Clouds, May 2010

Clouds, May 2010

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

operation Play-Doh

Today's post has a more "upp" tone...

This is the term I began to use because it's what I see, when I see the word "support"... after I really allowed myself to embrace the fx community.


So, my reason for this update is to share something that is seemingly simple but actually pretty amazing...

One of the (many) major challenges with fragile x is something called Sensory Processing Disorder. This can interfere with what our kids will wear, eat & drink, how they respond to light & sound, react to smells, textures, so on & so forth.

Hayden's earliest exposure to the very popular Play-Doh actually caused him to gag. (Jelly doughnuts had a similar effect, shaving cream was another culprit, & the list goes on.) This continued through his preschool years, whenever he was exposed to the stuff. Eventually he could tolerate Play-Doh but he never sought it out or asked for it. (I feel the same way about stuffed shells so I totally get it.)

Some time last year he started watching youtube videos of people (adults) who open & play with toys to sort of review them. (I have monitored to audit for creepiness... the youtube channels I've made shortcuts to, on his iPad, are completely innocent.) Two favorites have been Kinder brand surprise eggs & also Play-Doh molds. 

About a week ago he asked for Play-Doh one day. We have shelves with various toy bins, & one of the bins actually has Play-Doh in it, but he did not remember this. The fact that most of the Play-Doh was never opened goes to show why.

I have been in such complete awe of his new found enthusiasm that I couldn't resist documenting. Here are some of the pictures I have taken during the last couple of weeks.

When he made Diego faces...

when he said oink-oink...


when he stamped his hand... (& did not care at all)...

when he handed me a big pile of "waffles"....

& when he appropriately served one up...
 
& especially every time he made the dog's tongue appear...


his whole Play-Doh operation has been just as much fun for me to witness, as it has been for him to enjoy


Moments like these it is kind of nice that many of his "firsts" are so spread out. There is something to be said for never having too long a stretch of time when I miss them.

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