Michael hasn’t been feeling well for the past five days since we returned from our travels, and we’ve been dealing with what seems to be a stomach flu. Due to his high pain tolerance and the fact that he can’t communicate when he’s in discomfort or pain, it’s been a bit challenging. Unlike most children, he doesn’t display the typical signs of seeking attention or comfort in situations like this—he often starts by becoming withdrawn, which is when I need to look a little deeper to understand what he needs. That said, today, I was completely surprised by a message from @Bouncing_Angels I wasn’t expecting this at all, and I’m genuinely blown away! I couldn’t keep this exciting news from Michael… so here’s how the sneak-peek went… (the big reveal will have him bouncing off the walls). Thank you so much for making this happen; it means the world not only to Michael and our family but also to countless other families on a similar journey. You’ve helped Michael, and so many other children like him, feel seen and heard. 📌 Here’s a quick insight into some practices we incorporate at home. We combine surprises with moments where Michael is fully aware of the process when receiving a highly preferred toy. These methods teach him patience, effort, and anticipation. When he knows the steps involved, he learns to appreciate the journey, not just the result. Surprises, on the other hand, help him develop flexibility and adapt to unpredictability. By balancing both approaches, we’ve helped Michael understand the concept and value of waiting, the connection between effort and reward, and how to adapt to different situations, while fostering emotional resilience and gratitude. 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a collection of activities for Speech Exercises, link in BIO 🔗 #heartwarming #bouncehouse #parenting #autism #nonverbal #nonspeaking #ASL #signlanguage #representationmatters #handsome #toddlermom #autismadvocate #autismparenting #inspiration #motivation #autismawareness