Imitation is the Highest Form of Flattery

Tiffany came over for a regular session yesterday that I am told went well.  We have moved on to the “Imitate” portion of learning.  Basically, we’re supposed to imitate any words or behavior that we want to encourage Lyric to keep doing and using because it helps show her that her actions have meaning. 

Essentially we will sit down with our project toys and if she pushes a car, we will push a car too.  If she tosses a ball, we toss a ball.  Anytime she says something – even if it’s just something on TV that she is repeating – we should also repeat it.  It’s sort of like being the annoying young sibling playing copycat, only in this case it actually has a purpose. 

On the flip side of it, if she exhibits behavior or says something that we DON’T want her to continue, then we’re to show her an alternative that we do want her to use.  Apparently Tiffany got to witness some of the Lyric sassiness that has been cropping up lately in the form of being shushed.  That would definitely fall under behaviors we do NOT want to encourage when it comes to speaking.  As to what we could offer for an alternative to that, I’m not sure yet, but I’m sure we will figure something out.

Travis says that Lyric also spent a lot of the session spinning around.  She would often get to a point where it was enough to make her fall down from being dizzy.  When that happened, she would drunkenly pull herself back up, look around with a confused face, and then keep right on spinning.  This is the sensory seeker in her at work.  Yesterday we learned that when it gets to the point where she is falling down, we should use deep pressure to reorient her.  Deep pressure is like the Lyric off switch.  If we give her a bear hug, or squeeze her arms or legs, she’s like putty.  It satisfies her sensory needs on a level that allows her to relax, refocus, and get back to a more oriented mindset.  If you have a child that is sensory seeking, I definitely recommend trying a deep pressure squeeze.  I know it may not work for everyone, but so many kids (and adults!) can be calmed and reoriented just by a nice, tight squeeze or hug. 

We’ve also been told that we should start putting a little bit of whatever we’re eating onto Lyric’s plate each evening.  Not a large amount because it will likely just get thrown away when she doesn’t eat it, but enough that she notices it.  We want her to be able to tolerate different things being on her plate, so that maybe she will start to explore foods besides the ones that are on the list of Lyric Approved Food Items™. 

Beyond that, things seem to be picking up in the speech department.  Aside from sass talking and telling us to shut up, I’ve recently taken to asking her to say “please” before I do things for her, and it’s gotten to a point where she’ll do it without prompting sometimes.  She’s also saying “diaper” more consistently, as well as “potty,” so there might be training hope in the future!  She’s imitating everything on TV, and asking for shows by name.  She’s also started asking for cheese and hotdogs by name, too.  There’s still a level of frustration when she wants other things, like bread, macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter – but we’re definitely seeing an improvement. 

Sensory wise there have been some improvements as well.  She still doesn’t like dirt much, but she’s a lot more willing to play with new textures now.  She does seem to acknowledge pain a bit more, but it could partly be an attempt to manipulate us because she knows that we will respond when she says “Ow!”  Food is still something of a challenge, but she’s eating and growing, so though we’re trying to get her to try new things, it’s not a huge concern.  Overall I’m happy and excited about how things are going so far, and I’m hoping things continue to be positive.