First Week

Week one is over, and Michael has had a seamless transition to Kendall.  He has kept his same teachers (for now), which has really helped him feel comfortable with this change.  He is now in school from 9-2, and as much as I hate the rush of the morning to now get 2 kids ready for school, I do really like getting the face-time with his and Rachael's teachers every day. 

Being at the school so often has also helped in my new role as President of the Kendall School Parent's Group.  This group use to be active, but in the past year or so it has completely died, so I am trying to revive it with the help of the Kendall School staff and any parents I can convince to get involved.  We are planning our first fundraiser for the end of April, and I have been kept happily busy.

First Day

Michael's first day of school has come and gone.  His blanket never had to come out of his backpack, and there were no tears.  The second he saw me walk back into the room at the end of the day, he practically jumped in my arms.  Today could not have gone better, and I am so proud of him for working so hard and being such a big boy. 

We're at 20 hours/week for now, but should be going to 25 hours soon. 

babble

Sitting in church listening to a one year old babble 'consonant vowel, consonant vowel' combinations.

Angry and jealous that my kids never did that...anxiety and fear that my future children won't.

IFSP

Sitting across from 3 people who are on Michael's side (because really, it's about him--not me), was a first for me.  The regional center's Autism Coordinator (the one I like, not the piece of shit coordinator), our new service coordinator (who I swear walked in with a halo over her head), and his Clinical Supervisor at Therapeutic Pathways were all here to do him right, and get him to Kendall.

We talked Goals and Objectives:

Communication Skills:
"Michael will use a point to direct attention..."
"Michael will ask for simple needs using 1-2 words and paired with eye contact towards the listener..."
"Michael will approach an adult when greeted..."
"Michael will use single word sentences..."
"Michael will verbally make a choice..."

Play and Social Skills:
"Michael will share a toy..."
"Michael will play symbolically with realistic props..."
"Michael will engage in role playing activities..."
"Michael will cooperate in simple games..."

Self Help, Fine and Gross Motor, Attending, and Imitation are areas we're working on as well, but Communication and Play, and Social Skills are the priority.  He has really come so far with Therapeutic Pathways, but when you compare him to peers his age, there is still a large gap between them. Because of this, and because those 3 people surrounding me could see that gap, he will now be attending the Kendall school starting Monday!

This means big changes for my boy.  I have been counting down the days to get him to Kendall since his diagnosis at 19 months old.  This is where progress will be made, and this is where he will learn the tools necessary to navigate this scary world of his.  

Fail.

There is nothing more heart-wrenching than:

Your adorable 2 year old who refuses to hug you, or be hugged. 

Trying to use it as a teaching moment, using ABA principles, only to fail.

After 5 minutes of trying to get him to hug you, hearing him crying in frustration and sadness...a cry I don't ever hear from him.

Realizing I handled the situation entirely wrong.

Taking that frustration out on anyone and anything for the rest of the night.

We are whole.

My journey with autism has not been easy, but it has been made better due to some pretty amazing professionals on my kids team.  There is a pretty large staff at their school, and I have only had positive experiences with everyone there.  Unfortunately, I have not been so lucky at the regional center, and have been stuck with an unsupportive service coordinator for the past 2 years.  I've tried to make it work, but recently decided that enough was enough, and there was no reason to continue unhappily with that partnership.  We now have a very highly recommended, and usually unattainable service coordinator.  I am happy to say, we are now whole as a team, all working together with the same goal. Finally.

More information on Michael's start date at the Kendall school coming after an IFSP meeting on March 1st.

Progress

Slowly but surely, people are realizing that as a mom, I know what I am talking about.  As an autism mom, I know what I am talking about. 

ABA Therapy is an all-inclusive program that is very speech oriented, however today was his first day working with the speech pathologist in-home.  I was impressed with how well she worked with him and the time she took after to speak with me.  I have certainly not enjoyed everyone I have worked with on this journey, but I really like her and look forward to speaking with her in the future.

She recommended Michael starts at Kendall as soon as possible, and NOT wait until he is 3 as the regional center likes to do.  She thinks he needs more peer interaction, and he definitely needs more intensive speech therapy on-sight.  I have been talking about getting Michael out of in-home therapy and on-sight for months for these exact reasons, and I am so glad someone who has some pull with the regional center can see it too. 

She made me feel like an equal (though I am woefully uninformed compared to her) chatting about the new DSM V and the changing criteria for an autism diagnoses.   I am grateful for people like her in this line of work. 

It's not a done deal yet, but things are looking up for us.