ABA Therapy - Counting and Imitating

Kind of a speech update...

Since I've had to sit close to Max this week watching for the signal that he needs to pee, I sat thru all of ABA therapy this week. They were working on counting and imitation, so I video'd a clip to show where Max is speech-wise. He is pretty good at counting to 10, but out of context, I don't think anyone would guess that is what those sounds were ;) Most of his words are more sounds than words at this point, and, need to be prompted. However, progress is progress, right?!

So, in this clip he was suppose to tap on the item as he was counting it. He tends to tap much faster than he can count. I love the part where he is clapping for himself, but needs to set down his spoon to clap better, and then picks it back up.

We just started using an online program called Gemiini (gemiini.org), so I'm excited to track his progress. I've heard amazing results for many, and not much for others, so hoping Max is on the amazing end ;)

Potty Training {Again}

The third time's the charm, right????? That's what I'm hoping.

Max is 6 1/2, and I actually think he's ready this time around.

Steve and Piper planned a trip to Boston, and since Max doesn't fly, I decided as long as we were home alone, we'd give potty training another try.

We've actually just completed Day 3! And..... I think he's getting it!!!

We got the squatty potty, which helps him a) feel more secure and balanced, b) lean forward so he more naturally aims down into the bowl, and c) positions him in a more natural 'elimination' stance ;)
I love it!
(crappy dark basement cell phone pics ahead...)

We've spent all day in the basement. Joy. I'm bored to tears. Actually, the tears today were happy tears. Max peed in the potty 7 times. Yes, 7!!!!!!! Day 1, he peed twice, which I was thrilled about. Day 2, only once. Meh. But this afternoon we had a streak of peeing in the potty every 30 minutes!! Yes, a few times I caught him mid stream and swooped him into the bathroom to finish, but, he wouldn't finish on Day 1.... so.... I'm calling it a win!

Several people asked what method I'm using. I tried the Azrin and Foxx method previously and failed. This time around I just picked the stuff I liked out of several methods, including Azrin & Foxx. I basically do a dry undies check every five to ten minutes. If he's wet, we go to the bathroom and sit on the potty, then put on new undies (I tried going commando the first day and he got a terrible rash on his bum from the carpet). He doesn't do food rewards, only screen, so I tried a few different things to motivate him (from some of the methods I read) and none worked ;) Until I randomly downloaded the Signing Times potty app. There are two free short videos that he loves and gets to play while sitting on the potty. Every day it's different. Yesterday he sat on the toilet for fruit snacks. Today, playdough (neither in my original bag of tricks). The first day I let him have the ipad as much as he wanted. Yesterday, I gave it to him as a reward for the first time he peed in the potty and then he got it for the rest of the day. Today he got the ipad for 5 minutes after every time he peed in the potty. We'll see what tomorrow brings. He still pees in his undies when he needs to go - that is the biggest challenge - trying to make him realize he needs to hold it until he's on the potty.

We'll worry about poop and night time training next year ;)

We have until Sunday, and then the rest of the fam returns, and Max starts school Monday. They are aware of our potty training push and are on board to take it on Monday. {Note to self, take them chocolate.}

Meanwhile, I keep getting picture texts from Boston ;) Jealous? Me? Why would I be? Doesn't everyone love to be peed on?!! Baseball hats are only my favorite article of clothing and they went and watched the Red Sox at Fenway Park last night!
They better bring me home something good!