Dimitri

July 2010

Well Dimitri has been with us for a month. What a cutie! Dimitri was originally adopted from the Ukraine last August by a family in Alabama. The original adopting family felt like Dimitri would be better off in a state that offered more services and supports for a child with significant developmental disabilities. Dimitri joined our family in late May after he finished his school year in Alabama. Dimitri has been enjoying lots of fun activities with the family. Dimitri especially loves amusement parks and water parks. Dimitri is happiest if we keep him moving. He would much rather be outside playing than indoors watching television or going to the movies.

During the summer we are working on Dimitri's toilet training. Its pretty clear that he has the concept but because Dimitri's communication skills are so limited he doesn't always let us know in time. We are also working on Dimitri's self-feeding skills. While he does have one hand and arm that works well, Dimitri is a very messy eater! We are trying to teach Dimitri how to eat slowly and neatly. Dimitri will also keep eating and eating unless he is stopped. This lack of awareness of being full and his limited self-feeding skills probably come from years in an Eastern European orphanage where the children don't receive adequate nutrition or training to eat solid food neatly. Finally we are working on Dimitri's communication skills. Dimitri is non-speaking, but he does squeal, smile, cry and point. We are working on teaching Dimitri some modified sign language to improve his communication and to reduce his frustration. Currently Dimitri uses about five signs consistently. We are excited to work with Dimitri and to tap into his obvious potential.