What can happen in a year?
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009A year ago this week we had an amazing thing happen. Our church at the time was having a fall festival event and we decided that we would go. It was a back and forth struggle whether we should go or not because anytime we had tried something like that in the past it had been a nightmare. Either we would have to leave early because Daniel would loose it or when we got home it was hours of him flipping out. We decided we had to take a chance and let the other kids at least have a good time.
It was mass chaos.
There were people all around, loud noise, music, we were outside, people were coming up to us and just kids running everywhere. Exactly what you would expect going to a fall festival. Daniel saw the bouncy houses and he went straight for them. Daniel, Ariel and Joshua all jumped and jumped and had a great time. We stayed for over an hour. When it started getting a bit too crowded in the bouncy houses we decided to walk around to see the games and the other things going on.
Daniel did great, we told him the bouncy houses were night, night and he walked away with us.
That was a first, and as we walked around we stopped at the games and he actually tried them. He won some candy, we don’t usually let the kids have candy but we let them have one piece. We let him have a lollipop and he ate it! He actually licked it! That was a first, licking anything. He was doing so well when we left we decided to try to go to Target and see if there was any good Halloween clearance. We walked all around the chaos of Halloween items thrown all over the place. Scary items that he was not fond of, made him uncomfortable (still does) so I gave him a spinning toy that he could focus on.
We left the store and I was preparing myself for the meltdown when we got home, but hoped that it wouldn’t happen.
It didn’t happen. We had our first family outing that was pleasant, peaceful and fun. Our first one ever! Yesterday that actually hit me that it has been a year since that night and how much has changed since then. Not only Daniel but myself and everyone. We are much more happier than a year ago. There have been significant changes that have happened. We have eliminated unnecessary stress. We no longer allow outside sources that we have control over to bring us stress. We have really focused on Daniel being Daniel and not being “fixed”. We have gained knowledge that helps us as a family and we decide what is best for us.
After reflecting on all of this I decided to sit down and take a look at some of Daniel’s progress.
The list below is not exhaustive but it is a help to determine early signs of autism. A year ago Daniel was doing all of the items listed. In the past year, with the most rapid progress being in the last six months he has shown considerable improvement. There are many other things that he has progressed in as well but here is a short list. It is really amazing what progress has happened.
It is truly awesome what can happen in a year.
Social skills
Fails to respond to his or her name—–Now responds about 98%, when he does not respond it’s because he just doesn’t want to. Sometimes I will catch him laughing or smiling when I say “Daniel, are ignoring me?”
Has poor eye contact——Now has a steady state of eye contact, when asking for something, talking with family and others.
Appears not to hear you at times—–Now show signs of hearing and comprehending.
Resists cuddling and holding—-Now gives hugs and will give kisses and will say “I love you”.
Appears unaware of others’ feelings—–Is starting to notice other peoples feelings, when siblings cry he no longer laughs but has genuine concern and tries to figure out why they are crying .
Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her “own world”—-Now plays with siblings about 80% of the day, is starting to try to interact with other children as well. It used to be around 15%.
Language
Starts talking later than other children—-Is starting to speak in complex sentences, is communicating what he wants, where he is hurt (just this week), why he is upset. This just happened in the last two weeks.
Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences—-Has not lost any words or sentences continues to progress.
Does not make eye contact when making requests—-Now makes eye contact every time he makes a request.
Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech—–This is still off and on but he thinks it is really funny when he uses different voices.
Can’t start a conversation or keep one going–-Is now just starting to start conversations, is unable to keep them going.
May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them—–He is doing this but he keeps doing it until he understands it and then uses it when we least expect it.
Behavior
Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning or hand-flapping—-The only time he does this now is when he is too overloaded from sensory issues or doesn’t understand the social situation. It is not often, it used to be all day long.
Develops specific routines or rituals—He no longer sticks to strict routines, he will even initiate for us to leave to go somewhere at the spur of the moment and does not have a meltdown if we do go or if we say we can’t go.
Becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals—-He has become very flexible with this and we are able to enjoy going out to place as a family now.
Moves constantly—This only happens now when the full moon is about to come or he is having sensory overload. It did used to be all day long.
May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car—Still loves anything that spins but we have made it a family thing and this has helped him be more interactive with us.
May be unusually sensitive to light, sound and touch and yet oblivious to pain—-This now only happens on occasion it is always due to sensory issues. However, with him starting to communicate more we have been able to help him with his sensory issues.
