Car hoarder
So something CB does that I guess other kids with sensory issues do is that he takes a large amount of cars with him to the car in some sort of container every time he goes to the car. He may play with them but most times, he either holds on to the container or dumps them onto the floorboard. It is a huge fight if he is not able to take the huge amount of cars. There is clearly some sort of attachment associated with them. If his brother gets one of the cars in the car, CB will grab it, look at it for 30 seconds or so, and then add it back to his pile. He doesn’t actually play with that car. Maybe they are his safety net. Maybe he likes the sound and visual effect from dumping them. Maybe they are just fun to play with or maybe I am a mama who has no clue and just doesn’t get it.
Promising Progress: Yay, CB had his first dry day – 100% self-initiated. He is sill in pull-ups. We plan to continue to let him be the driver in this potty-training race. Something has clicked and he has better awareness. The 2 days prior were not so successful, but this is a big step.
Lousy Low: Seeing him struggle in group ‘PE’ time at his preschool program for special needs children and not being able to help him. It unfolded like a story in a textbook. He was sitting among the other 20-30 pre-k kiddos with a smile and sitting calm. After 20 seconds or so, a specific tune played and all the kids started crab walking, except for CB, who was bear crawling. He still had a smile and watched the other kids but continued with the bear crawl. The tune changed and the kids sat doing something with their hands. CB followed along. Then the specific tune started up again and all the kids started crab walking again, except for CB. He started scooting around on his bottom. He looked around at the others, looked at his body and continued scooting on his bottom. After that, he started chewing on his shirt, yelling, moving all around, and making disruptive sounds. One kiddo scooted away from CB and another stared at him. The teachers called him to come sit on the steps by them. I felt so bad for CB. I can’t tell to what degree he understands and recognizes how he is different and that these motor activities are easy for others but are difficult for him. He clearly has some understanding and chose to leave the situation versus continue feeling the way he felt.
Short note on current priorities:
- speech
- body awareness
- continue troubleshooting allergies, immune issues, periodic digestive issues