A little update on Q

My son has blossomed in the last week. Last Thursday in Speech Therapy was the first time his therapist heard him say a consonant sound in the near entire year she has been helping him. Friday we were hanging out with my friend Molly and he was up on her staircase calling his kitty name "Chester" out the window. We go to the door at home and call Chester to come in. Then Saturday morning he woke up and I was saying, "Good morning!" over and over and he actually tried to say it! Then I got him to say Trick or Treat like five times. Unfortunately he wouldn't say it while he was actually getting candy that night, but that's ok I got a couple of them on video. And it was more like "grik or greak" lol. He also tried to say "stinky toes" because of a game we play where I smell his feet and say he has stinky toes. He loves it. I think the biggest victory of all is when he picked up an empty sippy cup and brought it to me and his dad and said, "More" COMPLETELY on his own without us having to model it for him. And it said it almost perfectly. He will repeat things but it is NOT very often when he will come out with a word on his own. Although he doesconsistentlysay num-num for food but it's always after he sees it. Food is his motivating factor, lol. Oh and he said, "Go!" while Daddy was playing a game with him! It just came outta nowhere. I wish I could say what has changed to make him have all this progress so suddenly but I can't put my finger on it. Just good old fashioned hard work, I guess.

I get down on myself a lot because I never feel like I'm doing enough. I have my DVR set to record shows with "autism" in the info, and I just got done watching an episode of Supernannywhere she helped a family with a 3 year old son who has autism. I had tears streaming down my face. I'm always afraid that if I watch something about autism I will change my mind about Quentin having it but it just solidifies in my mind what I already know- that something isn't right. Seeing that family having trouble and being at a complete loss for what to do to help their child made me sad, but it also made me grateful to have Birth to Three helping my family. Lynn Koegel was a guest on the show. She wrote the book Overcoming Autism, which I have and following the steps in that book is how I got Q to say "more" the first time he did. Watching her help the boy by doing things we have implemented in my family made me feel so good. I have always felt like he should be in something more intense but I finally have some confidence in what I am doing. Lately I haven't been as hell-bent on getting a dx as I was a few short months ago. My son is who he is, and even though he has made great strides that doesn't change what he is underneath. The issues will always be there but working around them is what matters. We are finally starting to reach him and it gives me all the motivation I need to keep doing what I am doing.

There have been many, many times where I thought we were making no progress and have just wanted to give up, but Travis and I deserve big pats on the back for sticking it out and continuing to try. And all you Mamas do, too!!


There have seriously been days where I feel like there must be some mistake because I am not meant for this. I didn't think I could be strong enough to care for a special needs child. But here we are, making it work. I'm so grateful for this forum to have the chance to get to know other moms who are going through this, too. So thank you for listening, and thank you for being open about your struggles because you never know who is lurking and gettinginspiration. 

aw yay Q! I am so glad that you are finally reaping the benefits of all the hard work Travis and you have done for Q! It is sooooo amazing to watch him grow and bloom into the wonderful little man he is today. You inspire me Amie and I know I am not alone. You are a fantastic mama and we couldall learn a thing or twofrom you   Keep up youru awesome work!

Amie Im so happy he's making such great progress!! that makes me soooo happy! It's so nice when you have those moments of success!!   good idea about the dvr, the more Ive been reading the more I feel comfortable with the dx, I forget how old is Q?

You know 50% of children with autism never speak, and we beat the odds on that on!!

What's the name of the book your reading? I'm always looking for a good read I'm currently reading 4'different books one on speech andncommunication 2 on high functioning autism and aspergers and one on sensory.. I think I have a book by kroger about pivitol responce, it says meaningful treatment in the natural enviroment by primary care givers is more meaningful and successful!

You rock Amie! never ever doubt that! I'm so proud of you guys!

Quoting jamils_mommy:“ Amie Im so happy he's making such great progress!! that makes me soooo happy! It's so nice when you have ... [snip!] ... responce, it says meaningful treatment in the natural enviroment by primary care givers is more meaningful and successful!”

these are two I have but haven't finished:






I have every intention to, I just haven't yet!   I do have another book that I've read twice. It happened to be the only one on autism at my local bookstore.

Quentin will be 21 months in about a week. Time just flies! I'm still floored that he said more without prompting. It's one thing to say it if it's modeled for you, but using itspontaneouslyis such a greatachievement!

Quoting loving life!:“ these are two I have but haven't finished: I have every intention to, I just haven't yet!   ... [snip!] ... more without prompting. It's one thing to say it if it's modeled for you, but using spontaneous such a great achievement!”

I remember when Jamil first started using spontaneous language.. He was about 21/22 months.. He was DX at 20 months and had 3 words, and only used Up, and (signed) milk spontaneously! By his second birthday he had the 50/60 words! It really is amazing, I did notice as It was JUST as I started the Sensory Diet he started blabbing away I think they were directly related!!

I have that Out of Sync child it's a hard read, but has a LOT of information, it's the second sensory book, so I find it harder to read (because a lot of it is the same info) But it' really is amazing and helps with a lot of daily struggles, I also got the OUT of sync child has fun, which is a bit old for them, but has a lot of good ideas! I LOVED (just finished) the Sensory Sensitive child, and it has a lot of coping and stuff for the parents, more about yoru life and how to deal and best support them.. We all know how much stress we have, and it was very helpful for that... It is good for ideas for them, but not as in debth about the kids...

I have been reading a TON of Aspergers, because of the rapid speech development, and because he has average (or above) cognitative ability... The book I'm really into right now called Parenting your Asperger Child, I find it's a bit over there age too, BUT I love that it helps find a Autism profile to help find the true function of a lot of behaviors, and helps with different stratgeries to deal with them (again a lot of the ideas would only work with an older child, or one with more language) But as a person who has worked with many traditional ABA programs, I know the need for more flexability and understanding when working with our children...

That is really excited. You are a wonderful mom, don't ever doubt that. Quentin is blessed to have you for a mom!  

Quoting Sara & Emiliana:“ That is really excited. You are a wonderful mom, don't ever doubt that. Quentin is blessed to have you for a mom!  ”

Thanks!!

dg jamils_mommy:“ I remember when Jamil first started using spontaneous language.. He was about 21/22 months.. He was DX ... [snip!] ... with many traditional ABA programs, I know the need for more flexability and understanding when working with our children...”

We have started the brushing program again which might be one reason why. He gets "brushed" with a plastic brush thing and then we do joint compressions. We are supposed to do it like six times a day but I am lucky if he will sit still for three! We also got an oral sensory stick but he mostly bites it so i just try to rub his tongue and lips with his toothbrush when we are brushing teeth. Other than that I have considered cutting out milk because last time we made a lot of progress he was drinking mostly Pediasure. It doesn't seem to be a problem now, though.

Jamil is amazing! I love watching your videos.