20 days since Gareth started his GFCF diet and I see a lot of development.

1. The poop smells normal and look normal. This is our primary problem eversince. When Gareth turn 1 year old, I was bothered of the color and texture of his poop. He was taking milk that time and the color is pure white and hard. It was not a normal poop of a baby.

2. Eye Contact - lately when we call his attention he is practicing eye contact. If I teach him something he always look at me. If he want something he look at my eyes and guide my hands. Just like this morning, when he wanted to change his diaper he just reached my hand and look at me in the eye and pointed his diaper.

3. Awareness - This is not so perfect yet but it is really developing. If we are singing his favorite song he will listen to us and repeat the songs too. Unlike before that he will not even give a simple hint that he is listening.

4. Imitation - Since Gareth was born, he is not imitating. Everytime he hears something that interests him, he will not imitate it. Lately, he is trying his best to imitate the songs and even the words I'm teaching him.

I am also keep on reading books that will guide me in handling him and those are very helpful. It helps me understand his case more.

I hope he will continue to learn more and show developments little by little.

As always, I will never give up in learning and teaching him ways to express his feelings easily and be able to adjust the "real world."

One Week of Taking GFCF Supplements

It was a busy week since we celebrated Gareth's little sister's birthday. We had fun but Gareth was not participating in any games. Well, I expected it to happen and I understand him. Though hindi sya masyadong nag enjoy sa party pero kumain sya ng marami at naglaro sya don sa inflatables then natulog na sya. I am just happy that he didn't throw tantrums during the event. He is well behaved.

He is taking the supplements for a week. I observed that he can easily sleep now at hindi na panay ang gising nya para humingi ng milk. Since mahilig syang kumanta mas pinapakinggan na talaga nya ngayon ang gusto na nyang perfect ang pagpronounce nya sa lyrics.

Still.. no communication at eto talaga ang inaabangan ko na gagawin nya.

Maybe nasa withdrawal period pa sya kaya wala pa masyadong nakikitang development but we never loose hope. We will continue all the treatments needed.

At the Restaurant

In his "world"

Daddy is busy

He is trying to say something.

I wondered what he's thinking...

Daddy needs to tickle him in order for him to smile at the camera.

There you go..

I love this shot! Gareth laugh so loud!

GFCF Diet

We woke up early for Gareth's DAN Doctor visit. Since we are from Antipolo and it's our first time to visit that place, we need to get up early and Gareth needs to cancel his Monday activities.

We arrived in time and I signed up the form.

Then the doctor evaluate Gareth and told them about the first findings and it was GDD with Autism. The doctor wondered because Gareth seems far from the findings.

The evaluation took around 1 hour then we had discussion about the GFCF supplements. When I saw the products, I realized that those are the things needed to help Gareth focus on his daily activities.

I purchased the supplements needed. Those supplements are just for the start of the treatment and very important.

If you are interested to visit the DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Doctor here's the details:

1st F Randa Bldg. 146 Mindanao Ave, QC.

Landline number is 9201965

Consultation: 1,500php

Supplements (Starter), 16,100php

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.


by Edna Massionilla
December 1981
The Optomist- newsletter for PROUD
Parents Regional Outreach for Understanding Down's Inc.

We went out today to have little shopping. Next week is the first birthday of our little girl so we made this day for Gareth because I planned of buying him new clothes for the event.

I don't know if Gareth will participate in his sister's event so I rented an inflatables just to keep him busy while we are waiting the guests.

So today we went to Greenhills and bought him 2 poloshirts. He is well behaved at Greenhills and so proud of him. Some kids with autism can't stay longer in crowded places but Gareth can take it. He use to stay at the mall, coffee shops and even cinemas.

As a mom, I always see to it to let him go out with us always so that he will get use to it and aware of the environment. My usual problem is sometimes he don't have awareness of danger. He is not aware of the other vehicles in the parking lot so we really can't let him go on his own. Most of the time hubby and I are holding him both just for his security.

Since Gareth attended therapy he is not as wild as before. He is learning to follow simple rules. If we are walking at the mall or at the streets he always reach our hands and wants us to hold him. This simply made me feel comfortable that he will not just run whenever we are not watching him.

It's a busy day today, Gareth went to school then to Therapy center with my husband. After we do some errands, I sit next to Gareth with his little sister. The little one wanted to play with his Kuya but Gareth simply ignored her. It just simply made me sad because I want to see them both playing but since Gareth sometimes has his own world that is impossible to do.

He is so noisy today and stopped everyone in the house if we were singing Bruno Mars songs. He wanted us to know that it is only him who know the songs. So we let him be. He is singing until he got tired and feel sleepy.

Then the torture begins...

He was throwing books and toys to get my attention. I looked at him and asked what he wanted. He continued crying and screaming. I didn't gave in. I let him cry and still keep on asking what he wants. It took us around 15 minutes before he finally said "De De" he simply means milk.

I smile and celebrate his effort. Hubby handed him the milk and then Gareth sleeps.

Goodnight everyone!