Practice Makes Progress

Oh Lordy this is the last post of the day I swear.  While this is probably serving as a complete nuisance to most people it's a good journal for me to track Isaiah's developmental progress.  We seems to have made some communication progress this week after eight weeks of therapy.  Isaiah seems to be getting the hang of "up" and today while climbing onto the couch and onto my lap he said "UP!"  He also has had a breakthrough with sign language.  Just when his therapists thought he would never pick it up, he signed "all done", "open", "please", and "more" at one point this week.  He also is pointing to w hat he wants and will say "this."  This tells us that he at least KNOWS the signs.  Tonight he ate dinner in his high chair as usual and started fussing when I knew he was done.  I asked him..."All done Isaiah?"  while signing to him as I always do and he looked at me and signed "all done" right back at me.  I immediately started cheering Yeaaaa!!!!!!   Isaiah!!!!!!!  you signed all done!!!!  Good work!!!!  Mommy loves your signs!!!!!  It just warms my heart any time that Isaiah is able to communicate with me without tears.  Isaiah's words and signs are still very inconsistent.  He might go days and even a week or two without repeating a word or sign but we are seeing clues that he is becoming slightly more consistent.

I finally did hear back from Illinois Masonic regarding Isaiah's clinical evaluation which has been set for May 16th in the city.  We are very much looking forward to this to see if there is a clinical diagnosis for Isaiah. 

One area that Isaiah's occupational therapist is so helpful with me on is Isaiah's sensory difficulties.  For instance Isaiah acts like he is being lowered into hot lava any time I brushed his teeth, cut his hair, washed his hear, combed his hair, trim his nails, got him dressed, changed his diaper....etc.  It's so hard seeing him screaming and crying when I try to trim his hair even though he he is in his high chair with with some fruit snacks in front of his favorite cartoon.  We have mastered the teeth brushing thanks for our friends at Crayola who have invented a light up tooth brush and he now opens his mouth for me to brush his teeth where before he writhed on the ground crying when I tried to brush his teeth.  It's been baby steps.  Lots of positive reinforcement and love.  I'm so grateful for the program that we are in and for the professionals that are helping Isaiah.  Still praising God for our two handsome blessings, and thankful for their health.