New communication

Ani is starting to quite successfully use “raising her hand” for “yes”. We’ve been able to determine more things about Ani. She’s still been having stomach problems, and has been crying a lot. Rather than get angry with her about dealing with her crying, sometimes I put her in her room for a short period while I deal with Micah, and while I cool off a bit. Here’s a “conversation” with Ani in her room after I could get back to her:

• Me: Ani, raise your hand for yes, do you want to listen to music?
• Nothing
• Me: Ani, raise your hand for yes, do you want to sit her quietly?
• Nothing
• I repeated the same questions again, no response.
• Me: Ani, do you want to come out to the living room with everyone else?
• Slight pause, hand goes up.
• I repeated and she raised her hand again.
• Me: Ani, did you think that being in your room was a punishment?
• Slight pause, hand goes up.
• I explained that it was not a punishment and explained why she was there.
• Me: Ani, raise your hand for yes, do you know that I love you?
• NO PAUSE, hand goes up + happy noise.
• Me: Ani, raise your hand for yes, do you know that we are trying our best to help you?
• No pause, hand goes up.

I took her out to the living room and snuggled with her and she was _so_ tuned in to me. It was great. Christy and I are going to keep working on talking with her. She has indicated that her throat hurts a lot (probably because of the refluxing). I am becoming more hopeful.


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