Week 4- Open gym

We took Katlynn to an open gym class.  She was a GEM.  She waited in line, followed directions and was really independant.  She did a zip-line, the balance beam, the pit, trampoline, obsticle courses with slides and pads for summersults. She enjoyed the class. We tried this same class 6 months ago and it did not go near as smooth as it did this time.  Much better outcome.  In fact, I highly doubt a single person besides myself knew she was even autistic. 

Train for Autism

I am doing the surf City Run and supporting train for Autism and TACA.  Anyone want to donate?  Even $5 makes a huge difference.

Click HERE for more information or to donate.

Thank you!

Week-3... With update 1/22/11

I think I heard one of the best things ever tonight.  Katlynn asked me for a banana and when I gave it to her she smiled at me and said, "I'm happy".  I have never heard her verbally express emotion before and it is something we have actually been working on just her and I lately.  For instance today we were drawing on the of those doodle boards and I drew a happy face and a sad face and I asked her which one she was.  She pointed to the happy, but did not say it.  So when she said it tonight, I realize she actually said it with a purpose and that it was meaningful.

Oh and her new favorite game is Hide-and-go-seek. She's been playing it with her sister and little friend daily with lots if laughs and giggles.

Melts my heart to see her happy.

UPDATE:  Katlynn was playing around with daddy wrestling and he was pretending to be hurt and Katlynn asked him, "you alright, dad, you okay?" Aww... empathy is VERY important with these kiddos and to see her showing it, is just another step we're going in the right directions. Good job, K!

Week-2 Potty training woes...

We've started a new potty training program with Katlynn. So far it's not so great. We did however have 3 potty successes in the past 2 days. So in a sense, I guess it is progress, right. Anyone have advice for pottying training a kiddo on the spectrum?

Katlynn has also mastered the art of jumping on 2 feet, finally. She loves doing it in the trampoline. She's also starting to complete 24 piece puzzles now. Maybe she'll catch up to her puzzle master twin who is completing 45-50 piece puzzles at only age 3. Who knows. Katlynn's a smart cookie. We've been doing some mini home practice sessions for speech, fine tuning some of her articulations and such. She is starting to speak a lot clearer, but we still have a long way to go. I am still considering the GFCF diet. So many people swear by it that I really need to get on the ball. But it is spendy no matter who says it’s cheap, it’s not. I think that is the biggest deterrent for us. So we’re going continue to plug away at the potty training and also work on riding a bike with training wheels. Until next week…

Week -1

We're wrapping up the first week back to school and I got a report from Katlynn's teacher that she is doing well and talking more.  At home, she is initiating so much more conversation.  Even in the form of questions, answers and even statements.  It's amazing.  It seems as though her echolalia is not happening as often anymore either.

On the downside of the new year, I think Katlynn maybe be having absent seizures.  I am not certain as I have never talked to her Dr. about it. She had a scary episode where she just sort of went limp and froze yesterday and was unresponsive to her name or touch.  It was not the typical zoning out autistic children do.  But just as I was about to freak out she came around and was acting normal (well... normal for her) again. So, I have been pouring into research again and will have a million questions at the next Dr. appt I am sure.

We also started a new potty training program through ABA.  Not doing great, but some little progress here and there.  Lots of good rewards, but little progress.
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52 week project

I realize I am not blogging in depth enough about Katlynn's ups, downs and all around.  So I am committing to a 52 week blogging project.  I will post every week about what's going on with my lil' princess and the chaos of the Smith household.  So stay tuned for this week's post.

Goodbye 2010~Hello 2011

This year has been filled with trials and triumphs regarding Katlynn.  We have worked hard with her this year and she also worked equally as hard to succeed.  She has made us so proud of her.  

Happy New Year and may everyone have a wonderful 2011 year. 

Here are some pictures from NYE. Our last pictures of 2010.