The biggest news in Nathaniel's life is that he left full-time outpatient therapy at Tel Hashomer hospital after almost 2 years. At first it was scary because we have to fill his day with other therapies and therapists; however, after much research and advice from others, we are on the way to finding good alternatives.
At the new gym he attends for physical therapy, they have gotten his right leg to start moving, and they are strengthening the muscles on his right side. Nathaniel is really driven to use his right side. He works very hard.
In speech at home, he has been working on vocalizing. The therapist tells him to take a deep breath and then she pushes on his diaphragm to help him exhale like he needs to make sound. Well, this week, without any pushing, he vocalized. The day after he vocalized in speech, he went to the farm run by an NGO that helps injured soldiers. The NGO gives soldiers dogs and then has group lessons to teach them and their families how to train their dogs. They are not therapy dogs, but rather enjoyment for the soldier and the families. Netanel goes to their facility to be with other injured soldiers and to interact with the dogs. This week, to get the dog's attention, he first he used a gesture, but they didn't come, he tried another way: he vocalized!!!!! That got everyone's attention.
In music, he is following more and more. He moves each finger independently when playing on the piano. He plays certain notes, which the teacher shows him, and follows to the beat of the music.