Cognitive function can be split into so many domains as well...it's completely possible for someone to be at the level of an infant in one area of cognitive function, but at the level of a preschooler in another.
That makes sense. Different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions. With what you've said here, I think that makes it important to remember that just because Abbie may do really poorly in one area, that doesn't automatically make it the same across the board for all things and in all ways.
As far as Abbie's awareness of what's going on, the one thing I can say for sure is that she has the ability to recognize routines or patterns in behavior. You can see it pretty readily in the way she behaves regarding food, since she is so food-motivated...she notices when food is nearby, and she knows where the food is kept. She knows to lead people to the pantry when she wants food, and appears to understand which packages contain which foods. She understands what a restaurant is...and she appears to be able to generalize upon entering a restaurant and being seated that she will be brought food. I'm not 100% sure but I think she may even be able to recognize different restaurants...for example, it seems like she may be able to tell the difference between a Dunkin and Wendy's drive-thru, and expect to receive different foods from each one. She is also able to categorize signs and words...for example, when she is asking for a snack, she will scroll through all of her food-related signs or iPad buttons. She is sometimes less successful with the iPad, which is constantly being reorganized and also requires a higher level of fine motor function...but I don't recall ever seeing her accidentally throw in a non-food related sign (such as "bathroom" or "swing") when asking for food.
Right! If Abbie's comprehension, reasoning abilities, intelligence, and awareness were truly bordering on non-existent, she would not be able to do any of the things you've just outlined. When it comes to food, just like you said, there is no hesitation and she knows exactly what to do and where things are. When she goes to a restaurant, she may not understand that other people may receive their food first and then gets upset. Or she may just not like that fact that she has to be patient and not get what she wants immediately. I agree with everything you described. She definitely shows the capability of making distinctions between things and knowing, even if it's just a basic level, things like "snacks are in the pantry" and Zaxby's has chicken, Dunkin has donuts.
When it comes to what's important to her, she is definitely aware of her environment...and she is able to understand what will (or should) happen in different contexts, and with different people. For example, remember how she used to throw tantrums when she would come home from school and see Brandy? People say all the time that they don't think Abbie really knows the difference between the people in her life...but she can definitely discriminate between people, and expects different things to happen when she is with different people.
Very good point. I think there were times where just seeing Brandy's car upset her because she recognized it and knew what that meant would happen when they went in the house. We've also noticed, when Asshat used to vlog at JSA with Abbie's teachers, that Abbie would listen and comply w/ her teachers with little to no fussing or resisting. She knew that her teachers wouldn't tolerate her acting out and that they weren't push-overs. She knew that her usual methods of getting out of doing stuff would not work. Abbie also recognizes Crystal when she comes over or they go over there, Abbie becomes happier and wants to spend time w. Crystal right away.
