He knows that

Christian had therapy today with Lisa and seemed to enjoy his visit with her. He is becoming more cooperative at following simple adult directed commands. Lisa used the 1st ____ then 2nd ____ technique (Pre-mack principle) with him to generate cooperation and understanding. I am going to try and incorporate more of this in his life. This basically means you prefer a reinforcing event (swinging) with a non-preferred event (labeling items). It does seem to be motivational to him. She also recommended we begin to use social stories with pictures because he has such an excellent memory. I started this tonight when I took pictures of him on the way to church. We can use social stories for many things that he needs to learn to help him visualize what we are asking of him. Another thing to work on right now is offering him choices. Lisa felt that if we begin to offer him choices routinely he will understand and possibly show his preference and not be dependent on what he thinks we want him to say due to a therapy effect. I had noticed with juice and milk I gave him choices and now he says "Juice and Milk" or "Milk and Juice". So, a choice has become a script for him.

Today, I was really happy to see that he could name several items by function, which showed a deeper understanding that what he can express to us. He knew what you stack and knock down (blocks), what you wear on your head (hat) and several more. The most amazing thing to me is that there is so much in there that we can not get to until we find these little switches to access the information. Today I found myself thinking "he knows that" outloud and in my head as I watched him struggle to pull up information to recite on cue. I know that is the social part of his language skills that is hard for him. Christian knows all the alphabet letters and can say them when he sees them by sight. Today, he say an F and could see him struggling and not finding the words. As a mom, you want to whispher it and you feel sad that he can draw it up. I can not say I understand the mysteries of knowing and not being able to get it out. I just hurt sometimes because there is so much there and I want him to be able to let me know. The hardest part is when he feels pain. I will know he hurts from the cry of distress but he cant say he hurts or why.

We put a swing out on our front porch ( which is a great thing) for him. He swang for an hour last night and about 30 minutes today. This is a great safe way to contain him safely while he enjoys all that outdoors has to offer him, with sights, sounds, and wonder. Today, he started sobbing and Mike did not understand why he was so sensitive and thought he was over tired. I had this "huh? that does not make sense" kind of feeling. When I went outside to get him, I noticed a coffee cup on the chair. When I asked Mike if he had taken a sip when he swang him and he said probably, I knew that was why he was crying. Again, He knows that... He can say cup, drink, and thirsty. But he just cant pull it up when he is the midst of a situation. When I gave him a drink he was settled in and relaxed again in his swing.

I am so thankful for his therapists and for the people that I have met that have given me a better understanding of how to help my son. I know that he is making leaps and bound progress.. we just have to figure out how to get through even more clearly,

SO when I think "He knows that", I will also say a prayer that one day he can show us that he knows that...