The Autism Walk and a very big milestone!

First, I want to wish my dad a very happy birthday today!  We enjoyed getting to see him, my mom and sister this weekend when they came down for the Autism walk.  The walk this year was really fun!   Our team "Jump up for Jack" did an amazing job and we raised $1805!!  I want to thank everyone who donated and came out to support Jack, our family and to  help raise awareness for those living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. 

 

 

I have two really great story's to tell about Jack.  The first one was a very wonderful and exciting moment in my life and one that I have been waiting to happen for quite some time.  Jack has been working very hard at school and with his ABA therapist Jessi to increase his verbal skills.  He has words but doesn't always use them correctly or most importantly hasn't learned to use his words to communicate.  The process is long and we have started to see lots of growth, but this past week we had a pretty exciting break through.  He can now (with just a small prompt of the first sound) answer the questions: "What is your name?" and " How old are you?"!!!!  The first time I heard him use this sweet little voice to say "Jack" and "four" I about lost it.  He has come so far and he works so hard that every little accomplishment he makes I want to throw him a party.  I know that he still has to work at generalizing this these skills with other people and in different environments but it is a very important step towards hopefully getting him to learn how powerful and meaningful language can be.

 



The second story I have to share is exciting and kind of funny.  Jack and Peyton were playing outside over the weekend.  Peyton was chasing the cat and playing on the slide and Jack was enjoying his car especially the new Hummer he got when he and Justin took their weekly trip to Target.  After a short time I looked at him and he was trying to ride a toy tractor that use to be one of Justin's old toys.  I found this quite humorous since this isn't a riding toy and Jack looked like a giant trying to ride such a small tractor.  I then took a closer look and saw that he was pushing the Hummer in front of the tractor as he moved along the porch.  I yelled for Justin to come and see and then it donned on me...he was recreating the wagon ride we took at the pumpkin patch the weekend before.  The wagon at the pumpkin patch (or at lease the one we went on) was pulled by a Hummer, and he was pretending to go on a wagon ride like the one we had been on at the pumpkin patch.  It was so sweet and exciting to see him pretending and remember something he had experience.  

 

 

 

 Have a wonderful week everyone, and I'll post again soon!