Spencer's Parent Teacher Meeting

I met with Spencer's teachers and some of his therapists on Friday. He is doing well in school: knows 36 out of 40 of his sight words, asks a lot of good questions (especially about science and social studies topics), works well independently, isn't having any behavior problems. Therapies are going well. There are definitely improvements over where he was at the end of last summer. I was very pleased to hear about the progress he has made in OT. I believe the Montessori program, with all of the hands-on learning tools they use, has a lot to do with that progress.

I went into the meeting concerned that his teacher would tell me that Spencer is ready to be mainstreamed next year. Academically he is doing great. The quiet, calm environment he is in (10 students, working in small groups or on their own with the support of a special educator and two aides) has had the effect we had hoped it would. He is able to be heard (we're still working on that mysteriously breathy voice) and able to focus thanks to the absence of distractions (and the medication for his ADHD). Fortunately his teacher recognizes that he really needs to be in this kind of environment again next year in order to continue to succeed. I am very pleased that GW Montessori has a class that will be appropriate for him. I sincerely believe that it's not just the class size and student/teacher ratio that is beneficial to Spencer. The Montessori style of facilitating learning, rather than teaching, and use of hands-on learning tools is perfect for him. I'm so glad that he'll be able to continue there (pending district approval, of course).

Spencer's teacher wants to see him begin to be mainstreamed at times. She feels it would be best to do this for science and social studies, because these are his two strongest areas. I've often felt that I need an encyclopedia to raise this child, with all of the questions he asks, and they are seeing the same thing at school. He just wants to soak it all up, and in the Montessori program his teachers are his guides on his quest for knowledge (I love that he came home after school one day and asked me if we could "research" the Egyptian Sphinx together!).

I know I keep raving about this program, but how can I not? How lucky we are to have a free Montessori program in our district! I always thought I would like to send Spencer to a Montessori school, but I knew there was no way I could afford to. I'm just absolutely thrilled at the experience he's getting through the public school system. I also really appreciate that the school is in an area of the city which is racially diverse, where many of the children come from Spanish-speaking homes, and most of the families could not financially consider anything but a public education. I don't know the history of the decision to place the Montessori program at this particular school, but I'm thrilled that these children and families are benefiting from it. Now if only I could convince the school to teach a little bit of Spanish as a routine part of their day!

Curses!

There is just something so funny about hearing your son with autism say "Dammit, f***it" in the right context. Functional language, that's what we're shooting for!  He has heard the words "dammit" and "f***" out of our mouths on occasion, I won't deny it. But this particular phrase he came up with all on his own.  And he says it so passionately!

Long Overdue

This virus, followed by bronchitis, followed by gastroenteritis diet really works! I've lost my holiday weight gain plus some! Seriously, how is it possible to be dehydrated but still have post nasal drip?

Over the holidays I put our Christmas train around the tree. I told Spencer, "It's a decoration, not a toy. You can look at it with your eyes, but not touch it with your fingers." He replied, "But Mom, my eyeballs are in the ends of my fingers!"

Here's a video of the NICU where Alex and Spencer spent the first three months of their lives.  There are quite a few pictures of us in it.  It's a beautiful way to show them what we experienced there.  I hope you'll consider giving to the March of Dimes, the AMC Children's Hospital, or Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital District.  They are all part of the miracles that Alex and Spencer are.

When things happen I think to myself "I need to blog about that!", but I always get busy and then forget what it was I wanted to share.  I'll be back when my memory decides to serve me better!

Thanksgiving 2010

Alex's Drawing

Alex has been drawing and writing on the chalkboard a lot lately.  He draws in perspective, even though no one has taught him to do so.  This is one of his earlier drawings, from October.  I put his model on the shelf next to him so he could see it while drawing.  It's fun to watch what comes out of the imagination of his.

Alex is Back at CRC

I should have posted this sooner, but it's been a crazy month.  After that call from the OT last month I requested another meeting with the school district about Alex's placement.  I went into the meeting with the intention of making sure he was going to get the occupational therapy he needed.  I thought that Alex was okay where he was, despite the fact that the district placed him in a classroom without a bathroom, with a teacher who didn't even know what the spectrum is.  Other issues I was unaware of came out during the meeting.  There was a door to the outside in Alex's classroom, which he repeatedly opened.  Alex was being singled out by being walked through the school to the nurse's office to go potty.  They were having phys ed on a stage (which even the PT was concerned about).  To top it all off, when I asked his teacher during the meeting "What are you doing to help Alex develop his functional communication and social skills?" she just said to me with a blank look on her face "I'm not sure what you're asking me."  I don't blame the teacher, or the school. I blame the district. What were they thinking with this placement?

I was surprised when the CSE chair agreed to my request to move Alex back to CRC.  I never thought I would get him into an out-of-district placement without a major fight.  Thank God for my wonderful advocate and for all that I've learned at work that has made me a better advocate for my son.  Alex was back at CRC a week later.  He is very happy and is doing incredibly well.

Movie Night

Spencer is having a long awaited movie night.  On occasion he is allowed to stay up past bedtime to watch a movie that Alex would not want to watch with him (in other words, non-animated and non-Sound of Music).  He's watching The Dark Crystal, eating popcorn, and drinking Aunt Heather's World's Best Chocolate Milk (so named by my nephew C).  He asked for Labyrinth, but I talked him into trying another Jim Henson classic.  And he's enjoying it, of course.  That's my boy!

Junk Food Cravings

I'm learning that I can quell my cravings for junk food with much healthier and satisfying choices.  Craving queso dip and corn chips?  Have some fat-free cottage cheese and salsa with multi-grain tortilla chips.  Dying for a cinnamon roll?  Indulge in a bowl of oatmeal with lots of cinnamon and a little butter and sugar.  My taste buds are satisfied and so is my body.  Nutritious calories go a lot further than junk food calories.

I don't do "diet" food, by the way.  No artificial sweeteners.  No low-fat junk food loaded with artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.  And no low-fat sweets in a box: they always add more sugar to make up for the flavor loss caused by cutting the fat.  Those so called "healthy" snacks may help a person lose weight, but eating them can actually make a body less healthy.

Oh, and if I really want junk food, I'm going to have real junk food.  Everyone needs to be naughty once in awhile!