Another journey

My little Bug and I have been very busy. I started a new job in August working at an elementary school in the Highly Structured Classroom. I work with Special Needs children and have to say that I LOVE IT! I have learned so much, but still wasn't prepared for the news that I received at Bug's ARC meeting at school this year. I can't say that I was surprised about anything, after all, no one knows my child any better than me. It just wasn't something I was expecting to hear from someone else. I have noticed that Bug has been having a hard time socially. We have had difficulties at church and I also noticed something strange at a friends house one day. So, when the OT let me know that she thinks that I need to get Bug further evaluated, I wasn't surprised. It also wasn't the first time that I have heard this. His pediatrician suggested this to me back in January, but I wasn't ready and didn't totally agree at the time. I asked the OT what exactly was she thinking that I needed to get him evaluated for. She told me that she is almost certain that he is on the Spectrum...What is the Spectrum, you ask? Autism Spectrum Disorder - needless to say, my heart sunk to the floor. So, I asked if she was thinking maybe Asperger's? She said that she thinks it is possible. Apparently, he has been having a hard time playing games and getting upset if his team doesn't win or if he doesn't get picked to the team that he likes, etc. This is just a brief description of what goes on with him at school. His inability of communicating hasn't gotten any better. His handwriting skills are sorely lacking. I could go on and on... So, I called the pediatrician and we had a long talk about it all and she wholeheartedly agreed that there are some concerns that need to be addressed and she is working on getting him scheduled to see a Psychiatrist to have him evaluated to see if he has a type of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Please pray for us during this time. We need lots of prayers! I know that no matter what happens and what diagnosis that we receive, my little Bug is still my sweet, loving, adorable child that I would die for. I just hate that things are so difficult for him and worrying that they are going to be more difficult in the future. I hate that he has to work so much harder than other kids in his class. I am thankful that he got the best 2nd grade teacher that he can get. Of course, I am biased since she is one of my best friends and she treats Bug like one of her own. She really takes care of him and me and she has already been wonderful with the recent news that we received. I will keep you posted on what we find out, hopefully it will be very soon.

Busy Carefree Summer Days!

Goodness, it has been a month since Bug ended first grade with a bang! He missed the last 4 days of school due to a terrible virus. I joke that he was ready for summer and decided to take an early break. I did take him in on the last day for his awards ceremony and am happy to say that he received 4 awards! I took pictures and you can tell that even though he was happy about his awards, but that he felt so bad! So glad that he finally got better and we began our summer of no schedules and just having fun. I am happy to say that Bug finally learned to ride his bicycle without training wheels. That was such a big deal for him! He is so excited that he tells everyone he sees and you can tell just how proud of himself he is. (Not to mention, how proud Mommy and Daddy are too!) He has been participating in a reading camp twice a week, hopefully to help boost his reading skills. He is enjoying it, thank goodness. We have also been on a camping trip at a campground near our home. Bug brought along a friend for one night and they had such a good time riding bikes, playing basketball, playing on the playground and, of course, roasting marshmallows to make s'mores.! I just wish he would eat the marshmallows, but that is whole another post! He is enjoying sleeping in, going swimming with his friends and just having no schedule to worry about and getting him in overload. Mommy really enjoys spending this stress free time with him and sometimes makes me dread the grind of getting back to school. I wish he didn't have such a hard time at school, but at least I know that he will have an awesome teacher next year, who I know will take very good care of him and make sure that he has a very successful year. I am thankful that I have gotten to know the teachers at his school so well this past year and know that I won't have to worry about him when I start my job in August. Oh, did I mention that I have a new job? I will be working at another elementary school in our county. I really wanted to work at Bug's school, but this opportunity came and I just could not pass it up. I know that it will take some getting used too on both mine and Bug's part, but I feel confident that it will be okay. I hope everyone has a wonderful, carefree summer too!

Weighted Vest

I just realized that I had not posted an update about the weighted vest! They have tried the weighted vest out at school and it has been a huge success! He loves the vest and it has been so helpful. He has even told his OT when he needs to wear it and where (like the loud lunchroom) he needs it most. That is such a huge relief to know that something so small is making a big impact in his abilities to function at school. His teacher has said that he has been doing much better. He still needs some work on being more independent. Little by little, he is making some progress. He has come such a long way though, makes Mommy proud!

The Misunderstood Child by Kathy Winters

I have a few things that I wanted to share that I found on another blog that I just could not resist sharing.

Please feel free to go check out the blog!


What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

"Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as "sensory integration dysfunction") is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses. Pioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively."

The Misunderstood Child
By Kathy Winters

I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different,somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.

I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy-can learn if I try-
But I don't seem to know where to start.

I am the child that won't wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells,
And tastes-there are few foods I'll eat.

I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.

I am the child with whom no one will play-
The one that gets bullied and teased.
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.

I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.

I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?

I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way-
Some message he sent me to share.

For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different-but look just like you.

Now that poem/definition really comes so close to home. I almost want to print it out and hand it to every person that comes into contact with my child so that he will not be judged so harshly. Is that crazy or just the worried Mom in me?