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Can Do's

In the ESOL (English as a Second Language) world I'm now living in, we have what we call Can Do statements, or Can Do's.  These are written as what the ELL (English Language Learner--Special Education and ESOL are battling for the biggest number of acronyms!) is able to do instead of focusing on everything he or she is unable to do.  It just puts a more positive spin on things.

I like 'em...a lot...and even more so when I think about them in relation to Abby.  So much of her life focuses on what she can't do (because, face it, that is what the doctors need to know!) that it is sometimes rather discouraging...especially when they bring in that dreaded n-word* that I hate oh-so-much.

*normal

So, I figured I would make a list of some of Abby's Can Do's!

Abby can...
*  stand while holding onto a table or other sturdy piece of furniture without help.
*  take a few steps while holding onto furniture with a bit of assistance.
*  roll around the floor like a champ!
*  tall-kneel at her play table or learning cube
*  transition from a kneel to stand, sit to stand, sit to back, or sit to stomach with assistance.
*  hug her favorite stuffed toys (especially her kitties, No-No and Hopkins!)
*  blow bubbles from her mouth (and trach!) and blow rasperries.
*  make squeal noises from her trach
*  move her lips to mimic talking
*  eat 1-2 teaspoons of solid food 3-4 times a day (especially applesauce!)
*  sign "more" and use her pointer finger to show you what she wants
*  communicate using a book with picture cards in it in preparation for an iPad communication program
*  clap her hands to show excitement (she does this whenever one of us walks in the door, and it's really, really cute!)
*  steal Caleb's toys, knock down his creations, smack his face, and pull his hair
*  throw tantrums when I won't let her play with my iPod
*  shake her head "no," especially if she really doesn't want to do something

I have found that thinking about her Can-Do's has really helped me to realize how much Abby really can do!  It's so easy to get caught up in the can't do's!

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