February Art

I cannot say enough good things about Kevin's art sessions! She comes up with art activities that Kevin thinks are fun! She is so patient and flexible. She always remembers to have him participate in every step of his art activity - even cleaning up. She remembers to have him use his left hand and uses the Talker! She's great and we are so blessed to have her working with Kevin.

February 1, 2017 - Snowman & Photo Frame
Kevin cut the bottom circle for the snowman, used glue, crayon and markers;
good grip on white crayon and first time he went back and forth with the crayon

February 8, 2017 - Valentine Heart Mobile

First time Kevin smiled and laughed during his third art session. 

Used: dotters, crayons, glue, ribbon

When he is assisted to hold the crayon properly in his hand he uses it back and forth

He liked pulling the ribbon through the hearts

I think Kevin would say this was his favorite activity!

February 15, 2017 - Butterflies

Used: watercolors and paintbrushes, markers, crayons, glue, scissors

Less distracted by outside noises, looking down at paper more, little smile 2X

February 22, 2017 - Music Shakers
So much fun!

Both hands

January/February Talker Update

The Talker is an iPad and Kevin now likes to keep the screen lit when we are having a session or when it's on his lap while we are out. When the screen starts to go dim before it shuts down to save power - Kevin touches the screen to make it light up again and ready to use. I love that he wants it on and ready to use.

We've been going to an indoor track so that I can get some walking in and push Kevin in the stroller. He plays around on the Talker a lot during the walk. Sometimes it seems some of the words are intentional...and sometimes it seems he's just playing around on it...which is fine because we've added a lot of new words so it is good for him to explore and find these new words. At the end of our walk I always tell him when it's the last lap around the track and when we finish and get off the track he says ALL DONE...definitely intentional! 

Here is another favorite moment with the Talker. Kevin said WANT MORE one evening after watching an episode of Wheel of Fortune...so we watched more.

We added Music words, Art words, and Animal words to the Talker

Music words for Music Therapy

Art Words for Art Sessions

Animal Words

Favorite animal word is owl

I've been wondering if it is the sound of the word owl that he likes best. It sounds like OW...as in I'm hurt...but he never appears to be hurt or uncomfortable when he says it. It's kind of funny though that twice right after he said owl we did see an owl...how often does that happen!? Once when we were at the Natural History Museum and another time we were on a hiking trail.

Kevin has his first sentences on the Talker.

I am so excited about having a family page on the Talker with everyone's name and picture!!!

Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins

Happy Birthday Uncle Steve

More Sounds "YAY" - February 1, 2017

4 weeks post op appointment - February 17, 2017

We had Kevin's 4 week post op appointment today and the green cast is off! The doctor said everything looks good after the achilles lengthening and great toe MTP fusion. Toe position is excellent and he was able to get a 10 degree flexion with minimal force.

Kevin has a pneumatic walking boot for the next couple weeks to protect the toe and allow for more healing. We are scheduled to see the orthotist next week to start the process for a new AFO brace. We want to keep his ankle in a good neutral position to keep the achilles where it needs to be. We will follow-up with the doctor in 4 weeks.

We'll begin physical therapy next week but I'm planning to do most of his therapy at home - due to insurance and limited therapy time we need to try to conserve our therapy for after the second surgery later this year. While wearing the boot, he is allowed to weight-bear as tolerated and will begin walking with the AFO brace probably in a couple weeks. For now, we'll start stretching the achilles, hamstring, adductors 3X a day with no pressure on big toe.

Ahhh - real water on my face...instead of mom
giving me a scrub down with a washcloth

Kevin Smiles: Toys, FaceTime, Monkeys

Some of Kevin's smiles during the four weeks off his feet. 

MY TOYS!!! I Missed You!!!

Kevin was giggling while looking at these photos of his Aunt and Uncle - I think it was his way of saying it was time for his Sunday evening FaceTime with Uncle Steve & Aunt Dawn.

And of course visits with friends and monkeys are really fun too!

Art Sessions

Just before Kevin's surgery I learned that one of Kevin's sitters, a senior in high school, had decided that she would be going to college to study art therapy. Afterwards I thought, I would love for her to work with Kevin. She was very interested and started the week after his surgery. Kevin had just began working with scissors and glue in occupational therapy (which we had to cut back on due to insurance) so this is a great opportunity for us.

Our art friend even asked me to attend her art award show with her family. One of her ceramic pieces was awarded a gold star, titled: The Isolation and Depression of Autism.

January 28, 2017

Kevin's first art session - January 25, 2017

Cleveland Museum of Natural History - January 29, 2017

A fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with your cousin when you have a green cast on your foot.

Except Kevin's hand broke out while digging for fossil bones.
Next time I'll check the sign that says it contains corn -oops!