2007 Update

It's been a while since we updated the blog. This time I'm going to try the "mom approach" instead when writing the posts....

GENERAL
Diego turned 8 and we celebrated his birthday in his school. He blew his candle very well and enjoyed wearing the birthday hat. He handed out birthday hats and treats to his friends and had the best time opening presents when we got home. (He had been asking for presents for a while, so he was very happy to see the presents at last!)
He has put on more pounds just by eating his rice and chips. His food variety remains the same, but we need to monitor the amount because we don't want him to be too overweight. He is so happy eating a good plate of meat, rice and beans!!
Diego is a happy boy, who enjoys tickles and still loves Barney. His interests are expanding some lately and he has shown that he likes Bob the Builder, Sesame Street, Teletubbies and instrumental music. He loves to listen to music in the car and classical music interests him also.


SCHOOL
Diego is in 2nd grade, in his same ASD class and he has a new teacher. His IEP goals are focused on his visual strenghts and he is using his communication book very successfully as well as he is learning to read many words even while he is non verbal. It's amazing!
Diego's behavior is so good. He is so obedient and a real good boy. He does wonderful in the field trips, and they have had many this semester, including Community Based trips.
The only times he shows discomfort are due to his detox process and we all support him and sooth him with rubs and kisses which he appreciates.

THERAPIES
Diego has resumed his Verbal Behavior program at home. We are using an ABA student who is doing her practicum as well as the services of a CABA who is being funded with the Medwaiver. This gives the program great dynamics and Diego is getting new goals as well as mastering existing ones constantly. He is very happy during therapy almost all of the time and is very motivated by it.
We will resume Speech Therapy in home too. This service comes and goes as the availability of therapists allows it, but is always a good addition to his overall services and we keep the goals of this therapy in harmony to the VB program and the goals at school. Diego is ONE, so we need to work as a TEAM!
He continues with RDI and guided by the lovely therapist that is in our lives, we try to make every moment and RDI moment. We feel so connected with Diego and RDI has helped so much in this!

BIOTREATMENT
Diego continues his biotreatment following the Metabolic Protocol. I believe it has been 3 years now. We have added the use of head patches with the clay from the clay baths for metal detox, and I have seen a difference. Diego seems more clear headed after the head patches. He is more aware and the most exciting thing of all, is that just this past week, he has started to imitate new sounds! This is HUGE!! Diego remained non verbal and was able to repeat only "mama", but now, new sounds are emerging and he notices it, and is so proud of himself!! We are ecstatic! receiving with optimism all these new accomplishments!
We continue with the clearings, the supplements and the detox baths.
Diego has shown improvements in his lab results and it looks like we are on our way to stabilizing his levels while getting rid of the metals. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are moving in the right direction.

Catching up to Summer 2007

Summer is almost here!

School is over and the summer school will start next week. Summer School for me is what they call ESY - Extended School Year -. It is supposed to be a continuation of my regular year in which I will continue to work in the same goals that were established for me in my most recent Individual Educational Plan (IEP). The classes will go on for 6 weeks from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. ESY will be in a different school and with a different teacher - this makes it difficult because it requires an "adaptation" process - but my friends from school (plus many others) will be there and I usually "adapt" to people soon - the difficult part is for them to adapt to me, since they don't know me and don't know my likes and dislikes - but Mama will try to tell them all they need to know about me.

This first part of the year has been good for me. I finished 1st grade and did good in school. I was selected Citizen of the Month again and this time my Papa came with me to receive the award. I did very good!




I have really learned how to use the computer and absolutely love it. I don't type (yet) but with the use of the mouse, I'm able to browse my way into anything I like!. My Mama says that is how they discovered that I can READ many things, because just by looking into the google history or the favorites, I can go from one site to the next, usually of my best pal Barney the dinosaur.

Also, I am enjoying music more and more each day, but now I am humming to the melodies, which is my very special way of singing.


I have been progressing a lot in self-help skills and I'm pretty independent in many things in which I needed some assistance before like dressing, bathing and cleaning myself.



However, the most amazing progress I have made is very recent. I am using a Communication Book that my therapists and my mom created for me. It has over 300 pictures and words of the things that I use everyday to communicate. It helps me to indicate when I'm hungry, or thirsty or when I want to go out or even when I want to go to the bed. I have many pictures in my book of friends and family, so if I want to see one of them, I just point to them, and I express what I want!



Well, I am sure this summer will be LOTS of fun. Yesterday I spent over 4 hours bathing at the beach and you can see how tan I look. By the way, did you notice I'm loosing my teeth? I have 4 missing at the same time! I let my Papa take them out when they are loose - it doesn't hurt!

Easter 2007

This year's Easter celebration were very special! My aunt, uncle and my cousin Alejandro came from Puerto Rico and we spent a few days together! We went to Miami and saw many people from our family. They were very happy to see me use my communication board and to have so much fun at the pool.

Then we came back to Tampa and I enjoyed getting into the bed with my titi and tio. We celebrated my titi's birthday and my parents' anniversary. Also we took Alejandro to Universal Studios. We all had fun!

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

1. First, I have to say that I was delighted to have my abu's coming to visit us this Christmas. I didn't let my abu rest for a second and I was hugging her and cuddling her every moment. I even made her get into the playground with me.
Here are some pictures of the exciting things we did.

Here we are cuddling in the bed

In this picture we are at MOSI

2. Christmas day was super exciting. I received many gifts and had a blast opening them and finding cool stuff. My mom tells everybody I was super good on Christmas eve when we went to our friends house for dinner.

3. Then, my titis and my cousins came to visit and we all spent New Year's eve and New Year's day together. We had a party at my house and everybody had fun.