So today was the day. The day we met with the psycologist, my son's teacher, and the principal of the new school he is to attend in September. Today was the day was sat and went through finding and recommendations.
The first hour or so was basically the results of testing she did. Checking for memory, fine motor etc etc. Im thrilled to say that although there are some area's that required improvement, he ranked average in comparing him to children within his peer group. There were many results as well which ranked him off the charts. The overall summary was that we had a very bright boy. Now I do have to admit that through parts of it I was distracted as I had to bring our 2 year old daughter with us.
I was thrilled to know that being in the french immersion program isn't hindering him and in fact because the testing in giving in English we have discovered that not onnly does he continue to thrive in FI, but is doing wonderfully in English as well.
Socially he is making huge strides as well. Where he used to play by himself at recess or follow the other kids around he is now joining in, participating and engaging in the play with other children. It was also noted that since taking his social skills class (*camp*) that he has come full circle in gym class. Participating more and not prone to often becoming upset if he isn't winning.
Perfectionism and anxiety are still huge for him. I am amazed however that he is very self aware. He was able to tell the psychologist that he knows and recognizes when he is starting to feel overwhelmed and can relate to what intensity it is at based on both physical and emotional feelings he is experiencing at that time.
Attention is also something requiring work. He fidgits, has a hard time sitting still, paying attention to conversations etc etc. Although there are under tones to ADD and/or ADHD there is a fair bit of confidence that this is not what we are working with.
How based on the attention concerns, level of intellegence and some other sign and signals we are now moving onto the next level. We will shortly be signing forms take it the next level.
We will have to wait until September but testing will proceed to see if he is sitting on the autism spectrum. From what Im gathering there will be extensive interviewing with parents. Time spent with the child and from there a 48 hour period with their feedback and thoughts.
Today has been an emotionally charged day. I laughed, I cried and I struggle to continue to know what the best thing is to do. I'm grateful for the amazing support staff we have as parents and my son is more then blessed to have in his corner.
Wherever you go from here I will keep reminding myself it does not define who my son is, but provide the ground work in obtaining the tools he will need while growing into who he will become.
I love you buddy - more then I could ever put into words. You will always be you, my sweet little boy. <3
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Your never really prepared......
I think one of the toughest things about being a parent is trying to figure out if your doing the best thing or *the right thing*.
Another moment of self doubt is was thrown out there for me yesterday.
The psychologist who has been working with my son at the social skills group called with her *assessment* yesterday morning. Turns out he's a poor sport (no surprise there!). They opted to coin the phrase *quitter* instead of poor sport as that term seemed to have little impact on him. At the beginning where he chose to be defiant and insistant on not participating, towards the end he would continue even if he wasn't winning. Big accomplishment in itself.
They also worked with him on personal space, which I can understand. I was a little thrown off was when she had noted the personal space was more so from wanting hugs as a source of affirmation from adults when did accomplish something that had previously caused him anxiety. I kinda get it, but it was her comment that followed which consisted of *he has a need for affirmation. Im not sure where it comes from as I don't know his history.* His history?? What history? He does something positive, he overcomes a fear we ensure we know how proud we are of him. Hugs, kisses, praise - positive affirmation. That's his history.
I was also taken a bit aback when she told me they ended up spending alot of one on one time with him. No, it's not a bad thing - but I think for us it was putting him a group setting, I wasn't expecting that he needed more attention and behaviour modification then the majority of the group. It's like having the big ol' reality flag waived in front of your face and forcing you to realize that the *problem* might be that much bigger then what was anticipated.
Anyway, end result is that he attend *specialized camp* through the summer and he go back to the class again come September.
Another moment of self doubt is was thrown out there for me yesterday.
The psychologist who has been working with my son at the social skills group called with her *assessment* yesterday morning. Turns out he's a poor sport (no surprise there!). They opted to coin the phrase *quitter* instead of poor sport as that term seemed to have little impact on him. At the beginning where he chose to be defiant and insistant on not participating, towards the end he would continue even if he wasn't winning. Big accomplishment in itself.
They also worked with him on personal space, which I can understand. I was a little thrown off was when she had noted the personal space was more so from wanting hugs as a source of affirmation from adults when did accomplish something that had previously caused him anxiety. I kinda get it, but it was her comment that followed which consisted of *he has a need for affirmation. Im not sure where it comes from as I don't know his history.* His history?? What history? He does something positive, he overcomes a fear we ensure we know how proud we are of him. Hugs, kisses, praise - positive affirmation. That's his history.
I was also taken a bit aback when she told me they ended up spending alot of one on one time with him. No, it's not a bad thing - but I think for us it was putting him a group setting, I wasn't expecting that he needed more attention and behaviour modification then the majority of the group. It's like having the big ol' reality flag waived in front of your face and forcing you to realize that the *problem* might be that much bigger then what was anticipated.
Anyway, end result is that he attend *specialized camp* through the summer and he go back to the class again come September.
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
The results are in.......
Tomorrow concludes my son's run of his social skills class. Im not sure what happens afterwards. I don't know will happen after that? If they provide you with input, results or a suggestion of continuing when they offer it again? I do know that my son is excited for the party they are having to wrap things up.
I had a moment last week where I questions myself, wondering if I had done harm then good. For *Character week* at school, on Friday a bunch of the glasses were putting together a little performance. This is not something our son enjoys doing. So to motivate him, I let him know a few days ahead of time that if he went to the gym with his class and sang at least part of the song Daddy would take him to see the Avengers on the weekend. We brought it up a few times before hand to prepare him, and all was good. Until Friday morning. He didn't feel well, didn't want to go. I got him out the door and all was good until the bus pulled out. I could see the panic in his face and tears starting in his eyes. I don't even remember what the conversation I had with him was, as all I could think was *what had I done*.
I came home and quickly called his teacher to give her the heads up. I'm fortunate she is so in tune with him as she had called back to let me know she knew the signs he was close to melt down when he walked into the classroom and was able to calm him before it went any further. She was able to provide comfort to him by letting him know that if it got to be too much he could sit with her, or they could leave the gym and go for a walk. I let her know what my deal was with him and how bad I felt, feeling as though I had brought the panic on.
We had a great chat and I hung feeling re-assured he was fine.
Then, I thought - why not surprise him! So off my daughter and one of my daycare kids and i went. He was thrilled to see us, and I have to say I couldn't have been prouder.
He sat with his class the whole time and sang through the parts he was suppose to. His teacher was thrilled and gave him a huge hug afterward. He throughly enjoy'd the Avengers this past weekend.
May 24th is the day. I have a meeting with the psycologist to school to see what the recommendations are. Im both excited and nervous.
I had a moment last week where I questions myself, wondering if I had done harm then good. For *Character week* at school, on Friday a bunch of the glasses were putting together a little performance. This is not something our son enjoys doing. So to motivate him, I let him know a few days ahead of time that if he went to the gym with his class and sang at least part of the song Daddy would take him to see the Avengers on the weekend. We brought it up a few times before hand to prepare him, and all was good. Until Friday morning. He didn't feel well, didn't want to go. I got him out the door and all was good until the bus pulled out. I could see the panic in his face and tears starting in his eyes. I don't even remember what the conversation I had with him was, as all I could think was *what had I done*.
I came home and quickly called his teacher to give her the heads up. I'm fortunate she is so in tune with him as she had called back to let me know she knew the signs he was close to melt down when he walked into the classroom and was able to calm him before it went any further. She was able to provide comfort to him by letting him know that if it got to be too much he could sit with her, or they could leave the gym and go for a walk. I let her know what my deal was with him and how bad I felt, feeling as though I had brought the panic on.
We had a great chat and I hung feeling re-assured he was fine.
Then, I thought - why not surprise him! So off my daughter and one of my daycare kids and i went. He was thrilled to see us, and I have to say I couldn't have been prouder.
He sat with his class the whole time and sang through the parts he was suppose to. His teacher was thrilled and gave him a huge hug afterward. He throughly enjoy'd the Avengers this past weekend.
May 24th is the day. I have a meeting with the psycologist to school to see what the recommendations are. Im both excited and nervous.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
And the ball is rolling
I am pleased to say the meeting at the school went well last week. I felt much better about leaving certain questions unanswered before getting the full reason for the question being asked. We spent almost 2 hours with the board psychologist going through our answers, discussing our thoughts, providing our input and basically presenting our son to her through our eyes.
She spent the remainder of the day with him. She called me upon the completion of the day to let us know how her time with him went. The first block of his day seemed to smooth, the afternoon - not so much. She heard alot of *I'm tired* *It's too hard!* *I can't do it* - which as odd as it is to say, Im glad she saw it. Myles seemed to show his true colours which I firmly believe will help when heading down the road of diagnoses.
He's gone to his last two social skills classes which he has come home saying how much fun they are, but informed me tonight before he went that he was *kinda getting tired of camp!*. We have a few more weeks left, I guess we will see what the outcome is.
This past week or so has been tough. We've seen this complete transistion in our child again. For a few weeks he was doing his homework with no issues, getting ready when asked, not temper tantrums or meltdowns. It was almost like the calm before the storm. This past Sunday we spent 4 hours doing homework. Through outbursts, meltdowns and frustration (his and ours) we finally got the last bit of his language homework done and the 3 required sentances about his french book. Yup - 4 hours for that! Melt downs when it's time to go to school in the morning, negotiating a day off from school - you name it. I wish we knew what the triggers were and try to stop these times before they start.
The psycologist spent some more time with our son yesterday. There was a meeting with the school staff and the psycologists and they are now ready for the results meeting. Thursday May 24th we will meet with the psycologist and the school staff to discuss her findings and recommendations. That day can't come fast enough.........
She spent the remainder of the day with him. She called me upon the completion of the day to let us know how her time with him went. The first block of his day seemed to smooth, the afternoon - not so much. She heard alot of *I'm tired* *It's too hard!* *I can't do it* - which as odd as it is to say, Im glad she saw it. Myles seemed to show his true colours which I firmly believe will help when heading down the road of diagnoses.
He's gone to his last two social skills classes which he has come home saying how much fun they are, but informed me tonight before he went that he was *kinda getting tired of camp!*. We have a few more weeks left, I guess we will see what the outcome is.
This past week or so has been tough. We've seen this complete transistion in our child again. For a few weeks he was doing his homework with no issues, getting ready when asked, not temper tantrums or meltdowns. It was almost like the calm before the storm. This past Sunday we spent 4 hours doing homework. Through outbursts, meltdowns and frustration (his and ours) we finally got the last bit of his language homework done and the 3 required sentances about his french book. Yup - 4 hours for that! Melt downs when it's time to go to school in the morning, negotiating a day off from school - you name it. I wish we knew what the triggers were and try to stop these times before they start.
The psycologist spent some more time with our son yesterday. There was a meeting with the school staff and the psycologists and they are now ready for the results meeting. Thursday May 24th we will meet with the psycologist and the school staff to discuss her findings and recommendations. That day can't come fast enough.........
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