HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the daddies and grandpas out there!!! First, I have added some new pictures in the June 2005 album! Jack and I are both exhausted these days. We've had one or more appointments every day last week and this week...and the next few weeks are looking to be more of the same! AND on top of that. our ISFP is being renewed -- boy I can't wait until we can catch a break! The Baclofen is providing a nice difference in tone. For Jack's low tone areas I haven't noticed ANY difference (which is a good thing!!) and to give you a good example of how his high tone areas are doing, this week at speech therapy the SLP stood Jack at a table (he did NOT have his DAFO's on because our SLP also does NDT massage). I was cringing because I don't like to see Jack stand without DAFO's -- until I noticed his feet were FLAT on the ground!! Now his ankles fell in like normal and it's not like he's cured of his tonal issues, but boy was it a shock to see him standing flat footed instead of on his toes or on the tops of his feet. I also noticed a difference in his right arm and hand right away. He still has spasticity and tightness but the Baclofen is helping! Jack pulled to stand at the coffee table again...this time it was such a smooth, effortless motion that I nearly fell over! He's doing very well. He's been stubborn with his walker lately...like collapsing his body on purpose or refusing to put his feet on the ground so I can't let go! Mr. Smarty pants! I think he needs a break too. We've spent a lot of time swimming last week. Jack LOVES the pool! I hope to get him in the water several times a week this summer. Jack's new SLP has started working with Jack using a picture exchange system. It's to help facilitate communication. There's a small wooden board with Velcro attached and you place small icons pictures on it. We've been working with the icon for bubbles, cheerios, ball, chocolate chip and lotion. Each time Jack wants something (we only do one picture at a time right now) he has to take the picture off the board and hand it to me or the therapist. Then he gets whatever was on the picture. The problem I have with the system we are using is the pictures are abstract. They are cartoon like drawings and I don't think Jack understands what the pictures are. I found a similar system on one of my catalogs called "Elliecards" and they use REAL photographs. Unfortunately the set costs $280.00! If this picture exchange system really works for Jack I may consider the "Elliecards." Since we're just working on a few pictures right now I may try to make my own...I would love to hear from you if you're familiar with using PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). We are hoping that with practice Jack will learn the give and take of communication and in the mean time ease his ever growing frustration when we don't know what he wants or needs! We are looking forward to our beach trip coming up in a few weeks. I so need a vacation! We all do! I hope everyone is having a great start to summer. I will update again soon!