week 32.

This week was about the same as last week - successful and cooperative. It was the last week doing OT with Irene (OT sub) and things went really well. I think Emmett has grown a bit attached to her ? They worked more on dipping different foods and mixing textures. We also working on those things at home.  We have been letting Emmett put raisins in his yogurt and he has been trying it. Irene also had Emmett play in the bean bin. He didn't want to sit in it, but he played in it with his hands.
Speech with Zena always seems to go well. Emmett really likes her and goes along with anything she suggests. They have been working on following directions. She has different magnet boards with figures that she uses and has Emmett put the figures on top of ______ or under ______. He is still learning where these places are. He is doing a nice job listening to Zena.
Emmett has been using some nice sentences at home! Full and descriptive. He is also trying harder to describe what he wants or sees in better detail. That brain of his is working so hard! I tell him each day how smart and special he is.

week 31.

Emmett did really well at therapy this week! Unfortunately, there were two speech therapists out and there was another patient who needed Zena's services, so Emmett did not get to see her. But, a different speech therapist sat in on the OT session and they basically team taught Emmett. At first, Emmett was overwhelmed by all of the eyes on him, but he cooperated nicely. Erin (speech) worked on saying complete sentences the entire hour. Irene did massage with lotion and brushing, then worked mostly on feeding. Emmett did so well and was tolerating a lot! He ate pancakes with syrup, licked a chicken nugget, and touched a green bean. He also ate yogurt with raisins and cheerios mixed in. I was so impressed with my buddy. :) After eating, Emmett played in the rice bin with cars. He gets really excited doing this and has a hard time keeping the rice in the bin.
At home, we are working on eating more with utensils. Emmett is trying really hard and is doing great. He is also walking around singing songs from school. He doesn't like it when we notice he's singing so we try to ignore it, but it is so cute. I love listening to him and knowing that he is learning.

week 30.

Things went really well this week. I was a little worried because both of Emmett's therapists were gone and had to see substitutes. Erin was his speech therapist this week and the session went great. Emmett has worked with Erin once before so he remembered her. They worked on saying consistent 4-word sentences. Emmett's OT sub is Irene, whom he will work with for a couple more weeks while Teanna is on vacation. Irene is great and Emmett seems to like her. They played a game with magnets and worked on drawing. Irene also did a lot with food, which Emmett tolerated well. I was really proud of him doing something stressful with a new therapist! He was such a trooper. 

Emmett has been really impressing us with his speech this week. He has been saying some great complete sentences and questions. He is also talking much more while he plays and is using his imagination. So fun to watch!

week 29.

There is not much to report this week; it's been pretty basic. In speech, Zena said Emmett had great eye contact and interaction. In OT Teanna helped Emmett put together a race track that was like a puzzle. He was patient and cooperated. Headphones are also going well. Emmett seems completely used to wearing them everyday and making it part of his schedule. 

week 28: 6 months post diagnosis.

Emmett had a good week. Both school and therapy went well. We noticed some excellent (and longer!) sentences from him, which makes us excited. We have seen him engage in some imaginative play with his cars. He has also been more willing to try and take off his shoes and socks.
Every six months I will be listing Emmett's symptoms of autism as I did when he was first diagnosed. My hope is that every six months this list gets smaller and smaller, or the symptoms at least become less noticeable.

Social differences

• doesn't often have appropriate facial expressions
• unable to perceive what others might be thinking or feeling by looking at their facial expressions
• doesn't show concern for others (empathy)
• unable to make friends or uninterested in making friends

Communication differences

• repeats exactly what others say without understanding the meaning
• doesn't always respond to name being called
• mixes up pronouns
• can't continue a conversation
• doesn't practice much pretend play

Behavioral differences

• flaps hands, walks on toes
• likes routines, order, and rituals; has difficulty with change
• obsessed with a few or unusual activities, doing them repeatedly during the day
• plays with parts of toys instead of the whole toy
• sensitive to sounds, textures and touch
• looks at objects from unusual angles