What's New With Rex?

Rex has had a fantastic year.  It's hard to tell what is at the root of his great progress - ABA, OT, cranio-sacral therapy, PROMPT, broccoli sprout extract, his own readiness, or a combination thereof - but Craig and I could not be prouder of all of his accomplishments.

Just a few weeks ago we had a conference with Rex's teachers and therapists and he received a glowing report. We reviewed his records and learned that he now uses 19 words/verbal approximations correctly and in context, can match numbers 1-25 as well as all upper case letters in various fonts in fields of at least 5, sorts by color, and can identify many two-dimensional shapes, including naming some of them.  He can receptively identify at least 47 pictures of objects, people, and actions in messy arrays of 6, including photos of family and classmates.  Rex imitates verbally now to the best of his ability (and tacts at least 23 items), but given that he is cleft affected and has also been diagnosed with apraxia of speech, much of what he says is still not clear to those who don't know him well.  He still uses around 20 adapted ASL signs as part of his communication.  He answers direct questions with yes (yeah) and no (emphatic gah) and often nods or shakes his head along with the verbal answer to make sure we get it.

Rex can undress independently and is making good progress with learning to dress himself.  He is pretty much 100% potty-trained for #2 and does not have too many accidents with #1 per week.  The main struggle still is to get Rex to tell us when he has to go, but if you ask him directly, he will correctly answer yes or no in regard to his own toileting needs.  He can complete most steps in his bathroom routine with only verbal prompts.

Socially, Rex has made strides saying hi and bye and shaking hands when prompted.  His attention in circle time has increased greatly and he participates more easily with arts and crafts now.  He follows instructions with improving frequency and accuracy.

Rex loves to play outside, go on hikes, build various long or tall structures with different building materials, tickles, and watching videos on the Kindle.  Rex's favorite foods are sandwiches, tater tots, potato chips, bananas, almond chocolate pudding, and homemade pizza.  Rex deeply loves and trusts the members of our little family and seeks social, emotional and physical contact with us.

I've said it before and I will keep shouting it from the rooftops: Rex is a blessing, a loving and lovable human being with infinite worth and possibility.

Rex watching an acrobat perform live

on a gymnastics wheel