Off Topic: My Baby Girl

Hi Everyone,

I haven't posted in several months, but haven't forgotten the blog. I had a baby girl on April 14th. Her name is Ioanna (joanna but with an "I" instead of a "J") and she was born 5 pounds 15 ounces. She is now almost 12 weeks, smiling, laughing and giggling and is a joy.

I am however amazed at the social skills that she exhibits at this young age. Sustained attention for long periods of time, referencing, babbling, reciprocal babbling, and some precursors to joint attention. At 2.5 months, she is exhibiting these precursors to spoken language and it is amazing to watch.

As a behaviorist, it is also interesting to see how she has shaped my behavior and how my perspectives on some strategies have shifted somewhat. I wonder if as she grows, I would change as an ABA therapist, and if some of the techniques I have employed in the past (waiting out a tantrum, crying, etc.) would be acceptable now. We'll see.

I'll get back to posting soon.

Angela