Daddy

Dylan came home today from staying at his Grandparents for their Halloween party and has been cuddling with us and wants to be around us.  We have really enjoyed the night with him.  About a half hour before bedtime, I was downstairs watching a show with him and then Brandon came walking down with a drink in hand.  Not just any drink, but Dr Pepper.  My kids are like their Mom and love their drinks ha ha.  Dylan immediately noticed what was in Brandon's hand and grinned from ear to ear and went right to Brandon.

Brandon gave him a drink and sure enough he was back for more in 10 seconds.  This time Brandon said to Dylan, "Say Daddy...D.A.D.D.Y" and was just about to give him a drink because this is something Brandon does all the time and gets no response out of him.  But...

Just as Brandon went to tip the cup to Dylan's mouth, we both heard clear as day, "Daddy" and then he took a drink!  Brandon and I just looked at each other in complete shock, but we both heard it and couldn't deny it.  Just like when I posted about the first time I heard "Mommy" post stem cells and the music it was to my ears.  This was the exact same feeling!  I loved the fact that we were both there to witness it!  I guess this would be what they call "echolalia"  where he just mimicked what Brandon said and maybe not really saying it on his own free will, but the fact that he actually said, "Daddy" was amazing!

We will be heading to Panama Saturday night for round 2.  I am excited but nervous at the same time.  On the Facebook group there has been a lot of people lately that are reporting back that they are having lots of tantrums and hyperactivity, but then it eases.  The fact that he seems to be getting to a pretty good point and the thought of having to go through the tantrums and stuff makes me nervous.  But I know we will see good come from it eventually, so we just have to push through and hope and pray for the best!  I just hope if we have a period of tantrums and really bad behavior, it comes around Christmas break.  I am still trying to keep this from his school because I really want an unbiased opinion.  Last time we went over Spring Break and so they didn't know he was gone for a week.  This time he will miss a week of school and when he comes back and acts off the wall, they may wonder what is going on and I will have to fill them in.  Let's also hope that that doesn't happen!

Escape Artist Returns

I was out cleaning out the garage and Dylan was there with me.  He was playing on the bikes and kept sitting in the Power Wheel car and was very content.  He pushed the wagon over to the van and next thing I knew he was climbing on top of the van.  I wanted to get him down but then I thought he was being a little boy and I decided to let him enjoy it. It wasn't long before Boston joined in on the fun!  I was loving the fact that I was getting something done and I was outside with Dylan and actually enjoying my time because I wasn't worried about him running off or having to follow him around.  I even thought to myself at one point, "this is so nice that he is just hanging around here in the garage and entertaining himself.  I love that he is not running everywhere!"

After an hour or so, he started getting a little restless and tried to get into the van.  That usually means he is ready to go.  I turned around for a minute or two at the most and when I turned back around he was gone.  I slowly walked behind the van, figuring he had just gone back there, but he wasn't there.  I looked across the street where Brielle was playing on the neighbors porch, but he wasn't there either.  I walked to the side of the house and looked down the sidewalk but still no Dylan.  I went to go back towards the house because I figured there was no way he made it that far in the minute or two that had passed, but then had the feeling I should really run to the end of the sidewalk and look down the corner, just in case, because that is a pretty busy road and wanted to be sure he was not in danger.

 As I started running down the sidewalk, I noticed a city truck driving along the busy road quite slow.  As I got to the end of the fence, the guy yelled out, "Is that your kid?"  My heart dropped and then I knew where he was.  I quickly asked, "Where?"  He pointed to the opposite way I would have looked, so I am thankful for him. There he was just entering the lot of the Leland Mills that is right next to our Cul De Sac.  I yelled at Dylan and told him "No!"  As soon as he heard me and turned and saw me, he let out a little whine.  I could tell by his reaction he knew he was in trouble and wasn't supposed to be doing what he was doing.  By this time there was 2 other cars slowed down watching him.  I wanted to  yell out "He has Autism.  I just looked away for 2 minutes. I'm Sorry!"  But I kept my mouth shut, grabbed him and headed back home.

Progress

I met with Dylan's teacher a month or so ago, but got this report today.  He is making progress and that is what I love hearing!  I love that at the end of the first "Comment" it says, "We Love Him!"  He is in such a good, caring and educational environment!  They are our "angels in disguise" for our little guy!  He is really starting to try and socialize and communicate the best he can!  He is also doing well with matching colors and objects such as animals!  He is doing well following commands in memorized routines such as, "sit down," "raise hand," "come here," "throw in garbage."

I am beyond excited and proud for this little guy!  It is so simple for us to understand and do these simple things, but it is not so easy for him.  He is doing it and I love it!

This note came home last week.  I have yet to hear him say Bus or Hi but I know he does.  I have witnessed him on many occasions waving "Hi" and "Bye"  It is the cutest thing ever.  The other morning I went in and said, "Hi Dylan! Good morning!"  I was greeted with a cute little smile and two hands shot up as he was opening and closing them very rapidly.  That is his wave.  I loved it.  That morning he even was waving to the other kids too! Waving is his new constant so I like to egg it on.  That and giving me a kiss when he wants something!  I love that too, but am trying to break that habit in case he tries that on everyone else, that would not go over well, ha ha.  But as a Mother, it makes me so happy!

This picture may look like a typical 3 almost 4 year olds coloring page, but just a month or two ago he would make a mark or two and he was done.  Since I don't talk to his teachers on a daily basis any longer, because he goes to school all day, I am assuming this was all him!  Maybe they helped him or maybe it was all him, either way, I was so excited when I opened up his back pack and saw it!

Happy Happy Happy

Dylan has been really happy these last few days and I love it!  He randomly runs up to me and wraps his arms around me or grabs my hand and leads me down stairs to a pile of pillows that he has propped up on the couch(fort style) and has me crash into them, or at least that is what I think I am supposed to do!  He looks at me with the cutest little smile and you can just see the excitement in him and I LOVE IT!

We went to Rick and Lori's to pick up the older two on Sunday and had a little gathering.  The day started out with his routine down there and wanted to watch a show in Lori's car, but then he got out and before too long was playing along side several different groups.  He never really played "with" anyone else but the whole day he would go get in the sandbox with whoever was in there at that time and play or he would go get on the tramp with whoever was on at that time and jump.  He seemed to be happy again and I observed him several times observing what was going on around him, not just out there doing his own thing completely!  I loved it!

Then I had to pick him up at school on Monday because the kids had a dentist appointment, Dylan didn't LOVE IT(but no cavities!)  When I went in to his room I was greeted with excitement by the teacher and an aide and they were telling me all about their exciting day.  When Dylan got off the bus, he greeted them by saying, "Hi" plain as day!  They were ecstatic and shrilled with joy!  They said Dylan kind of grinned at them like, "I just did something really cool!"  That day they focused on greetings.  They would have someone behind him and someone in front of him and say, "Bye" and most of the times he would respond by waving!  If not the person behind grabs his hand and holds under his wrist and he flaps his little fingers, so cute!  They were showing me this also while I was there.  They also said that once they get off the bus and start school they show a picture of a bus and explain they got of the bus and now it is time to do(whatever the next thing is.)  This day when they held up the picture of the bus, Dylan responded saying, "Bu" before they even said the word!  Mrs Heelis said that Friday and Monday they had seen changes in him.  She said it is almost as if it has clicked that there is certain sounds to words, rather than just making a sound, if that makes sense.  For instance, when he wants a treat, he tells them "see see", but then when he saw the picture of the bus and responded, "bu".  I Love it!  I also love the excitement that the school staff showed that day!  It again made me realize and be very Thankful that he is where is and that is where he is meant to be.  I can see the love they have for my child and they are cheering him on and celebrating along with us with any improvement he makes!

SO as you can tell, I feel things are going really good right now and absolutely LOVE the direction things are going!  I hope we keep seeing more improvements and that hopefully everything is starting to really connect and we continue moving forward!  Then in a few weeks we go for more stem cells and I hope things really start taking off from there!

Dylan's school picture!  I really thought I would get a picture back with him looking to the side or screaming(not wanting to sit there) or no picture at all.  I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I got the picture.  He may not be smiling, but my oh my he is a handsome little guy!  Plus he is actually looking at the camera!

Mondays

Not a lot has been going on lately, other than getting a note from school saying they think he may have a cavity because he was crying when he had a fruit snack stuck on his back teeth and then when he ate hot food, good thing we have dentist appointments on Monday! Except for that causes stress wondering how in the world will they be able to fix it, because I REALLY don't want to sedate him.  We'll figure something out, right!

I have a hard time letting people take Dylan when they offer to help out because I know how busy he is and the last thing I want to do is pass that responsibilty on to someone else or better yet, have him destroy something of theirs!  Lacy had called me a month or so ago and had asked if they could take him one day a week and pick him up from school!  Knowing how crazy, busy she is plus she has 4 kids too, two of them being 2 years old, And she had had a surgery recently I had a hard time saying yes.  Not because I don't want him to spend time with them and get to know them but just as I mentioned above.  I remembered my Mom had told me that Lacy really wanted to help out and so I put my fears aside and accepted the offer!  Plus my Mom always gets after me because I don't like to accept help and tells me that Grandma Madge always told her that that is denying someone else a blessing when you won't let them help. They have taken him twice now and I can tell he is having a good time when I pick him up!  They tell me all they have done and I will admit it is probably more interaction than we get with him at times!  Not only is it good for Dylan to be with his Aunt and cousins without us around and get to know them better, it is good for them to be around Dylan and learn more about Autism.  It's a learning experience for us all and I am grateful for all the support we are given!  When we got home Brandon asked Dylan if he had fun.  Dylan responded with a very clear, "Yeah!"  That made my day hearing that!

Parent Teacher Conference

I went to Dylan's Parent Teacher Conference tonight and left feeling pretty good! He is doing pretty good but more like a snails pace, but good!  She said that he has matured since last school year and he is adjusting well to all day Preschool!  They are working on basic things such as: raise hand, clap hands, sit down, stand up, come here, matching colors and objects, etc.

 When she talked about "come here" she would get this grin on her face like she was imagining what he does.  She said she is certain he understands what she is asking him to do, but he slowly gets up and kind of pauses in the middle and looks at her as if "am I supposed to come now or wait for the push?"  By push she is talking about being "prompted" which they have done up until now, just give him a little nudge to help teach what they are working on.  They give them a reward, in Dylan's case FOOD, when they complete a task.  So she said it is as if he is saying, " I know I need to come to you to get that treat but am waiting for my cue!"  He is getting it though!

I was pleasantly surprised that most the things she was showing me had "mastered" written by it! All though they are super simple things, to us that is, they are BIG things for him.  This is things like eye contact, he has that mastered for 1 second so now they are moving on to 2 seconds.  Raise hand, with visual from teacher, so now rhey are trying without the teacher doing and just saying.  He has been matching objects and colors but by matching the teacher places one object on the table and gives him the exact same object and tells him "match same."  He has that down so they are moving on to placing two different objects on the table and then give him one that matches one of the objects and having him place it by the correct one.

So as you can see these and a few other things like this, are all simple but he is doing them and learning!  Slow and steady wins the race, right?  I can tell they enjoy him and love their job and I expressed my appreciation to them as well! We can not do this without them and Iam very Thankful for them!

On another note: Dyaln has been saying Mamamamama a lot lately and so I justtell him "yes I'm Mom. Thanks for saying Mom!" If that is actually what he is saying I am not sure, but I sure do love it!  His teacher was saying they are hearing him say different words(but couldn't think off the bat which words.  She said he says "seesee" for treat and she thinks he said "my turn" the other day), so I told her about the "Mom" thing.  Last year I gave them pictures of each of our family so they could work on identifying us all, so I figured they have been working on that.  She told me they haven't been working on it and she isn't sure if they have the pictures anymore, but wants me to get some more.  That ade me feel even better that he may be calling me by name and it is all on his own!

Sent Home from School

Dylan has had a few rough mornings lately and has been kind of sad.  I really didn't think much of it yesterday because I woke up around 4:00 and could hear him partying playing in his room.  I heard him until at least 4:30 but then I dozed off.  When he woke up the next morning and was a little cranky, I just figured he may be a little tired.  When he came home from school and the bus door opened he let out a little squeal of excitement.  The bus driver and his aide kind of laughed and said, "someone is excited to be home!"  I told them it was his brothers birthday and maybe he remembered there were presents in there to open(he had been trying all week) and today was the day.

When I looked in his backpack there was a note from the teacher saying he had had a rough day and was a little moody.  She wondered if he was getting sick?  I hadn't noticed anything to make me think that, but have been wondering if I should have him checked out from his fall off the monkey bars.  His thigh never swelled up or bruised even, but sometimes when I watch him walk it looks as if he is avoiding the left side a little bit.  So this made me wonder if he is cranky due to pain?

I sent him to school today because he seemed fine.  He didn't eat breakfast but did drink his apple juice.  Some days he just doesn't eat, so nothing out of the ordinary.  I got a call just before 11 and it was his teacher saying that she didn't think he was feeling well.  He was being moody again and just wasn't having any of it.  She said normally when they do things treats will get Dylan's attention REAL QUICK, but today and yesterday he just continued to cry.  As she was talking to me she said he was laying down on a little couch in the room.  I told her Boston got out of school at 11:25 so if it would be alright that I pick Dyl up after that, which she was fine with.  When I got there I could see through the window one of the teachers standing over a kid that was laying on the ground.  I kind of laughed thinking, "ok, he is giving them problems."  But then realized it wasn't my child and made me feel better, ha ha.

I walked into the room and Dylan jumped right off the couch, where he had stayed since I talked to his teacher almost and hour prior, and was ready to go.  He walked right over to me with a little smile and was heading out the door.  I talked to his teacher for a minute and brought up my concern about maybe needing to get him checked out from the fall, but am conflicted because there is no obvious signs of trauma, and she mentioned he has been a little more clumsy lately, so I still don't know what to do there.  Maybe he is a little sore, so I think I will watch it for a few more days?

Boston had wanted pizza and I needed to go to Costco so we headed over there.  Dylan seemed absolutely fine and I was starting to think that he has already mastered the skill of faking sick to get out of school.  He was fine all day and then around 5:30 he just turned really moody.  I wasn't able to do anything or figure out exactly what he wanted.  This went on for an hour and then it was time to take Boston to soccer, so Brandon took Dylan for a ride.  I didn't get home until he was in bed, so I am not sure how the rest of the night went.  I am not sure if I should send him to school tomorrow, or if I should keep him home.  I hate when they call me because he "might" be getting sick.  I can't keep him home everyday he "might" be sick because that could be a lot of days since he can't express himself.  Obviously, I would keep him home if he were sick and I knew it, but now I feel like I have to keep him home just so I don't get called tomorrow.  I guess we'll see how it is in the morning.  And who doesn't have those days where you just don't want to do anything, which is only intensified in these kids, right?

On another note:  On the Facebook group another parent mentioned (who's sons name is, ironically, Dylan) has had a rough couple of days where he is crying, yelling, frustrated and sad.  He just had the stem cells in the last month or two so we are further out.  But other than the yelling, this is a lot of what has been going on with Dylan.  I am wondering if we are reaching another push of the cells doing their work?  People have said it is like a roller coaster ride and you might think it is done and then all of a sudden something happens.  So just food for thought, we will see what the next little bit brings!  Maybe he is just getting sick like the teacher said, but maybe we have some activity going on in there!