11 May 2025

Nathaniel was able to participate in the Passover Seder this year. He has a communication iPad. He had a program for the Seder. He was able to point to a picture of each part of the Seder, and the tablet "spoke". He also "sang" the Four Questions. He made salt water for the table as well.

Nathaniel needs to look forward when he eats because it helps with swallowing. To encourage him to look forward, we often play videos of rabbi lectures on his iPad.

While eating and looking forward, he often turns to look at the caregiver and tries to get them to interact. He sometimes elbows, punches, or lightly (and not so lightly) slaps the caregivers to get their attention. One day he kept looking at the caregiver who was sitting on his left side. The caregiver told him to look forward, and he looked forward himself. Nathaniel wouldn't give up. He put his hand on the caregiver's head and turned it so that he was looking at Nathaniel. He smiled, knowing that he was being playful. He is also hitting his wheelchair to make noise to get attention.

Nathaniel whispered, "Hi," when prompted. He also made the "Ba" sound (bye). He is working on "Ma" and other sounds.

At the end of Friday night dinner, it was time for Birkat HaMazon. I asked Nathaniel if we had three men who had washed their hands and said a blessing and eaten challah before the meal. He nodded. I asked who they were, he pointed to himself, the caregiver, and his father. It was important that he thought of himself as a fully participating part of the meal.