just an update | Autism PDD

I realize I haven't posted an update on Don in awhile, and figured it's
about
due!

Don's doing pretty good. We're finally pretty "used to" living with Bipolar
Disorder and dual diagnosis and all in a good routine. And we all know
how
important routine is for our ASD kiddos!

Summer was a nice break - Don went to a day camp program for six
weeks of the summer. That meant he was gone from 9-4 Monday to
Friday. Wow. I'd forgotten what it felt like to have respite during the day,
as he hadn't been in school full time in so long. The break was good for
both of us. Program had it's ups and downs, but overall Don felt good
about it and enjoyed it I think.

School starts up for Don on the 10th. I've got his transition meeting on
the 6th, where I'll find out who his classroom teacher and aid(s) will be.
The school should also have a draft IEP ready at this meeting, but I doubt
that will be the case. Don hasn't had an appropriate IEP since, well, never.
If we can have a good IEP in place by the end of October I'll be pleasantly
surprised.

I've got a few more people "on my team" in advocating with the school
and district this year. We've got a facillitator (social worker), and she's
being backed by Community Living BC. I've been in touch with Vela
Microboards, and they've put me in touch with some contacts...including
a woman who sued the Langley district (an hour away from me), forcing
them to provide a support person of the family's choosing for their ASD
daughter, on the school's dime. I'll be calling this lady Tuesday (don't
want to bother her on the holiday)...I'm really looking forward to talking
with her, as her family was featured in The Province newspaper's six piece
expose on autism...

I'm moving ahead, slowly, on building a microboard for Don. Hubby and I
met with the lady from VELA last week, and it was really informative. I'm
eager to get started, but hubby's a bit apprehensive and overwhelmed, as
it means more work initially, while we build the team and get everyone
going. However, I'm adamant that Donny does, in fact, need a team, and
that this will be a good thing for the whole family in the long run. Our
facillitator agrees.

Other stuff - I signed Donny up for Special Olympics swimming and
gymastics. I think (hope?) it will be a great outlet for him, where he can
make some friends, increase community contacts, get some exercise and
sensory input, and feel good about himself. He starts off with gymnastics
this Tuesday, then swimming next monday (not this week because of the
holiday). I've also put Donny in the afterschool adventure program one
day a week again, with his friend from last year.

I'm really excited that Donny is starting to have "friends". There's the boy
from afterschool program, who also has autism, but is higher functioning
than Don. There's N, a boy Don's known since Grade 2, who has PDD
NOS. N is super-social and way more verbal than Donny, and does all the
"work" in the friendship, but doesn't seem to mind. Then there's M, a
little girl who goes to school with Don (same grade, different class), who
has AS. Her mom and I are friends, which helps with that connection.
Don is somewhat indifferent to M, but M feels a strong connection to
Don, and says she likes helping him and playing with him, because "I can
understand what he's thinking and feeling because our brains work the
same because I have autism too" - how sweet is that? It's actually an IEP
goal of hers to help Donny with his work when she's done hers

I've caught Donny starting to play a bit with his foster brothers here and
there, so I think, with enough repeated exposure to these kids that like
him, he'll start to reciprocate and engage with them...

Anyhow, this is long enough, I'm sure! Thanks to all on this board who've
been and continue to be there for us This is GREAT news!  YOu have really, really been a TRUE advocate for your son. You both deserve some good times now.Oh, I bet special olympics is going to be such a great outlet for him. Did he ask to do it? I notice all the water pictures, so I'm sure he'll enjoy it.

It's great that he's gained friendships, and the girl sounds like a doll. What a great IEP goal for her.

I wish you tons of luck with the school and with all your own team members for it. I didn't ever think about this sort of stuff with D, so never realized what a long and arduous task it is in our lives, and the lives of our special needs children. Let us know how it goes...
Well, everything sounds promising.  I know your family has really struggled in the past and I hope things are on the upswing!I'm glad to hear that he had a good summer. It sounds like he is involved in great things. I hope he has a good year in school.That is so wonderful. I hope gymnastics and swimming goes well. By the looks of the pictures it looks like he will like the swimming. Special Olympics is wonderful, because he can continue that for a long time. I am glad to hear him making friends, that is such a wonderful thing. Hope school and the IEP goes wellthanks for all the feedback and well wishes!

I'm pretty nervous about school, but trying to be optomistic. I really, really
hope he'll get the supports he needs, and that staff will try to be
understanding and supportive, rather than blaming and exclusive...Thanks for the update.  I hope the first day of school goes well.  I'm so happy for Don.  I hope the gymnastics and swimming go great, and that he has a good year at school.
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