A Good Day

We are in week 2 of Ethan's yeast treatment. Every day we see more and more improvement!!  Ethan's language has increased again this week.  We're seeing more spontaneous language. A couple days ago he said, I like to swing." He also has been requesting more using I want statements rather than just a couple words. Not a lot of chips, chips chips or pick me up.  Instead, we are hearing I want chips and even I want you to pick me up. He'll even add a please in from time to time.
Ethan and Gavin are beginning to interact more with each other. They have been playing in the bath together again. Ethan's been dumping water on Gavin's head, and Gavin has been okay with it. (Normally, Gavin cries when we wash his hair. Doesn't like the water on his head.) The boys are playing next to each other and in the playroom together now. Ethan likes to push Gavin on the swing. Gavin also tries to get Ethan to hold his hand in the car. Super Cute!
Ethan is also getting some interest back in some of his toys and even his books too!  It's been a long time since he has actively looked at any of his books, and we've seen him several times flipping the pages.
His aggression has gone down. It's still more than it was before we started the treatment, but we are in the right direction. Still some tantrums, and he likes to throw things now particularly his shoes. (of course)  Rashes are also beginning to disappear. Although, his cheeks are still a bit red. Hopefully, this will go away very soon.
Heather, Gavin, & I got a chance to observe Ethan at ABA on Thursday.  The therapist, Amanda, working with Ethan had only just started working with Ethan a few days prior. We were very impressed with how well Ethan worked with her and how well she interacted with him.  All the therapist there have been great.  There really isn't anyone there we don't feel comfortable with. Obviously, I have my favorites, but everyone there has been good.  

We had a meeting with The Behavior Exchange on Friday.  We went over Ethan's treatment plan and some of the goals that he's already mastered.  He is showing a lot of progress. They said he has improved so much over the last week and a half, they expect him to start knocking out more of his targets at a faster rate.  We are extremely happy with the job they are doing. They seem to really like Ethan, and Ethan really likes them.  This was the first meeting we did not have a big list of concerns going in, and the first meeting that we didn't wonder, "is this the right thing for Ethan? " We actually came out smiling and excited for the future!!!  Leanne and Tammy from The Behavior Exchange are so awesome that they are actually reading this blog. (You guys rock BTW)
We were so happy after the meeting; we decided to brave a celebratory dinner at Chick Fil A. We got to see more improvement from Ethan. He actually sat down (for a couple minutes any way) and ate a little bit. He also was interacting with some of the kids in the play place.  I gotta say it was a good day.
Summer is winding down. Heather is set to go back to work on Monday. Ethan will start his FT schedule the following week.  Gavin will be reentering home school with Dad soon. I already made our goals for this year.  We had a pretty good summer. I take a step back during the summer and let Heather have more time with the boys.  I am excited to get back to being full time Dad again.