Comfort in Kasper

Kasper is almost 15 months and just ticking along nicely thank you very much.

As part of the early bird autism course that Colin and I are doing, the facilitators come to our home and make videos of us interacting with Mikko. Last week they filmed us playing 'people games' (games without props) with him and talked about really connecting with him and about how people with Autism don't seek feedback or response as much as typical people.

We are really noticing at the moment that Kasper seeks feedback and interaction from us at any and every opportunity and I take great comfort in that. Not just because it means that he is less likely to have ASD but also because I am recalling that Mikko definitely didn't act like Kasper at the same age. Mikko was happy and smiley and did a variety of activities and met a variety of milestones so at the time I never suspected a thing but he really didn't seek any response from us nor was he especially interested in what we were doing. I'd sort of forgotten about it all in 'baby brain fade' and had really been feeling like Mikko *had* been typical and maybe I had somehow done something or not done enough for him somewhere along the line. Maybe it really shouldn't matter but for me it is a big thing.

I hope that doesn't sound like I am disappointed in anyway about Mikko and his development, it's just hard to see him struggle at times and it will be awesome if Kasper doesn't have to. They are alike in their huge grins, loud giggles and the joy they give to me everyday.

feeling nostalgic

Look at these 3 gorgeous babies - they are all mine!!!! Don't they look alike here in their first ever photos?

 

Here they are again at around 1 year :)

 


Finn and Kasper are very alike in looks and personality though in the photos above I can definately see the resemblence between Mikko and Kasper. Pesonality-wise Mikko is generally more mellow than Finn and I can see the Kasper is going to be another little whirlwind!

rambling and a progress report

Today was Mikko's IP (individual plan) meeting, involving myself, Mikko's early intervention teacher, his SLT (speech language therapist) and one of his preschool teachers. I love these meetings. They all tell me how wonderful he is doing and that he is right on track. I leave with a huge sense of relief as I am assured he is going to be "high functioning". This usually lasts until he throws a major tantrum complete with scratching and head banging and then I doubt everyone I panic that he is going to be anything but high functioning. Today was great though and I am still on a post IP meeting high. Even the dreaded 3pm school pick up went smoothly and without a hitch today and my 3 wonderful boys have been just that.

Mikko really is doing great though. He is using the words he knows and gaining new ones. He is babbling like a wee loon in 'Mikko-talk' too which is so cute. Basically in terms of his communication he is like a 2 year old and so I guess tantrums are par for the course and will hopefully reduce over the next couple of years.

Colin and I are doing the earlybird course at the moment. Well we had the first session last week and I couldn't go so it was just Colin. We have the 2nd session tomorrow and my Mum is coming over to look after Mikko and Kasper so that Colin and I can both attend. I think it's every Wednesday for 8 weeks so quite full-on but it's supposed to be a great resource for dealing with preschoolers on the spectrum so wish us luck!

Disco with Daddy

Finn had his first school disco last Friday. Daddy went along as parent help on "indoor security".
The theme was "neon" hence the high-vis vest though it also came in handy for Daddy keeping an eye on Finn!

just hangin'

We have just been hangin' around home lately but having a lot of fun doing it.
Finn has his first week back at school. He's gone into a new classroom and is doing really well. Tonight when I tucked him in bed and told him it was a school day tomorrow he squealed "yessssssss!" - it's so cool that he enjoys it so much.
He's doing really, really well at reading. Fine motor skills (writing, cutting etc) are really tricky for him so I am trying to get him to do things like duplo blocks (see pic), hammering, colouring etc to help.
Today we went to a toy store to look at some 'educational toys'. Things that would help Finn with fine motor skills and Mikko with speech. It was fun! We normally don't buy the kids any toys aside from birthdays and Christmas so I relished the excuse!
We ended up getting a sound/talking puzzle, a building set with little hammer and some schleich animals but I want to also get some threadind beads,a fishing game and more duplo :)

making fenced for the new Schleich animals

Building with Dad in the 'workshop'

Kasper watching the builders and listening to Bob the Builder

Mikko's been back at preschool and enjoying it - yay!!!!  He's had some great days this week and some real shockers. I feel like overall he's getting much more into communicating with us but worse in terms of tantrums :-/  Ah well - we'll get there :)