I started reading the book Louder Than Words: A Mothers Journey in Healing Autism by Jenny McCarthy. One of the first pages says something that seems all too true..."When your child is diagnosed with cancer, neighbors stop by your home brining precooked meals, hugs and support. When your child is diagnosed with autism, families who see you in the supermarket will slip away down another aisle." Its funny...I never thought that would happen to me, well us - but it has. I find my friends really don't call like they did - I'm sure they are tired of the "updates" and constant interruptions. Now granted my phone wasn't ringing off the hook or anything prior to her diagnosis – but I do notice a difference.
Today was a good day all around.
We started the day with Speech. That is always interesting...
PRAYER REQUEST: Madison seems to not really care for her Speech teacher. This is a rather large problem. When she is in speech she won't talk. IF and WHEN she does the teacher is so busy talking over her she doesn't even hear her. It’s just so frustrating. At speech they really focus on using words to communicate things like: open, more, please, all done, etc. Well Madison’s doing all of those things - AT HOME! She really just has little "melt downs" at her sessions. This causes such a pickle in her class...they only give you 3 months to meet your "set goals". If you don't meet them to their standards you are actually kicked out of speech. (Explain that one to me please)
(You will see I tend to drift off into tangents - just as I do in real conversations - so please forgive)
Madison actually did really well in speech today. She did get to use some of her words and the teacher actually seemed impressed. After class I talked to her about some of my concerns and she said that Madison is improving and starting to achieve her goals. PRAISE GOD!
We had a relaxing afternoon. Madison took a long nap & I had a chance to relax and start a new cross-stitch project. Eric came home around 3:30 and we ate dinner. He dozed on the couch while Madison & I colored. She is really into Teletubbies right now so I printed some color sheets off the Internet for her. Every time we walk into the living room she runs to the TV and says - TUBBIES, TUBBIES! Its so cute...but a parent can only stomach the Teletubbies for so long. Although I have a confession - I kind of like them. I actually sing the theme song all day!
This evening we all hung out before bedtime. Madison actually made a discovery of water bottles this weekend. She has never used a cup or drank out of a real water bottle before...well she is starting to show interest in both! That is HUGE!!!! Tonight she actually took a drink all by herself. We are so proud of her and the advancements she is making towards - 'everyday' things.
We are working with her on self-awareness. Its sad to think that she doesn’t really know who she is. Now when we see a mirror and ask her – “Who’s that?” she smiles and says, “That’s me!!!” You can just feel the pride in her tone. Not to mention she says it is such a cute little accent - like a little Italian baby…its comes out “That’s a-me” (its not as cute to type it, you will have to hear it).
We did manage to get some pictures today/tonight where Madison is looking at the camera. Again a HUGE thing! Because she doesn’t look when you say her name its very hard to get pictures of her. So I am excited to share these pics.
Well I have rambled long enough. I am so glad people are enjoying this blog page. I am enjoying having it.
Take care and we love you all!
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