It has been a long time. COVID lockdowns behind us. Kiddos returned to school. My parents have passed away, my kids had to learn that Daddy can take care of them too. Schools back in session. No more masks! New schools! So much has happened, too much for one post. Grief kept me away for so long, but I feel ready to return. To share our journey, in hopes it shines a little light.
My youngest was transferred after much advocating, to a specialized autism school. The district pays tuition as it is a NPS (non-public school) placement and they could not find a way for him to access his education within the public realm. By law they must. The last straw for me, was when I found out that he was being walked around the campus all day, not doing any work, to prevent “behaviors.” Emergency IEP meeting was called.
It was the middle of the school year in 2021. My mom had been diagnosed with cancer.
Over COVID lockdown, I had to tutor my son myself via zoom classes. He could not sit unassisted. He has severe autism. During that time I figured out he was capable, he was smart. He did the entire zoom days work in 30 minutes each morning. I requested more difficult work, got barely an upgrade so I supplemented.
Upon returning to the old public school, he was still doing ABC’s and site words. No math. So frustrating! He’s been doing that for 3 years! He was bored. Thus, the much needed transfer to a NPS.
Jump to current time. He is thriving!!! He is reading books instead of ABC coloring pages! He does math, up to 2 digit addition and subtraction. He participates in all activities. Sure, he gets breaks, he has moments of struggle, but they make room for it all. They teach him, he learns! His speech, being a non-verbal kiddo, has also come leaps and bounds. He is still not conversational, but boy he likes to chat!!! Loads of scripting still, he’s a functional script user, but novel language is emerging more and more. It is so incredibly exciting, sometimes I cry silent tears at night while I cuddle him to sleep, so grateful to hear him say “love you” spontaneously. So amazed at his development in such a short time. Mostly, I am grateful he is happy. He is a smiley, silly, happy kiddo. Finally. He just turned 10 in September. To think where he was a couple years ago, I am filled with pride and relief that all the fighting, all the advocating, has paid off.
autstanding 