Patience is the companion of wisdom. - St. Augustine

As I begin to write, Henry is sitting beside for what seems like the hundredth tim-out of the morning! He has been trying a new "screaming" technique with Eliot to see if out talking him will get him the toy. Ugh, not impressed to say the least.

Life has been looking up for the Ferrara-Brown clan at long, long last. Matt just accepted a position at a language academy ( read Hagwon for all my ROK peeps ) in Harvard Square in the trendy and bohemian rich Cambridge area. Although Matt has only been hired on as summer staff, there is the possibility of full-year employment. I know that they will be blown away by Matt's supersonic teaching styles and have to have him there:) Matt really is a great teacher, patient, unassuming and friendly while being totally knowledgeable in all things ESL. Just saying:)

The boys, aside from Henry's anarchistic behaviour, are doing well. Eliot speech continues to blossom and he is finally putting together two words and expressing himself in new ways. While his expressive language flowers, his sensory issues seem to be taking a bit of a nosedive. Getting Eliot anywhere near the bath, nevermind in the bath, is a test. A couple of weeks ago he peed in the bath and completely freaked out, both Matt and I were pretty laid back about the urination thing and even Henry who was sharing the bath did not seem to mind much. However, Eliot was just beside himself, I wonder if it was just the involuntary and unpredictable peeing that set him off. Since then he has been afraid of the bath.The other night it was like trying to bathe a cat: Eliot howling like he was being set on fire and Matt and I trying diligently to wash our squirming son; his fat little foot constantly climbing the lip of the tub trying to escape. What fun!

Our visit with the Children's people was rather vague, they were adamantly clear about his non-Autistic diagnosis but did not seem to have any other ideas as to what was actually going on with Eliot. What they were sure about was how ELiot needed MORE occupational therapy ( 3x a week) and they would follow up with us.

Tomorrow morning we are seeking a second opinion with the May Institute and I am really hoping that I don't get the runaround. It is very hard to illustrate what we are dealing with when Eliot has a wonderful time with little sensory play and lots of quiet, calm ladies. I want Eliot to "reveal himself" a little so that we can give him all the help that he needs.

In the meantime, I am bravely thinking of going to the wading pool today. Eliot playing with cars and Henry in the water? We shall see, wish me luck:)

R