Re: Drinking
Basically I train by using the Doidy with me holding the base and tilting the water for her. I make her hold the handles so she gets the idea. Then eventually, I let her control herself. When training, dun put too much water in. A bit enuff so that they learn to tilt the cup. I also will keep showing her by demonstrating too, how I drink water, etc.
For straw, she is very gianz when we buy drinks outside, so just get those straws (like Macdonalds straw) and let her drink water from glasses at home. Can try to be a drink that you pretend to drink first, let her come to you then share with her. The more gianz, the faster they learn.
Re: Talking
We keep talking to Alyssa like an adult and teaching her sentences, phrases, etc. She is now able to string simple sentences (with terrible grammer though) such as "I want drink", "I want sit", etc. We have also taught her "Take care", "See you", "Love you", etc. All thought word by word or by letting her immitate.
Glad:
Yes Alyssa does that. Pinch, squeeze, play with my bones. Fingers are still ok. Sometimes she goes for the bones at my throat. Makes me throw up.