Owen is having a little burst of speech at the moment, which is so cool, I know it is something we will be working on for years to come but he is really trying so hard to overcome his dyspraxia, sometimes you can see the word wanting to burst out of his mouth he is trying THAT hard - it comes out all jumbled or with only one sound (which sounds nothing like what its meant to) words like "Open" are nearly impossible for him - even though he can say "Owen" easily, for me it seems like a small step from Open to Owen but he just hasnt made it yet.
I think what has helped him with speech recently is an English as a Second Language music CD by Dream English. Because the principles of teaching ESL to children is - repetition, simple songs sung slowly and clearly and with few but repeating phrases or words, just what Owen needs ! His favourites songs are I like Apples , Its a Dog and the Color Song (I have provided the youtube links to these songs and you can also download free flashcards for each of the songs from the Dream English Website and the audio files you can download from iTunes). We have the Dream English CD and we sign and sing along to these songs almost everyday they are great preschool age songs and he absolutely loves them and asks for them over and over.
Also Owey isn't enjoying Apps on the iPad so much at the moment, because he is loving watching youtube ! so his favourtie things are
Stories
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Songs
10 little Numbers
Apple apple Aaa
Driving My Tractor (warning totally addictive !! his fav by far)
The Shape Train (there is also a number train, fruit, colors, alphabet ...etc (these are great because there is a good pause between each word which gives Owen time to have a try of each one as they come by.
Numbers Song (there are also versions in italian, spanish, german, japanese and french and both Owen and Cy love all of them !??? This song is nice and slow and repeated.
Its kinda great that he is choosing to watch things that are "good" for him and I definately think that he is learning speech from watching them over and over (well at least twice a day ;)
He is just starting to put a couple of words together when he talks, things like "there 'tis" when he finds something he has been looking for, and "Cy 'oool" (Cys at school). And the other day he said "I read it" as he sat to read a book, we all looked at each other to see who had said it - it was like the dog had suddenly spoken, I nearly fell over ! But its just a one off a tiny glimpse and then it was gone again, you can't make him repeat things like that when he sayes it, its just a moment, a flicker of fluency. I hope that with time and practice we will hear more of this kinda thing more often, rather than randomly, cause its in there !
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Reps update
So i just wanted to write down just what I have been doing with Owen during the past few weeks (re previous post).
I got him a little spray bottle so he can squeeze a mist out, rather than dirt or spit. He can work the spray bottle (building up his finger strength) while doing something that seems more purposeful, we sprayed the concrete, leaves on the bushes etc and still getting his visual fix of seeing the mist in the sunlight. We tell him to blow or whistle the moment he starts to do spit raspberries and it is working well, he loves the sound of whistling and stops pretty much right away.
If he goes under the deck to throw dirt and make dust clouds I entice him out by asking him to come and blow bubbles with me, the bubble mix is now stationed right at the back door so I can get it quickly, he comes out from under the deck pretty much right away now. I think the bubbles still meets his visual need, and it is so much better than him stirring up dust clouds for himself, we interact, we connect, he works his lips and breath control, makes me feel so much better!
Finally the last thing, I got some little plant pots we had left over and showed Owen how to fill them up and let the sand pour out the holes in the bottom of the pot, we used the pouring sand to fill up the toy trucks, he llikes this activity, Again I think it meets his sensory needs but its nice and CLEAN , lol
After writing the post about Owen playing in repetitive ways and how anxious I was feeling that he may develop/slide into autism, I finally went to bed. As I lay there, in the darkness I thought more about it and came to just one conclusion - that all I can do, really all I can do, is LOVE him right here, right now, TODAY ( because how much control have I got to stop the organic process of autism ? None! )
And I have enjoyed him so much over the past few days.
He seems lighter to.
It all seems to be paying off, because he is getting easier and easier to distract from those repetitive habits, he even smiled at me the other day when I found him under the deck (again), quickly signed "bubbles" and came out to me without me even asking. Yes he got his bubbles. Cheeky monkey.
I got him a little spray bottle so he can squeeze a mist out, rather than dirt or spit. He can work the spray bottle (building up his finger strength) while doing something that seems more purposeful, we sprayed the concrete, leaves on the bushes etc and still getting his visual fix of seeing the mist in the sunlight. We tell him to blow or whistle the moment he starts to do spit raspberries and it is working well, he loves the sound of whistling and stops pretty much right away.
If he goes under the deck to throw dirt and make dust clouds I entice him out by asking him to come and blow bubbles with me, the bubble mix is now stationed right at the back door so I can get it quickly, he comes out from under the deck pretty much right away now. I think the bubbles still meets his visual need, and it is so much better than him stirring up dust clouds for himself, we interact, we connect, he works his lips and breath control, makes me feel so much better!
Finally the last thing, I got some little plant pots we had left over and showed Owen how to fill them up and let the sand pour out the holes in the bottom of the pot, we used the pouring sand to fill up the toy trucks, he llikes this activity, Again I think it meets his sensory needs but its nice and CLEAN , lol
After writing the post about Owen playing in repetitive ways and how anxious I was feeling that he may develop/slide into autism, I finally went to bed. As I lay there, in the darkness I thought more about it and came to just one conclusion - that all I can do, really all I can do, is LOVE him right here, right now, TODAY ( because how much control have I got to stop the organic process of autism ? None! )
And I have enjoyed him so much over the past few days.
He seems lighter to.
It all seems to be paying off, because he is getting easier and easier to distract from those repetitive habits, he even smiled at me the other day when I found him under the deck (again), quickly signed "bubbles" and came out to me without me even asking. Yes he got his bubbles. Cheeky monkey.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Umm a few to many reps ?
Owen has always had a few quirky behaviors which have changed over time
Before he was mobile he used to stare at the back of his hand, like he was checking out a manicure, he also had what the doc called a habit spasm sometimes when he was sitting or laying on his back he would suddenly stiffen and roll his eyes to the top of his head, sheesh at first we thought it could have been seizures but we took a video to the paed (it took 4 days of trying to get a good video of it and then Owen did it as we sat down in the paeds office)! and he confirmed it was "only" a habit spasm. Later when Owen was bear crawling and he would be in the downward dog yoga pose he would drive any toy close by through his legs while putting his weight through his head and one of his arms. Once he started walking he lost this quirk too.
But at the moment I can't leave him outside for more than 5 minutes alone or else I find him "dusting" he loves to see the dust clouds billow up from sweeping the dirt under our deck or out on our driveway, I always tell him it's dirty and to stop and then try redirecting him, he is always easily distracted from his dusting but just as quickly goes back to it if I am not directly engaging him, so sad and maddening to see him trying to sneak back, I can't leave him unattended.. And inside if there is any sunshine streaming through the windows he will blow raspberries of spit into the light to watch them splutter out and fall, again I redirect, but often I just shut the blind to stop him doing it. And recently I notice he spends way to much time lying on the floor to drive cars back and forth close up in front of his eyes.
........ He's visually stimming right?
Scary shit. Really scary.
my resting heart rate is double what it should be, it makes me feel sick to think these behaviors might mean O has autism.
Or maybe it's just a DS thing right? ........or maybe not........
He is still his sweet self, still hates giving kisses or hugs...... Booow boooom (oh does random people at playgroup count?)
I am analyzing everything the kid does, eats, sayes........glimpses of that diagnosis trapdoor threatening to open..........again
Before he was mobile he used to stare at the back of his hand, like he was checking out a manicure, he also had what the doc called a habit spasm sometimes when he was sitting or laying on his back he would suddenly stiffen and roll his eyes to the top of his head, sheesh at first we thought it could have been seizures but we took a video to the paed (it took 4 days of trying to get a good video of it and then Owen did it as we sat down in the paeds office)! and he confirmed it was "only" a habit spasm. Later when Owen was bear crawling and he would be in the downward dog yoga pose he would drive any toy close by through his legs while putting his weight through his head and one of his arms. Once he started walking he lost this quirk too.
But at the moment I can't leave him outside for more than 5 minutes alone or else I find him "dusting" he loves to see the dust clouds billow up from sweeping the dirt under our deck or out on our driveway, I always tell him it's dirty and to stop and then try redirecting him, he is always easily distracted from his dusting but just as quickly goes back to it if I am not directly engaging him, so sad and maddening to see him trying to sneak back, I can't leave him unattended.. And inside if there is any sunshine streaming through the windows he will blow raspberries of spit into the light to watch them splutter out and fall, again I redirect, but often I just shut the blind to stop him doing it. And recently I notice he spends way to much time lying on the floor to drive cars back and forth close up in front of his eyes.
........ He's visually stimming right?
Scary shit. Really scary.
my resting heart rate is double what it should be, it makes me feel sick to think these behaviors might mean O has autism.
Or maybe it's just a DS thing right? ........or maybe not........
He is still his sweet self, still hates giving kisses or hugs...... Booow boooom (oh does random people at playgroup count?)
I am analyzing everything the kid does, eats, sayes........glimpses of that diagnosis trapdoor threatening to open..........again
Friday, March 30, 2012
The letting go
When I think about Cys seperation anxiety at preschool I have this vision, a mental picture - I see myself with baby Owen in my arms, he is very sick.....and needs an operation to mend his heart. I am looking down at Owen - all my attention is on him. And my other baby - Cy (he was 16 months when Owen was born), is holding onto my legs, holding on to ME tight. This picture has been with me since Cy started preschool, I didn't know why it appeared or what it meant.
Well I talked to a few people about it, some thought the vision was about my guilt, but I don't feel guilty at all, I feel quite detached from the picture.....it just is. In reality I did meet the needs of both of my little boys - I tandem fed both boys for nearly 4 months (weaning Cy at 20 months), yes my mind was full of worry, sadness and grieving after Owens birth but I used to relish being with Cy his cheeky, loveliness, kept me in the present moment kept me living, moving, breathing.
I got a bit lead astray with the suggestion it was about my guilt, I thought about that for a few weeks but decided in the end that really, truly it wasn't about guilt. Its all about Cy about how he feels - like he can't let go. Of course baby Owen got his operation and after about a year of sickness was finally well, and little boy Cy grew up too and now it is time for Preschool and Cy doesn't know how to let go of me, its a complete crisis for him. He has a great time once he settles but can take 2 + hours! But he really does like preschool, he tells me its only because I leave that he cries. He doesn't know how to let go, after all that's how how it was for him for nearly half his life !
It has taken me 8 weeks to work it out - how to transform this picture........to give it power. It happened last week when Cy and I were drawing with pavement chalk out at the front step, I drew a mother with a baby in her arms and I began to tell Cy a story about the mother who had a very sick baby and also a little boy. I drew the boy holding on tight to his mums legs. Of course eventually the little baby has an operation and isn't sick anymore but the boy is stuck fast to his mum legs and can't let go, he is afraid.
I asked Cy to tell the little boy to let go of his mums legs for just a little while and then come to his mummy's arms since she can now hold both of her children, now that the baby isn't sick anymore.
Cy totally 'got' it. And at the end of the story, gave me a great big bear hug and told me "at the end of Preschool you can cuddle me in your arms again" I hadn't even mentioned preschool !!!
I would love to say that, telling the story completely transformed the saying goodbye at Preschool this week, it didn't. He cried as soon as we got to the gate but unlike the other times it seemed he was much more aware of other stuff, he was crying as I put his inside shoes on but he would stop to ask me - who's name is that (on the lockers), then boo hoo again and "who's shoes are they" and more boo hooing, its like the sadness at breaking up it wasn't consuming him completely this week, almost feeling he could let go..?
We have only one week of school left (Cy only goes 2 days) before Easter holidays, 2 weeks off, just as we are on the cusp of a breakthrough, its a bit frustrating. So over the holidays I plan lots of playdates with preschool buddies for him and the retelling of the story ad nauseum.
And a little reminder of how lovely and sweet Cy was at the time Owen was born.
Well I talked to a few people about it, some thought the vision was about my guilt, but I don't feel guilty at all, I feel quite detached from the picture.....it just is. In reality I did meet the needs of both of my little boys - I tandem fed both boys for nearly 4 months (weaning Cy at 20 months), yes my mind was full of worry, sadness and grieving after Owens birth but I used to relish being with Cy his cheeky, loveliness, kept me in the present moment kept me living, moving, breathing.
I got a bit lead astray with the suggestion it was about my guilt, I thought about that for a few weeks but decided in the end that really, truly it wasn't about guilt. Its all about Cy about how he feels - like he can't let go. Of course baby Owen got his operation and after about a year of sickness was finally well, and little boy Cy grew up too and now it is time for Preschool and Cy doesn't know how to let go of me, its a complete crisis for him. He has a great time once he settles but can take 2 + hours! But he really does like preschool, he tells me its only because I leave that he cries. He doesn't know how to let go, after all that's how how it was for him for nearly half his life !
It has taken me 8 weeks to work it out - how to transform this picture........to give it power. It happened last week when Cy and I were drawing with pavement chalk out at the front step, I drew a mother with a baby in her arms and I began to tell Cy a story about the mother who had a very sick baby and also a little boy. I drew the boy holding on tight to his mums legs. Of course eventually the little baby has an operation and isn't sick anymore but the boy is stuck fast to his mum legs and can't let go, he is afraid.
I asked Cy to tell the little boy to let go of his mums legs for just a little while and then come to his mummy's arms since she can now hold both of her children, now that the baby isn't sick anymore.
Cy totally 'got' it. And at the end of the story, gave me a great big bear hug and told me "at the end of Preschool you can cuddle me in your arms again" I hadn't even mentioned preschool !!!
I would love to say that, telling the story completely transformed the saying goodbye at Preschool this week, it didn't. He cried as soon as we got to the gate but unlike the other times it seemed he was much more aware of other stuff, he was crying as I put his inside shoes on but he would stop to ask me - who's name is that (on the lockers), then boo hoo again and "who's shoes are they" and more boo hooing, its like the sadness at breaking up it wasn't consuming him completely this week, almost feeling he could let go..?
We have only one week of school left (Cy only goes 2 days) before Easter holidays, 2 weeks off, just as we are on the cusp of a breakthrough, its a bit frustrating. So over the holidays I plan lots of playdates with preschool buddies for him and the retelling of the story ad nauseum.
And a little reminder of how lovely and sweet Cy was at the time Owen was born.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Goodbye summer
Goodbye trips to the "Great river" (Cy gives everything his own names)
Goodbye hikes to see the wildflowers and the big rocks.
Goodbye spontaneous swims in your clothes
And picnics for morning tea
Goodbye late evening, last minute plays at the park
Goodbye summer
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Random thought of the day
Owen has been little for soooo long.
Everyone at playgroup was talking about how fast their kids grow up.
One kid is walking at 8 months old (way too early!)
I know where those parents are coming from, but
I sat there thinking about complaining
HOW BLOODY LONG IT'S TAKING FOR MY KID TO GROW UP
I didnt make that statement,
I thought it would be met with crickets....chirp, chirp chirp........
Or worse
someone saying "oh but you get to enjoy each stage",
blahh gag.
Everyone at playgroup was talking about how fast their kids grow up.
One kid is walking at 8 months old (way too early!)
I know where those parents are coming from, but
I sat there thinking about complaining
HOW BLOODY LONG IT'S TAKING FOR MY KID TO GROW UP
I didnt make that statement,
I thought it would be met with crickets....chirp, chirp chirp........
Or worse
someone saying "oh but you get to enjoy each stage",
blahh gag.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The boys loo and tears
Another hellish morning for Cy. Poor thing so anxious about preschool that he wouldn't come out is bedroom when he woke up this morning. He started crying before we left home and was a mess as we walked into preschool. Oh my Lordy SO stressful. Thankfully I got a call to say he had settled about 30 minutes after I left but they didn't ring me until he had been there 2.5 hours and I had been crying all that time!
Little Owey is finally better after suffering a fever over 39 for 4 days, he hardly ate or drank during this time and kept grabbing his mouth so I think it was a sore throat. He is back to his old self now and we are all catching up on lost sleep. He has been toilet training the past few days, I have to take him every 2 hours but occasionally he will tell me he has to go or that he has gone already - in his pants!
Little Owey is finally better after suffering a fever over 39 for 4 days, he hardly ate or drank during this time and kept grabbing his mouth so I think it was a sore throat. He is back to his old self now and we are all catching up on lost sleep. He has been toilet training the past few days, I have to take him every 2 hours but occasionally he will tell me he has to go or that he has gone already - in his pants!
Anyway I think it is going ok, the only thing is he likes to watch his pee, so he leans right back on the seat so it goes right up in the air and lands not in the bowl but on the floor in front of the toilet, blahh. With all this peeing on the floor our bathroom smelt like the boys school toilets I was scrubbing and washing with our regular bathroom cleaner and couldn't shift THAT smell (which apparently none of the males in the house can smell) but now I found a great natural product that eats proteins it's actually designed for boys loos ! Now the bathroom smells flowery and sweet!
Still i am not sure How to discourage him from peeing on the floor in the first place ? Maybe I will just have to wait until later when we teach him to go standing up. BOYS!
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