Fuimos(or something like that) A Panama

Out to lunch with his family before we left

We drove down to Las Vegas to catch our plane to Panama on Halloween.  We had a great ride and Dylan was amazing! We stopped in St George to eat and let Dyl run around, but other than that just kept driving.  He didn't even fall asleep until the last 30 minutes of our drive.  Our flight left at 11:36 pm but got into Vegas around 8 so we had plenty of time to let Dyl stretch out and use up some energy.

While we were in the airline check in line I noticed a teenaged age girl walking on her tippy toes, like Dylan, and instantly wondered if she was on the spectrum.  A little bit later Dylan was kind of stirring in his stroller and wanting out.  This teenaged girls Dad started talking to him and just making small talk to comfort him.  A minute later the girl let out a scream which confirmed my suspicions, then I wondered if they too were going for treatment.

We got through check in and security pretty quick and went and sat down near our departure area.  Then Lori started walking around with Dylan and letting him go up and down the straight-way escalator thing.  After a while they came back and sat down.  I took on the turn of walking with Dylan.  As I was walking away I thought maybe I should grab my phone and bag because I wouldn't have an ID or phone, but shrugged it off thinking I would just be right there.....WRONG!

It only took Dylan a few minutes to discover another escalator and run over to it.  As he got on I went to grab him but then noticed another escalator to the side and figured we could just come right back up, so I decided to just follow him and got on.  Well we got to the bottom and went to go back up, but quickly discovered, it also went down and not up.  I then noticed baggage claim and started stressing thinking we just made a huge mistake.  I found a set of stairs that went up across from where we were and sure enough we came up at the check in spot.  I was freaking out!  I didn't have my phone, ID, money, except $10 in my pocket, we were screwed!!

I went to the  heck in station and explained that Dylan is Autistic and got on the escalator so I followed him down and didn't have my phone or ID.  They said they could page Lori and hope she got the message and come meet us, but that was about it.  I found a phone and tried calling her and even Brandon, who was home, collect.  I assumed Lori had turned her phone off because it went to her voicemail and Brandon did not answer.  I continued to keep asking the airline employees if they had heard from Lori and call these two phones for what felt like an hour(probably at least 20 minutes). I was freaking out, Dylan was bawling and trying to run from me.  I was trying to use the phone while he is screaming, I put him down because he is screaming and I can't hear the operator instructions, he tries to run off.  I grab him and pull him back, he falls to the floor screaming.  I say some mean and pissed off words(which Brandon just informed me tonight Nov. 2  that my other son has picked up on a not so good F word and yes I am to blame!) to Dylan and I am sure this scene looked very mean and chaotic, but I had no idea what to do.  We had an hour or so until boarding and I figured we would have to go through security again"if" Lori got the message and was able to gather everything up and come find us, whew it was chaotic!

I asked the airline lady if she was sure I could not talk to security somewhere and get them to help me. She was probably so sick of me and finally the Supervisor went to the gate to find Lori.  A few minutes later I look up and there she is! I was so glad it all turned out and we had enough time to go through security again.  This time through my bag was stopped for some reason and when they checked it she asked if I had anything sharp in there.  When she looked inside and saw the wet wipes she said she thought that was something else.  So beware of scary wet wipes, I guess.

We got back to the gate with half hour or so to spare and was not going ANYWHERE again ha ha.  Lori took Dylan back on the straight escalator but I warned her "Do not let him see the other set." The guy from earlier came and asked if that was my brother or son, so I let him know he is my son ha ha. We found out they are taking his daughter, Georgia, for her first round of Stem Cells.  His name is Jeff.  Both Lori and I have admired his patience and how sweet he is with his daughter.  I told him what happened and the fun we had had.  Turns out they were a couple rows behind us and when we got on offered to hold Dylan while we got adjusted.

The. Flight was great! Dylan fell asleep right before we took off and slept until we landed.  We didn't sleep that well, but dozed off a little bit.

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!