initiating...a new word in Hunter's vocabulary
SO...today is a new day. Yesterday afternoon some pretty phenominal things (in my book) occured that trumped the bad.
When I picked Hunter up from school, he ran to me, gave me a big hug, and asked if he could go outside and play. We went to the playground and a little boy from his class was playing in the sandbox. He said, "Hi Hunter!" Hunter reciprocated the greeting, and the two conversed for a few exchanges. Then, our sweet little friend Ryan Kate walked over to say hi to Peyton. Without any prompting, no cueing of her presence by me (typically I will say, 'Hunter, Ryan Kate is over there.'), he said, "Ryan Kate, remember when you came to Peyton's house?"
Even though Peyton's house is Hunter's house, it was still an initiation and a connection of a playdate with a friend. WOO HOO!
After leaving the playground, as we were walking past the big sandbox, Hunter spotted a little boy in the playground that he thought was a friend from his class. He said, Look mommy, there's Ethan! When the little boy turned around and Hunter realized it wasn't him, he said, "What's your name?"
Again, no prompting, nothing, nada from his mama.
We walked to pick Paige and her friend Kyndal from school later that afternoon. Hunter turned around and said, "Mommy? When I get home, can Paigee, Kyndal, and me play Headbandz?" I pretty much did the Toyota jump right there in the middle of the street.
Last night I received this note from Tuesday's session with the ABA therapist at the preschool...
Parent Concerns Therapist Concerns Hunter was a little late to school because of a doctor's appointment; His mom said that he wanted to continue playing the Ipad instead of going to his class. When prompted to go to class Hunter yelled, hit therapist, cried and tried to run away for 15 min. Therapist ignored behaviors and had Hunter sit outside class until calm enough to join class. Hunter had a great day once he decided to join the class. He listened very nicely to stories read by teacher, he finger painted three different apples, he also tasted different apples. During recess Hunter was prompted to initiate play with peer, Molly. They played hide and seek, other peers joined in. Hunter independently asked John Paul to join the game! They all played tag then went on the tire swing. Hunter played with peers for a consecutive 20 min with therapist 3-5 feet away. Hunter ate all his lunch. He did a great job during movement. He threw a bean bag into hoop targets. Hunter was very quiet during rest time, earned all his stickers and got to pick a prize. He also earned all his tokens to receive ipad time. During the last recess Hunter independently found Molly, made eye contact and asked her if she wanted to play hide and seek. Awesome job Hunter, Keep up the good work! Plans for next session/Materials needed Continue work on goals from assessment 8/16./12.
This morning, as we were driving to school, Hunter asked if we could pick up Molly. After confirming with her mommy, it was a driving date!
I am so pleased that he is starting to initiate with his friends. I had just blogged about him wanting to feel that desire to play with others and see what joy friends can bring.
Thank you for one prayer answered!
When I picked Hunter up from school, he ran to me, gave me a big hug, and asked if he could go outside and play. We went to the playground and a little boy from his class was playing in the sandbox. He said, "Hi Hunter!" Hunter reciprocated the greeting, and the two conversed for a few exchanges. Then, our sweet little friend Ryan Kate walked over to say hi to Peyton. Without any prompting, no cueing of her presence by me (typically I will say, 'Hunter, Ryan Kate is over there.'), he said, "Ryan Kate, remember when you came to Peyton's house?"
Even though Peyton's house is Hunter's house, it was still an initiation and a connection of a playdate with a friend. WOO HOO!
After leaving the playground, as we were walking past the big sandbox, Hunter spotted a little boy in the playground that he thought was a friend from his class. He said, Look mommy, there's Ethan! When the little boy turned around and Hunter realized it wasn't him, he said, "What's your name?"
Again, no prompting, nothing, nada from his mama.
We walked to pick Paige and her friend Kyndal from school later that afternoon. Hunter turned around and said, "Mommy? When I get home, can Paigee, Kyndal, and me play Headbandz?" I pretty much did the Toyota jump right there in the middle of the street.
Last night I received this note from Tuesday's session with the ABA therapist at the preschool...
Parent Concerns Therapist Concerns Hunter was a little late to school because of a doctor's appointment; His mom said that he wanted to continue playing the Ipad instead of going to his class. When prompted to go to class Hunter yelled, hit therapist, cried and tried to run away for 15 min. Therapist ignored behaviors and had Hunter sit outside class until calm enough to join class. Hunter had a great day once he decided to join the class. He listened very nicely to stories read by teacher, he finger painted three different apples, he also tasted different apples. During recess Hunter was prompted to initiate play with peer, Molly. They played hide and seek, other peers joined in. Hunter independently asked John Paul to join the game! They all played tag then went on the tire swing. Hunter played with peers for a consecutive 20 min with therapist 3-5 feet away. Hunter ate all his lunch. He did a great job during movement. He threw a bean bag into hoop targets. Hunter was very quiet during rest time, earned all his stickers and got to pick a prize. He also earned all his tokens to receive ipad time. During the last recess Hunter independently found Molly, made eye contact and asked her if she wanted to play hide and seek. Awesome job Hunter, Keep up the good work! Plans for next session/Materials needed Continue work on goals from assessment 8/16./12.
This morning, as we were driving to school, Hunter asked if we could pick up Molly. After confirming with her mommy, it was a driving date!
I am so pleased that he is starting to initiate with his friends. I had just blogged about him wanting to feel that desire to play with others and see what joy friends can bring.
Thank you for one prayer answered!
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