I can't believe it's been 10 months since I've updated this blog! Life continues to move at a fast pace...I don't get many quiet moments to sit and type.
Since my last update, we've been able to purchase (with the help of insurance) a communication device for Jonathan called a Dynavox. Basically, it's a portable computer with a touch screen. He is able to touch pictures and navigate through different categories and the computer will speak for him. This has opened up his world. We are thrilled! We're working on some basic letter skills in the hopes that one day he'll understand how to read. What a huge task this is, but we continue to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving....forward for the most part!
Buddy, Jonathan's service dog, continues to be a constant support for him. Many days I question whether there is a bond forming at all. Some days, Jonathan seems to want nothing to do with him. Then there are days like one last week....Buddy was limping at school. They called to tell me, so I had my dad go pick him up early. I didn't think too much of it until I got another notification from the school that Jonathan was having a terrible afternoon. Aggressive behavior toward other students, melt downs, time outs...this isn't typical for him! Ah...Buddy wasn't there! Whether I see signs of bonding or not, when Buddy isn't there, there is a noticeable difference! So once again, I thank all of you who played a role in helping us on our journey to get a service dog for Jonathan. What an amazing gift!
Recent developments and areas we could use prayer:
Dave was able to teach Jonathan how to take bites from a sandwich. Up until last week, we had to cut everything into bite sizes because of his sensory integration dysfunction. He stuffs his mouth with food because he doesn't recognize that it is too full. I have to watch for choking all the time, but now he seems to really be turning a corner. Dave is so patient with him-he's the best dad! We still have issues with the limited variety of foods that he eats, but he's making progress.
We are still searching for the best educational setting for Jonathan. We have a tour of a new school in the near future that specializes in children with autism. The waiting list is long....but I've heard good things. Please pray that we make the right decision.
Continuing the journey...
Heather
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
January Update
I was just reading my email and saw that the new class at 4Paws is finding out who their dog is today. That brings back so many exciting memories. I can't believe what a journey we've had since I first discovered 4Paws for Ability in February of 2008! So much has happened in such a short time.
Buddy and Jonathan are doing well. We had a bit of an issue at school and church for a short time with Buddy acting more like a puppy and less like a well-trained service dog. We realized that he was getting so much attention that he started looking for people to pet him instead of focusing on working for Jonathan so we've had to put a stop to people petting him. At first, we let people because we were told it could create opportunities for social interactions with Jonathan...but it wasn't working. First of all, Buddy is so darn cute that people pretty much ignore Jonathan and just want to pet the dog! Second, Buddy is so smart that he realized people wanted to pet him and he didn't need to work...wrong answer! Things have gotten much better lately.
Jonathan will start using a new communication device soon on a trial basis to see if we want to purchase it. Basically it is a computer that is programmed with pictures that will speak for him. We are very hopeful that this will be a great help to him. What a world this would open up for him if he could communicate his wants and needs!
Eating is still an issue for him. His cognitive skills have improve enough that he now is able to understand that he has to sit at the table to eat (new in the last couple of months), but his variety of food remains extremely limited. Sometimes, we are able to all eat together as a family. That is a new and wonderful experience for us!
That is about all the "new" things to report. Thanks for continuing to pray for our family and especially for Jonathan. God is a very real and present part of our daily lives. We could not do this without His amazing strength.
Heather
Buddy and Jonathan are doing well. We had a bit of an issue at school and church for a short time with Buddy acting more like a puppy and less like a well-trained service dog. We realized that he was getting so much attention that he started looking for people to pet him instead of focusing on working for Jonathan so we've had to put a stop to people petting him. At first, we let people because we were told it could create opportunities for social interactions with Jonathan...but it wasn't working. First of all, Buddy is so darn cute that people pretty much ignore Jonathan and just want to pet the dog! Second, Buddy is so smart that he realized people wanted to pet him and he didn't need to work...wrong answer! Things have gotten much better lately.
Jonathan will start using a new communication device soon on a trial basis to see if we want to purchase it. Basically it is a computer that is programmed with pictures that will speak for him. We are very hopeful that this will be a great help to him. What a world this would open up for him if he could communicate his wants and needs!
Eating is still an issue for him. His cognitive skills have improve enough that he now is able to understand that he has to sit at the table to eat (new in the last couple of months), but his variety of food remains extremely limited. Sometimes, we are able to all eat together as a family. That is a new and wonderful experience for us!
That is about all the "new" things to report. Thanks for continuing to pray for our family and especially for Jonathan. God is a very real and present part of our daily lives. We could not do this without His amazing strength.
Heather
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