nice comment from ’class mom’ | Autism PDD
How super! I know that nothing warms my heart more than when I pick Dooder up after school and he's running around with the other kids and blending in. Way to go, girls!
The girl's ran into a classmate at the 'Y' and the girl's mother spoke with this classmates mom. Turns out, this mom told DW that she had been 'class mom' a few times this past week, and had actually worked with Abigail a bit in the class.
The conversation somehow led to DW telling this other mother about Abigail's autism dx, and the other mother was very surprised to learn that Abigail had a diagnosis of any kind.
She said that she would never have guessed. She did say that she noticed the resource teacher coming in for her, but this mother had just assumed that she got a little langauge help because she was a twin.
She said that Abigail acts just like all the other kids - behaves (for the most part), follows the class routine, interacts, plays and talks with the other children, and does the work that she's suppsosed to. She even commented that Abigail was 'smart' :) Abbie's teacher, during our meeting, said that Abigail was basically indistinguishable from her peers in the class setting and this was a corraboration of that. I know they are still noticably affected when spoken with 1:1, but at least they are no longer standing out from the crowd so much.
It made me feel real, real good that this mother of a (very) NT five year old who's worked directly with Abigail didn't pick up on the fact that she was autistic.
The girls are in another developmental leap and it's coincided with their placement in a full time, regular kindergarten class. They're making language, social, and physical progress (the latter is surprising, but they are both gaining in endurance and some gross motor coordination, especially Abigail) So, right now, I'm feeling good about that decision, finally.
I picked up my son at the elementery school last week (for a doctor's appointment) and passed the playground on my way into the school. I saw Evie out there running around with all the other kids. I went over to the playground and she saw me and yelled "MY DADDY IS HERE!" and came running up and gave me a big hug. I talked with her teacher a bit, and when it was time to leave, Evie started to tear up and sniffle - it was so sweet and appropriate (unlike some of you, my kids don't give a lot of overt affection, so this was a rare treat).
Anyway, seeing her out there with the other kids - she really did blend right in. An ASD parent would noticed the awkward gait and posture, but I don't think anyone else would have thought anything different about her - she didn't stand out at all. Some of the other kids came up and talked with me, and it wasn't too bad. It used to bother me a lot more when the girls were younger and basically non-communicative (around 3.5 was the worse for this) and the other kids were starting to talk well, but at 5.0, the difference isn's as obvious as it was. There's still a big gap, but it's not as wide as it used to be.
They're really coming along. I don't know how long I will feel this way, but for today, I'm really hopeful.
fred - that's awesome! We had a great day today as well. It was one of those days that I always assume parents of NT kids have. We went pumpking picking and apple picking and afterwards ds and dd came home and the twins were basically waiting for us to come home so they could play with my kids!
Ds played very appropriately and had races with the twins while riding his scooter. One twin had a scooter and the other rode ds' big wheel. They played like this for a long time. Then the twins went and got costumes on - ds accompanied them to their house. They all went potty and the twins got the costumes and then came back. When it was time for us to eat supper, ds asked me if he could walk the twins back to their house (they are 3 houses away) and I said sure, but to come right back. He walked them home, proceeded to take five minutes to say goodbye to them
Like you - for today, I'm really hopeful!
Sounds like your girls are both doing awesome and I bet you are glad you made the decisions you did!
What wonderful news - don' t you wish you were a fly on the wall and could watch them all day? That is just excellent!It must have made your day to hear that! I remember how I felt when I heard a comment like this the first time about my oldest son. It definately helped me breathe a little easier.How wonderful!! At 5 yrs Sam was very noticable NOT one of the gang. It wasn't until I found the right school for him with the right support that he started to blend in. Sam had just turned 8 yrs when I went to pick him up from school and I couldn't see him 'cause he blended in with his peers. There's still issues with running (all action, no momentum) and of course his speech is still very challenging for everyone to understand, but he has come soooo far in the past years. I would not have guessed 2 yrs ago that Sam would have so many friends and that he would be able to hold his own amongst his peers at 8 yrs of age.
It sounds like the girls are maturing quickly (girls always do, don't they?
Ohh - I'm jealous about the hugs - I'd give my eye-teeth for some lovin' from Sam. mama to Sam 8 yrs PDD NOS OCD ODD PPD and Alex 2yrs So, right now, I'm feeling good about that decision, finally. [/QUOTE] YIPEE!!! I know how agonizing the placement stuff was for you this past spring & summer and I'm so excited for you that everything seems to be falling into place. Keep the good news coming!! That is great news!!!! Keep up the great work Dad and Mom!! (And of course Abbie and Evie!!)
Your girls are both doing so awesome..much more than Sarah was at that age. I have no doubt that their diagnoses will change over time! Be very proud and give yourself permission to relax and breathe now:) THat is super great news fred...Thanks for sharing. Karrie
That is wonderful news. The class Moms are very knowledgeable. Its nice to
hear that they are doing great!Great news Fred.That must make you feel so great! Congratulations!
Great news.
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