Tracy's Observation

Hi Family and Friends!

Yesterday Tracy (diagnois lady!) came and spent about 90 minutes observing Alexander.  We also went over a much more specific questionaire.  What we found was quite eye opening and, if I'm honest with myself, disheartening and scary.  There is definitely cause for concern and Tracy thinks that it woud be a very good idea to move forward with an official evaluation from a pediatrician.  I know that some of you might be wondering why or what the "red flags" or concerns are so here is a list.  It might seem like, "well, duh- he's a toddler and all 2 year olds do that...or my kid does that too...etc" but when you put all of those things together it adds up.

-Alexander does not make eye contact pretty much ever.  He won't look in your eyes for more than a second if he is close to you.
-He has very "intense" energy.  He doesn't just have a lot of energy, it is constant activity.  He slams his body against walls, couches, the floor, people etc to give his body more input to release more energy.  Just running, for example, isn't enough to get his energy out. 
-Alexander doesn't connect or converse with you during play.  He is quite focused only on what he wants to do.  There isn't a lot of conversation.
-He doesn't "make-believe" or pretend very often.  Only rarely or if encouraged by an adult to "hug the baby," or "pretend to eat the play food" etc.  He doesn't really do that stuff on his own.
-He doesn't point to things or picures in books very often unless asked to by an adult.  When looking at books he points with his thumb. 
-He uses Brad's or my hand to do things for him.  For example, instead of handing us a jar of bubbles to open for him he'll take our hand and put it on the top. 
-Alexander gets very upset and worked up if something isn't played with or done in the way that HE wants it done.  For example, if HE wants to flip the pages of the book instead of reading it together he throws a fit and screams.
-He also very rarely takes turns with you.  He is just focused on what he is doing and struggles with social reciprocity.  (Social reciprocity is the back and forth flow of social interaction and communication.)

I know that it is a lot to take in and proccess, but that's it in a nutshell.  His next appointment is on Monday for speech with Heather here at our house. 

Love you...