Called Nick’s teacher today | Autism PDD

She really is ... and that isn't to say that Nick does not have a LONG way to go, as he does.  But the fact that he IS progressing ... not regressing ... (as you all remember I received a possible diagnosis of CDD which was frightening) ... that means it definitely could not be CDD.  If he is making this progress, I can only imagine that it's going to continue. 

I still pray for that day that I can have a true conversation with him.  I tried again today.  I asked him how his day was, and he just smiled and hummed ... LOL.  But I know, I just KNOW that one day he will answer me.

 

Good for you on getting your little guy in her class. She sounds absolutely
wonderful. I wish they could clone her. She is making such a difference.

Very heartwarming...so happy to hear him progress and thriving!  I truely believe the teacher makes all the difference for our kids and when they are good it is like watching an angel at work:)

All the best to your son and hope the successes overflow evermore!

Thanks for sharing:)

I am so happy for you! I'm all goosebumpy and tearing up over here. What
WONDERFUL news. Great job getting him in this amazing teacher's class!

Thanks Cas' mom!  Nick is the inspiration, and so is his teacher.  And he does talk, but just not very functional language.  He will, I know one day he will.  One day he WILL write his name, he will be able to read a book, I have to believe that it will come, eventually. 

When that day comes, I'm having a party!  And you are all invited!

 

I am so happy for you.  The progress you have been describing is simply remarkable.  Such wonderful news!!!Oh, this is such wonderful news. I remember when you wrote about getting
your placement for Nick and how hopeful you were. I'm so happy for you
and your family. I bet once Nick starts to talk, the floodgates will open and
he'll remember everything he wanted to say but just couldn't at the time.

You're such an inspiration.

That is just AWESOME!

One thing that might not be too inexpensive is to go to Target and get a sleeve of 10 cardboard popcorn boxes (I think they're on an endcap) and buy a box of microwave popcorn. Put a bag of popcorn in each box and if you can find a movie rental place that has gift certicates for one movie (sometimes they will run specials if you buy 5, you get one free or something like that). You put that certificate in the box as well and you have popcorn and a movie! If you can find a movie certificate for around , then you could easily spend less than for six gifts for Christmas. Throw in a few homemade cookies and you're in even better shape! The boxes should run around .99 for 10 and the popcorn will most likely be less than .00.

We've had as many as 20 people to give to (last year) as ds went to TWO pre-schools (one pre-school had a lead teacher, assistant teacher, foster grandma, bus driver and two assistants; the other preschool had lead teacher, two paras, ST, OT, two bus drivers and two assistants), his private OT, his private PT, his tumbling instructor, his swimming instructors (there were two) - and this does not include people for my daughter (she went to a mommy/toddler class and there were 5 teachers - it was an integrated class). For the main ones, I did the popcorn and a movie and for the others I did homemade fudge (I made two batches of different kinds and gave each person a little container of  pieces - 4 of each kind). Along with a card signed by ds and a little picture of him. For the REALLY good ones, I gave them popcorn, a movie, fudge AND a letter to their supervisors telling how good they were, citing specific examples and how much they had impacted my child and my family.

I spent a LOT of money even doing this, but I felt like I needed to say "thank you" to all those people who have made a difference in our lives. Believe it or not, one of the people who got the whole shebang (popcorn, movie, fudge and a letter) was ds' Head Start bus driver! This driver went OUT of his way to be good to my son and even got him interested in football somewhat! We gave him a gift certificate to TGIFriday's at the end of the year - he was absolutely incredible with my ds.

Anyway, that is so incredible about your son - you must really be proud!

I almost cried when I read your post.  I also can read the joy in your voice.  You must be on top of the world.  It is so nice to hear when our kids our doing well.

I also like the idea for a treat to bring in some bagels and coffee or snacks for the teachers. 

 

The more times I read it the more excited I get for you guys!  I know how worried you've been lately.  This is fantastic news.  I'm so happy for both of you. I can just feel the excitement coming through in your posts - they're beautiful to read!  I'm also really, truly amazed at the transformation - as someone who's always followed your posts very closely and who has known all the despair you've felt in the past, I am just stunned at these recent events and so happy for you, Nick and your family!  [QUOTE=NYMommyof3]I have her home phone #  (she is AWESOME).[/QUOTE]

Don't you just love it when you have a teacher like that?  I have the home and cell number of the autism teacher at Connor's school.  WONDERFUL! 

fred ... I KNOW!  It's truly amazing.  I heard from many people that this teacher was phenomenal.  That non-verbal children have entered her class, and ended the year with functional speech.  I wanted to believe it, and it appears that it is true.  She's got a gift ... that's all I can say.

 

I have her home phone #  (she is AWESOME).

I just had to call her ... I'm so impressed with his improvements lately that I just had to call and tell her, and thank her.

She told me he is an absolute doll, a complete pleasure to have in the classroom.  That he gains more confidence every single day, and is getting involved in storytime by "following along" with the words and turning the pages of the book.

I told her how pleased I was, and about Halloween, and she laughed and said she was hoping I was taking him out, as the "NT" kids in the school had a Halloween parade and he watched out the window and kept saying "wow" at their costumes.

You all that have known me over this last year know how I've gone through such despair and heartache over his regressions, lack of eye contact, speech, etc.  Lately all I can do is just gush over and over at this amazing progress he has made!

I pushed and pushed to get him in this school placement.  I got my CSE meeting 6 months early to get him in this class, and it is sooooo paying off.

I have this feeling that within 2 years he will be able to be integrated, at least part-time, and I'm over the moon!

Oh goodness ... seriously ... I didn't even think about that!  So what do I do in a classroom that has this teacher, 3 full time therapists and 2 full time aides!  I can't  afford it! 

 

I know...I tend to try to treat to bagels/coffee sometimes. ...feeling the need to send her flowers yet? I'm trying to figure out what to get Payne's teacher...she has been AWESOME this year too. Progress...it's remarkable!
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