Bonding

If there seems to be one main purpose for an Autism Service Dog, in my opinion, it would be TO BOND. To bond to it's human, it's purpose, it's vehicle to give back all that unfiltered love a dog has inside. To provide that security that an Autistic individual needs that maybe they can not find in their parents or peers.

In the past several months of training, there has been a range of emotions. From happy, to discouragement, to pride, and so on... plenty of overwhelming feelings. It has been tough because you would expect the bond between an autistic child and dog to be automatic, but in my Son's case, it was initially exciting, and then off into his own world - much like his relationship with most children his age (friends that he has had long-term exposure to). While this has been the cause of discouragement, it has also been a challenge for me to persist, and to find the positive message in a negative result. What has been happening outside of my expectations, is a challenge to Avery to utilize his speech, an area he needs improvement, in order to communicate to Porter. When Porter plays too rough, he is challenged to talk to Porter, and Porter responds. Both Avery and Porter have been progressing in this area, and much to my delight they are even playing together now, where Avery is giving commands to sit, drop it (a toy), toss, and then repeat for an extended period. I couldn't be more happy to see them start to really work together without my help. With adversity comes triumph, right?

Avery has also been receiving amazing Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy during his pre-school morning sessions we got him into. That paired with wrap-around care by an amazing friend Patrick and his group of awesome respectful kiddos close to Avery's age have all been helping Avery progress SO MUCH. I think this peer modeling and consistency has really helped him progress the most. He has even been eating VEGETABLES!!!! This is due mostly to the persistence and hard work of our daycare Master Ninja (Patrick). Avery has been talking more and more, even singing, articulating his thoughts, expressing emotions, and following directions. I personally am starting to see the clouds part as I see my Son grow and act like such a great little man. Keep up the good work Son, you have been doing a lot of hard work. Thank you to everyone involved in his daily activities and learning, thank you to all our family and friends, and thank you to those who have contributed in any and every way to make this all possible. I hope this message reaches you with a huge virtual hug and handshake. We love you all, and so does Avery boy.

Please enjoy some phone pictures I managed to snap recently:

 

This is what I opened the bathroom door to one morning

 

This is what happens most everyday I pick up Avery in my car with Porter

Avery insists on him and Porter going out to his small patio balcony, or as he calls it "growing", and on this occasion him and Porter were foam dart hunting some squirrels

Mr. Cheesehead in the airport while we wait for Grandma Peggy and Aunty Dano 

 Trying on Grandma's Elmo flip flops

Porter training in the arcade at the waterpark resort we took Grandma Peggy and Aunty Dano.