In case you missed my last blog, Emmett is currently on a very restrictive diet and we have cut out many of the foods that he used to eat every day. Thankfully, he has adjusted very well. Although it requires lots of label reading and planning ahead, it has been a much easier transition than I anticipated. I still feel a little guilty eating "real" food in front of him, but he doesn't seem to mind and he actually has more variety in his diet because I've had to get more creative.
Emmett is also adjusting well to his new school. Everyone loves him there and he never cries when I take him, so that is definitely a good sign. They send me pictures or videos to show me what he has been up to and they have an open door policy. Corbin has even gotten to stay a few times as a peer. Although Emmett is still nonverbal, they are teaching him to communicate with picture cards. We have tried this in the past, but he finally seems to be making the connection. We are also seeing great improvements in his fine motor skills. He can pull the picture cards out of his Velcro communication book very easily now, which would have been very hard for him, just a few months ago. He also just recently started drinking from his sippy cup with very little help and is getting much better at using eating utensils. While I was away at my last training segment, I received a video of Emmett pulling Cheerios off of a pipe cleaner and it totally made my day! Although these may seem like little things, they are huge for Emmett and I'm so excited to see him making progress.
Emmett isn't the only one learning new things these days! My ABM training is well on its way and I am already over halfway through Segment 4 of 10. Although I am still learning, I have been able to practice on a handful of people and have started working with Emmett a little. He has also had several ABM lessons with our practitioners this summer. It has been a great experience to watch them work with Emmett and it helps me understand the work even more.
As l look back on this summer, I'd say that it has been a pretty good one. It may not have been a typical "lazy summer", but we still managed to have some fun along the way. Corbin was able to attend a few VBS programs and a one-day sibling camp where Emmett does Hippotherapy. He also got to spend a little extra quality time with mommy, since Emmett was in school more. Both boys have really enjoyed playing outside and swimming. Emmett especially likes walking around in our hot tub and it is the perfect size for him. We keep it cooler in the summer, so the boys basically have their own personal pool. Emmett has also really enjoyed his newfound freedom. He couldn't walk unassisted last summer, so it has been a like whole new world for him. We were also able to squeeze in a mini family vacation at a Jellystone Park near one of our ABM practitioners. We have to travel 2 hours for ABM lessons, so it was a great way to sneak in some family time, while getting lessons for Emmett.
Well, that about sums things up for now. It has been a crazy summer, but it has also been an awesome one. Stayed tuned for more updates about our sweet, little man.
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| Despite his new diet, Emmett still loves to eat! |
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| Enjoying some outdoor time at school |
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