Wednesday, June 23, 2010
On The Move!
Well, the wheels are turning again and a big change is in our future. We accepted an offer on our home yesterday and, as of October, we will be residents of Washington state! Sam is not aware that we are moving or that things are going to be very different very soon. One benefit is that we will get to spend about 6 weeks with family in Kansas before we go west to our new destination. That will afford Samantha lots of time with all of her Grandmas and Grandpas.
I look forward to the fresh start and change of scenery. on the other hand, I am nervous about beginning again with new service providers and therapists. I am hoping we have a pretty smooth transition. Wish us luck!
I look forward to the fresh start and change of scenery. on the other hand, I am nervous about beginning again with new service providers and therapists. I am hoping we have a pretty smooth transition. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Still realizing the extent of all of this...
I watched a short video today of a high school graduate with autism giving a speech. While it brought tears to my eyes to see how he had overcome so much to get to where he is, it also gave me a fear I didn't expect.
Samantha is only 4 years old. This gives us an advantage in the sense that a lot of her behaviors are perceived as "just being 4." However, I have to wonder if over time, as she gets older, will her diagnosis become more apparent rather than less. Her speech patterns, social interactions, and eye contact are all improving and at an amazing level for her age. Will that remain the case or will it become more noticeable later on?
I remember the kids in my school that were "different." While we all liked and befriended them, they never did really fit in the way high schoolers strive to do. 15 years later I have to wonder if they were aware of that. How did it make them feel? Will I have to help my daughter through that same thing when she is older?
Samantha is only 4 years old. This gives us an advantage in the sense that a lot of her behaviors are perceived as "just being 4." However, I have to wonder if over time, as she gets older, will her diagnosis become more apparent rather than less. Her speech patterns, social interactions, and eye contact are all improving and at an amazing level for her age. Will that remain the case or will it become more noticeable later on?
I remember the kids in my school that were "different." While we all liked and befriended them, they never did really fit in the way high schoolers strive to do. 15 years later I have to wonder if they were aware of that. How did it make them feel? Will I have to help my daughter through that same thing when she is older?
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Spring is here!
Spring is in the air here and changes are all about. I, myself, have begun a program to continue my education. I look forward to working hard and learning new things in pursuit of my Wellness & Nutrition Certification. I am excited to put in place things I am seeing for the 1st time and making our meals healthier for our family.
1st step in doing this is to no longer purchase the meals provided by the school district, but to send Samantha's lunches from home. The monthly menu from the school boasts things like chicken nuggets, corn dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, etc. The chocolate milk served with these meals contains as much sugar as a regular can of soda! I can't with a clear conscience pay for that sort of food to "nourish" my child during her day when she needs to be able to focus and comprehend. Studies have shown that processed foods just like these bog us down and make our minds sluggish. So starting tomorrow Samantha will return to school from spring break and will have in tow her homemade lunch. She will have fresh fruit, cottage cheese, deli meat and for a treat a whole wheat muffin (with a couple of added chocolate chips). Beverage will be 1/2 water and 1/2 apple juice. Just like she drinks at home.
This week Samantha will also begin ballet and tumbling classes. She is very excited to start and loves to wear her leotard and ballet shoes. I hope she is able to follow direction and enjoys the interaction with her typically developing peers.
It's IEP time again and I am going to go observe Sam's class for 3 days this week in order to prepare for it. I hope to set goals for the next year based more on behavior and interaction and less on academics. Those seem to be the areas she needs more focus on.
This month I also begin a new direct sales business with a company called Scentsy. They sell scented wax and warmers that run on a low watt light bulb. This wonderful product offers the ability to scent your home with no worry of candle flames or burned fingers of little ones!
https://conniebeynon.scentsy.us
1st step in doing this is to no longer purchase the meals provided by the school district, but to send Samantha's lunches from home. The monthly menu from the school boasts things like chicken nuggets, corn dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza, etc. The chocolate milk served with these meals contains as much sugar as a regular can of soda! I can't with a clear conscience pay for that sort of food to "nourish" my child during her day when she needs to be able to focus and comprehend. Studies have shown that processed foods just like these bog us down and make our minds sluggish. So starting tomorrow Samantha will return to school from spring break and will have in tow her homemade lunch. She will have fresh fruit, cottage cheese, deli meat and for a treat a whole wheat muffin (with a couple of added chocolate chips). Beverage will be 1/2 water and 1/2 apple juice. Just like she drinks at home.
This week Samantha will also begin ballet and tumbling classes. She is very excited to start and loves to wear her leotard and ballet shoes. I hope she is able to follow direction and enjoys the interaction with her typically developing peers.
It's IEP time again and I am going to go observe Sam's class for 3 days this week in order to prepare for it. I hope to set goals for the next year based more on behavior and interaction and less on academics. Those seem to be the areas she needs more focus on.
This month I also begin a new direct sales business with a company called Scentsy. They sell scented wax and warmers that run on a low watt light bulb. This wonderful product offers the ability to scent your home with no worry of candle flames or burned fingers of little ones!
https://conniebeynon.scentsy.us
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Branching Out, Setting Boundaries, and Feeling Blessed
I can't believe how long it has been since I posted on here. The holidays have come, gone, been packed up, and are away for the new year. A lot has changed with both myself and Samantha. For starters, I am back in the workforce. Prayers were answered and I was blessed with the opportunity to work in a field I love dearly and have missed for quite some time. I am able to still be available for Samantha as needed, and still have that sense of contribution to my family that I find strength in. I work with an amazing group of gals who are encouraging and supportive by heart. It's been a dream come true and a long search for a good fit that I can now be glad is over. I no longer have the feeling of isolation and uselessness. I feel productive and able again. It feels good!
Samantha has also made amazing progress, and is now showing many signs of typical behaviors of any 3 year old child. For instance...the word "NO!" Sam has found a sense of empowerment and control in the word and loves to use it...all the time, everyday, all day long. While thrilled at this milestone we are now faced with the task of teaching the appropriate time and place to use such a word. Her communication still advances everyday and she continues to excel in her preschool environment. We began occupational therapy this week and I hope that it proves to be just as beneficial as speech and ABA are. It still seems like so much for a little kid to endure. However, with the results right in front of us, how can we deny it works?
We have started using the Boardmaker program in-home and it has been a great tool in communication. Along with verbal and signing, Samantha now has visual supports. We use them to set routines, talk about her day at school, order events, and make requests known. It's a wonderful program and I am so thankful to now have it in home at our disposal.
Samantha is now also showing more and more awareness of her surroundings. Her feelings get hurt, and she falls sad. She establishes possession of items and we work on sharing. She acts silly to get a response and laughs at the joy of making someone else smile. The light in her has not dimmed one bit and I pray that it continues to shine on. She is a task, a challenge, and a chore. However she is a reward unlike any other. I come home tired and ready to relax, but most of all...ready to hold her and hear about her day. It's awesome!
Samantha has also made amazing progress, and is now showing many signs of typical behaviors of any 3 year old child. For instance...the word "NO!" Sam has found a sense of empowerment and control in the word and loves to use it...all the time, everyday, all day long. While thrilled at this milestone we are now faced with the task of teaching the appropriate time and place to use such a word. Her communication still advances everyday and she continues to excel in her preschool environment. We began occupational therapy this week and I hope that it proves to be just as beneficial as speech and ABA are. It still seems like so much for a little kid to endure. However, with the results right in front of us, how can we deny it works?
We have started using the Boardmaker program in-home and it has been a great tool in communication. Along with verbal and signing, Samantha now has visual supports. We use them to set routines, talk about her day at school, order events, and make requests known. It's a wonderful program and I am so thankful to now have it in home at our disposal.
Samantha is now also showing more and more awareness of her surroundings. Her feelings get hurt, and she falls sad. She establishes possession of items and we work on sharing. She acts silly to get a response and laughs at the joy of making someone else smile. The light in her has not dimmed one bit and I pray that it continues to shine on. She is a task, a challenge, and a chore. However she is a reward unlike any other. I come home tired and ready to relax, but most of all...ready to hold her and hear about her day. It's awesome!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)