Deanna has developed even more skills in this area than last year. She continues to work on delivering her Times Colonist free papers, developing money skills, washing her own dishes, clothing and bedding, making her own lunch, and washing her own body/hair. Although she completes all of these tasks with supports, she is now very independent with each of these tasks. She used to say "help me" repeatedly. Now the phrase she uses most is "I did it". Last year, when D washed her dishes, she needed to wash them a second time. Now she takes her time to ensure her dishes are clean before putting them into the drying rack. This same attention to detail applies in all areas of her independence. She takes more time to do a better quality job and she exudes self-confidence and pride in a job well done.

Deanna has opened up to more outdoor physical activity, and to changes in the locations that we go to exercise. For example, we used to walk the same routine every week. Now, we walk different locations and distance. For example, we recently walked entirely around Swan Lake. D is enjoying the walks, and throws sticks into the ocean and collects "calm stones" at Willows Beach.

D used to eat her food much too quickly in a manner that is unhealthy for a body. She is now eating more slowly and being "kind to her body". D recently said that she is "eating like a lady".

D has significantly reduced the number and severity of head/body banging (as seen on D's Happiness tracking chart). She used to rely on "hockeys" and "calm sushis". With much hard work, D now thinks about her response in order to retain her stims. She uses "calm stones" and breathing (with support) to reduce her physical outbursts. Deanna now often says "of course you can" in response to her internal dialog. Her new self-talk has flipped from the negative loss of control to the positive can-do attitude. This is currently work in progress.

Deanna's verbal communication has increased, to where she now speaks in some full sentences to achieve her goals. She used to ask by saying, "Milk?" Now, D says, "May I please have a glass of milk?" An exciting connection is that she's transferring this skill to other situations.

Deanna's verbal communication skills continue to grow and improve. There has been more growth in this area in the past year, and it shows in her self-esteem and confidence.

After some discussion about D's verbal skills progress, Breony and I are going to develop a method for tracking her progress.