Monkey See, Monkey Do

Taking Torran and my 10 year old nephew to Cedar Point was an interesting experience. Pics are posted on my Picasa albums - click the link on the right of the screen.

Part of what made the holiday of interest was watching Torran mimic his cousin. Of course, most of the activities involved naughtiness, but what the hey, it's the cognitive processing that's important!

On our first morning, for example, my nephew decided that his spoon was too small to take all of the milk out of his cereal bowl. So he picked up the bowl and started drinking from it. Torran did the same... and still does stating "like Simon does". I don't correct the behaviour without smiling and being thankful that he's doing it (and certainly not sternly!).

It gives me encouragement for his future development, particularly when he goes to a nursery program in the fall. Well, assuming that he will be able to get into a good nursery program. I know that there is room at the specialized autism oriented school, but it only runs three days a week and is in a different city. I think Torran needs five days. He's on a wait list for another nursery that is integrated with differently abled children, and was started, in fact, for children with needs. However, they won't have room for him. I'm going to tour another facility in a couple of weeks which will have room *if* their plans for expansion follow through for September. Other programs he won't be allowed into because he's still not toilet trained (despite our efforts).

I don't like having all my eggs in one basket but right now I don't even feel like I have a basket at all!

Side note: The Easter Seals Society has an incontinence grant for persons 3-18 years of age who have incontinence issues. There are specific qualifications for the program, and there needs to be a medical diagnosis as the cause of the problem. For example, night time incontinence alone does not qualify, nor does a simple lack of exposure/toilet training. Thanks to the Etobicoke Children's Centre for bringing this news to our attention, and the Easter Seals for reviewing and accepting Torran into the program!