Going out to the woods has become a definite highlight in Toby's weekend. A few months ago he would cling on to me when we were out but now he's more confident and likes to skip off and explore a little. It's lovely to see him enjoying the different textures of the path under his boots as it travels through crunchy leaves, squelchy puddles and over echoy wooden walkways. It's a special and gentle time together.
In keeping with our drive to build on his communication I'm going to be using these walks to add to his vocabulary by using a comment board. I'll be trying to teach him to name what he notices so that when he comes home for instance he can tell Amy and Daddy that we saw a dog in the woods.
Hopefully we can add to this and in time help build him a functional language.
Thanks so much for all of the kind comments on the last post. It's always really helpful to hear from anyone else with experience and great to read some different ideas that we may be able to adapt for Toby, it's also a very nice feeling to know that there are people out there just wishing us well – many thanks x
little cotton rabbits 
Such sweet pictures of Toby. I love shots like that of our children. A true blessing that he enjoyed such a beautiful walk with you.
Leslie
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It’s lovely that Toby has made this step forward and how obviously special this is for you. I so hope he can progress a little more and communicate his experiences in the woods with you all, that would be wonderful!
Vivienne x
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I’m curious about how the child makes the association between what they’ve seen and the drawn pictures. Do you have the pictures with you as he experiences things so he can make the association as it’s happening, or does he look at the pictures later, once you get home? Also, I wonder if actual photographs would help instead of the drawings if he doesn’t seem to make the connection between what he saw and the drawing. It’s all very interesting, and how great to have something like this to help him learn to communicate!
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and what beautiful woods they are.
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We all love walks in the woods here, it a good wind down and recharge time if that makes sense?? 🙂
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Yay for Toby (and Julie!) I remember noticing when my first was just a baby that when we took her outside you could practically SEE her brain working – taking in everything.
So good for them.
Glad the communication thing is going well!
Hugs!
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Boys and wellies and mud – you just can’t fail with that combination! Toby is a lucky boy to have such a devoted and talented mum 🙂
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Much love. Make sure you stop to notice the beauty too. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. x
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Lovely photos Julie – so good to see Toby enjoying himself. And I love the new pictures he has to help him communicate what he saw on his walk. Please let us know if these work for him – I really hope they add a new dimension to his life.
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The walks sound like such special times for you both. What a great way for Toby to communicate what he’s seen on his walks, I do hope it works.
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How nice to see Toby – looking so relaxed in his wellies. Hope your communication board helps.
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So lovely to walk in the woods at this time of year. Any time of the year really, but crunchy leaves underfoot are fun.
My nephew uses the same system. He also uses sign language, but not all family and friends are fluent. The picture pointing means that he doesn’t have to rely on his parent’s to translate and it makes him more part of the social group. Saying that, my children love when they can sing in sign language with him.
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An absolutely, God blessed, place for him to walk and take in beauty and nature. So glad he is doing so well.
A woman at my church is writing a book about her son who had autism. I am not sure when it will be out but each time I come to your site I think of her. You ladies are very strong and blessed Mom’s.
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there’s nothing nicer than a walk in the woods – just being there and not thinking too much about anything else – bliss!
x
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some of my best memories are of walking in the woods with my mum as a child… the quiet awareness of just being with the person you love most is timeless.
It will really open a door for Toby to be able to communicate what he’s seen/done on your walks to his dad and sister 🙂
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You are such a terrific mum, Julie, you put so much work in and it shows in Toby’s progress. I wish the mum of the little boy I am working with at the moment had half as much dedication and drive as you do.
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what a wonderful step forward for Toby to be able to enjoy nature, which can be a little unpredictable sometimes.
enjoy!
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Hi there! I find your posts very interesting. Motherhood is really an extraordinary journey, I can see that Toby’s had a great outdoor adventure. Enjoy! 🙂
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Hi, have you tried giving Toby a camera and let him take pictures by himself ? It might help you understand what and how he perceives this world. When he couldn’t tell you what he wants verbally, he might do it by showing the pictures to you. It is always fun to see photos taken by kids. They might see things that we have been missing for long times. Anyways, you are really really an amazing mom ! You are the definition of unconditional love !
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I think it is great what you are doing. I know that deep in his mind it is beginning to take hold and he really does understand. After all, he has learned how to walk and he loves you very much. Keep up the great work because miricles do happen.
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Good luck!! My 19 year old daughter is autistic and although she is somewhat verbal, communication is an ongoing struggle. We used this system for awhile in school, but it wasn’t ideal for her. Most of the other students, however, thrived with it. I am truly grateful for all the amazing people who work so hard and share what they’ve learned so that I have more options than I could possibly have come up with on my own. I certainly wish you the best!
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