So, March week came and went. My son was super excited to get to his new school. First day was great! Loved it! Was excited about the work, excited about the kids - excited in general!
My husband and I sat down with his new resource teacher, and his teacher. Plans were devised, we ensured everyone was on board and on the same page and everything was going smoothly! At the end of the week we even got a 5/5 day! (He used this system to express how well his day went).
Now not to say there weren't a few small bumps in the road, but he was learning and continued to be encouraged to express his needs within his new school and community.
A melt down about his snow pants being moved was quickly turned around. He found them, all was right with the world again.
The first week was about intergration. Getting him settled into his new environment and routine. Setting up body breaks, expectations for him and to really learn how to manage his work on his own. A colour folder system is currently being worked out. Where pages are being placed in, where he can pull them out do his work and put it back. This is in hopes that when he meets his highschool years he can do the same with his binders to keep himself organized and focused. All in all, things seem to going well.
Long weekend has come and gone and we are ready to head back to school. I get a call at noon saying he isn't feeling well. I trek to the school to get him only to find out that he is enjoying his lunch like a kid who is feeling just fine. The sore belly doesn't seem to have much of an impact on his eating habits.
I have a conversation with his resource teacher to find out there was a melt down in the morning over writing in his agenda. Rough morning ='s get me outta here! Now, to be fair to him we did have a very late night and going back after extended time off from school is always a challenge.
I sat him down before we left school - made sure he knew that if he came home there was no DS. He was to stay on the couch, and he would be stuck watching Barbie in the Pink shoes as that is what his sister was watching when we left to get him. I let him know that if he stayed, he had freedom of his DS and his shows when he got home. He insisted he wasn't feeling well and needed to come home. Off we went.
We get home, all is well until he declares he isn't feeling better! It's a miracle! So, we did some homework. Ok, day isn't totally lost. Then it starts. Where is my DS? Can I play my DS? As I kept saying no - the anger and frustration was growing. Ohhhh - hello melt down!! I stuck to my guns and no DS. We got through that, only for another melt down to occur later in the day because he didn't get what he wanted.
What a way to celebrate World Autism Awareness day! LOL
So, this morning we trekked off to school. We had a conversation which started with *How are you feeling?*. I got a good, mommy! I feel fine. This is when I let him know that he will not be coming home today, and I will no tbe coming to pick him up until afterschool. I let him know again this his DS is all his if he stays the whole day. If I get a phone call, it's gone. He agreed. I gave him a kiss, told him to have a great day and off he went.
I also made sure the school staff was aware of this agreement prior to me leaving as well.
*Fingers crossed* today goes a little better.......
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
World Autism Awareness Day
Today is the day! It's April 2nd - World Autism Awareness day.
Today is important to many people for many different reasons. For me, today it means celebrating my son. It's means celebrating who he is, what he has accomplished and for what is still to come. More then anything though, it's a day for the world to be captured by the Autism community who on a united front are asking that people educate themselves. It's a day the austim communities is looking for acceptance and understanding, just like every other day.
There is some great information floating around facebook today, as well as some great photo's of people going blue!
I am betting that each and every one of you will be touched by autism in your lifetime. What better time then now to gain some insight, to gain some knowledge, to gain some power?
Definition:
Autism
Autism is a complex developmental disorder distinguished by difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and behavioral problems, including repetitive behaviors and narrow focus of interest.
Classic autism is one of several disorders categorized as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), three to six out of every 1,000 children in the United States have autism. Autism is four times more likely to be diagnosed in males. Autism is a disorder that is also prevalent worldwide. In the United Kingdom, one out of every 100 children have autism, with over half a million total diagnosed in the United Kingdom as of 2007. In China, one in every 1,000 children is diagnosed with autism. In India, the rate of incidence is 1 in every 250 children. In Mexico, two to six in every 1,000 children are autistic. Autism is not specific to any one socio-economic, ethnic, or racial group.
Autism usually manifests before a child is three years old and it continues throughout his/her lifetime. The degree of impairment varies from mild to severe. Autism is treatable and, with early diagnosis and treatment, autistic children have the ability to lead healthy, full lives.
Signs of Autism:
Who has autism? (canadian Stats)
For my son:
Today is important to many people for many different reasons. For me, today it means celebrating my son. It's means celebrating who he is, what he has accomplished and for what is still to come. More then anything though, it's a day for the world to be captured by the Autism community who on a united front are asking that people educate themselves. It's a day the austim communities is looking for acceptance and understanding, just like every other day.
There is some great information floating around facebook today, as well as some great photo's of people going blue!
I am betting that each and every one of you will be touched by autism in your lifetime. What better time then now to gain some insight, to gain some knowledge, to gain some power?
Definition:
Autism
Definition
Autism is a complex developmental disorder distinguished by difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and behavioral problems, including repetitive behaviors and narrow focus of interest.
Description
Classic autism is one of several disorders categorized as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Other ASDs include Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), three to six out of every 1,000 children in the United States have autism. Autism is four times more likely to be diagnosed in males. Autism is a disorder that is also prevalent worldwide. In the United Kingdom, one out of every 100 children have autism, with over half a million total diagnosed in the United Kingdom as of 2007. In China, one in every 1,000 children is diagnosed with autism. In India, the rate of incidence is 1 in every 250 children. In Mexico, two to six in every 1,000 children are autistic. Autism is not specific to any one socio-economic, ethnic, or racial group.
Autism usually manifests before a child is three years old and it continues throughout his/her lifetime. The degree of impairment varies from mild to severe. Autism is treatable and, with early diagnosis and treatment, autistic children have the ability to lead healthy, full lives.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Autism
Signs of Autism:
Who has autism? (canadian Stats)
Facts and Stats
Did you know...
- Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys (March 2012 statistic)
- The 2012 numbers reflect a 78% increase in reported prevalence in the last 6 years
- Autism prevalence figures are growing
- Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
- There is no medical detection or cure for autism
For my son:
You may think he's naughty. I know he is struggling to communicate his needs. You may think he is a *wuss*. I know a innocent tickle to us, at times feels painful to him. You may think he doesn't want to do his work, I know he is afraid it'...s not going to be perfect. You may think he is weird, I know he's beautiful. Take a moment, research autism. Education is power. In support of my son, who teaches me everyday that life occurs outside the box. For you buddy - love you!
Today - Light it up blue!
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