Progress and Big News

Since the last post we have seen some progress here and there. Oliver will have really big days and then retreat back to what he's comfortable doing. He is playing some games at a higher level. Like the toy with the balls that you put in the holes. He used to not want to use the hammer but does now. He still LOVES playing chase. The difference is that he seems to better understand the suspense of the chase.

He also has started tugging on our pants or pulling us by the hand to the thing that he wants. We think it's a pretty good sign of progress. Sometimes (like in the middle of writing this post) he will pull you to where he is playing or watching a movie just so you'll be with him. Now we are just trying to help him point at the thing he needs instead of having us just guess what it is.

The big news has to do with the visit we made to the U of U's Psychiatrist. His temporary diagnosis is Aspergers. This good news in that he doesn't think he has autism, but he's not sure yet if it's Aspergers or PDD. The main sign will be if he begins speaking before he's 3yrs and 3 mo. If he does he has Aspergers. But we'll find out with time. He does seem to be a lot more vocal these days, but he's still just hooting and hollering most. He has started to make more consonants, but they are few and far between.

We also have learned how AWESOME of a climber he is. He has climbed into the bassinet, the crib and on top of any table in the house. Can't wait to take him to do some REAL climbing.

Smile

Tonight my family went to Disney on Ice. We didn't go along because I didn't think Oliver would enjoy it enough to sit there the whole time and watch. I want to be able to take him to things like that and see that he is enjoying them and not have to have Brett walk with him up and down the stairs, but we just aren't there yet. So after the show the my mom came by and brought him one of those spinning, light up, mickey, wand toys. And even though those colorful lights were bright, Oliver's smile lit the room up even more. Still as I am listening to him play with it downstairs it brings a smile on my face and tears to my eyes.

Super Updates!

There is much to talk about concerning Oliver's development. A few weeks ago he finally started doing the more sign when he wanted to swing more in the laundry bag! Then more and more he started using the more sign for lots of stuff: food, to turn on a chair that vibrates, etc. It's amazing to see him communicate a little more. He also brings his cup to us pretty consistently when he runs out and wants more.

Also, he has started getting his shoes any time he wants to go outside and he'll bring them to us. Today I decided to take him outside so I asked him to go get his shoes because we were going to go outside. He went to the shoe basket and pulled out his sandal and brought it to me. Then I pointed to his other foot and told him to get his other shoe, which he did and brought it to me to put it on him. AWESOME!

We just had Liam and Oliver rarely pays any attention to him, but when he does he usually just wants to hit him. He's not a fan of his crying. That's really the only time he pays attention to him.

What does a rooster say?

Oliver still doesn't speak a word, but he knows what a rooster and a lion say. Sometimes when asked what they say he'll make the sound all on his own and sometimes we have to make the sound first then he'll do it. It's pretty amazing! He will do it consistently too. Well, at least the rooster sound, which is more of a screach/squeal for him. The tiger is brand new so we don't know how consistent that sound is yet.

The occupational therapist came today and got us started on a brushing technique to hopefully better regulate him and keep him from banging his head when he's upset. So far he's pretty fidgety and doesn't like to sit there the whole time, but we've only done it twice. We also do a joint compression method along with the brush method. It will take time to see if they benefit him.

UPDATE!!
About 30 seconds after posting the above message Oliver wanted to go outside. He usually goes over to the door and knocks, reaches for the doorknob, or bangs his head on it. We always encourage him to go get his shoes so he can go outside. This time without any cue from us he knocked on the door and then went and grabbed his shoes and brought them to me (Dad) so I could put them on him. AMAZING!!

Some possible successes for today

1. Last night when I was putting Oliver to bed at night I lied down and pretended to snore. He seemed to think it was strange. He lied down with me and looked at me and sometimes played with my face a bit. Then today during Oliver's attempted nap this afternoon, I went in and lied on his bed to encourage him to go to sleep. He finally came over and laid down next to me, but with his back turned away. With his head on the pillow with me I hear him do some heavy breathing that sounds a lot like the pretend snoring I was doing the night before. He did it about 10 times before stopping. I'm not sure if he was really imitating me or not, but it sure seemed like it.

2. Tonight before bed I showed Oliver a farm animal picture book. I said the name of each animal and made its sound. About the 3rd time reading the book I opened to the first animal, Rooster. 'A rooster says, cockadoodledoo,' and suddenly he made a squeak that sounded like my Rooster sound. When I got to that page again the same thing happened, and one more time after that.

3.Oliver is starting to make a little more eye contact. While Ciara was putting his shoes on she made it a fun game and Oliver often looked at her from on her lap. Also, when his bath ended we cleaned up his bath toys and i made funny sounds as he dropped the toys in the bucket. He looked at me before dropping each one in waiting for me to make the funny sound.

Oliver's Comfort Zone Activities

1. Reading books
2. Pushing buttons
3. Playing with Doggie
4. Hiding under Blanket
5. Playing with rocks
6. Running in circles
7. Watching TV (we don't focus on this one)
8. Placing toys behind objects (i.e. behind the TV, behind the couch, etc)

Goals

1. Interactive play-time 8 times a day for at least 20 min.
2. Use 'power phrases' like 'Ta-dah!', 'Uh-oh!', '1, 2.....3!!'
3. Stretch out interactions with him as long as possible.
4. Work on eye contact.