What's new for the new year?

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So, what's new for the new year. From my last entry you probably guessed our life was about to change pretty drastically, and indeed it has. Shortly after my last post, I was diagnosed with Autism by professionals from the Oakland Children's Hospital and that diagnosis was confirmed a week later by the Kaiser Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic in San Jose. I am autistic, exactly where on the spectrum they can't say because of my age (I just turned 2!!), but the diagnosis is official. So, what doesn that mean? Without all the medical and pyscho jargon, it means a lot of people have taken an interest in me.

On January 2nd, I started ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy which is 5 hours a day, five days a week for the next year. All of that takes place in my own home, which is pretty cool. I have four skills trainers that will be working with me throughout the week. I've met three of the four and I'm confident I've got a good team to work with. I also have an hour of Speech Therapy on Tuesday's, as well as an hour of Occupational Therapy followed by Feeding Therapy on Thursday's. It's been a little rough getting to know so many new people, especially since I'm not so fond of new faces. The hardest thing is how friendly all these new people are. They want to get close to me, talk to me, and play with my toys. It's a little annoying at times, but Mom and Dad are there and they seem to want this kind of interaction for me so I do the best I can.

Probably the most exciting new thing to happen is I've learned the ASL sign for more. Now, when I'm playing with my bubble gun, or wanting water, or even being pushed in by Indoor stroller, I can just tap my hands together and I get more of that activity. Still haven't got any words, but this simple sign seems to really make my Mom and Dad happy. Guess I'll have to learn MORE.

Christmas was pretty decent. I really got into the gift opening thing and got some amazing stuff from all those with a little love in their heart for me. Not only that, but my two older brothers, Ethan and Caleb, were here for a week. It was fun having them here, but sometimes hard to share my Dad with them. We also had a really cool New Year's Party, with my Uncle Jeremy and Aunt April, Miranda, Logan, Haylie and Hannah, Lauren, and Grandma who all slept over. There was lots of food (not that I ate any of it. My dad sure did though!), and lots of kids running around. I hope we do it again next year.

There's a lot of love in my home right now. I know my Mama stresses and worries about me, but I've seen the way my Dad loves her and it gives me hope that everything is gonna be alright.

Hope. There's not enough of it in the world but there's sure a lot of it where I call home. And that makes me feel pretty good.