Progress

I have so much exciting news to share on the autism front. In my last few posts I’ve been talking about how we put C on a GFCF diet and we have been completely GFCF for 3 full weeks. It took a little while to get there but we made it. He has responded really well. When we initally tried this a few months ago we found that he didn’t eat what we gave him. We saw that he does much better through out the day with his picture schedule so we decided to try that with his menu. We created a picture menu where he can see each meal a head of time. Once we started that he started eating what we gave him. We found that he was eating more then usual. Since starting the picture menu he will at least eat some if not all of his food.

C's Menu

We keep his schedule in the fridge so he can reference it as needed.

As he eats specific meals we remove them and place them back in his PECS book so he can use them as needed. He often will decide he wants something different and will just pick something from there and ask for it. Yay for communication!

PECS Communication book

We keep that close to the menu to prevent confusion. In the past two weeks we’ve seen amazing progress with C. Its like the fog has lifted and he’s more alert than before. He is using more words and spontaneous speech. He initiates play with his sister. When called he will answer or act on the first command without repeated requests. Both his teacher and his speech therapists have mentioned a difference. Caleb will greet and say goodbye to his teacher without being prompted. I am just so excited. This past week during his swim lesson his instructor said he made huge leaps. He was better able to focus. He would swim (granted with the noodle) to her from 10 feet away. He swam 2 ft from me to his instructor under water with no problem. Its just so amazing to see him blooming. While we still have a long way to go I can easily say I’m a believer in the diet. While its a little work to plan all his meals out the week before its totally worth it!

If all of that was not enough he has had a major breakthrough in potty training. This past President’s Day we did the pantless training method. He essentially ran around naked all weekend. Without prompting he has started to stop what he is doing to go use the bathroom on his own. Can you believe it?! I wasn’t sure if we would get him trained in the next year and here he is doing it. We only a couple accidents this weekend and none while we were out. I’m in complete and udder shock. As if that is not enough Isabella of course has to do what he does and she is almost trained too. I will be beyond excited if I can get them both out of diapers before Baby A arrives. Especially since I had already accepted I would probably be changing 3 kids in diapers. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself but I’m just so proud of them.

We are also in the process of starting with a new Developmental Peditrician that is local. We are hoping she could give us some great insight as to C’s developmental needs. We have also applied for the GenRescue grant and our fingers are crossed that we will be accepted in the next group starting in May. GenRescue assist with biomedical intervention in children with ASD. Many children have seen great progress from it and usually respond to the GFCF diet (which we now know C does well on). C is scheduled to start horseback riding in May with Equi-Ed. He’s been on horses a few times and is so calm and relaxed when he rides. I’m anxious to see how he responds. We also have a meeting with Cheryl at Cheryl Teaches Music to provide C with piano lessons. I have been so excited to find so many options for special needs children out there. Caleb is so active and provding him with various different outlets that provide him both a comfortable envoirnment and stimulate his mind has been really great.

I promise to have an Isabella related post soon as she is doing so many amazing things too. I can’t even believe this girl is only 21 months!

Just a friendly reminder that I am walking in the Austim Speaks walk on April 14th with other special needs moms. If you would like to support us you can in the ticker on the right. Thank you!!