Santino requested to go outside after he ate his lunch today. He asked in a complete sentence, with minimal prompting. Once outside, Santino explored the parameters of his abilities on the playground equipment. He has been reversing directions and swinging from the bars with a good degree of confidence and agility. Santino will ask, "Want to go inside?" when ready to return to the classroom or go for a walk. Once inside, he followed directives to wash his hands with soap and water from the dispenser, given minimal prompts. Back in the classroom, Santino attempted to do a letter sequencing activity using a velcro board on which he could apply (8) letters, from A through R, that were omitted on a chart. He required initial assistance to perform this activity but achieved 88% correct on the trial attempted. Next, Santino followed simple directives to obtain and fill water in a dispenser for a paint activity. I am working on helping him develop greater strength in his finger/hand grip and positioning to better facilitate his abilty to engage in academic as well as daily living tasks. He seemed to enjoy the paint activity, especially manipulating the paintbrush in order to squeeze water from its tip. Some initial modeling of expectations facilitated his overall performance on this task.

Santino ate his lunch well today even though it was slightly different than the usual fare. It seemed to be pureed potatoes, but without sauce, and he ate independently and finished the portion allocated in its entirety. Santino demonstrates a good ability to hold and move utensils within one hand and displays good eye-hand coordination while eating. I hope to continue to work towards improving the distal grouping of his hand functioning so that it facilitates his participation in other activities of daily living. Santino also requested and drank spring water from a 16.9 oz. bottle as well as water from the water fountain outdoors in the playground area. He also requested and ate a pack of Fruit Loops cereal - his favorite snack.

We continue to address augmenting and expanding communication skills when making requests and choosing activities. Santino has been making slow but consistent progress and is aware of expectations but he as yet remains largely dependent on prompts to meet objectives, at criterion levels established in consecutive trials. We used two dice today to add single digit numbers, counting the pips (numbers) together to reinforce one-to-one number correspondence and number sense. Santino asked to go outside and played on the equipment, following directions regarding movements such as sliding, jumping, clapping, hopping, etc. I demonstrated and used positional cues to describe his actions in relation to the equipment. Santino remained outdoors even when two other students entered the playground area, which is significant as he has remained socially aloof more often than not in the past. I am encouraging Santino to make and sustain eye contact and reciprocate an appropriate social response to others who greet him during encounters at school. We enjoyed a fun and productive Friday and shared lots of giggles.

Santino was helped to take his lunch out of his lunch bag and set up needed utensils. He asked to eat, requesting in a compete sentence, when prompted minimally, and today he acknowledged my name and added Miss Dorothy to his request. Santino requested a spoon during feeding after being shown different utensil options, and he correctly identified napkin when shown to him. He is a neat eater and will use a napkin if some food accidentally spills on himself or the table or chair. Santino enjoyed the smooth consistency of his pureed potatoes and ate independently. He was offered water and a cereal snack following his main meal. The big news today is that I offered Santino a cut cotton candy grape and modeled how I wanted him to first 'kiss' it, which means to put it to his lips, and to then put it in his mouth and eat it! Santino did so, given the modeling and prompting techniques described. He rolled it in his mouth at first, but also chewed and swallowed it. Success! I tried with the other half but he just squished it; however, I lauded him with praise and high fives for listening to and following directives and trying a new food item. I am extremely satisfied with the progress Santino demonstrated in his feeding skills today.

Santino and I read Stomp by Uncle Ian Aurora.

I had Santino open Education.com and worked on place value level three.

Santino was absent today.

Santino was absent today.

Santino opened Education.com, and we worked together on Phonics skills.

Santino was absent.