I love that once in a while I am able to add new achievements that Amelia has made. These past few months have been big for Amelia in a lot of ways. Her dexterity and motor skills are, according to her doctor, above average. I always like to hear that she no longer flags up on Occupational Therapists’ radars anymore. We had her four year well visit the day after her birthday and I had been dreading on it since the Summer, certain that something wasn’t going to be right. It’s sad to say that after the MCHAT debacle, and the subsequent scalding over our approach to Autism I have lost faith in allopathic medicine somewhat. Well, imagine her doctor’s surprise when Amelia – signaling that she had had quite enough of the visit – put her coat on and buttoned it up perfectly. She was visibly impressed and said that clearly her motor skills were above and beyond the markers set forth for this visit – phew!
Then, last week I was running to get Amelia to school. I had just about done everything when she scuffed her hair up and I had to do it again. While I was attempting to get it tidy and straight (harder to do than you would think when she is constantly moving), she was asking for help to zip her jacket up. My reply “yes, yes, in a minute, I am in the middle of something”. A few more ‘helps’ and I had finished her hair. I turned her around and she had zipped her jacket up all on her own. Yay for her! This zip is tiny and I’ll be honest, sometimes I can’t do it the first time.
Yesterday as I was making our greek salad, I gave Amelia her dinner early. She has been sick on and off for four weeks (we think it’s severe heartburn) and eating is hard for her as it appears to hurt her tummy. So what should be taking 20 minutes takes at least double that at the moment. Most times she’ll only eat one third of what she would eat last month. She requested fish sticks and beans, no problem with me as long as she cleaned her platter. Over the last month or so, she has been showing some interest in her knife (for it’s intended purpose). Since she hasn’t been feeling well I haven’t pushed it, but last night, as I was up to elbows in tomatoes and cucumber, she asked for help. I helped her cut the first one but she did the rest herself – fabulously, I might add!
Auntie Lallah says: I hope you come have lunch with me sometime! I have knives and forks too! Ill give you sticks and beans too!! I am proud of your progress. Love Lallah! on 05.14.13 @ 11:42 am
Betty & Baz says: Well done Amelia, that's wonderful that you can cut your food - yay for you! on 05.14.13 @ 5:43 pm