Victoria started swim lessons about a month ago and is doing very well. Her second week she was actually swimming. It was so awesome to see. Her goal now is to swim under water. She also goes to gym time for expectational kids at the YMCA after swim lessons. I love to watch the kids in the class play, there is a wide range of ages and abilities, and it doesn't even seem like the kids notice. They just like playing together.
Victoria started anxiety medicine two weeks ago, and we are watching for changes. I don't think we have seen anything significant yet, but I know time will tell. We are watching to see if she if she is treating herself better. She is very hard on herself, and doesn't like herself if we have to get on to her. On the bright side, we haven't seen any negative affects with her taking the medicine.
She should be seeing an Applied Behavior Analyst (ABA) soon. We are not quite sure on the specific details, but she should be receiving around 40 hours a month. We are very blessed that Matt is in the Air Force. We are paying minimal out of pocket costs for this therapy. It is the only research based therapy proven to help autistic children. So we are very excited for this to begin.
For those of you who aren't aware, we are being transfered to Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix, AZ in September. We are very excited and nervous about our move. Victoria will be moving with us. Her developmental pediatrician has told both Victoria's mom and us, that it would be most beneficial for Victoria for her to stay with us longer. So now the plan is for her to move back with her mom in January. However, I believe that will depend on if her mom can get transfered out of Bethel to Anchorage. The good news is that Victoria will be able to receive ABA in Anchorage.
4 1/2 months later I can honestly say that I finally feel like I am treading water instead of being beneath the water with a straw trying to suck in air. Victoria visited her mom Easter weekend, and it was nice to have a break for both her and us. I knew that I was going to be tested when she got home. And we did see some very minor things that we attributed to her being with her mom, but as soon as she walked through the door I felt awesome and was so glad she was home. This is where I want her to be, because I believe it is what is best for her. (I will probably come back and read this paragraph on rough days :)
Victoria and Micah have started playing together a lot more. Of course, I have to tell her to or she will be in her room on the computer, but we are taking baby steps. I love how much they love each other, and I love listening to them from another room when they don't know. Victoria is anxious about everything, so if Matt or I am in the room, she spends a lot of the time asking us if she is doing okay.
Well, I think that is enough for now. I promise not to be a stranger to this blog. Thanks for reading.
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