What A Difference A Year Makes - Autism Spectrum Message Board

Curious Nana · 12-31-2005, 09:34 AM

I just wanted to take the opportunity to share a JOY! Last year, my grandson, Drake, was not very interested in the Christmas thing, was talking very little, and had to be enticed to open gifts. This year, he was singing Christmas songs WEEKS before the actual holiday, commenting when he walked into my house and saw my tree, "Nana! You did this?" as he sparkled with excitement. He totally got into the holiday! It was great buying for him....a tea set because he loves to throw tea parties for his stuffed animals, books since he loves being read to, puzzles since he loves working them...and the list goes on. He loved opening and playing with each one before he moved on to the next. I put ornaments on my tree that were "Drake Friendly", and he enjoyed taking them off and putting them back on. He was pure delight as he sang his way through the season, marveling at everything each time as if it was the first. His "thank you" for each new gift was sweet.

I am sharing this as a means of extending a sense of hope to those of you who are where we were last year at this time. I know that there are many of you who could share similar stories.

As we anticipate 2006, I wish for each of you your own success stories, however they come to you....in a new word spoken, a new level of awareness, increased eye contact, potty training, improved school experiences, more understanding from relatives who just don't get it, or any of the hundreds of other ways that success could be expressed.

Here's to 2006.....

Nancy

DrewsG · 12-31-2005, 12:15 PM

Hello, Good to hear from you again. Your post was very hopeful to me. Drew loved opening gifts this year also. Last year was terrible. He had no idea what was going on. He cried alot and stayed to himself. He gave us an early Christmas gift by saying "Go pee-pee". He did it!!! All on his own.
I'm hoping for Christmas songs next year. You made my day.
Happy Hew Year!!!!!!

Curious Nana · 12-31-2005, 02:38 PM

Good to hear from you as well! We have yet to get through the potty training thing. This too, shall come. We just find ourselves incredibly grateful for each step!

Picali · 01-01-2006, 01:34 PM

Hiya Nancy

What a lovely post, it's always so nice to read about progress and life getting a bit easier. We had a great Christmas this year as well, one of the things I love about J*****'s lack of 'awareness' and his developmental delay is that he really cherishes his presents and loves opening them - it takes forever because he plays with everything as he opens it (including the paper) and doesn't just whizz through to see what he's got as some of my friends' kids do. He really enjoys simple things that a lot of kids his age find really boring now, plus he doesn't pester me for expensive toys and games - the only thing he ever asks for is 'something nice to eat'. As you mention, it's easier in some ways to buy gifts because our kids have a more limited range of interests. I got Jaidy a season ticket for our local farm and indoor play area, he doesn't understand what the gift is but he loves it there and the fact that we can go every week now will just be great for him.

It was lovely to read how well you're all doing, and here's hoping the 2006 carries on in the same way. We'll have to try and remember to all swop updates this time next year and see how well our kids have progressed again.

Best wishes

Janine

I Love LJC · 01-05-2006, 02:02 PM

Hi Nana,Thanks for the well wishes.Glad to see your little one is moving forward.Glad as well with our other posters children on the board too.Its a good sign that our kids are moving forward and making progress .It takes alot of time with our kids. My girls 10 now shes come along way with her DX.It can be done.She still has her OCD issues at times but is able to shift gears and shift on to something else with out getting mad at us for telling her to talk about something else.In the past shed pitch a fit.Shes still learning to read and all the other good stuff at school it will come in time for her too.Blessing and Happy 2006.