Back in the Swing of Spring

It's been so beautiful lately that I've forgotten to update on my blog! Caleb's been very even-keeled, and thus has made life infinitely easier. He still has his moments of mood issues, but they are no where near as severe as a year ago. We occasionally do Melatonin at night if mood slips, and it picks it up considerably. Otherwise, I just do a general gummy vitamin every day, and give a well-balanced diet (not even necessarily gluten free anymore). We are looking forward to summertime as a family which is Caleb's favorite time of year.

I included a pic of Caleb coloring Easter Eggs this year. He thoroughly enjoyed coloring all of his eggs blue (his latest favorite color)! He understands the calendar so well now, and anticipates upcoming events, like Easter. After every event, he'll tell me what's next, like: "Easter's over, next is Bumpa and Joel's birthday." Thank you Lord for the little improvements!

The Development of Empathy

I visited Caleb's new class yesterday. I am very impressed with the teacher, as I get to know her better and watch her in action. She has infinite patience! However, I'm a bit disappointed that the classroom is so much set up like his pre-primary impaired classroom. I was hoping for a similar set-up to his last class...that is more like a school classroom, but with a few centers too. Because of this, we've decided to up his days at regular education (the special ed. classroom) to 3. Thus he'll go to this new ASD classroom only 2 days out of the week.

The class itself has only 4 students. The boy similar in ability to Caleb was absent that day, but the 2 other children were very clearly lower ability and high needs were there. That day, I got to witness something that truly brought tears to my eyes and a sweet smile to my heart :) One of the high needs students, I'll label "B." was having a day full of meltdowns. He spent most of the morning in his tent with earmuffs to keep out the noise, and a vibrating pillow to help calm him. After lunch, Caleb, the teacher, and I came back to the classroom and found B. sitting at the beanbag area. As I talked to the teacher, Caleb went over and laid next to B. on the beanbags. He gently took B.'s hand, and rubbed it as he smiled at B (and B. smiled back). They stayed in that position for several minutes. It was as if Caleb was saying, "I've been there..I feel for you!" We all marveled at the empathy and care shown between the 2 boys. No one "gets it" like they do! No matter what others may diagnose as lacking in social ability, they both proved otherwise in one small moment! After a bit, a staff member tried to get B's attention for something else, and he once again broke into a large tantrum. Caleb calmly got up and went to the lego table to free play. He wasn't phased by the tantrums one bit! It helped me really internalize that education is more than academics. No one could have reproduced this social experience of empathy by mere teaching techniques. It came from feeling a connection to another child who deals with what you deal with. It made me very glad that I have tried to do both worlds for Caleb...the autistic world, and the neurotypical world. Hopefully, he gets the best of both! Everyone needs to be able to relate to another person when it comes to struggles that we go through. Caleb and B. are no different!

**The pics are from Caleb's 8th birthday that he just celebrated last week. He loved his new Lego Toy Story & Lego Star Wars sets! **

Melatonin helping Mood

I just wanted to update on what is currently helping Caleb. We've struggled a bit again with mood...a bit of "screaminess" and the "no" answer for everything. One evening I went upstairs to give Caleb a mb12 shot, hoping it would again bring about a period of good moods. However, I wasn't able to give it because Caleb wasn't asleep...even at 10:30 pm. I decided to give some Melatonin the next evening because I know that he is a kid who NEEDS sleep! Low and behold, I noticed a much better mood the next morning. Whether it was the melatonin, or the increased sleep, I don't know. But...it brought about the desired mood increase :)

"the least shall be the greatest..."

I have decided to copy my journal entry from a few years ago. It is about the verse in the Bible saying how the "least of these shall be the greatest in the kingdom of God". Here is my entry:

I remember as a kid and young adult, that I never liked the verse, "the least shall one day be the greatest." After all, I've always had high abilities and never wanted to one day be at the bottom, especially in heaven. However, after having a son with autism, I have a new perspective on this verse. I would gladly give my spot of greatness up for my son, and others with disabilities. They have to endure so much in life, often with few choices in the matter...yet they make the most of it. I want to one day see my son shine!

I thought about the purpose God has for disabled or special needs individuals. Why put them hear to suffer and be the "least". I was especially reminded of this question when I was told about a young girl without a face. How hard it must be for her! Anyhow, I realized that in these special people, is where we discover God's meaning to life. We see the value, fragility, and beauty he intended us to see....on the inside of the person. While the rest of us are taught valuable lessons in compassion and unconditional love, they are developing their beauty from the inside out. I caught a glimpse at how God must see us and how he must view our purpose. For each of us, disabled or not, our life is a tool to spread God's love. Sometimes we learn the most from those who have no voice, no skills, or even no face. Truly, I look forward to the tables being turned one day. I'd like to give up my spot to my child who has already been scorned and pitied by so many. Thank you Lord for your blessed redemption, that you see and feel every hurt he goes through, and you are counting it as victory for him (and so many others who go through such trials in this life)!

IEP and Ice Skating

We had Caleb's IEP yesterday, and to be honest...it was the BEST one we've ever had! They are definitely on -the-ball with the transition to his new classroom. The new teacher is observing him several times, meeting with his therapists/teachers/aides, and having the old staff set up the new classroom with all of the visuals and supports he's used to. They are providing him with a social story about the new class and going over it daily. Also, they planned a "going away" bowling party for him! I'm feeling much assured that this could work, so now it's time to see it in action! The new teacher seems very kind and knowledgeable.

On a lighter note, we took the whole family (Caleb included) ice skating the other day at my sister's house. It was fun to see Caleb get the hang of it a bit, and to enjoy a new event. He did wonderful! See the picture!

Switching Classrooms again...booo!!!

Well, it's official...Caleb will be required to switch to the new autism classroom forming nearer to our home town. The state is requiring Caleb's AI classroom (which is 1 hour away) to break into another class due to overload of kids. Since Caleb is the most northern & farthest away, he will be going to the new classroom (which is 20 minutes away). I'm glad about the location, but not about another switch for him. To top it all off, the director of the AI classes resigned after Christmas, so there will be no one consistent through the process. Caleb really loves the other boys in his current classroom, coming home talking about them everyday like a little "tape recorder". He gets great therapy and has a great teaching staff there, and I can only pray that things will be similar in the new classroom.

I plan on giving the new classroom 2 weeks to transition, and then I'll observe it's set-up and running. If need be, I can increase Caleb's number of regular special-education from 2 days to 3 days. Right now, Caleb goes Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to the AI classroom, along with Wednesday, and Friday to regular school special education. Oh the decisions and headaches we parents must go through for our autistic children! I can see already that this coming IEP on Monday is going to be a long one!

Christmas Program 2009

This year's Christmas Program at our school was themed, "A Charlie Brown Christmas". I really thought Caleb would be skipping it this year because when asked to practice he refused to go :( However...when he saw the theme, he LOVED it! When the time came to sing, he did wonderfully! He loved every minute of it and pleasantly surprised all involved! I attached the video clip, so take a look! (Caleb is the 2nd from the end...with black hair).