Diego's Progress!

Dear Friend,

As I promised yesterday today I am back with Diego. Just take a look at his picture and you will see with your own eyes all the progress that he has have in the last several months of intense therapy:

I never ever thought that Diego was going to be able to sit down for me to take his picture. A few months ago that was an impossible thing. He not only sat down for the picture but he smiled as I asked him to do it. Doesn't he look adorable?! It would be too long for me to explain all the details of his progress but here are some things that he can do now:

*He can eat by himself using a fork and a spoon
*He can drink form a cup
*He can take his clothes off by himself
*He can finally play all sorts of symbolic games like Doctor, Farmer, Electrician, train station...
*He can draw a circle and other geometric shapes
*He knows the whole alphabet by memory

*He knows all the numbers

*He can put a big puzzle together (120 pieces and more!)

*He initiates verbal communication with us

*He has a lot more eye contact

*He follows directions a lot better

*He plays great with Natalie

*He knows the individual names of all the children's dvd's that we have at home (we have many!!!) and he asks for the particular one that he wants to watch

*He understands these feelings a lot better: happy, sad, scared, cold, hot, tired, hungry...

*He says: no thanks! when he doesn't want something that we're offering

In a few words: he is a lot more connected with the people and the world around him. We see the results of his hard work everyday. Bill, Miro, Natalie myself and the rest of the family are so extremely proud of him! And today I wanted to share it with you!

Have a wonderful day !

Elsita :)

And today you can see me Here with a new friend :)

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Whay a happy report but do you know what I enjoyed most. He looked into the camera and smile, he is such a handsome boy. What a lot of hard work has been done by him and you all. With so much progress in so little time there is not a doubt in my mind that he can go to the school of Nathalie later on.

Elsita & Bill Congratulations with this phenomenal result.

Elizabetb

[silvia]

Hola Elsita
me alegro mucho de que estés rodeada de unos campeones tan preciosos.
Nosotros ahora estamos en la fase de dejar el pañal, y cualquier logro es fantástico.
un beso para tus pequeños y para ti

[margaret Oomen]

Bravo Diego!! Way to go!!! You are so talented and gifted in so many ways just like Natalie. It has been such a wonderful experience to watch you grow and develop. You are such a handsome boy and you have a smile and a matching set of eyes that is so genuine and true.

[Marga]

Querida Elsa,
Cuánto me alegro de los enormes avances de Diego! Ese muchachito es todo un luchador! Ya verás que lejos llega!... Oye, Diego es clavadito a ti, mientras que Natalie se parece mucho a su papa.
Tienes unos hijos preciosos!!! Y cómo no? si tienen unos padres tan especiales!
Un beso enorme!

[rowena]

He looks so happy and handsome. Congratulations Diego on your progress, and what a great mom you are Elsa.

[Meghan]

That is so wonderful! I'm very proud of him.

[Donna]

Yeah for Diego! and kudos to the whole family - you have all helped him make this fantastic progress. I would be willing to bet that Natalie has been a wonderful inspiration for him! I am so delighted for each of you!

[Marta]

How wonderful that Diego has such progress, your children are very sweet. Both Natalie and Diego have the sweetest eyes and they ares sooo cute!

[catherine]

Congratulations to you all on Diego's wonderful progress. Hooray! Such a handsome young man.

[kirsten]

This post made me so happy! I can only imagine how your heart must be soaring to watch these wonderful developments in Diego.

[lefiligree]

wow - so inspiring! i know this progress is hard won. you all must be bursting with joy. what a special time for you all to be connecting and discovering together :) yay!

[Colleen (BCharmer)]

HOORAY Diego! You are my hero.

[Shelley Noble]

Thank God! So happy to hear about Diego's amazing progress. Hooray for life ahead.

[Marisol]

Hola Elsita

Qué sonrisa más bonita! Me alegro mucho por Diego de sus avances y por vosotros también!
He trabajado con niños con autismo y sdr Asperger y es una experiencia maravillosa y única, aprendí más de ellos que ellos de mí creo yo!
Te dejo un enlace sobre un cómic de Miguel Gallardo cuya hija María tiene autismo e hizo este cómic sobre ella. A mí me encantó, espero que te guste!
http://www.planetacomic.net/comics_detalle.asp?Id=16697&cat=9916
Un abrazo cargado de ilusión para todos vosotros en especial a Diego!

[LaDonna]

So very happy everything is working out for Diego! : )

[Lelah]

Wow! Deigo is doing so well! All your hard work is making his lovely spirit come out and shine. :) You and Bill are such great parents to him and the little artist, Natalie.

[Claire Prenton]

That's wonderful news, well done Deigo :-)

[Rosa]

You must be so proud of your son. Growing up is serious business and hard work, too. He's really something!

[célia jordão alves]

Lucky you - beautifull (inside and outside) children. Lucky them - beautifull (inside and outside) mom. :-)

[Maiz]

This is AMAZING! He is doing so well! I was at a preschool meeting last night, and the topic was "How to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarden." Well, your little Diego can already do so many things that the speaker told us not to worry about if our kids couldn't do them yet! The main thesis of the talk was this: "The best way to prepare your child for the future is to address their present needs." You are doing an amazing job with Diego, and he is clearly thriving.

[Lynn]

What great news. I am so happy for Diego. He has a great mommie and daddy. :) Lynn

[mondobugi]

Go! Diego go!
You're a beautiful family!
^_^
Bugi

[Michele (Maryland)]

Diego: you are FANTASTIC! Great work. You are a VERY handsome young man.

[Grace]

Such a wonderful day for all Elsita. It is so nice to see that handsome face. Thank you for sharing this amazing journey. Congratulations on all the progress!

[Rebecca]

He is precious. :)

[Lucia]

He is such a little doll...¡felicidades!

[Annie]

Such a beautiful boy - and clearly working hard and accomplishing so much, too. A happy day :-)

[suna]

My Cyrus is only two and has many challenges as well. I love your ability to share with such pride his achievements. You have inspired me to connect and share more about my parenting of a child with special needs. Come on over and read my first "brave" post about my son. I'm feeling a little nervous about it.

Thanks and congratulations on your family's success.

[Claudia Marchan]

hola elsita!

no sabes cuanto me alegra saber todo lo que ha progresado Dieguito. hay veces que uno no se da cuenta hasta que hace una lista como esta. de verdad que les deseo mucho mas progreso y sobre todo mucha paz y felicidad :)

xoxoxox
claudia

[Snippety Gibbet]

Wow!!!! That's amazing progress! Congratulations on the big leaps ahead, Diego.
jan

[Anna]

This is fantastic news. He looks adorable in this photo. I am so glad for you and your family that you have so much love and dedication to each other. These achievements of Diego's are just wonderful. Go Diego go!

Anna x

[Aubrey]

He looks like an Angel.
So clean.

[talia@taliaazure.com]

my son has a rare brain disorder. i also am an artist. i enjoy reading your blog, and am happy for diegos accomplishments.