It's All About Natey Today!
Since the beginning of the summer, we've seen steady improvements with Nathaniel; his speech, his comprehension, his listening skills. He had a bit of a lull near the end of the summer but now all of a sudden, it's like he's going through a huge mental growth. He's been voicing his own thoughts and comments more frequently. He's also been sharing some of his school day with me on his own free will. When I first started asking him about how his day was or who he played with, I would only get a loud, vehement "NO!" or "All done school!" Talking about school at home just wasn't right. It was almost as if we talked about it at school, he had to go back right at that very moment we were discussing it. After a few weeks of repeatedly asking him about his day and who he played with, he finally began to catch on that just because we were talking about it, didn't mean that he'd have to go there. So in the last several weeks, he's been volunteering information as soon as I pick him up from school; "play sand table and play science area" and then he'll pause and say "play B*******, play J****" (friends names) Then last week out of the blue, he told me who the Busy Bee was for the day. And the day after that he told me who the Busy Bee was for the day AND who was the Caboose. The day after that came information about the Clean Up Crew and the Snack Helpers. It was amazing and a day that had been a long time coming.
And then out the blue he started clapping the syllables to words. I told Joe about it and we agreed that one of his therapists or teachers must have started this concept with him. Today when I picked him up, I asked his therapist if this was a concept she was working on with him. You can imagine my surprise when she told me no, that she hadn't even mentioned anything even remotely close to that with him. She said she'd check with the other therapist, but she didn't think that the other therapist was working on that either. She seemed thoroughly shocked, as was I. Where did he pick that up? It's funny because he's quite good and has only been wrong on a couple of words. The one off the top of my head that I can remember he did incorrectly was orange. He gave it one syllable instead of the correct 2.
Yesterday, I received two emails that really meant so much to me. The first was from his SLP (Speech Language Pathologist). She said that everyone on Nate's preschool team agreed that we needed to have an earlier than scheduled IEP (Individualized Education Plan) because Nate was doing so well. His IEP was originally set for April; and here only a little over 2 months into the school year, we're re-evaluating because he's excelling. Music to my ears. She also told me that they're seeing major, MAJOR improvements with him. He's talking more and more to the teachers AND the other students. Academically, he's met or exceeded a lot, if not most, of the goals set for him for the year.
The other email I received was one from his preschool teacher. And as simple as the email was it made me tear up and made me so proud of my little guy. For 2 and a half years now, we've been pushing and teaching and doing everything in our power to help him be where he needs to be socially. It started with 2 days a week at preschool, where he cried every morning I left him there...to now, when we get to school, he's so excited to be there that he literally cannot stand still. It started with him speaking no more than 3-4 words (total words, not phrases)...to now, him putting together 4-5-6-7 word sentences/phrases. It started with little to no eye contact with anyone...to now, he'll force eye contact if he thinks you're not listening to him. It started with not even noticing another child standing in the same vicinity as him...to now where he's initating conversations and play with other kids at school. And that, my friends, is what the teacher's email was concerning. She's seen him trying to talk and play with the other kids. Here's an excerpt from her email:
Also, Nate is starting to initiate play with his friends and today he gave a couple of his friends hugs as they were playing. We are working on getting him to ask his friends to do activities with him. Ex: "Chase me" "Run with Me". Most of the time when he initiates play he will join a friend at an area and make a comment about what the friend is doing and then start playing with or next to the friend. The other day he walked up to a friend, put his hand on his friend's back and then started talking and then playing. :)
THAT is what we've been working so hard to achieve. THAT is why we spent all summer going to a friends house and having friends over. THAT is why we talk every single day about friends and school. THAT is why he's going to school 30 hours per week instead of staying home with me and the twins.
You cannot imagine the emotions I felt when I read that. The hard work, the frustration not only on my part but his part, the looks from other people who don't know/understand our situation with him...it was all worth it. And yes, there were days where I did question whether it was all worth it.
His teacher also gave me other snippets of info that made me chuckle. The fact that she hears "Good job, Ms. S*******" at least once a day puts a smile on her face. What can I say? We're a praising type of household. We like to let them know when they've done a good job. And apparently, Nate just likes to return the sentiment.
Now we await a meeting date/time for his IEP meeting. We're excited as to what the meeting and the future will bring for him. I'll be sure to update after our meeting.
****Sidenote***** I still have birthday pics to post of the twins party. Maybe tomorrow! :)
Drawing at the easel.
YMCA! Oh, sorry! Nate likes the construction hard hat!
Sharing a pillow with a friend to do some reading.
Playing with a friend at the sand table.
Ah yes, and my most favorite pictures of all. One of the red flags of autistic children is the lack of pretend play. You can imagine my excitement when I heard that Nate has been loving the dress-up clothes!! :) Joe wasn't quite that excited! But look at how cute he is! I can barely stand it. And not only that but him putting the dress-up clothes on is a big step in pretend play!
I love this one!!
Nothing like a princess dishing up some pizza and cookies!
