Fall 2012 in Pictures

A moment of reflection at the TSD PIP house.
Deafblind children need these moments during their day
to process their recent experiences.

Orion enjoyed the buggy ride from the PIP house to the pool at TSD.
(His classmates' faces are concealed to protect their privacy.)

"PLAY"
One of my attempts to get Orion to put his hand over mine.

A sweet wind chime for Orion to check out.
I picked this one based on it's simplicity and lower chime sounds.
Deaf individuals usually have a harder time hearing the higher frequencies,
even while wearing hearing aids.

Actor Ryan Gosling checked things out at TSD-Foundation's
Spooky Skedaddle 5K Run and Festival.  He saw the kids looking for candy in
TSD PTA's hay bale ring setup.

Kids scrounging around for candy in the hay at the Spooky Skedaddle.
Made possible through TSD PTA funding and volunteer parents.

Orion as Casper on Halloween Day with his Dad/Thomas.

Casper-Orion sits at the table for snacks on Halloween Day.
Next to him is his D/HH teacher.
(Classmates' faces are concealed for protection of privacy.
I wish I could show you how cute they are!)

On November 5 and 6, Thomas and I went to an Active Learning workshop along with Orion's D/HH teacher and TSD's Deafblind specialist.   This is an authentic Little Room as designed by Active Learning creator Lilli Nielsen.  She has researched to the point she has identified the specific dimensions and materials for optimal active learning experiences for children who are Deafblind and/or have multiple disabilities.

Lots of fun stuff on display!  These would be fun for any little kid to play with and they're not from ToysRUs!   Note  the buttons and balls on a picture of a field in the foreground- those have velcro attaching them to the board.  A scratch board is on the right, leaning against the wall (looks like a quilt).  It has different materials for kids to tactually explore.  Off the top of my head (those of you who know, don't bite my head off if I'm wrong) our hands develop in order... starting with 1) Scratch,  2) Grasp, 3) Pull... and so on.  Active Learning workshop, November 5 & 6.

After the last game of the WAYA flag football season.

Nov. 16, 2012.  Orion is 2 years, 4 months old.  Anastasia is 6 1/2.
First time sitting calmly in front of the piano.  He had the opportunity to sit
and then explore with his hand when he was good and ready.  He enjoyed touching the keys!
Prior to this, he was always laying on the floor and putting his hand up to touch the keys.

New: Hand-washing routine after meals, both at home and at PIP.
It is so recent we're still working on the object symbol for this routine.
Right now it is his favorite pump bottle of soap or a wet paper towel.
We follow the object symbol with the sign for WASH-HANDS (rubbing both hands together).
We also like how this routine shows Orion why he ought to stand up.
Photos taken by Anastasia.

1-2-3, JUMP!  However, Skyler had other plans.
November 2012.

Many kids came out of this foam pit soaking wet.
Even if they got a little wet they were definitely dripping after a clean water rinse!
Anastasia's school carnival. November 3, 2012.

Human hamster ball at the school carnival.
Anastasia's school carnival. November 3, 2012.

Ninja Skyler and Wendy Wu Anastasia on Halloween night.
The weather was perfect!

Being Pro-Tactile at dinnertime!
(Contact between Orion and I.)
He knows I'm there, even if I'm not touching him with my hands.
He's always found a way to put a foot on somebody when laying down with
company at home or in school since his infancy.  October 2012.

Orion enjoyed a bumpy tractor train ride at Elgin Christmas Tree Farm.
They also do hayrides and pumpkins for little kids before Halloween.
TSD PIP field trip.  Oct. 23, 2012.

Anastasia and a friend worked out their issues at the school carnival.
November 3, 2012.

Skyler in the sky.
Anastasia's school carnival, Nov. 3, 2012.

What was in the cup? A mixture of yogurt and milk.
Just right somewhere in the middle, not stiff like yogurt or runny like milk.

We visited Sweet Berry Farm in Granite Falls, TX
 to get more of that Halloween/autumn harvest experience.
October 28, 2012.