New Trigger Discoveries

We have made huge progress over the last year and as John's language continues to develop, I am noticing new triggers to his behavior. He is know able to communicate his feelings better, so I am able to understand some of the "why" s behind his behavior. It seems that separation anxiety and social anxiety are playing a HUGE role in how he behaves in public. In the home, he communicates better, socializes better, and is more animated. It seems to be an INTENSE shyness in public that is hindering his pragmatic speech and social development.

As noted by the neuro-psycologist, he has a social interest, but he tends to be on the outside watching in, trying to figure out how to break in. If I am with him, he wants me to hold him and if someone talks to him, he often will answer and then bury his head in my shoulder, with a feeling of being shy.

We've seen progress over the last few months with social communication. He acknowledges other children with hellos and goodbyes. He answers questions when he is asked, often in a full sentence. For example, "John are you OK?" He responds, "Yes, I ok." as opposed to just "yes". He is asking his own questions now, which was a huge step for him. He is very good at asking for something he wants me to get him, using language instead of taking me to the object.

He has joined a MY GYM gymnastics class, which he loves and will be attending a Parent Participation PreSchool in the fall, which emphasizes on social integration rather than academics. Academically, John is taking everything in and is doing very well. He counts to 200, reads digital clocks, understands time, knows bigger and smaller, counts objects, sight reads 50-100 words, knows every street in La Verne and can tell you how to get to certain locations by telling him where you are starting and where you want to go. He almost seems to have a photographic memory when it comes to directions and reading. His favorite toys or things to do right now are cars, the computer, riding his bike, and reading books. His favorite book right now is "Llama Llama misses Mama", which is another reason that makes me think that separation anxiety is a problem for him. He likes to look at the pictures and talk about the Llama going to school and being dropped off by his mom and not knowing what to do when she's not there. The book's lesson is that Llama can love his Mama, but he can also love school if he gives his friends and teachers a chance....and that Mama always comes back. He loves screaming the line in the book that reads "Mama, you came back!"