V has not been to preschool in over 1 month. And, wow he is SO happy! My little boy is smiling, laughing, opening up to talking with people he does not know (even a few kids, but mainly teenagers or grown ups). That is just so nice to see. I teach him how to ask questions and he gathers his courage and goes for it. Now I need to make aware that as a child he needs to use certain manners with grown ups. LOL
Right now, he is at the beach with my parents and Partner. He cried last night on the phone but was very cheerful tonight. He is counting the days (3 more days, husband, Sweet Pea and I came home yesterday afternoon... work is calling), but he is doing it.
He is down to about 3 or 4 meltdown a week. It used to be about 4 or 5 a day. So that is HUGE progress.
He does great at Occupational Therapist (OT), he allows some imposed movements and is even learning how to do a back flip (rolls back on a big soft roll with Occupational Therapist (OT)"s help). That would have never happened a few months ago.
His self confidence is a lot better. With encouragement, he gives things a try.
He is not negative anymore, his smile is just wonderful to see.
on the other hand, his learning is not getting better and I still don't know how to teach him simple things (we worked on the days of the week with a melissa nd doug calendar for over 1 month with very little success. We still do it just as a routine). The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) has changed gears and tries to focus on expanding his vocabulary, teach him to focus on on peoples lips and not fidget too much.
At the beach, he was just indulging in all the sensory experiences. He never stopped laughing, running, splashing, etc. But he could not "hear" a thing. I was constantly repeating everything. I believe the noise from the ocean was just too much but the sensory diet helped him find a good balance?
V is even getting potty trained at night!!! 5 days in a row with a dry diaper. He is so proud and tells me that's the sign of becoming a big boy. I think he is right, lol
So things are not perfect, but a lot better. Now what? Keep him away from school forever? Probably not an option.
I encourage him to go to his old daycare (same as Sweet Pea's), but he is not able to handle more than 1.5 hour. He tries 2x week, but sometimes says no. I promissed not to push him and to let him go at his own pace. I love the daycare, they are so loving and caring. The director (who has a special need child herself) told they would do whatever I wish. But I also know the teacher is not equiped to teach a child like V. But V can feel that she deeply cares and knows she is right with him when he needs her.
I also thinks V feels better because he is not rushed from one activity to an other. He likes to know what will happen next (school offers that for sure) but can't be rushed to transition if he is not mentally ready (school is rigid, when it's time it's time). At home, I can allow an extra 10 minutes and then move on. Is a true transtion issue or a processing issue? Are those 2 concepts the same in this case??
Conclusion: a cocktail of therapies and staying home is good for V. We are seeing lots of positive. But is it really a viable cocktail on the long run?
Should I dare homeschooling him knowing I am not able to teach him academics but I am able to teach functional social skills, offer a sensory rich diet, boost his self confidence?
Could a school offer enough appropriate accomodationc to satisfy V and not jack up his anxiety?
Lots of questions yet!
Right now, he is at the beach with my parents and Partner. He cried last night on the phone but was very cheerful tonight. He is counting the days (3 more days, husband, Sweet Pea and I came home yesterday afternoon... work is calling), but he is doing it.
He is down to about 3 or 4 meltdown a week. It used to be about 4 or 5 a day. So that is HUGE progress.
He does great at Occupational Therapist (OT), he allows some imposed movements and is even learning how to do a back flip (rolls back on a big soft roll with Occupational Therapist (OT)"s help). That would have never happened a few months ago.
His self confidence is a lot better. With encouragement, he gives things a try.
He is not negative anymore, his smile is just wonderful to see.
on the other hand, his learning is not getting better and I still don't know how to teach him simple things (we worked on the days of the week with a melissa nd doug calendar for over 1 month with very little success. We still do it just as a routine). The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) has changed gears and tries to focus on expanding his vocabulary, teach him to focus on on peoples lips and not fidget too much.
At the beach, he was just indulging in all the sensory experiences. He never stopped laughing, running, splashing, etc. But he could not "hear" a thing. I was constantly repeating everything. I believe the noise from the ocean was just too much but the sensory diet helped him find a good balance?
V is even getting potty trained at night!!! 5 days in a row with a dry diaper. He is so proud and tells me that's the sign of becoming a big boy. I think he is right, lol
So things are not perfect, but a lot better. Now what? Keep him away from school forever? Probably not an option.
I encourage him to go to his old daycare (same as Sweet Pea's), but he is not able to handle more than 1.5 hour. He tries 2x week, but sometimes says no. I promissed not to push him and to let him go at his own pace. I love the daycare, they are so loving and caring. The director (who has a special need child herself) told they would do whatever I wish. But I also know the teacher is not equiped to teach a child like V. But V can feel that she deeply cares and knows she is right with him when he needs her.
I also thinks V feels better because he is not rushed from one activity to an other. He likes to know what will happen next (school offers that for sure) but can't be rushed to transition if he is not mentally ready (school is rigid, when it's time it's time). At home, I can allow an extra 10 minutes and then move on. Is a true transtion issue or a processing issue? Are those 2 concepts the same in this case??
Conclusion: a cocktail of therapies and staying home is good for V. We are seeing lots of positive. But is it really a viable cocktail on the long run?
Should I dare homeschooling him knowing I am not able to teach him academics but I am able to teach functional social skills, offer a sensory rich diet, boost his self confidence?
Could a school offer enough appropriate accomodationc to satisfy V and not jack up his anxiety?
Lots of questions yet!
