Aleshia is BEAUTIFUL! She is not sitting up, crawling, or walking yet. She is WIGGLY though. :)
Aleshia does not talk, but she does make noises.
She is very delayed, but she is responsive with Brent. We were expecting her not to be responsive based on what another adoptive parent witnessed when they met her months ago. We are very glad that she is responsive.
You will notice that there are some autistic tendencies with the repetitive movements. She may have true autism. She may also have institutional autism, which is caused by environment. There is also a chance that she just as some institutionalized behaviors that might not even fall into the autism category.
Aleshia seems to be in a pretty good place as far as institutions go. That doesn't make it an environment where children thrive though. All children need families and children with special needs need so even more. They need people to work with them, encourage them, and stimulate them so that they don't resort to institutionalized behaviors.
Here come the pictures and videos!
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Isn't she just gorgeous!?!
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I'm not quite sure what this contraption is, but she's in it. lol
Daddy is doing patty-cake here. (Julianne trained him well!)
I love this next one because she actually turns the page of the book!
I can't wait for it to be my turn to get my hands on this little princess!
Don't forget our GIVEAWAY going on if you share this, donate, or share the waiting kids from the weekend! I need you all to let me know which things you are wanting to be in the drawing for though.
Also, the Hidden Treasures Auction will be the first part of April and our family will be receiving the benefit of that, so if you have anything to donate their is an email address on the link to contact the lady in charge.
Amanda! She is BEAUTIFUL!!! Brent is such an amazing Daddy! She will blossom when she gets home with you!!!
ReplyDeleteBrent is a great Daddy. I wouldn't have sent him if I didn't know he would love them lots and was well trained by Julianne and how to do it "right". lol We can't wait to get her home and watch her thrive. :)
DeleteAmanda, I am encouraged by these pictures as I'm sure you are!! I was so glad to see her interest in the book. I'm planning to message you on Facebook, OK?
ReplyDeleteJoy McClain
Thanks, Joy! We are so thankful that God has shown us this side of her and so much more interaction than we expected. :)
DeleteOh SO precious, Amanda! She looks so uncomfortable and bored in that dumb, uh, seat! Poor thing! I agree with Linda, can't wait to see her blossom with you!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susann! We won't be having a seat like that. lol We are so excited to see what God has in store for her once she is home. :)
DeleteSometimes seats like that are used as "reflux" wedges to keep kids in a "sort of" upright position after feeding. If a child can sit up, though, you wouldn't need one. ????
ReplyDeleteI've used them on home visits for children to have tummy time on - keeps them in place and not sliding down, but because they are on an incline (with head at top) they don't have to fight gravity as much and can be weightbearing through their shoulders and arms and lifting their heads. It's kind of comical seeing her in it on her back. LOL
Just found your blog today and am loving it! Thank you so much for documenting your family's journey!
Thank you for coming along for the journey with us. :) That contraption surely isn't doing any good the way they are using it. I'm guessing the people who put her in it likely don't know what it is for, but the therapist maybe uses it correctly. lol
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