Gavin’s Journey

We got some great news!  Gavin’s full progress report came in, and with the exception of potty training, he is making incredible progress in all areas.  He is doing extremely well in speech therapy, and has begun using proper phrases at appropriate times now!  We are still working on matching items (he still needs adult prompting) and a few others but I am amazed at the progress they are making with him.

Last night he was thirsty, but instead of crying and throwing a tantrum he came up to me with his cup and asked "Can I have some red juice please mommy?"  This is incredible progress because when he started school he simply could not do that!

Dave and I are both very excited about the changes he has been making with his communication, and while it’s not perfect quite yet, he is on track and keeps making progress.

The progress report we got from school today was, for the most part, pretty good.

This morning he went into the classroom and put up his backpack with no adult prompting.

He attended well at independent time, working with the kitchen center and puzzles

He also attended well in small group where they worked on shapes, numbers and counting.

He worked with Letters, Books, Numbers, Art and Music today during class time.

He chose a hot dog for lunch with no adult prompting, and at all his food.

During recess he played nicely with friends on the playground.

He had Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy today.

It was a typical Monday for him, and he needed a lot of help following directions from his teachers.

Overall, he was happy and a little fussy and grumpy.

We are working on getting him to follow direction better, but the fact that he chose lunch, put up his backpack and did well in small group today is a big improvment!  This is the start of a good week for him!

This week Gavin's class is learn about Seasons and the weather that comes with them. Everyday this next week, since they will have a special season every day, the class is going to dress up for that season each day!

• Monday- Winter, please wear a scarf or mittens!
• Tuesday- Fall, please wear a hat that can "blow away in the wind"
• Wednesday- Summer, please wear sunglasses to keep our eyes from the bright summer sun
• Thursday- Spring, wear rain boots or a rain coat if you have one
• Friday- Different types of weather (rain, sun, partly cloudy, windy, storms) wear your favorite season’s clothes!

Click Here to view Gavin’s Class Objectives for this week!

We were both excited and baffled last night when we looked outside our windows and saw flurries of snow. Tuesday started off quite warm, and some forecasters predicted the chances of snow last evening were around 20% (to which most of us laughed). But by late afternoon a strong Northern had swept in, and by Wednesday morning, about little snow and sleet had fallen on the city.

The ground was too warm for the snow to stick, so in the morning, the remnants could really only be found on rooftops and car windshields. I think I saw some on the edges at the top of the back fence too.

During the brief snowstorm, however, we played outside and enjoyed what may be the only snow we see for another year or two.  Gavin was stoked!

The funniest thing is that it snowed on the same day that we set a new record high for the day of the year.

That is Austin, Texas weather for you.  Merry Christmas Ya’ll!

Normally, no parent ever wants to hear that their child has Autism or any other Development disorder.  This time of the year I’m grateful though.  

We have $55 left in the bank and almost no food in the house and we don’t get paid again until December 31st.  I bought Gavin a few $3 Pixar Cars Die Cast cars at the beginning of the month, which will be his only Christmas presents that aren’t clothing (he could care less but we’re grateful).  The great thing is; he’s a 4 year old Autistic boy is that he will think opening those few little presents is just totally awesome and its the best Christmas morning ever.  Kids this age are great.  Gavin has no clue what a Nintendo Wii does and how awesome and fun it is.  

Merry Christmas! – We’re adding some family pictures to the Photo Gallery too.