October 21

This week we got 14 hours. It has been a full week of wonderful Sarah moments and of my own learning. I feel twice as effective as a Sarah-Rise team leader and in the playroom.

Coming back from my trip with the intention of not man-handling Sarah or doing so much for her but rather encouraging her to do more for herself, I was astounded to notice how often I usually do things for her. I was in awe of Carl encouraging Sarah with words instead of doing things for her. He is wonderfully patient and creative and unruffled. I have been surprised by how often Sarah has responded to verbal requests when I ask just a little longer than I used to. In the past whenever she was playing in the driver's seat when it was time to go I would go around to the driver's side door and pick her up and carry her back to her seat. This week I just asked a few more times in different ways and she climbed back on her own. Different ways of asking include singing like elmo (la la la la, la la la la, sarah's carseat, sarah loves her carseat, her seat belt too) or whispering or general singing or explaining why I want her to do something or saying that I will give her a certain amount of time to do it after which I will pick her up or do it for her. 

I think I say every week that Sarah's language has improved. It seems to improve daily in some way. J. (Mom-Mom) noticed that Sarah's language had improved markedly since September. They had a moment during this visit when Sarah was sitting on J.'s lap and pointing out her nose and glasses. Sarah then pointed to J.'s necklace and said her attempt at "pretty." This may be the first time she has complimented something someone was wearing in a verbal way (we know she gives compliments by hugging pants). 

Sarah has also commented that it was pretty and "human" (meaning "humid") outside. She pointed out a "squil on whya(r)" (squirrel on wire). While walking, Sarah said "wash bushes." J. said "watch bush?" Sarah said "ez" to make sure J. knew it was plural "bushes." When we picked Carl up from work one day Sarah said, "go to party." She hasn't been to a party at Carl's work since last Christmas. When it was bedtime on Friday she asked for Pop-Pop, remembering that he had helped with bedtime a few months ago. This is so exciting because it gives us a glimpse into Sarah's memory and her thinking. I love that she wants to convey all of this to us. 

Sarah really wants to be able to go down a hallway in the food co-op. This is now a subject that comes up at least daily and we discuss how it is only for people who work there.

Sarah was drawing in a notebook and said her attempt at "writing." She also drew a long vertical line and then as she added dots around it she said "daw leaves" (draw leaves). 

She sang her strongest alphabet yet today. We are also working on singing the itsy bitsy spider and twinkle twinkle little star. I am just leaving out more and more words and letting her fill in more and more. It is very cute how she gets quiet when she isn't as sure of herself.

I am so much clearer now after Maximum Impact about Sarah's isms. Isms are any repetitive activities where Sarah doesn't need anyone else there or semi-exclusive repetitive activities where she includes us but only minimally.  These isms are Sarah's way of taking care of herself and processing a world that may be more overwhelming or confusing than it is to us. To join her in her isms we learn from her how to play her game. It is more than just imitating; it is joining. In the past I said if she looked at what we were doing then that was an invitation to do more. Technically, yes, but now I am having all of us who work with Sarah wait for a full invitation of eye contact and/or verbal communication. Multiple people have noticed this week that as we do less and speak less that Sarah is actually copying/joining us more, initiating more, and speaking more. This isn't to say she doesn't go for long periods of time isming, but that when she is ready the connection seems to be better.

We had a wonderful team meeting yesterday (with excellent childcare provided by J. and R.). This is the most amazing group of insightful, loving, and thoughtful people. Have I mentioned that I am blessed? The best part of the meeting was when Sarah came into the room. It was like a surprise party for her. She was clearly so delighted to see all of her friends. She made eye contact with everyone and said her best attempt at people's names and made the rounds of touching everyone's pants, with G.'s corduroy as her favorite.