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Update on Sean - SO MUCH PROGRESS!!
(17 comments, 186 views)
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Wednesday, 31 January 2007
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As most of your Sean has a mild form of Autism, which he was diagnosed with about 2 years ago. He will turn 5 in March. I did this layout a year ago talking about the progress he made in 2005. Well, in 2006, Sean changed so much it is hard to believe it. All of the things I have been praying for so much ... some of those things have taken place. Here are some of the things I am talking about:
~Sean now comments on things like the weather, the time of day, and seasons. Before he never noticed them. He is so interested in telling me what the weather is now!
~Sean talks all of the time now, with comments like "Awww man" when he is frustrated.
~Sean is becoming social. Two years ago I didn't know if this would ever happen. But, at school he is playing all of the times with other kids and talking to them. He just loves to be around them. When my friend brings her daughter over, who is 4, Sean will play with her the entire time. They will "chat" and play all kinds of games. They even almost feel asleep next to each other on our large chair.
~Sean had noticed things about himself like: My hair is brown, my eyes are brown, etc. He also comments on other people's features too. Like momma your hair is yellow. LOL. He also says "I AM HUNGRY!" and things like that.
~Sean can identify when when other people are sad/mad etc.
~Sean can keep a dry pants all day and now uses the potty all of the time!! It is soo cool!
~Sean can hold a conversation now. I am able to sit down and talk to him and he will talk to me with no problems at all.
~Sean makes us laugh on purpose! He is so funny sometimes!
~Sean reads whole books aloud now and has learned functions on the calculator. He also can do things on the computer that I can't even do.
~Uses Yeses and nos all of the time. Lately it's been no I won't go or I won't clean that up, but that is ok :)
~SO SO SO MANY MORE THINGS!!
Let me say that this had come with sometimes 3 steps back, 1 step forward. Here are some things that we did to help relieve his anxieties, and help him progress as he did.
~We kept a routine for him to follow. This was key for him. Kevin is SO AMAZING for Sean, he has so much patience and love for him! He has been one of the main keys to Sean making progress playing with him at night, and being such a good dad.
~We worked with him a lot just talking, even if he didn't seem like he was listening for a while there. We talked and talked to him and sang lots of nursery rhymes. AT bath time Kevin, sings a lot of songs with him sometimes for a half hour.
~We give him lots of positive re-inforcement, whether it's praise, A thomas train, or a special treat he wants, we are constantly positively re-inforcing him.
~School has played a HUGE role for him. I can't say enough good things about his school, he teacher is AMAZING, as well as the helpers. Sean loves school and the structure they give could not be any better for him. I will be so sad when Miss Jenn is no longer his teacher.
~Lots of praising to Sean. I probably on an average say "I love You" or "You are Special" or "You are smart" or "You are cute" or "I am so proud of you" 20-30 times per day. Even when I thought he wasn't listening I would say those things to him.
~Letting our dog be a therapy dog. I really believe that dogs can help people in more ways than companionship. In the past year, our two year old Great Dane has been wonderful. It started over a year ago when Daphne would scout out the cats, she doesn't attack the cats, she just watches them and Sean began to look at her. He thought it was funny. Soon I noticed that Daphne was so gentle with Sean and that she would come up to him a lot just for affection and nuzzle him. Sean and Daphne developed this deep bond, and now are almost inseparable. Sean asked Daphne the other day "Do you know where dada is?" too cute!! I do believe that dogs are therapy dogs!
~We always kept his favorite toys accessible for him to play with. Ok, so my family room looks like a bus depot, that is ok ;)
Advice I would give parents of a child with Autism or any special needs:
~It's ok to be sad sometimes, vent out to friends and family. I promise you will feel better a day later! It is unrealistic to think that we can be happy all of the time.
~Never ever give up hope!!
~Here is a huge thing I learned (maybe from Ali Edwards?), but noticed myself saying this: rather than my child is Autistic, say my child has Autism. It really changed your perspective when you label someone as something to a condition that someone has. Just saying it out loud is so profoundly different for me.
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What a great update!
I loved reading how Sean has progressed and I also loved that you included what special things you and hubby have done to help Sean along. It is inspiring for parents, with or without a child with special needs, to see the cause and effect of loving and invested parenting and what effect it has on ALL children.
Thanks for the inspiration!
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31-Jan-2007 @ 11:54:20am
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It is great to see such progress! He truely is a special boy!
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31-Jan-2007 @ 2:11:23pm
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Love this Sean is amazing and so are you Pam! YOu give me so much hope for our future!Thank you so much for the advise it helps bunches!Big HUgs~
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31-Jan-2007 @ 2:31:20pm
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Pam,
Wow, you just about brought me to tears with this. How touching, and how amazing! I am so happy for you, and Sean is so very fortunate to have you and Kevin as his parents. A big big part of Sean's progress can be attributed to you two, and all that you do for this little boy! I loved reading this, and seeing Sean's progress! Amazing, and oh so wonderful!!!
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31-Jan-2007 @ 6:27:50pm
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Wow Pammy - what a wonderful happy blog to read this morning! You little guy certainly has made progress but he most definitely is blessed to have you for parents and such a loving and nurturing environment. Daphne sounds like a wonderful part of the family that he truly loves too, animals can have a wonderful effect on children. God bless you and your family. {{hugs}}
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1-Feb-2007 @ 3:46:05am
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So glad your little one has progressed so much! So cool. Thank you for sharing.
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1-Feb-2007 @ 12:46:33pm
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Pam, that's awesome news and I'm so excited for you and the guys!
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2-Feb-2007 @ 12:41:27am
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Hooray! This is so exciting to read! I love hearing stories like this. I totally understand the 1 step forward, 3 steps back. It's nice to watch that pattern reverse itself. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. We've done so much to make our son's life routine and it really helps! It's sometimex hard to convince other parents about establishing a routine. It takes sacrifice on part of the entire family, and faith. But, I have to say, we love our life now. It's routine, but it's relaxing. It's good for all of us. My DS is now 14 and he is actually quite proud of his aspergers. He sees the advantages (yes, there are several with AS) of it and he loves his life. So, don't be surprised someday if your son labels himself when he is older, and his proud of it and proud of his accomplishments. I'm so happy that you have made such strides while your son is still so young. Yeah!
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3-Feb-2007 @ 12:44:36am
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That's such wonderful news, Pam! I'm sure this year will take him even farther. You and your husband are doing a wonderful thing!
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3-Feb-2007 @ 10:28:04am
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I love your last comment. I have a sister with Downs Syndrome. It never made sense to me that people said she "was Downs." To me, she was Ange, my little sister who happens to have Downs. It's not who she is. Great comment.
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6-Feb-2007 @ 5:09:07pm
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Awwwwww...What a wonderful blog entry! LOVED reading about your son and the progress he has made, i LOVE that your husband plays such a big role in that...that is AWESOME! And here's a BIG "WHOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO" for Sean!!!
Take care and have a WONDERFUL day Pam!
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7-Feb-2007 @ 6:03:16am
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Wow, that's wonderful Pam! I'm sure so much of his progress comes from being in such a warm and loving household, clearly you love and adore Sean as seen in all your beautiful l/o's!! It's so nice you share your story, I'm sure it helps others in a similar situation....as for me, it makes me realize how much I've taken for granted all the 'little' things my girls have so easily learned, I admire your love, devotion and patience in the way you've taken this challenge on.
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20-Feb-2007 @ 10:37:30pm
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Pam I am so very happy for your family! I know it is a very hard road and you have handled it with grace. You are such an inspiration! What a wonderful update! Miss ya girl! {{Hugs}}
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21-Feb-2007 @ 6:03:55am
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OK Pam.... you made me cry the whole time I read this. You should be SO proud.... not only of Sean ( and MAN!! What a boy!!!) but of your husband and yourself!! You are so kind and brave to share this with people and really bring an awareness to autism. You are a role model not only for Sean but for those here and around you! (((HUGS)))
Love,
Kristin
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24-Feb-2007 @ 8:48:24pm
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Hello,
I loved that you wrote about Sean and how well he is doing. I teach preschool part-time and have a little guy with Aspergers and I LOVE seeing how much he is growing & learning. His mom nearly melted when she saw him riding a bike (I'd known he could for weeks but I didn't know that he couldn't before...I'd just assumed!) Anyway, he is so, so special and it sounds like Sean is too. Congrats on his big moments, on school and on being his mom...you're doing great! :)
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27-Feb-2007 @ 11:43:01am
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I know you must have your down times but all I see from you is your positive additude and your love for your son that comes through when you talk about him and most definetly on your LO's...this plays a huge part in progress both you and your husband have done a wonderful job and Sean has worked hard too. I was a preschool teacher for years and I love it when parents are as dedicated as the two of you!!! Keep it up!!! and {hugs to all of you} !!!
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5-Mar-2007 @ 5:49:14pm
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Thank you so much, for sharing this with all of us. You are a very strong woman, and Sean is lucky to have you for a mom.
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8-Sep-2007 @ 11:13:42pm
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