Jman got his "big pool." Do you know how hard it is to find a "big pool" (of the "easy set" variety) on the Friday of Fourth of July weekend? It took us til Saturday afternoon/evening to get on and start setting it up, but it was up and available for Sunday, and Jman LIVED in that pool most of that day (and got nice and pink, and oh boy did his freckles POP out!).
After having the "big pool" for just a few days, Habeeb and I have noticed that Jman NEEDS a "big pool." One of the biggest improvements we've seen is in his language and communication, as well as in his general demeanor. For example, Jman came in from swimming yesterday afternoon, and said to me, "Mom James." I answered, and asked him if he'd had fun swimming. He replied, "That was funny!" (meaning "That was fun"), and then promptly followed it up with, "Cleaned up." He was wanting me to help him get the wet clothes off (which he can do himself) and help him get cleaned up (quick shower) before we all got ready to go to a baseball game for Sly's birthday. And I must add that even getting him 'cleaned up' was an easy process (it's never fun trying to shampoo an autistic kid that doesn't like his hair being washed, or cut, or combed, or touched, or . . . ).
Another language highlight occurred yesterday when he wanted me to put in the passcode so he could watch youtube videos on the iPod. Instead of "Try again" or "iPOD!" or "YouTUBE!" or one of his other 'demanding' requests, he laid the iPod down on the counter near me, pointed to it, and said, "Locked." Unfortunately for him, I still did not 'unlock' the iPod for him. And yet, he didn't melt down. He can still manage to listen to music on the iPod with it "locked," and that's what he did instead. Hmm.
There have been other "language" moments which I can't honestly remember at the moment, but there was a fabulous moment a couple days ago involving Jman's ability to deal with frustration and disappointment (something that has been a BIG problem for a while). Jman has desperately wanted to go ice skating recently, and I promised him Habeeb would take him when he was home next time. Well, a couple days ago, Habeeb, Sly, and Jman finally made it to the ice skating rink in the mall, only to discover that the rink was out of service due to a freon leak--there was NO ice. Habeeb was waiting for Jman's world to come to an end, and was quickly trying to figure out how to get them through this catastrophe with the least scarring. When he tried to get Jman to leave, Jman wouldn't. He wasn't freaking, but wouldn't just leave. Instead, Jman began to walk, around the ice skating rink, completely circumnavigating it. Habeeb and Sly walked with him. Jman checked out the iceless rink from the whole circumference, studying and confirming in his own mind that yes, there was NO ice, and there would be NO ice skating, much to his great disappointment. And then Jman said, "Bowling."
Habeeb was floored. Not only did Jman NOT meltdown, but he studied the situation, and came up with his own suggested alternative of another fun thing they could do in the face of disappointment. And you can bet, Habeeb was more than happy to take the boys bowling after that amazing processing of Jman's! When he came home and shared the story with me, I just looked at him and reiterated, "Jman NEEDS a big pool!" And Habeeb agreed.
In case anyone is wondering what about a big pool is possibly helping Jman, I have three main theories. First is simply the increased physical activity (exercise). Second is the sunshine and all the biochemistry that goes along with being outside in the sunshine (think Vitamin D and its role in many biochemical processes, including mood stabilization). And third is sensory, primarily the "proprioceptive" input from the water pressure, but also vestibular input from motion. I'm sure that there are other 'advantages' as well (fresh air vs recirculated A/C, for example). But the big three for Jman, I'm confident, are more about increased physical activity, sunshine, and proprioceptive input. Those are ALL "calming" to the physio-neurological system, and are making him more "available."
And just for fun, here's a few extra photos of the rest of the boys (btw, we love having an underwater camera!):
Three weeks later, Sly went to one of the local Saturday morning bluegrass jams, where he was ushered up front by several of the folks in attendance. It wasn't long at all before the lead mandolin player (Mr W, the fellow who told us to go to the fiddle instructor we ended up choosing) had Sly up there with him and a group of guys all playing Old Joe Clark! Sly had decided do just play "mandolin style" instead of using the bow, and Mr W partnered with him so Sly wouldn't have to "rise and shine" entirely by himself. And Sly did GREAT! 
Anyway, just wanted to share a bit about my fiddle boy, how proud we are, and how great he's doing in such a short time, and how God is setting him up with all these amazing hook ups. You go, Sly! (And if anyone can tell me how to upload a three minutes of video in less than three hours or more, I'll upload the video clip of him playing at the jam on Saturday morning!)
