Two Steps Forward Equals Three Steps Back in November

November had major ups and major downs for Luke and all of us, but we made it.

The really good days were fantastic, heart warming, and hopeful. Luke was happy, engaging, and talkative. Some new things that Luke accomplished in November...

• Tried new foods. Peanut butter sandwiches to be exact. He was obsessed for a whole day and requested it VERBALLY and with sign for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack again, and dinner.
• Beginning to use his words more appropriately and consistently. Whenever he wanted something he would start with, "I want" and the object. Sometimes he didn't know the name of what he wanted so that was a little frustrating, especially with the peanut butter sandwich. He at first said, "I want," then grabbed my hand and took me to the kitchen to take me to the bread and peanut butter. I said, "I want peanut butter sandwich." and he delightfully repeated and repeated until he memorized he was eating a peanut butter sandwich. He also learned how to ask to watch TV. A simple sentence of "TV please." 
• He successfully completed physical therapy with his therapist Mary Beth. It is sad that he will not work with her any more, but it is a relief that he mastered the skills that were set forth. Stairs are no longer an issue, his stamina has increased, and he can kick a ball with control. 
• His receptive language is developing more and more each week. He now understands, consistently, simple commands when we request he put something in the trash, clean up, put an article of clothing on, when to go to the car, when to go to school, and when to go to bed. He still doesn't like crowds. Church has yet to work as well as going to the grocery store sans melt down. 
• He is getting into brushing his teeth. It has been a long and slow practice, but hit and miss, I don't have to hold him down to get the toothbrush in his mouth.

The really bad days were horrendous and almost unbearable but we did it. Now with Luke, he doesn't meltdown everyday like he use to, but when he does you have to watch out. They are bigger, louder, and more intense than he ever had prior to now. 

• He is testing us more, which in turn has us tell him no, he doesn't like it, a meltdown ensues. We are working on this and he is learning. I personally think he's at the terrible twos stage because of the way he looks at you as he does the bad thing. I think it's more typical kid than autism. So I guess there is a positive in there.
• He is getting more aggressive toward Jaron. We think it could be just sibling rivalry, but when Luke doesn't get his way with Jaron, or doesn't like what Jaron is doing he rushes him.
• He still doesn't like the store or church. We have tried several times to take him to either place but he always screams, always cries, and always melts down. I have been able to at least get him through the store and he screams as we are getting out of line, so that is progress. I'm looking forward to the day where the meltdown is nonexistent. We have also tried to take him to church on non mass days so he can get familiar with the place, be able to explore a little. I think if we keep it up he'll be able to walk in without a meltdown before we know it. 
• He doesn't like the doctor's office. The scale is his downfall. He just doesn't understand that he has to get on there and be still. I try and explain to the nurse that he has autism and doesn't understand, but they always insist that he needs to get on there. It's always a struggle, me getting flustered, the other two children trying to "help". It's a big mess by the time they get an estimate of his weight. He is aggravated and screaming, the other two are stressed and Mommy just wants to cry.
• He still screams randomly and it is getting harder for us to decipher what he doesn't like. At least twice a week we're digging through the diaper bag pulling out everything we can think of to calm him when we're out and about. 99% of the time we never figure out what he doesn't like. We have to leave whatever we are doing or just skip what we were going to do because he's made it clear that he is not regulated for the change. 
• He is not a fan of his school schedule getting messed with. Thanksgiving break threw him off a bit. He was fine at home but had trouble readjusting to school. His teachers were concerned because he was silent the entire week back. He didn't have a meltdown but he didn't want to participate in anything or with anyone. He just wanted to be by himself. .

Dear Luke,
You still have us in constant amazement with all that you are accomplishing. We know there are a list of setbacks but Mommy and Daddy are working hard to help you figure things out. You are an amazing little guy and bring us more joy than you'll ever realize. We can't wait to watch you take more positive steps. We're in your corner always.
We love you with everything we have,
Mommy and Daddy