Measuring Up

We mentioned earlier that we'd post about what measures we're using regarding Cade's progress.  Here's what we've come up with so far....

1.  Questions and answers- Although Cade's language skills have improved significantly over the last three years, he still struggles with answering questions without visual cues.  He often gets who, what, where, when, why, and how mixed up.  He either doesn't understand and answer the question, or may answer the wrong question.  Like answering a "what" question with a "who" answer.  So we are looking for more consistency with his understanding and answers.  In order to do this, we are being more intentional about asking him questions about his day or about recent events.  So far, he seems to be answering a little more appropriately, but it's still hit and miss.

2.  Conversation give and take- Most of us take for granted that conversation has give and take, that words and statements are " volleyed " back and forth between people.  This has been a challenge for Cade.  He may be able to attend to a conversation for one or two "volleys" but then is back off in his own world.  Or, he will talk for quite a while, but has little interest in others' responses and sometimes is unwilling to allow others to contribute to the conversation.  We are looking for him to be able to stay with a conversation for several " volleys ", and to follow more of the normal give and take in a conversation.

3.  Eye contact - Eye contact with Cade is often minimal, infrequent, and short-lived.  We are looking for the frequency and duration to increase.  He is still needing some prompting to initiate it, but it does seem that duration is increasing.

4.  Fine motor skills - I said to Cade's teacher at the end of the school year that it feels like we will be working on fine motor skills forever.  He struggle with gripping a crayon or pencil correctly, making letters, and muscle fatigue.  We currently have him coloring and practicing his letters almost every day.  We keep one sheet per week, write the date on the top, and compare them to see if there is improvement.  Cade is now holding the crayon/marker with the correct grip without needing verbal or physical prompts from us.  His accuracy has improved as well.  He is generally more willing to stick with it for a longer period of time, which seems to be helping strengthen those small hand and finger muscles.

5.  Time on task- If an activity doesn't involve jumping, crashing, running, climbing, or some type of computer or video game, Cade has little interest.  He likes fast paced, exciting activities.  That's great and we're glad he's an active boy.  It's just that not all of life can be fast paced and exciting, and he still needs to pay attention to the other stuff, too.  We're not talking sit still and pay attention for half an hour at a time- we're talking sit or stand still at the table long enough to eat your food, pay attention when using the bathroom so we're not mopping the floor ten times a day, and make sure you're fully clothed before leaving the house.  There has been improvement in this area.  Cade is more able to attend to and follow verbal directions, stay with less exciting tasks longer, and be somewhat less impulsive.

So there you have it.  These are not exactly "scientific", but we hope that they will be helpful in evaluating the benefit of this diet for Cade.

Paleo mom,
Becky