was 20 mths old and he is now going on 7. We work on it everyday but the improvement is FANTASTIC!!
Yay Simon!!!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Great to hear Ali - every little milestone counts! He is such an adorable boy!
Loved meeting you in Sydney, glad you had a safe trip home... please come back though! Loved your classes, loved how approachable you are! SHUT, UP!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
What a wonderful story to hear!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali, a scrapbooking friend pointed me to your site and thought I would be interested in the autism aspect, as I have a wonderful 4 year old kiddo on the spectrum. I read everything you have written about autism & Simon, and am so, so, so happy that he's improving. But I have always wondered, how in the heck do you get through the daily shots? That sounds like a really traumatic experience, but I have not yet ventured into biomedical (we're seeing a naturopath next month). You sound like an incredibly respectful and loving mom, and I respect your opinion. You are both a sane voice and positive voice for me as a mom of an ASD son. Thanks so much!
Rebecca
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
what a guy!! :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
ooops that was from me, ali. :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali -
What a beautiful picture of Simon! He is a beautiful, loving child with incredible parents. And I'm so happy to hear that he's doing so well. Thank you for helping me to understand more about the autism spectrum and a little of what life is like when you're faced with such a huge challenge. You're all three in my prayers.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali, it's so nice to come to your blog and read such great news about Simon. It's amazing how our kids learn. Sometimes it's like something clicks and they GET it... and then things fall into place. It sounds like Simon went through one of those learning explosions while you were away. WTG, little man!
And you... you have an amazing attitude. :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Congratulations! Every little thing seems like a big thing, so I know that you must be so excited to see so much more activity and changes everyday. You must be so proud.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Praise Jesus! I know he is working miracles in Simon just like He did on my Abbey. Awesome Simon! I am so thrilled to hear this.
Thanks for the DAN link. My Blake is 1 yr. and I stopped his vaccines at 6 mos till he gets older. I just couldn't stand the thought of getting him vaccinated. I caught a lot of slack for it, especially from his doctor but I had to do what was right for us.
Many more blessings!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
cant help but think that Simon's progress probably a combination of ALL of those elements. It must be so exciting for you to witness.
We miss you already!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
That's such fantastic news! It's such a milestone for any child to verbalise their wants and needs. He's so lucky to have such dedicated parents.
Jess
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
that is wonderful news! thanks for sharing! i believe each child will choose their moments, according to their own schedule. i have learned a great deal of patience, along the 4+ yrs with my daughter. she was *late* in everything from crawling to walking to talking. and she is coming out of her shy shell, but i don't mind that she is. it sometimes bothers others more than me, and that is something i have finally learned to let go! thanks for the reminder, we all have our own time, our own moments and IT IS OK!!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Glad you had a great trip Ali! I do think there is something in the riddle w/ diet/supplements. I would have never thought it, but I have been battling some issues of my own and the diet/supplement/acupuncuture route has made a difference. Our kiddies are similar in age and my daughter did the fine/verbal skills stuff early and the gross skills late. I think you are right, it's his time and he is "getting it". It's awesome.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
wow Ali that is such good news to hear! go simon! I think I also am going to try the vitamin B shots for Anthony, who knows it might work!
corinnexxx
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow, Ali. This is AWESOME!!
I am so thrilled to read all the progress he is making!
Who knows, by the end of summer, he may be
loving meat! :)
I am so happy for you. Thank you for sharing this.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Congrats to Simon!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
What a wonderful blessing you are Simon! Way to go dude! Yay!! =)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.