It's been over a year since my last update on Gabby and her amazing school. Gabby is in her third year at the Frankie Lemmon School and she continues to make good progress. Her teachers continue to provide loving support while encouraging her to stretch herself outside the limits of what she can already do.
And, Gabby LOVES her school!!
One of her favorite games is to sing the "Hello Song" with me, and spell out each of the names of her classmates and teachers. When she plays with her little dolls she will sing them songs she has learned from school, and act out scenarios from school such as saying "hello" and "goodbye" to her classmates and teachers.
Over this past year she has increased her level of SOCIAL communication. She WANTS to be understood and COMMUNICATE with us.
She is working harder to articulate her words, is making more eye contact, and is beginning to use our names more to get our attention.
**In the past she would just yell out what she wanted and hope someone heard her. Now she will come up to me and say "Mommy, instrument puzzle please." (i.e. play with her favorite puzzle). (I have her school's speech therapist and teachers to thank for this achievement -- they worked with her, didn't give up on her, and eventually came up with a picture scheme to help teach her to use our names!!)**
She will now say "yes" or "no" when asked a question (instead of yelling in protest when the answer is no). In fact, she is quite proud of being able to use these words properly, and gives a BIG smile when she says them!!
She is able to use more "carrier phrases" to express what she wants such as "I want to...." or "I don't want...", or "open the door", etc.
And, Gabby now will come up to me MULTIPLE TIMES a day to say "Mommy, hug?" And then jump on me with the biggest and best Gabby bear hug!! LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!
She is becoming more social in a playful way too.
She loves playing games such as hide and seek (although she refuses to do the hiding part, just the seeking).
She will count to 10 and say "ready or not here I come"!
She loves riding on our toy roller coaster (not just forwards, but also backwards and sideways), jumping on our trampoline, riding trains and carousels, and going to the playground to swing, slide and climb!
She also loves numbers and letters. Can count, spell and read many words. She can follow one step directions, and sometimes even two step directions.
Gabby is also becoming more tolerant to changes in her routine, and in exploring new places to visit. In fact, we were able to take our first (entire) family trip to the beach in August.
Given all she has to overcome, we are amazed by her progress and so grateful to her school for the support and care they provide Gabby and our entire family.
If you would like to make a donation to her school please visit:
Riding the Carousel
Halloween event
hayride, FLS school field trip
twin love
