We are waving!

Children with SM often have a lot of trouble with greetings- Hi, Bye, etc.  There is pressure from an early age to say hi or wave and the pushing of this creates anxiety and resistance.  Thomas would never wave to anything, let alone a person.  When we began our cognitive behavioral therapy back in August, we were encourage to try waving at inanimate objects and build from there.  We were not discriminatory in our waving in any way-LOL.  We waved to fire hydrants, doors, bushes, trees, birds, cats and then moved onto buildings that would probably have people in them.  For example when we went by a fire station or police station, I'd say lets wave to the firefighters.  Since Lucas couldn't see them, this made it much easier for him.   First we would do it from the moving car where he felt safe and later at closer distances.  I'm so proud to say that today he waved to his first adult up close.   He was okay with them seeing him wave and liked when they waved back.  He will not respond to a wave hi or bye, but he now seems to be getting comfortable being the one initiating it.  This is brand new for Lucas.  It usually helps to remind him that he can get a sticker for playing the waving game.  I just put him on the front line by holding him up to the counter of places and he is starting to wave.  He waved to the cashier when we were checking out at CVS and also up close with the librarian today.  HUGE progress!