Session 1: September

I can hardly believe how quickly time flies.

Kennedy has completed her first 4 week intensive session at the Conductive Learning Center. We are so impressed with her progress. I could go on and on and on but instead I'm going to hit 5 amazing changes.

• Pre-program Kennedy would not attempt to take any steps bare foot or in socks. Kirk and I laughed when they first attempted this at school and thought no way. (By "taking steps" we mean her stepping while we hold under her arms to support her. She is NOT independently stepping/walking yet.)
• NOW Kennedy will take steps bare foot or in socks up to 20 feet or more.

• Pre-program Kennedy would only sit in specialized seating. She could not sit in a regular straight back chair.
• NOW Kennedy will sit in a straight back chair with minimal assistance. Often maintaining her balance by holding on to a bar for stability.

• Pre-program Kennedy would lay on her belly but keep her hands at her sides making it very difficult or impossible to play with toys in that position.
• NOW Kennedy will lay on her belly and keep her arms in front for up to 5 minutes. Putting her in a much better position for play.

• Pre-program Kennedy would rarely use her left hand in any functional way. Her left hand looked smaller with much less muscle tone than her right.
• NOW Kennedy's left hand has improved muscle tone and is stretching out. Her hand no longer look so dissimilar.
• NOW Kennedy uses her left hand to hold onto a bar, ring, or walker for stability. 

• Pre-program Kennedy mostly ate smoothies and small bits of other foods. We fed her by holding her cup, and spooning the food to her mouth. On a rare occasion we would help her hold the cup or spoon.
• NOW at school Kennedy sits in a straight back chair, holds the bar with her left hand for stability, and uses her right hand to feed herself. She is assisted but she primarily does the work herself.

All of these improvements we see consistently at school however we are trying to implement them at home as much as possible. We are excited about the progress Kennedy will make in the next session too. Videos and pictures coming soon.