Decison Making

We went and visited the autism classroom at the elementary school. Although it was set up nicely and the staff was well versed in autism, it left much to be desired. Caleb was far and aways TOOOOO high for that class. He would be the only verbal child, and the only one working on reading skills and math. They suggested we look at the classroom for 3-5th grade autistic children. We went to that school and saw a much better fit for Caleb. It was set up more like a classroom and the children were working on actual educational goals...like reading and math. Because I'm still concerned about socialization, Caleb losing connection with the great class he has at our home school, and then our home school not being prepared for him to return in a year or 2....we are contemplating a dual enrollment. Caleb would be enroled at the autism school 3 days a week, and our home regular ed class 2 days a week with it written in his IEP that upon successful achievement of listed behaviors he will return gradually to his home school (regular ed). Hopefully by then the staff will have had some help in setting up his education to best suit him...not the teachers. That's really the problem. If they'd just look beyond the behaviors to focus on his education and how best to teach him...we'd have none of this crap. Instead, they all want to make it easier on themselves and get him out of the school. I'll have none of it! I'm not "dumbing him down" and taking away his best asset--that of incredible intelligence--so he can go be part of an autistic classroom where he's not pushed nor expected to succeed. This is a child who's on the verge of normalcy, but still struggles with erratic behavior at times. I would just love to see these teachers go observe some autism classrooms to see just how far Caleb has come! Sigh.....I may end up homeschooling yet! Let's face it...no one will see the good in my son like I will. I just don't want to do Caleb a disservice, so I continue to fight.

A Day of Disappointments

As I sit here, I can hardly believe that I'm writing this next blog about this topic, since it's only been a month since Caleb's "Most Improved Award". How different a couple of weeks makes sometimes... (not always for the positive)

What a day it's been.... We just got back from a meeting with Caleb's therapists. They are advising that Caleb be bused to a special autism school that's over an hour away. Not really because he can't fit here in our home school district, but because the staff and school are set up in such a way that we're all beating our heads against a wall. This staff of teachers are frustrating and infuriating. They are overmaxed with their numbers of kids, of that I understand. But....they just don't understand autism, nor are they willing to expend the extra energy setting things up to make Caleb successful. The therapists think Caleb could be much more independent, successful, and educated in the autism school than he could be in a school with this many red flags. One...his class size of 30.... two...his stubborn, unknowledgeable teacher (this is my addition), .... three... the lack of resources in our school......4...the complete change of all administrative personal for the second year in a row.... and the list goes on and on. One part of me wants to pull all of my children and put them in another school (and I would if my husband weren't considering applying for the principal job). Another part of me wants to make these subpar teachers "put up or shut up" so that the next autism family that comes through is more successful. But, the last part of me (the biggest part) wants to see Caleb successful and appreciated for who he is. And...if that's in another school, then so be it. I did tell my husband, however, that he had to promise me one thing....that my youngest twins WOULD NEVER have Caleb's current teacher for any grade! That he would appeal to the masses, if need be, so that I never have to deal with her again! You just can't teach a person, such as her, how to be compassionate or how to love each child just because they're human. Instead, she sees Caleb as a behavior problem, and a detriment to her quality of teaching. Thankfully, we have a number of months to decide which direction to take. We also plan on looking at nearby school districts to see what they have to offer. For now though...pray that we make the right decision!

An AWARD for Caleb!

We're SO excited! Caleb got an award for this marking period! He was MOST IMPROVED in his first grade class! We were a little sad that we didn't know anything about him receiving an award so we could attend the awards ceremony. But....nevertheless....we were thrilled at his acomplishment! Here's the picture we took of him at home with his new award :)

Winter Progress

Things are still going great here with Caleb! So much so, that we're actually again integrating more class and less one on one aide. He's moving up in the world! He has a "best" friend, Ashtin, and is VERY well liked by his classmates. He actually tells me, "Goodbye Mom" when he sees me at school because he wants his "own" place to shine. Mood can still be an issue firt thing in the morning, but what I'm finding out now is that it usually resides by the time school starts. Often his worst "morning mood days" are his best school days :) Caleb is still on no meds and very few supplements. Occasionally (once or twice a week) I give an oral mb12 for mood & speech, culturelle for yeast (once or twice weekly), EFAs (omega 3,6,9), and occasionally vitamin A/C if coming down with a cold. Otherwise we usually go the homeopathy route. Homeopathy is so much gentler, easier to give, and more effective. Here's a few Christmas/winter holiday pics.

Again Homeopathy!

I often hate to post good thinks for fear that it "jinxes" us a bit.... I know...the Lord is above all of that. This is why I'm posting! Such good things are happening here at home! Caleb has come leaps and bounds in just a few short weeks. He is now talking in mostly complete sentences! He went from, "Play computer?" to "Mommy, Can I play computer please?" and waiting for a reply. He also will answer many more questions! All is really due to the Lord's working on Caleb's body, and allowing homeopathy to be a path which agrees with Caleb. I can't say enough about homeopathy...either sequential or classical homeopathy. We've seen amazing results with both, but lately with sequential.

This is our homeopath: http://www.homeopathy.com/clinic/ (Rudi Verspoor). Caleb has come leaps and bounds in 3 weeks! Just imagine what years of normal development could have done for him?! Thank you Lord for this time of growth! Whatever may come, I thank Him for this period of success!

P.S. Here's a picture of our Christmas cookies (gluten free of course!). They were so good, and no one realized they're gluten free! That's how good I'm getting at baking :) lol

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

This has been a GREAT Thanksgiving Weekend! Caleb was SO on target! He has even begun asking simple questions! I can only relate his doing well to two things....homeopathy and chelation (which we began again after having had a long break from it). Both things were changed this past month, but whatever it is....it's working! I'm giving thanks to the Maker who's working miracles in my little boy!

As an update...we now have an aide for Caleb! Hooray! It was a long battle with the school, but we won :) She's doing great with him so far, and I'm excited to see where it leads.

Bowling--"ANNUAL TAKING TURNS DAY"

We just had our annual family bowling day (instead of Halloween....which we don't celebrate). My husband calls it our "Annual Taking Turns Day" which is usually quite difficult for Caleb and our younger twins. This year, however, was a great day...especially for Caleb. He knew what the day was, where we were going, and even waited VERY patiently for his turns. He doesn't quite have the bowling technique down, but he did a great job! He cheered for everyone, and knew when his turn was coming. This one game of bowling lasts SUPER long though as we have to wait for the snail rolls to finally reach the pins :) Instead..Andy (one of our 3 year olds) thought every turn should be his own :) So....my husband's title still stands! Just not for Caleb anymore :)

**As a side note** Keep us in prayer as we continue to tackle the school on having a personal aide for Caleb throughout the day. He just isn't catching all the words the teacher says, and thus needs as aide to assist him with assignments, frustration, etc.