DeLu by Indie Admin

Supporting transitions

jhall379 — 2025-06-10 15:35:20 UTC

DeLu forms strong attachments with the first person who comforts him, and will often want to stay with that person all day. To support him, begin by offering comfort through holding, sitting close, or gentle co-regulation. Once he's calm, help him transition by staying with him and inviting him into a new activity or room. Use shared joy—like playful engagement, songs, or familiar toys—to make the shift feel safe and fun. The comforting adult can slowly “hand off” the connection by joining play with another provider, then gently stepping back once DeLu is settled. Avoid rushing transitions; instead, offer choices, use simple scripts like “Let’s go together,” and keep routines predictable. These strategies help DeLu feel secure while learning that new spaces and people can be safe and enjoyable too.

Bathrooming/Handwashing

jhall379 — 2025-06-10 15:37:51 UTC

DeLu demonstrates the sequence of his toileting and handwashing routines, but needs accomodations with a few steps in each area. (Stepping stool for the sink, Stepping stool for the toilet, help adjusting his pants once pulled up).
Enjoyed the dinosaur soap with the automatic soap dispenser with a model to put his hand under. Would benefit from utilizing both soap dispensers to be comfortable in both modes.
He benefits from reminders throughout his day “do you need to go “Peesh-kee”(a home phrase).
He has benefited from support lifting him up to sit on the potty. He is seated when he pees.

Helping DeLu start the day

jhall379 — 2025-06-10 15:39:49 UTC

When DeLu arrives, he benefits from immediate connection with one consistent adult. This adult should focus on offering comfort through holding, sitting close, or co-regulating until DeLu feels safe. Once he’s calm, the adult can gently introduce the day’s routine or first activity, using shared joy such as a favorite toy, song, or playful moment to invite him in. If another provider will be supporting him, use a “hand-off” approach: the first adult stays nearby while the second joins in play, helping DeLu build a new connection before stepping back. Keep the entry routine predictable, warm, and unhurried, using simple language like “Let’s go together” and allowing DeLu to bring a comfort item if needed. This helps him start the day feeling secure, connected, and ready to engage.

Focus Areas

tshimon2 — 2025-06-24 20:38:55 UTC

Spear and cut with fork and knife
- This goal area is best supported through sensory/pretend play. Some of DeLu's favorite mediums include playdough and kinetic sand. He has had most success with a wooden, kid safe knife (pictured) and using a pressing motion to cut. He enjoys cutting food for his figurines and animals.

Cookie Play

asalaamdpt — 2025-07-08 17:24:59 UTC

Although I used cookies, this activity can be simulated with any toy! This position (leaning back on hands, legs elevated in the air) really challenges the abdominal muscles to maintain the posture, and also grabbing any object with the feet challenges coordination.

DeLu

jlmenefee — 2025-07-10 17:49:41 UTC

DeLu is a very charismatic, playful friend who greatly enjoys the company of a preferred adult when exploring the classroom/sensory room.

Snack

jlmenefee — 2025-07-10 18:00:19 UTC

DeLu arrives with loose items + a water bottle placed into his mini-Minecraft backpack for snack.
DeLu benefits from eating with a peer or a trusted Indie Adult, present at the table.
Gentle reminders that snack is available are beneficial for DeLu.
Self feeds

Interest Areas

jlmenefee — 2025-07-10 18:12:18 UTC

DeLu benefits from utilizing his interest areas such as:

Hot wheels
Nightmare Before Christmas
Mario
Building

DeLu also greatly benefits from gross-motor movement while learning such as climbing, bouncing, or vibrating.

Prioritized Academics

jlmenefee — 2025-07-10 18:17:06 UTC

letter identification
letter sounds
cvc blends
number identification 1-100
sequencing 1-100

Dismissal

jlmenefee — 2025-07-10 18:28:03 UTC

Any items brought from home are placed into his back pack for safe transport back home.
To dismiss, DeLu greatly benefits from gentle reminders that his trusted home adult is coming in 10/5/2 minutes away. These gentle reminders help prime DeLu for a smooth dismissal.

OBSERVATIONS

asalaamdpt — 2025-07-21 15:42:06 UTC

DeLu is independent with all mobility within the classroom. His left side is most involved due to his diagnosis, and this is seen mainly with tasks like running, climbing and jumping.

He may benefit from a watching eye with the climbing dome as he sometimes loses grip with left hand/toes.

Focus Areas

asalaamdpt — 2025-07-21 15:44:17 UTC

coordination (jumping, stair climbing)
balance
body positioning & posture (mainly to left hip in sitting)

Focus Areas

tshimon2 — 2025-07-22 22:52:08 UTC

Toothbrushing
Putting on/taking off shirt
Handwashing
Sensory diet

Marble Run and Flagstaff

eminalubovac — 2025-08-12 03:29:53 UTC

After picking Devin up on Thursday I have heard over and over from him about Marble Run. Of course we went to Target the next day and purchased one! He has been playing with Marble Run all weekend that it even traveled with us to brunch on Friday and Flagstaff and Sedona over the weekend.

Equine Therapy

eminalubovac — 2025-08-12 03:33:41 UTC

On Monday Devin (and, big brother) go horseback riding. Today he rode the horse for about 15-20 minutes! He is still having trouble keeping his helmet on. Thankfully he has two trainers to hold him while he rides.

Helping Devin with Balancr

eminalubovac — 2025-08-12 03:38:08 UTC

This video is from July, but I wanted to share it because a few times a week at night we try to work on new “challenges.” Here is big brother helping Devin balance.

Jumps and Flips

eminalubovac — 2025-08-13 02:52:18 UTC

We transformed one of our rooms into a jump park and Devin and his brother utilize it daily. Devin loves flips.

Nurturing the Core

eminalubovac — 2025-08-13 16:35:09 UTC

Devins PT came this morning for his fascia.

General Info / Communication Style

karissanesbitt — 2025-08-19 22:53:01 UTC

DeLu primarily uses spoken language to communicate with others:

DeLu hears English, Spanish, and Bosnian at home. While at Indie, he primarily uses English to communicate with others but will use the word piški’ pronounced ‘pee-sh-kee’ if he needs to pee.

At times, DeLu augments spoken language with gestures, reaching for objects, turning away, vocalizations (laughter, cries), etc.

Until comfortable with his surroundings and individuals in his environment, DeLu is quieter and uses single words and short phrases to communicate. As he has become more comfortable with the team members at Indie, DeLu has been observed to use longer, self-generated utterances.

DeLu asks and answers a variety of WH- questions including yes/no questions for accuracy and preference, who, what, and where. He has labels for a variety of common objects, people, and actions. Additionally, he has acquired all speech sounds typical for his age and gender.

Grammatical structures overheard in spontaneous speech:

Regular past tense verb (e.g. climbed)
Irregular past tense verbs (e.g. ate)
Present progressive -ing (e.g. jumping)
Pronouns (e.g. his, she)
Prepositions (e.g. on, under)

Uses spoken language for a variety of communicative purposes:

Asking questions
Answering questions
Commenting
Sharing emotion
Sharing engagement
Requesting
Rejecting
Describing
Labeling
Directing
Greeting
Gathering information
Maintaining social relationships

DeLu is demonstrating age-expected language skills and, as with all children, thrives with ongoing opportunities in a language-rich environment.

Balance

eminalubovac — 2025-08-23 18:27:26 UTC

We worked on balancing this weekend! When we first bought this balance board he wasn’t able to balance without assistance. Today he balanced by himself without assistance for almost a minute.

Tennis

eminalubovac — 2025-08-23 19:39:56 UTC

This summer we have been learning basic tennis moves. Devin loves an overhand, once we practice the forehand and backhand my goal is for his to gain strength with his left hand by doing a solid backhand. We have yet to make it to the courts due to heat but we practice what we can at home.

Devin climbing

eminalubovac — 2025-08-25 19:30:18 UTC

Back in January Devin needed assistance to climb on here. Granted he is older now and taller, I feel like PT has truly been an asset to help with his strength. He is able to independently climb all the way on top.

Dancing at Spirit Halloween

eminalubovac — 2025-08-26 13:16:41 UTC

Devin loves Spirit Halloween! Since it opened in August we have been to Spirit Halloween 12 different times at 6 different locations (I’m keeping at tally). He loves to step on the animatronics. I encourage him to use his left foot to step on the animatronics. Here he is dancing. He may ask you to, “step on it” and that is where he pretends to be an animatronic and activates when you “step.” ☺️

Balance & Coordination

asalaamdpt — 2025-08-26 15:22:40 UTC

Here's a little vid of a new activity Devin loves. He likes to say "don't touch the lasers" so it really works on his navigation skills!!

Arrival

jlmenefee — 2025-08-28 17:48:59 UTC

DeLu arrives with his trusted home adult and is transferred to an Indie adult, at the classroom door.

DeLu greatly benefits from a quick re-direction (something akin to "Oh my gosh, don't smile! Don't even!" have proven to be beneficial)

Spirit Halloween

eminalubovac — 2025-08-28 19:24:38 UTC

We made it to Spirit Halloween after pickup for 10 minutes before I dropped Devin off. He was very excited.

Stairs

eminalubovac — 2025-08-31 01:25:44 UTC

We spent some time at the library on Saturday going up and down the stairs and across for balance.

Animatronic

eminalubovac — 2025-08-31 01:28:21 UTC

Devin was very excited to get his first animatronic this year after making our 15th visit to Spirit Halloween this year 🎃

Soccer

eminalubovac — 2025-09-07 16:10:52 UTC

We played lots of soccer this weekend as family. Devins kicks are awesome. I quickly recorded one of his kicks but I wish everyone could see his best shots!

Activity Updates!

asalaamdpt — 2026-03-24 22:51:42 UTC

Here's a bunch of clips of activities we have been working on over the past couple of months. DeLu has significantly improved in his balance, coordination with jumping specifically & overall navigation of his environment with his L side!

Devin Floating

eminalubovac — 2026-04-21 23:50:31 UTC

Last week Devin finished his first week of swim and he has nailed his float! He is doing amazing!

Water Balloons

eminalubovac — 2026-04-21 23:51:37 UTC

I have been encouraging Devin to throw water balloons with his left hand. He does great. But, when it’s time to clean up, he just cannot because “his hand hurts.” 🫠

Devin soccer

eminalubovac — 2026-04-22 00:03:26 UTC

Devin continues soccer practice every other week with big brother!

Golfing

eminalubovac — 2026-05-09 20:39:53 UTC

Devin golfing today.