Gotcha!!

Many kids with special needs have little or no communication of any form so people often assume that these kids have a limited understanding as well.

I hereby shatter these illusions with the two following stories:

1. On sunday i stood at the kitchen counter preparing Yossi's morning medicine while he sat next to me in his chair with his nebulizer mask and a toy to distract him (so the mask will stay on). i glanced over to check on Yossi and i find his watching intently  while he slowly and deliberately pulled the mask away from is face. when i made eye contact with him, he burst out laughing!! GOTCHA!!
(thankfully he put the mask right back in place)

2. Shabbos mornings we don't have to rush anyway so its snuggle day in the zeichner household. Yossi was chilling in my bed and i was stroking his face and rubbing his back (fyi he LOVES foot rubs). my normally wiggly child laid very still with eyes closed for many long moments.  in surprise i commented to Dov that Yossi seemed to be falling asleep. As soon as he heard that, Yossi's eyes flew open and he laughed long and loud!! GOTCHA!!


 I've always treated Yossi as a regular kid as far as comprehension is concerned so I'm used to interpreting Yossi's body language. people who are around him less often are not. i love watching people's delight when they see him respond appropriatly.  not that he has to prove anything to the world but its just clear confirmation that he is taking in everything around him.  I'm absolutely enjoying this new stage where his thought process has  developed and he can understand and create humor. even though  he understands perfectly fine ,his comprehension level still develops below that of his peers because of his challenges. knowing that, makes these moments so much sweeter.  Baruch Hashem for the little things, they are a big deal!!