Santino read from the Flyleaf collection and attempted to answer comprehension questions. He sorted nouns, verbs, and adjectives. he practiced writing his name. We worked on adding and subtracting up tp 20.

Santino read from the Flyleaf collection and attempted to answer comprehension questions. He sorted nouns, verbs, and adjectives. he practiced writing his name. We worked on adding and subtracting up tp 20.

Santino practiced writing using chalk. We read and attempted to answer comprehension questions. We worked on math concepts using manipulatives.

This afternoon, Santino and I reviewed the story we read last week on Friday, using finger puppets to re-enact it. We finished cutting out the puppets and coloring the characters; Santino was given assistance to accomplish this. Together, we reviewed the sequence of events in the story plot. Santino had to arrange what came first, second, and last in the story. After I helped him with the first event, Santino was given prompts to choose what came next out of two choices and was able to select the right choice with assistance, via demonstration and modeling. Santino required refocusing to help him sustain attention, but he enjoyed manipulating the puppets. While able to read the story, Santino's ability synthesize or integrate the information is difficult to ascertain. We will continue to work on concretizing concepts to facilitate comprehension. We also worked on using writing implements to improve Santino's ability to execute the fine motor coordination to hold a pencil, crayon, or marker correctly in order to reproduce letters and shapes more legibly. We spent some time counting, using mini clothes pins as a tangible manipulative with which to engage Santino's attention and incorporate his tactile and kinesthetic senses in the learning process. Santino listened to music and danced to the beat of the songs to finish our Monday on a fun note. It was the first time I saw Santino dance, and he displayed excellent rhythm, flexibility, control, and style while doing so.

This afternoon, Santino took out his thermos and cereal packets and followed instructions to hand me all but the one bag he had placed on the table to eat as a snack later in the day. I gave him a two-step directive but paused until he completed the first step to move onto the second. Santino was offered a choice of utensils with which to eat his pureed food. He chose a spoon and ate independently. He was also offered water but initially refused the bottle. I have been allowing Santino to use the water fountain outdoors, and he is now able to do so entirely independently. He requested two of his cereal packets after we returned indoors. We also worked on food desensitization using candy corn, which Santino took from me, smelled, and placed to his lips. I have been pleased with the steady performance, improved motor control, and readiness to examine novel foods that Santino has been demonstrating during meals at lunchtime.

This afternoon, Santino and I read a story using finger puppets to enact it. As there was a cut-and-paste component to the activity, I helped Santino cut out the 4 main characters. Santino then listened as I re-told the story in my own words in the correct sequence of events. He repeated a few sentences and watched as I summarized the story using the puppets. Santino enjoyed manipulating the paper finger puppets and laughed at the appropriate times as I re-enacted the story elements. This activity also enabled us to review positional words. He then attempted to work on a 'position and direction' activity and respond to questions about different positions of shapes. Although Santino was unable to answer the questions when given two options from which to choose, he was able to follow the directions when verbally instructed (e.g., put the box under the desk; place the paper on the chair; place the cup on the table). This indicates that his comprehension and receptive language skills are quite good, but cannot be accurately assessed due to his language and communication challenges. Santino was able to comply with 80% of directives the first time he was asked, given minimal prompts. He also enjoyed outdoor time this afternoon, playing on the equipment and engaged in gross-motor activities and physical challenges. Santino ended the session tossing around a balloon with me until he was picked up from school.

This afternoon, Santino got his lunch out of his book-bag and took out his thermos, following directives. He needed help opening it and requested a fork when offered a choice of utensils. Santino ate independently and requested an alphabet activity while eating. We are working towards building acceptance to new foods through gradual exposure, and Santino is no longer averse to being in close proximity to new or unfamiliar foods and will even touch or put them to his lips when prompted and encouraged, using the I-Pad as motivation and reinforcement. At times, Santino will eat pudding, although it is not his preferred choice. He continues to request his favorite cereal, Fruit Loops, after eating his main meal. Santino benefits from consistency in his structure and daily schedule, and understands expectations regarding his food and lunchtime behavior.

Santino was absent.

Santino was absent today.

Santino was absent today.