Understanding the purpose of doctor visits for Michael required much more consideration and

Understanding the purpose of doctor visits for Michael required much more consideration and creativity than for typical children, due to his language limitations in both comprehension and expression. We had to devise strategies that would make these visits less intimidating and more comprehensible for him. This involved using a combination of pretend-play toys, along with sign language to explain each step of the visit. We also incorporated role-playing at home, where we simulated a doctor's visit using his toys, to familiarize him with what to expect. By breaking down the process into simple, understandable parts, we built a routine that Michael could recognize and feel comfortable with. Additionally, we made sure that each visit was as predictable as possible, with the same sequence of events and familiar faces, whenever possible. We continued to work on building his understanding, using simple explanations and consistent routines to gradually reduce his fear and help him feel more secure. And so, this is where we are today. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 👑 The Full Mini-vlogs on our education, therapy and lifestyle approach on the Instagram Subscribers’ Page 👑 📌 It's surreal to me when I have the opportunity to create these videos and actually notice how far we've come. While it feels like a long journey, the progress has actually happened in a short time. Today, Michael knows over 750 ASL words, and it's possible that it’s closer to 1,000 - I stopped tracking accurately as he’s making steady progress at this point in his development. Michael is now capable of learning new ASL words almost instantly, averaging around 20 new ASL signs each month. His ability to maintain joint attention, engage, and show interest in learning, communicating, and imitating has increased exponentially this year alone. There is still no accurate way to determine his receptive vocabulary and language comprehension, but I can approximate that his receptive language is closer to that of an average 3-year-old. But it’s not just about his vocabulary repertoire; it’s also about his growing enthusiasm for communication and his ability to connect and engage spontaneously. While we have yet to truly engage in a full pragmatic conversation, we can interact in a manner similar to that of a typical 2-year-old. A significant reason for this may be his inability to use spoken language and the necessity to learn ASL, which is much harder to grasp than spoken language. 📌Michael’s journey with ASL has required a tremendous amount of effort, patience, and practice, both from him and from us as parents. Despite these challenges, Michael’s eagerness to communicate shines through. He actively seeks out interactions, showing a genuine interest in connecting with others. This significant shift has all happened within this year alone, reflecting its correlation to his expanding language development as well as his emotional and social growth. His progress underscores the importance of providing all children with the tools and support they need to continue developing their communication skills, allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs more effectively. Seeing how far he has come fills me with hope and pride, and I am continually amazed by his determination. #heartwarming #cute #toddler #parenting #autism #ASL #signlanguage #nonspeaking #nonverbal #autismawareness #autismjourney #neurodivergent #parentingtips #representationmatters #cute #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #parentingautism #communication #inspiration #motivation #milestones