May 2013 Updates: Hahgoot’s news: swimming and social issues

I made my sister in law Revital’s very easy Majadara recipe and it was a huge success with Hahgoot! She was reluctant to touch this rice and lentils dish for years, but at last we had a breakthrough! She even likes it with yellow lentils instead of brown!

Hahgoot enjoys her swimming classes and is moving along very slowly but surely.

She is finding it very hard to understand how to move her body and place it properly, but her instructor Shar is very patient and listens to my explanations about motor planning.

Hahgoot coped very well when they had a one off substitute teacher (who was lovely) Swimming class is a good excuse for a crazy hair style..

After months we managed to convince Hahgoot to start jumping into the water (well, more like free falling, but that’s better than nothing at the moment), and she celebrated with a special treat (right). We need to wait before and after the class for Barak and Alma to return from Gymbaroo to pick us up, so Hahgoot has time to read and plan more Super Misty adventures.

Her friendship troubles with Elijana and Jasmin were coming out in her drawings, with imaginative stories to try and solve the problems in reality.

This is Hahgoot’s wall near her bed. She has glow in the dark stars, a special spoon from Dorothea, her morning routine chart (which she ignores), The Worry Tree, a sheet from her OT and a favourite postcard from the Art Gallery of NSW.

Hahgoot’s social problems at school are creating much stress and tension inside her, and we spent many afternoons rolling her into a “Taco”, wrestling or shaking her around inside the sacks (left). You can see more of our OT related activities in our next presentation!