Saturday, September 27, 2008

Dx - One Year Later & ABC Video

Today marks one year since Matthew's Autism diagnosis. (And what a year it has been!) Matthew has progressed consistently and I am less fearful for his future than I was back then. Matthew still babbles sometimes but also had a large vocabulary and can put sentences together. He still stims but less so and doesn't act as spacey as he used to...he is more aware of his environment and has better eye contact. It's hard to attribute where his gains have come from...is it the GFCF diet, the preschool autism class, the in-home ABA, the private OT, the DAN supplements/anti-fungal meds/chelation, or maturity? We will continue his current treatments in the hope that one day he will get out of special ed and be "mainstreamed" in the school system. And if that doesn't happen, we'll accept that...all we REALLY want is for Matthew to be happy and healthy.

Here is a video I made last night after Matthew's bath. It is him is singing the alphabet song. He still has some pronunciation issues but has come a long way and we are very proud of him. Remember, this is a boy who only had 3 words at age 2...he didn't point, had limited eye contact, only sometimes responded to his name, and was often in his own little world. But even then, he was very loving and quite the little ladies man! :)


14 comments:

Betsy said...

He is adorable! Isn't it wonderful to see our children being recovered!

We always mark our anniversary on Sept 11th, 2001. That was the day we started our in-home ABA program. Even with 40 hours a week for 9 months, we did not see much improvement until the diet, but I know it is different for each child.

Here's to another year of continued improvements.

Betsy

Laura said...

What a cutie! I know what you mean about the improvements, but not knowing what exactly was the best treatment. I'm too impatient to wait weeks doing only one therapy at a time, so it's hard to judge what has helped the most, or if the combination of therapies is the thing. As long as there's improvement, that's what counts!

Julee Huy said...

Yay Matthew! Good Work! :)

Cute singing, my favorite was "w" :)

He's adorable!

Casdok said...

Its difficult to know sometimes.
He is gorgeous!

Tricia said...

What a handsome little dude you have!!! ;-) Good work, momma!

Anonymous said...

Peter and Emma say "Great job Matthew!"

Michelle B Photography said...

So cute! Wow, he and Ruby are so similar. Ruby had about 3 words at 2, didn't point, only sometimes turned when her name was called too. Now I can't even count all of her words.

Ruby sings the alphabet song to and she can't do the last part all that well yet either, but Matthew's version is much better!

B said...

ADORABLE! and OMG reminds me of my boy at that age...even the pronounciation of the letters!

Lynn Stallworth said...

That's too awesome! Just starting out, that gives me SO MUCH hope for my guys' future! Way to go Matthew! Keep it up, keep it up!

Anonymous said...

Brilliant and beautiful. Cannot tell you how it does my heart good to see this. Thank God for Matthew's gains and continued progress!

Mommy Mac said...

I am so proud of Matthew!! Keep plugging away! He is a sweetie pie!!

Julee Huy said...

How are you? I've been wondering how you're doing... Did your husband leave yet? 2 months did you say? That is a LONG TIME!

Hang in there mama!

Maddy said...

Quite delightful.
Best wishes

DLaudner said...

ahhh brings tears to my eyes!!