"Want to go school" | Autism PDD
I forgot to mention ...
He isn't stimming AT ALL in school ... !!
He still runs and hums constantly at home. His teacher said he has not done that, not even once!
Now, I've visited her classroom 3 times and there is a LOT of stuff to keep a mind occupied, which I am sure must be the reason. So I wonder - should I stop him and always redirect him? I just don't know ...
His teacher called me tonight. She said he really is transitioning well, (doesn't interact with the other children, no surprise), but that he is very cooperative (for the most part) about the things that she wants him to do, and seems very eager to please her.
These first few weeks are just for her new kids to get comfortable with her, her aides and the other kids.
I love this program ... 8 children, 1 teacher, 1 teacher's aide, 3 therapists on staff full time (OT, PT, ST) ... I'm hoping for big improvements!
At 5 1/2, he cannot recognize any letters or numbers, but now does identify nearly all of his basic colors (which he was unable to do 6 months ago). He has really begun using more words and expressing his needs through speech. I'd still say about 65% of his speech is still echolalia - but he IS improving!
There were times before I left the group for a while that I would read posts about how well some of your other kiddos were doing, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I became jealous as well as sad and angry that my child just wasn't moving forward. That's a very selfish attitude, and I am sorry.
Stimming at home may be his way of releasing tensions that build up in school. They also may be what he does when he's bored. So I'd say, let him stim if he needs to, but train him that stimming is something done in PRIVATE (like his bedroom or the bathroom). Lots of kids NEED to stim, some do it forever. But many can get into the habit of considering a private matter. Reward him heavily for running and humming in a specific place (even if it is out in the backyard). The idea is to have him contol his stimming to one place, slowly getting some control. It's not unlike people who try to stop smoking (actually, that's a stim, too). Often, it works if they ONLY smoke in one area. It might not stop them from smoking, but it often helps them cut down. Good luck. I'd rather have him do well in school and have issues at home, if he HAS to have issues.
I thought Sarah would despise school especially the large classroom and all day thing:P
But she surprised me and loves it...have you ever tried mixing benefiber in his foods or liquids~totally disolves, tasteless and no texture at all..I do this for Sarah when needed.
Congrats on him wanting to go to school!
My son is having the same kind of talking problems as Nicky. I have been told that his expressive speech is almost caught up but his conversational speech still needs a lot of work.
Great news, NY! You've been missed - I know I and others have wondered where you were - glad that you're back, and with good news (especially the verbal explosion!) - that's great to read.
Welcome back.
NYMommy,
It is the funniest thing--I was just wondering about you last night. So glad to hear that things are going well!!!!
Shannon
Thanks guys! I'm glad you were thinking of me. Sometimes I think all of us need to step back and just give the whole autism thing a break. I just didn't want to talk about it for awhile.
I'm going to try to catch up and see how everyone else is doing ...
So glad you're back. Even just to "visit." We all need a break. Really happy about the progress your son has made. My son was in a TEACCH preschool and loved it. Keep us up with what's happening.woo ho
so glad to see you ack - we mised u
Excellent News!!!!YIPEE!!! That is great news!!Glad you're back, was wondering about you! Sounds like he is doing great! We have had the same experience with switching to a new school and an ASD classroom, so glad you got the class for him!!!!!!!Glad to see you around. It's wonderful that he wants to go to school and you're comfortable with his placement.
His ST just called ... his IEP currently calls for 4 individual and 1 group per week. She asked if we could amend it to 3 group sessions (with only 1 or 2 other children.) She feels he made tremendous progress over the summer (and he did - thank goodness I had him in a summer program this year). He's getting a lot more words, but really needs to work on give and take social skills. There is absolutely no abstract language capability yet. He can tell you what he wants to eat, but cannot answer "how was your day?" or even "how old are you." She thinks group sessions would be more beneficial for him, and I tend to agree.
What is refreshing, finally, is that he is now with teachers and therpists that are specifically trained to educate autistic children. In pre-school, he was in a head start program, which was ok, and he had the therapists come in, but since the summer started and he's been with people that really "get it/him", his progress has been fantastic.
I am so happy that your little guy is enjoying it and actually wants (and asks) to go.
Good for you!!!
Yesssss ......
Hey guys! It's been a long time since I checked in! Nicky started his TEACCH kindergarten program this Wednesday. Obviously it is too early to tell what kind of progress he is going to make, but when I ask him if he likes school, he nods and says yes. And said he "want to go" this morning!
YAY! I'm so glad I got him in this program. If any of you remember, I picked this program for him back in January/February, and fought and pushed to get my transition CSE meeting early so that he would be placed right away!
Things are going very well. No progress on the megacolon/encopresis/potty fear thing ... but he has had a speech explosion over the past 4 months or so.
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