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