Chewy Brownie Cookies

Chewy Brownie Cookie
2/3 cup buttery sticks
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups GF/CF baking flour
1/4 teaspoon xanthum gum
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups GF/CF chocolate chips
1/2 cup GF/CF oatmeal

Cream the first four ingredients (wet ones). Beat in eggs. Combine the next five ingredients (dry ones). Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat (not heat) until just blended. Stir in chips and nuts. Drop by spoon. Bake at 375 degrees for nine to eleven minutes.



My objective was to focus on experience sharing by focusing on being together more than the activity itself. We are solidifying experience sharing before transferring more responsibility to Pamela in calling joint attention. While baking cookies together, I learned thing: focusing on little unexpected things and spotlighting them rather than the procedure.

In the first two videos, the camera angle looks awkward, but I really wanted to capture our facial expressions and sharing. In the first one, I capitalized on unscripted things. I have been trying to capture Pamela's "magic finger" (a "problem-solving technique" for her). She does her "magic" at 3 minutes 50 seconds!


My two favorite moments were when we discovered a mistake in the recipe and talked about how to correct it and when Pamela learned to scoop cookie dough with spoons. You can see on her face that she was in the moment here and not agenda-driven. I loved Pamela's smile of pride when she learned something new (handling two spoons).


In the final clip, we are enjoying cookies. The problem is that Pamela had made a salad and wanted to eat that salad, dog gone it! You can see how she goes back to something static--salad--because this activity has no procedure. I slowed down the pace by feeding her and myself, which allowed her to relax--you can see how for a good forty-five seconds she was in the moment.


I have been seeking opportunities to experience share. Pamela came into the house with a beautiful red fall leaf, and we talked about it. She went outside, and I followed her after she had five minutes on her own. I was hoping to capitalize on that moment, but I failed. She got real static and tried to get me on her verbal calendar train, but I refused. We walked around the yard, but it was a bust because she focused on calendars and started sputtering at me when I didn't join her.

I pouted and walked in the house. She knew I looked upset (deep down inside, I was mildly amused), so she followed me. I looked at the floor sadly, so she put her hands on my upper arms and kissed my forehead. She said, "I apologize." I looked up and told her a forgave her and kissed her on the cheek. We agreed to explore the backyard tomorrow. I love how she read my emotion and tried to repair it.

There are two big things I discovered:

1. When *I* am unsure of what to do, I talk too much. I talk to cover up my uncertainty.
2. When *Pamela* is uncertain, she falls back on static conversations or verbal stimming.