Aiden will be 4 1/2 on Saturday!
Speech--Aiden asks for things appropriately now; "Little help please momma," "more cereal please." He also says appropriate sentences like, "good morning" and "good night momma," or "bye dad". When I put things away he says, "all done," and the name of the item I'm putting away. Aiden still knows all his animals and colors, and he can spell his name when prompted with letters. His vocabulary continues to grow. However, when asked a question he will not respond.
Potty training--EC has been working with Aiden since he was 3. He finally started to feel comfortable sitting on the potty the beginning of this year, but never actually went. Yesterday he peed in the potty for the first time! He continues to sit on the potty, use toilet paper, and flush, but I'm not sure he actually understands what we want him to do. Austin has been peeing on the potty very well, so I'm hoping that will give Aiden the push he needs.
Interaction-- Aiden and Austin play well together most of the time. Austin likes to lead the way, and Aiden follows :) As far as playing or communicating with other children, that still needs work. I've never seen him trully interact/have a "conversation" with anyone but his brother. He continues to hide in the garage during outdoor playdates most of the time. I'm grateful for Austin.
Sensory--Aiden seems to continue to have sensory issues related to foods. We eat a fresh fruit or vegetable at most meals, but Aiden won't touch it. He knows the name of the food, but he won't eat it. The only other sensory concerns I have are the moments when Aiden hits his head. I hate that. It bothers me because it screams "something isn't right". I don't like to be reminded of that daily.
Diet--I could put this under sensory, but it is so important to me that I'm seperating the 2 catergories. I'm doing the best I can. I try to limit his sugar intake, and provide the essential nutrients he needs to grow. I try to include a source of vitamin A and C each day because he won't eat fruits and vegetables. I discovered a new food that Aiden will eat--bacon! We use to rarely eat bacon because it isn't a healthy fat, but it gives Aiden some protein and calories, and that is all I care about.
Protein/iron/zinc/fat/magnesium/vitamin E--beef jerky, nuts/seeds, beans (he only eats baked, but rarely). He rarely eats peanut butter (he did eat some of the peanut butter/chocolate/chickpea things I made). He won't take an Omega 3 gummy supplement.
Vitamin A--Fruit and veggie juice, sweet potato chips, rarely a homemade pumpkin pancake or muffin.
Vitamin C--Unfortunately, juice is his main source, but he also gets some from fortified cereal and 100% fruit snacks.
Calcium/vitamin D/protein/phosphorus--milk is his primary source of calcium and vitamin D, and it provides the majority of his protein for the day. I give him 2-8 oz cups a day. He doesn't need more than that. He will also eat some yogurt. I freeze organic yogurt sticks, and he will eat a whole one of those. I will note here that Aiden STILL doesn't have any digestive issues. No excessive gas, diarrhea, or apparent discomfort. I would like to add a liquid probiotic anyways.
B vitamins/folate-- come mainly from fortified cereal, which he eats every morning (GF Chex varieties and/or Kix without food coloring--too much sugar, but I gave in). They occasionally come from whole grain bread as well, but rarely. I don't give him crackers. He gets enough of those at school and church. That is where the majority of his gluten comes from. I still haven't gone completely gluten free, because Aiden continues to sneak foods from people and our pet. I will note here that I don't think it will make a difference for Aiden, but I would like to test it for at least 6 weeks. Anything longer than that, and it would be hard to differentiate between Aiden's own progress vs. any progress made with the diet itself. I don't know what changes I should expect from him. Fifty percent of caregivers say the diet works, but they never state what behaviors it helped with! Dietary changes help with digestive symptoms when food allergies/intolerances co-exist with autism, which is not uncommon.
Gut bacteria help produce biotin, and vitamin K...another reason I want to add a pro or pre-biotic. Aiden gets most of his minerals from fortified cereal and nuts/seeds.
Aiden gets plenty of fiber from popcorn and nuts/seeds. His diet does lack significant potassium due to his low fruit and veggie intake. He occasionally eats bites of the banana pancakes I make with buckwheat. I give Aiden a multi-vitamin occasionally, but his cereal every AM is fortified with the majority of the nutrients he is lacking. I don't believe supplements are a "cure all," so I don't waste my money on them. Aiden is getting plenty of calories, fat, and protein in his diet. He is growing well, and his skin is clear as a bell. He is rarely sick. If nothing else, I hope 5 years of education on nutrition is doing something to benefit my children!
