Santino arrived for this morning's session expressing distress. Mom had shared that last night he went to bed very late due to sibling staying up late, and a different route to school was taken. The transition went smoothly, and he quickly was observed to seek out activities of interest. Periods of hyperemotional reactivity were evident. Provision of RMT and T touch provided support to assist with modulation.
Santino initiated requests for desired items with reach to exchange single pictures for the initial 4 trials. Guidance for placement of picture on the strip and subsequent exchange was facilitative following 3 trials. Paired /simultaneous verbalization within the exchange was noted on 6/8 trials. This is a significant increase as the shift to more spontaneous initiation of requests via verbalization emerges. Social referencing and periods of overall engagement were inconsistent however, as influence of the morning's happenings continue to impact his arousal state.
Periods of strong visual distraction and delayed echolalia were noted throughout the session as well. Joint verbalization and/or singing continues to allow for increased periods of referencing during these instances.