Matt Update

December 30, 2009

Matt did makes big strides - but once again - I don't know if it was something

he would have done anyway or if the powder helped.

Matt, my mom and I spent a couple of days at Sea World in San Diego. Beyond

playing in the play area and viewing all sorts of sea animals (Matt loves

animals), Matt worked up the courage to go into the aquarium - two of them.

To undestand just how amasing this is - you have to know that Matt is TERRIFIED

of going into dimly lit buildings. For example - we have had few successful

attempts at watching a movie in a theater (they are both dark and loud - two

things that are negatives in Matt's world). In fact, when Matt sees an

advertisement for a new movie that he would like to see, he tells me that he'll

see it on DVD.

Back to Sea World - on Monday, he asked to go to the octopus (which is in the

sea/salt water aquarium). We have been to the building with the big octopus on

it - but he has bolted from it when we suggest looking in it. On Monday, he

*peeked* in the door and with our gentle encouragement, went to look at the tank

right by the door - so he could still see the light from the doorway. He stayed

in the building, looking at the tank, for a good 20 minutes. He was so proud of

himself. He then walked to the tanks right next to the big tank by the door -

repeatedly going to a new tank and then back to the tank by the door - BUT he

didn't run out of the building. He stood at the start of the hallway leading

into the building where the rest of the tanks are - and even took a few steps

down the hallway - but then turned and dashed out of the building.

My mother and I made a huge fuss over him and how brave he was. He was sooooo

proud of himself.

He tried to *peek* into the fresh water aquarium next - but dashed away after

looking into the building from the entrance way.

We reassured him that he was very brave and that he would look at the other fish

another day.

The next day - after playing in the play area - he asked to see the fish again.

So we sent back to the sea/salt water aquarium. He immediately went to the big

tank by the door. After a short period of time, he checked out the tanks

nearby. He then started down the hallway. He ended up walking down the whole

hallway - and not in a panicked dash - a controlled walk - checking out a good

number of the tanks along the way - and then out the exit.

OH! Was he proud!!!

Then he told us he wanted to see more fish - so off to the fresh water aquarium

we went. He started out by *peeking* in the room from the doorway - but after a

short time period - he crossed the first room and looked at the turtles. He

then lead my mother and I on an exploration of the WHOLE aquarium.

He all but strutted out the exit.

He then said he wanted to see the sharks. The shark exhibit is very overwhelming

for Matt. You walk into the dimly lit room - and then walk down, down, down -

and end up in a tube with sharks swimming all around you - before you exit back

into the sunlight. Unfortunately there was a HUGE crowd - so he could not

*peek* into the beginning.

We all decided that we'd attempt the shart exhibit on a less crowded day.

As we left the shark exhibit, Matt asked if he was brave. I gave him a huge hug

and told him that he was one of the bravest people in the world and that I was

so proud of him.

Did the powder help him with this breakthrough? I'm not sure. But I know it is

not hurting - and it just might have helped.

December 31, 2009

Matt you are doing Great!!!

Good Job and yes you are a brave boy..

Nana

[ ] Matt Update

Matt did makes big strides - but once again - I don't know if it was something

he would have done anyway or if the powder helped.

Matt, my mom and I spent a couple of days at Sea World in San Diego. Beyond

playing in the play area and viewing all sorts of sea animals (Matt loves

animals), Matt worked up the courage to go into the aquarium - two of them.

To undestand just how amasing this is - you have to know that Matt is

TERRIFIED of going into dimly lit buildings. For example - we have had few

successful attempts at watching a movie in a theater (they are both dark and

loud - two things that are negatives in Matt's world). In fact, when Matt sees

an advertisement for a new movie that he would like to see, he tells me that

he'll see it on DVD.