Don't Be Surprised...

by the things my son can do...appearances can be deceiving.

A 3 mile hike, you expect my son to be the straggler who struggles.  Instead, halfway through - he's the one leading his peers and even overtaking some of the grown ups.  Chances are he can out hike, swim or even run most grown ups.

Don't assume (Ass-U-Me after all) what he can comprehend...he  may be struggling to grasp angles, division and grammar...but is methodically working his way through (on his own no less) Tolkien's "The Hobbit."

Don't think he isn't listening to you...so watch what you say.  He has an almost word for word memory for what people say and will bring up conversations days later, that he's heard.  This can lead to sometimes funny and very often, awkward explanations of the meaning of those conversations.

Don't second guess him, do not lower that bar, do not expect less of him and most of all...never ever think he doesn't have as much to contribute as you or I.   Don't be surprised, at what my son can do.

 

Focus, J is unfocused..losing focus...ha...

Focus, J is unfocused..losing focus...having difficulty focusing...well no shit Sherlock. Tell me something I haven't known since he was two and a half years old. Seriously, this is what you spent your parents hard earned money on at college?

Working on a long overdue post. I'm a ...

Working on a long overdue post. I'm a lousy blogger, but this is for me...so, I'll cut me some slack.

The Lazy Dayz Of Summer...

in more ways than one!  I have been such a slug about blogging...I'm no where near a prolific blogger - but lately I have been absolutely neglectful!

I wasn't sure how J would do, not going to summer school...if the lack of structure/routine would put him very much out of sorts.  See...I could have sent him.  However, after discussing the issue with his teachers, we all agreed that he was pretty much past the point where the current summer school setting would benefit him.  He's at an awkward stage, where he is passing many of his friends who receive services and yet is not quite on the same level as his neurotypical peers.  In light of this, we opted for a once a week tutoring with his sp. ed. teacher, camp, get together with friends and lots of family time.  Basically, we wanted him to have a summer like every other kid his age.

So, to sum up our summer so far:

July 1st:  The five of us headed down to Port Canaveral, FL.  There we met up with my Sister In-law, her husband and five kids to go on a 7 day Carnival Cruise with my In-laws.  We had a wonderful time!  Some of the highlights for J - Camp Carnival and all its wonderful activities.  Hearing about how well J did snorkling in Nassau for the first time.  He struggled a bit, but didn't give up and ended up having a great time.  Dinner!  J had soooo much fun ordering from the adult menu.  He would carefully make his selection from each course and order in such a serious and discerning tone.  He even tried sushi, lobster and chilled soups to name but a few things!  His favorite was this melty chocolate cake type dessert (ok, that was everyones favorite).  The waterslide!  Running to the room at night to see what the latest towel animal would be...and lastly, the breakfast buffet - the boy is all about the food!

July 27th - August 7th - Camp!  J and his older sister both did two weeks at a local YMCA camp.  Swimming, archery, canoeing, horseback riding - they do it all there.  Its just a day camp at this point, but they came home every day dirty, tired and very happy.  J even won an award in archery!  I just wish it weren't so expensive, or I would send them for another two weeks. Its worth every penny.  The best part is J is assigned an additional counselor that works with him and other students with LDs.  He used to get an actual one on one, but now he shares with other campers who are starting to move out of needing such individualized attention.  The primary aim now, is socialization - this is as important for his future as an adult as are his academics.

August 10th - present:  The rest of the summer, well...other than the Fair, its pretty wide open.  Some playdates, maybe a movie, a trip to a waterpark and lots of time outside.  Soon, we'll find out who his 5th grade teacher is (fingers crossed its the one we hope for!) and the countdown to school will begin.  J is looking forward to seeing his friends, Boy Scouts, math class and LUNCH LOL!!  I'll keep you posted...

A Good Scout Saves The Last Candy

to toss to his little sister during our town's Memorial Day parade.  My husband and the girls were toward the end of the parade route.  J hung on to a handful of candy for Little M and made sure it landed right at her feet.[gallery link="file"]

School Sucess and Summer Plans

Good news!  J will no longer be needing OT services starting next school year.  Even though he has an odd grip, the teachers are happy with his handwriting.  Overall, he has shown fantastic improvement with his fine motor skills.  He will still see his speech teacher, but twice a week instead of three times a week.  Also, modifications will remain in place in regards to test taking.  Out of class support for math and reading will also remain in place.  The latter is more in regards to his issues with the rules of grammar, than it is reading comprehension itself.  So, YAY!!!

The other good news?  No summer school!  My son started an early intervention program when he was three and has pretty much been in school since that time.  When we told him the news, he reacted a bit upset at first, "But I want to go to school!!!"  We had to explain to him, that not going to summer school was a GOOD thing.  It will be so nice for him, to be able to enjoy summer along with his siblings...and tell me a week into it, "Mooooom, I'm boooooooored!!!"

So, the plan for summer will to be to meet once a week w/ a tutor - this to keep him fresh on math mostly.  On my end, we will participate in the library's summer reading program and take some field trips to historical sites in our area.  I'm also  planning 4 books for him to read over the course of the summer, with a mini book report on each.  This will cover the language arts aspect.  As for his handwriting, I thought it would be a nice summer activity to keep a summer journal; part expository writing and part pictorial.

Other than that?  Lots of bike riding, swimming and getting good and dirty.

Just Say NO

to Jenny McCarthy and Oprah's newest endeavor.  As if McCarthy hasn't already done enough damage and spread enough misinformation regarding vaccinations and Autism.  Oprah doesn't give a rats behind if vaccinations are safe, cause Autism or the hiccups...but I can bet you every last cent in my pathetic bank account, that if vaccinations caused weight loss or made you poop money, or resurrected a flat lining Hollywood career...Oprah, Jenny and Jim would be singing their praises.


http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSTRE5430RD20090504

I posted earlier on Orac's excellent point by point rebuttal of Jim Carey's uninformed Huff-Po article...seeing that he and McCarthy are symbiotically joined in Woo-itude, its worth checking out.