Awareness: it's a double edged sword. We prayed for it, couldn't wait for it, but we are in no way ready for it. So, this week James has proven again and again that he is more aware than ever. He realizes that he must respond when spoken to. His words are more like noises but often they are correctly two-syllables or start with a B or P. Even the owner of the corner deli knows what a "bollibop" is (Thank you W. and family for your patience).
The negative? James is aware of his bodily functions and holding EVERYTHING, causing constipation and middle of the night screaming fits. James wants to play with other kids in the park, throwing his ball at them, but cries when they avoid him or run away. Sometimes a nice boy (always boys) throws the ball back, but the tears flow as the child trots back to his friends. Luckily, the God-send of the big boy downstairs is patient and loving to James and lets him "play" basketball with him. James is his biggest fan when he and his sweet girlfriend play (okay she's just a girl who is his friend but she's super cute so he'd better be nice).
Melt-downs are frequent, too. On Thursday, James had a substitute OT (Occupational Therapist) and I prepared him on the drive. He was great, gave her his hand as soon as she introduced herself. I did NOT tell him he was staying an extra half hour. When the hour drew to a close, James made it very clear that it was time for socks and shoes. He kept pointing to his communication board: CLOSE. To hammer home the point he showed his OT - eat, jump, close (over and over) - as if to say this is what I do here and we are so DONE. So we left. Of course after explaining that there was no school today (and we usually go to school after OT), I went the wrong way down the street TOWARD school, out of habit. James immediately yelled at me to let me know.
The other "problem" (and I WANT THIS PROBLEM) is that James wants interaction 24/7. We read, play lots of different games with balls (especially catch), play with a "parachute," listen to music, we even "color" AND cut with a SCISSOR (New skill alert there). That means mom often uses the bathroom with someone sitting on her lap or yelling at her to hurry (never very conducive to the task at hand). As I write, I am being yelled with a very clear "bye-bye" at the laptop.
