Back To School Video

Interview subject has the sillies.


And here is Jeremy's first day of school interview, with Brad and more sillies, lazing around the house in the morning.

Gone fishin.

I hope everyone is having a nice summer. Breaking news on our end: Brad is swimming!

What To Expect (Almost) Age4, PDD Edition: Communication

As promised, a WTE post on speech and communication.

His most recent speech stats are here, but that doesn't really tell the whole story.

I'm proud to report...drumroll please...Brad is talking. Well that isn't exactly news, but it is a fair description of his ability. His progress on the speech front has been slow and steady. When exactly his speech took off is hard to pinpoint. At this juncture, he can express his needs and even his emotions, and his conversation skills are budding. Exhibit A:



And if it isn't obvious, the more he talks, the more he charms us with his sweet nature.

Not to take away from his progress, but there are still many challenges ahead. He's still scripting. Or something. For example, often our exchanges will go like this:

Me: "How was school?"
Brad: "The name of the day is Friday. Friday is a tuna fish day."

That having been said, on the whole, we're very pleased, and proud of his progress.

Phoning It In: Back to School Edition

Back to school went well for Jeremy and Brad. Nothing remarkable to report, other than OMG Jeremy started kindie! *sniff* But that's off-topic.

Brad's first day of school (morning of) interview:



How was back to school for you and yours?

Phoning it in.

No time for any reflection this week, so I'll leave you with a video. TGIF!

Not quite robust, but definitely not barren...

...is how I'd describe Brad's imagination. Here he is, in action:



Me, personally, I don't get a rote or scripted vibe, but admittedly, I'm biassed.

A Little Bit Autistic presents...

...couch surfing*



*Patent pending.

TGIF

Meet Brad's some time babysitter, which I referred to here.



His name is "VTECH."

TGIF

Brad having a conversation.

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

I call this one "it's a blue-ie!"

Dog days of summer.

This video illustrates Brad's latest challenge.

Brad counting.

TGIF

Meme

From Autismville:

List ten great things about your child with autism. If you think your child would like to participate, let them express themselves. Maybe ask him or her to list a few things about themselves they would like to share. They do not have to answer in words, feel free to share photos, artwork, or upload video or audio. Anything goes, in the name of self-expression!

1. He proudly says his name, when asked "La-leee!" (Actual name: "Bradley.")

2. His enthusiasm for playing rough-house with his brother.

3. His appreciation for the group I call his harem, consisting of his various female therapists. (Brad loves his girlfriends.)

4. His love of sweet potato and squash.

5. He's a bruiser, in the 97% for height and 90% for weight. (Take that, would-be high school tormenters.)

6. He follows directions like a champ.

7. He blows kisses.

8. His booty shake.

9. He likes to pretend he's a kitty cat.

10. His cheeks.

Brad at 24 months.

Meet Brad.

This is him at 18 months.