Samuel's dental work went so well that now, only 9 days later, the whole experience is just a distant memory. He didn't seem to be in any pain this week at all. It is wonderful to see him with complete front teeth again! We have a follow up appointment with his dentist this week. I am expecting that everything will be okay.
We have been into our new school year for a month now. I am quite happy with how things are going. I have developed schedules for the boys that I review each day. I stay up late at night and get up very early in the morning to make sure I have work ready and lined up. Once the day gets started it is best for me to be completely prepared so that I can go an "automatic" mode.
Samuel's school day has become a series of sessions working at the kitchen table. We start off the morning with a look at the calendar and a Social Skills lesson. Samuel's two brothers join us for this. Then for the rest of the day I alternate teaching times between all 3 boys. Samuel has one in-home helper that is with us to get his morning started and then another starts later in the morning. He helps keep Samuel at the table while we do school work, and then they do other activities in the playroom or outside while I work with the other boys. The days go by quickly!
My goals for the next few months with Samuel are to continue trying to assess his abilities, coming up with more hands-on activities both for school work and leisure time, and trying to figure out where to take his lessons from here! I'm hoping to get some consultant help with this.
10 comments:
All sounds very positive!
My eldest is doing regular curriculum with a teacher that's smart enough to realize that Gr 3 has more abstract concepts so that may be an issue.
The little one is doing Gr 1 curriculum - modified. ie. They are doing rules and responsibilities this mth. They are going to take pics of the office staff and he will make up the booklet. ie. Mrs. S (secretary). calls home when I am sick. Nothing more complicated than that for each person. He will be doing it with his Writing with symbols program in the classroom. Therefore learning the program, sentences, words, etc. Not just reading what the EA gives him.
We'll see. I have concerns still but the PDD teacher seems to be on top of things and keeping tabs on what his teacher is doing.
S.
S- It sounds like your boys have it pretty good at school. How are the teachers about keeping you informed? From what you have said before it sounds like they do a pretty decent job. My complaint about Samuel's school was that they did not communicate enough with me and did not take action quickly enough when things needed to be modified. I got tired of having to be the one to take the initiative - and then follow up after that too! I know teachers are busy and have lots to keep up with, but when there is something that needs their attention I expect it to get taken care of in a timely manner!
I am so relieved Samuel's dental surgery--Pamela took hers so hard.
I remember those days of sitting at the kitchen table, going back between my two. Three must be a challenge! In time, it gets easier as each child grows in ability and competence!!!
I do remember the blurry days . . . as blurry! LOL!
UGH...we will be having dental work sometime in 2008. I am scared for TC, it will be several teeth being worked on and he'll be under anaesthesia. Glad to hear yours went well!
It's not perfect. BUT, it seems to get better every year. I have made it very clear I expect the little one taught. He can read, he can do basic math and his speech is coming.
The PDD teacher (comes every couple of weeks to check on the curriculum etc) said "they will teach him".
The SLP says "bye bye pec's for talking" but "pics" for working. Same things... just no longer for speech unless he can't communicate.
I still don't get told what happens on a daily basis.. and that annoys me. I discovered this afternoon there had been major problems on Fri with the eldests supply teacher. From neighbors. Which explains my son's excessive behaviour on Fri evening.
S.
glad the surgery went well. Connor recovered very quickly from getting his teeth pulled. we left the dentists and you'd never have known if it weren't for the bloody gauze.
I, too,like to have everything planned and laid out, so I can go on auto throughout the day..LOL
Are you using social skills material you bought?
Bonnie - I usually make up my own social stories, but by using the model laid out in a wonderful book I bought a few years ago (I saw it on the shelf of my son's first teacher and figured if it's good enough for her then it's good enough for me!) The New Social Story Book, by Carol Gray. There are 100 sample stories in this book, organized in 12 categories, plus the last chapter is a lesson in how to write social stories. I use this alot, both for situations that arise, and to guide the subject of Social Skills in our home education. I have also been given pointers and other information from the professional in-home helpers we had for two years. I also have The Social Skills Picture Book, which has given me some good ideas for things to teach Samuel. I have to watch with that one though, it gives pictures of what NOT to do in situations.. which I am afraid will be tempting for Samuel to try! You can see both of these books (and LOTS of others) at futurehorizons-autism.com
Cool I have a discount w/ FH. Thanks for the info! :-)
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