Life is going along at our house quite well. I am as busy as ever. I rarely have a free moment anymore. I am stealing time that should be used for other things around my house to even do this writing. It's a little frustrating sometimes, but this shall pass. Even with all the frustrations and challenges I am happy with how we are all doing.
I am not at all in the Christmas spirit yet, which I suppose is okay. After all, it's not Christmas yet! We are enjoying our new Advent wreath and two Advent Calendars; one given to us by my oldest son's godparents and the other from my parents. It is still somewhat of a novelty for me to keep up with all the feasts and celebrations that the Catholic religion has. I didn't really grow up with these things being celebrated in my home. I gather all the kids together in the morning and we talk about feast days as we go over the calendar each day.
I am so grateful for the Personal Attendant help that Samuel has. The two people who help us out are doing well with Samuel. In between the times that I do his school work they keep him busy and out of trouble. It's really great to know that I don't have to worry about Samuel sneaking food or sneaking time on the computer. We still have a ways to go teaching Samuel to be more independent in using his free time appropriately. The visual schedule we use will help us teach him.
I have made a renewed effort to properly use reinforcers with Samuel. Using them properly makes his school work sessions so much calmer. As I prepare his schedule I prepare a token board. If I know that he will be agreeable to the work then I will use "high 5's" as reinforcers. Then for the subjects that he is not so agreeable I use "sweet snack" (Skittles ) or perhaps a "healthy snack" (raisins or peanuts) , or a "crunchy snack" (pretzels or a cereal bar). I want to move beyond just food reinforcers. There are some books he likes to look at, so I should have a supply of them ready for him to look at after he "works".
I hope everyone is enjoying preparing for Christmas! My thoughts and prayers this evening go out to a family I know whose son is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.
6 comments:
Homework is still a nightmare for us, but when I look around I think it's a nightmare for most parents.
Best wishes
This is my calling card or link"Whittereronautism"until blogger comments get themselves sorted out.
The picture of your gingerbread house has inpired me! We need to make one.
I think we are all too busy. It is a shame too. I want to reconnect and have fun! I want to do something...just have fun with the kids.
Homework is a "nightmare" for Noddy. He and Niles are both getting better at finishing papers. I can not believe the basic things they did not know and were rushed through in school.
The main objective has been to foster good study habits. They did not know how to work independently at all. Noddy was in "Special ED" and smart enough to know that meant the school required nothing of him. He would be passed automatically--no grades. Noddy is too smart for public school.
They were both getting OT for handwriting and using "Alpha Smart" typers but we make them write and it is amazing the improvement.
We began "Home schooling" in October and already we can see where they had been rushed through things and learning very little.
I have to be honest, the gingerbread house was made by my oldest son. A friend of mine took him and 3 of her sons to a "workshop" done by our county's Historical Society where they made them. When I first heard about it I thought, "I should just do this at home with the boys!" but after thinking twice I had to admit that I'd probably not get around to it this year. The gingerbread house is made with those gingerbread flavored graham crackers and it's all supported with cardboard underneath. Anyways, my son really enjoyed making it and he has been generous enough to let us all sample it! I've been inspired to try it, but it will probably be next year.
School is going very well for my boys. They are absorbing everything they are taught. I even got an appology from the Gr 1 teacher about how I could have told and told her about the little one but until she saw it for herself.
Now... I hope she teaches him in Gr 2 next year so I get a years reprieve :)
Blog is down. Email is still there.
S.
Your page is awesome. I will be back.
I have been tagged for christmas and i wondered if you would like to join in to get into the Christmas spirit a little more .Check out my blog.
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