I've been meaning to reflect on what an amazing summer it has been for Kayla.

At the beginning of the summer, she could only walk about the length of the hallway, and she would only walk inside on flat surfaces. Now she walks pretty much everywhere and on anything! She'll walk on sand, grass, gravel. Little obstacles (like a switch from pavement to gravel) don't trip her up.

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla would cover her eyes, arch her back and start screaming and crying when confronted with stairs, even just a few stairs. Now she'll grudgingly walk up and down the stairs with just a little assistance.

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla was so much in her own world, she never noticed her sister or the cat. Now she chases the cat around and wants Laurie to pick her up and spin her. Kayla will walk up to Laurie and grab her hands.

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla had no words or signs (she lost them when the autism set it between ages 2 - 3). Now Kayla will consistently say or sign "more" and "all done". With a little prompt, she'll sign eat when she comes into the kitchen and sits down on the floor. Every now and then a word will pop out (bubbles, cookie), although it's not at all consistent.

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla knew nothing about letters or colors. Now Kayla can ID the color RED. She's obsessed with letters -- she'll go up to the letters in her classroom and put her finger on each one, make a sound and clap when she gets to the letter Z.

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla hated the mirror. Now she's always going to the mirror and doing her finger songs (or something that looks like it!). Or she'll look at herself in the mirror and babble nonstop.

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla was very tactile defensive, she hated touching anything and she even hated her bath. Now she loves to take a bath, loves sand, grass, hay (sometimes too much -- she likes to eat all that stuff!). She still hates "squishy" stuff like playdough or shaving cream, but she'll get around to it!

At the beginning of the summer, we could lock Kayla up in the living room. Now she's figured out that all she needs to do to escape is to climb over the arm of the chair.

Yep, it's been an amazing summer!!!! Looking forward to seeing what fall will bring!

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Ecki



MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

Great brag , WTG Kayla

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Maxine UK. Mum to Elliott 13 and Dominic 3 DS.

Yay for Kayla! Looks like the "wall" that the autism put around your little girl has turned into more of a window. I will be praying for you that the improvement continues.

Quote:

At the beginning of the summer, Kayla would cover her eyes, arch her back and start screaming and crying when confronted with stairs, even just a few stairs. Now she'll grudgingly walk up and down the stairs with just a little assistance.

Funny, my cousin Destini's oldest girl (who is also named Kayla) has a bit of OCD when it comes to stairs. She used to be deathly afraid of them. Now she holds on tight to the railing and takes them one step at a time. If there is no rail, you can forget about getting her to use the stairs. Of course, since her little sister has Cerebral Palsy and is in a wheelchair, she isn't confronted with her fear very often (only when they come to our apartment).

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Christina Wade
mom to Keith; 8-4-94 (ADHD), Cassie; 4-24-98 (DS-mosaic), and David; 5-5-06 (DS-trisomy 21)

http://3specialkids.blogspot.com/

That is amazing progress. Way to go Kayla!! How exciting!!

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (19 Jul 89), Stefanie (3 Sep 96), Joel [18 June 98] and Talitha (DS) (18 Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

That's great to hear!

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Anna

Wife to magnificent dh Scott

Mom to 3 - Evan 06/01, Isabel 01/06, and Maddie (DS) 03/05/07 AVSD Repaired @ 3 months

Ecki, it sounds like Kayla's had a brilliant summer. Well done little girl.

And you know what, my favourite brag has to be that she's starting acknowledging her sister - Matt's just started grabbing Rachael's hands to get her to do something. I know it's interaction on their terms, but hey, it's interaction!

Let's hope autumn/fall is just as productive.

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Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael Kinza (25/07/01), Matthew Isaac DS-ASD (14/06/03) and Hannah Cerys (14/06/05) - my gorgeous kids!

wow... what an amazing brag!! she is doing so well ecki. yippy!!!

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Amy mama to:
Jayden-7/94
Rylee-10/97
Mayson-2/06 DS
www.theflegefarm.blogspot.com

That is wonderful, she will continue to do many wonderful things

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Mom to Eli-10-30-1993 (ADHD), Amarilys 8-18-1997 and Nathan (DS) 10-09-06

Aw, that is awesome!!

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Bethany
Mommy to Mason (1/13/04) and Payton (DS) (1/7/06)



http://thebalsisfamily.blogspot.com/

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance."

GREAT BRAG

_________________
Kelly Rimmer
Mom to
Paige-11-12-92
Aaron-06-16-99(Adhd and Dyslexia)
08-19-05 (DS)
Kristen-11-1-2006
Baby #5 due 3-18-08


Helen Keller once said,
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved".


www.discoverytoyslink.com/kellystoybox
www.firstgiving.com/AlexisRimmer

Amazing indeed! Wow Kayla - congratulations on all of your progress and hardwork.

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JenBrock'sMom & wife to Jay
Brock Davis (Ds) 7/28/05
Quinn Currie 8/18/07

wow.. Kayla is learning and retaining a lot of info. I know you are both encouraged and excite. Way to go, KAYLA!!!
amy

_________________

Mom to seven beautiful children...including Mr...I didn't make that mess....
(aka Austin - 05/18/04;TOF ♥ repair 05/25/04)
Austin's sibs...Kristin(23), Jessica(20),Rebecca(17),
Rachel(12), Hunter(7) and Sarah(11).