We are almost one month into Kindergarten and so far ok.....
We are completely blessed to have the best neighbors in the world. The bus seems like an anxiety for Dom, he is one of the last kids to be picked up and as he walks onto the bus he has no idea where to sit But the awesome girls who live next door, find him a seat and even buckle his seat belt for him. It is a great start to his day.
Dom has had a great transition to Kindergarten so far, he is truly enjoying art, music, PE, etc. He is also liking circle time. I have to laugh at him sometimes, i often forget what a great memory kids with Aspergers actually have. With only a few weeks of Kindergarten behind him, he can actually recite circle time, word for word when he gets home, including calendar time, the whole alphabet chart, etc....It is quite amazing and crazy. If only i had the memory of Dom, i could of been a doctor or lawyer.
The only setback that he seems to be having is recess, which probably wouldn't surprise the special needs parents out there. Dom told me the other day that no one plays with him on the playground, that he is all one but is not sad. Some would say that him not being sad is a positive sign. But when you think about it spectrum like being alone, so that does make them happy. I really want Dom to be happy playing with others, fostering relationships and being comfortable in his own skin. I do have teachers looking out for him and it is ONLY September, so it can get better, right?
Well that is it for now, only 9 more months till June!!
Dom
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sending Number 1 to College
5 years ago when Dom was born i always said that in 5 years from now Dom would be starting Kindergarten. Jonathan would be starting High School and Nathanial would be going off to college. The past 5 years have literally flown by and i wish that they would of taken longer.
This whole year has been a dread for me, not only my baby starting Kindergarten but for Nathanial to start college. Nathanial and I have always been close, more like best friends. We can still tell each other anything and not worry about being judged while in the same time he still respected me as a parent and actually listened to me. It has not always been perfect but it has been wonderful at the same time. I have been dreading this day just because its not only a mother sending her son to college but a mom losing her best friend at home. Nathanial is always there when i have to bitch about something or complain about someone. I guess i will have to learn to wait for a text or for a response to my various emails.
Drop off today was just plain weird. We set up his room, met his roomate and had lunch in the cafeteria. We were going to take N out to a nice restaurant but due to the hurricane Saranac Lake had a black out so it was back to the campus for cafeteria food which was actually pretty good. Nathanial's college is very beautiful in the Adirondacks, the perfect place for him. Saying good bye was fast but i did throw in my i love you's like 2000 times. It was hard to say good bye but it had to be done. I will see him in a month which seems like a lifetime, but he needs this more than me i think. Now as he comes home on breaks i will have to remember to treat him more like an adult but in the same time always remember him as a child, since that is what he will always be to me. These past 7 years together have been fabulous and i cant wait to see what the future holds.
This whole year has been a dread for me, not only my baby starting Kindergarten but for Nathanial to start college. Nathanial and I have always been close, more like best friends. We can still tell each other anything and not worry about being judged while in the same time he still respected me as a parent and actually listened to me. It has not always been perfect but it has been wonderful at the same time. I have been dreading this day just because its not only a mother sending her son to college but a mom losing her best friend at home. Nathanial is always there when i have to bitch about something or complain about someone. I guess i will have to learn to wait for a text or for a response to my various emails.
Drop off today was just plain weird. We set up his room, met his roomate and had lunch in the cafeteria. We were going to take N out to a nice restaurant but due to the hurricane Saranac Lake had a black out so it was back to the campus for cafeteria food which was actually pretty good. Nathanial's college is very beautiful in the Adirondacks, the perfect place for him. Saying good bye was fast but i did throw in my i love you's like 2000 times. It was hard to say good bye but it had to be done. I will see him in a month which seems like a lifetime, but he needs this more than me i think. Now as he comes home on breaks i will have to remember to treat him more like an adult but in the same time always remember him as a child, since that is what he will always be to me. These past 7 years together have been fabulous and i cant wait to see what the future holds.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Kindergarten Here We Come and some anxiety along with it
Hey all,
I cant believe it has been 3 months since my last blog. Where did the summer go! Well Dom has finished his integrated pre-school years, i dont know where 25 months went, but he had an amazing time with amazing teacher. He started not even able to leave a teachers side and only speaking 2 words at a time to being able to play with children, not only parallel play but play with others using spontaneous language and having a great time with it. He now loves being with other children which is just amazing to watch.
Now with Kindergarten only 2 or so weeks ago, here comes another huge transition. I can already see the anxiety in Dom's eyes as he can probably see mine. Dom is going into a typical class for the first time with only receiving speech and OT 2 times a week and a lunch bunch group one time a week. I know that he is academically ready for KIndergarten since he is already reading Step 2 books and is teaching himself Spanish on youtube (dont ask) but socially it just worries me - ALOT. Dom's anxiety seems to go into overdrive when adults talk to him or ask him random questions, like do you like this? how did you do that? I wonder how he will be in a class of 20 or so with so many distractions, but i guess that is left into the hands of his new teacher and me checking on him as much as humanly possible. The only plus size of this whole situation is that Dom got placed into a Kindergarten class with an aide in it, so maybe she will help him along, we will have to wait and see!
To be continued in September.....
I cant believe it has been 3 months since my last blog. Where did the summer go! Well Dom has finished his integrated pre-school years, i dont know where 25 months went, but he had an amazing time with amazing teacher. He started not even able to leave a teachers side and only speaking 2 words at a time to being able to play with children, not only parallel play but play with others using spontaneous language and having a great time with it. He now loves being with other children which is just amazing to watch.
Now with Kindergarten only 2 or so weeks ago, here comes another huge transition. I can already see the anxiety in Dom's eyes as he can probably see mine. Dom is going into a typical class for the first time with only receiving speech and OT 2 times a week and a lunch bunch group one time a week. I know that he is academically ready for KIndergarten since he is already reading Step 2 books and is teaching himself Spanish on youtube (dont ask) but socially it just worries me - ALOT. Dom's anxiety seems to go into overdrive when adults talk to him or ask him random questions, like do you like this? how did you do that? I wonder how he will be in a class of 20 or so with so many distractions, but i guess that is left into the hands of his new teacher and me checking on him as much as humanly possible. The only plus size of this whole situation is that Dom got placed into a Kindergarten class with an aide in it, so maybe she will help him along, we will have to wait and see!
To be continued in September.....
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Reflections on infancy and toddlerhood
As I read my text for my Child Psychology class I can not stop but relate everything to Dominic. From brain waves, to infant communication to socialization. It is quite painful to read how most 9 month olds start socializing with others when this took Dom after 2-3 to realize and be comfortable with.
A few days ago I was at a friends house and saw video of our boys at 9 months to one years old. It was cute to see how much our boys have changed in the past 4 years. One piece of video contained our boys in a baby gymboree class. Most of the kids were playing with toys around a bin and then there was a closeup of dom playing by himself in the corner. Was Aspergers really this prominent in only a barely one year old. How could i not see what was right in front of me and that hey - is this normal to want to be solitary from other kids at this young of an age.......I do realize that getting Dom diagnosed at 2 1/2 was probably the best thing that i could do for him, but it still boggles me that i could of done more for him.
Anyways, on a great note, Dom is doing great in school and is a social butterfly - well enough for him anyways. He is initiating conversation, playing with others and talking in class, major improvement from last year. So here is too getting better!! TOAST!
A few days ago I was at a friends house and saw video of our boys at 9 months to one years old. It was cute to see how much our boys have changed in the past 4 years. One piece of video contained our boys in a baby gymboree class. Most of the kids were playing with toys around a bin and then there was a closeup of dom playing by himself in the corner. Was Aspergers really this prominent in only a barely one year old. How could i not see what was right in front of me and that hey - is this normal to want to be solitary from other kids at this young of an age.......I do realize that getting Dom diagnosed at 2 1/2 was probably the best thing that i could do for him, but it still boggles me that i could of done more for him.
Anyways, on a great note, Dom is doing great in school and is a social butterfly - well enough for him anyways. He is initiating conversation, playing with others and talking in class, major improvement from last year. So here is too getting better!! TOAST!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dom's Developmental Ped Appt - Amazing!
Before Dom turned 5 we wanted to get a second opinion on his Aspergers Syndrome diagnosis. We found out about Dr. Judith Lucas through internet research. She works for Albany Med at the Behavioral Pediatrics location on Clara Barton Road, if anyone is interested.
We had been to a dev ped before, and did not have the best experience, not with the diagnosis but with the bed side manner. Dom did not like the doctor and we wanted to find someone who could interact with him and actually see who Dom truly is at his best. From start to finish, it took us 6 months to see the doctor. Within those 6 month we had a parent-only meeting to discuss Dominic's needs, behaviors and concerns.
At the appointment, we were amazed by how welcoming her office was. Age appropriate toys, a writing station and comfortable couches, this is key for me! ha ha We didnt have to wait long till the doctor came in and she spent one whole hour with us talking all about Dom, observing him, having conversations with him and playing, it was very relaxing. She answered all of our questions and even discussed the biological background of Aspergers and how she sees him doing in Kindergarten next year and beyond.
Dr. Lucas said that she does agree with the Aspergers diagnosis as well as she sees him being a bit hyperlexic. This is the opposite of dyslexic, kind of. She sees Dom having an IQ of at least 120 and along with his reading skills and memory and retention, he does go along with that diagnosis as well. While Dom has getting older everyone would say oh he is such a smart little boy and i thought people were just saying that to be nice, but i guess he is extremely smart, and where he got this superbrain i will never know! Not from me, that is for sure. I looked up hyperlexia yesterday and some kids at age 5 are reading harry potter books! Dom is no way like that, he is only on step 1 books and dr. seuss, we will have to wait and see what Kindergarten brings next year.
Well all in all, our appt went very well and she wants to see us in September and also told us to look into the group CARD since they have events and speaking events that we might be interested in.
We had been to a dev ped before, and did not have the best experience, not with the diagnosis but with the bed side manner. Dom did not like the doctor and we wanted to find someone who could interact with him and actually see who Dom truly is at his best. From start to finish, it took us 6 months to see the doctor. Within those 6 month we had a parent-only meeting to discuss Dominic's needs, behaviors and concerns.
At the appointment, we were amazed by how welcoming her office was. Age appropriate toys, a writing station and comfortable couches, this is key for me! ha ha We didnt have to wait long till the doctor came in and she spent one whole hour with us talking all about Dom, observing him, having conversations with him and playing, it was very relaxing. She answered all of our questions and even discussed the biological background of Aspergers and how she sees him doing in Kindergarten next year and beyond.
Dr. Lucas said that she does agree with the Aspergers diagnosis as well as she sees him being a bit hyperlexic. This is the opposite of dyslexic, kind of. She sees Dom having an IQ of at least 120 and along with his reading skills and memory and retention, he does go along with that diagnosis as well. While Dom has getting older everyone would say oh he is such a smart little boy and i thought people were just saying that to be nice, but i guess he is extremely smart, and where he got this superbrain i will never know! Not from me, that is for sure. I looked up hyperlexia yesterday and some kids at age 5 are reading harry potter books! Dom is no way like that, he is only on step 1 books and dr. seuss, we will have to wait and see what Kindergarten brings next year.
Well all in all, our appt went very well and she wants to see us in September and also told us to look into the group CARD since they have events and speaking events that we might be interested in.
Friday, March 18, 2011
CPSE Meeting Results
Yesterday we went before our school districts CPSE board to determine what type of kindergarten class they feel is appropriate for Dom. If you dont know the process very well, when you child is in an integrated class they have to get tested first in speech, social, cognition, motor, etc., the board looks at the test scores and teacher recommendations and then they make their decision.
Well Dom scored very high for his cognition, 103, an average score is 85-115. He scored below average for pragmatics, social and motor, which we knew he would. So, after looking at all this, the board determined to put Dom in a typical regular kindergarten class for the fall. I was so shocked. This is what Tom and I dreamed about back in 2009 when Dom first got diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and started his on-going therapy for the next 2 1/2 years; a normal class! Dom being in a typical class does scare me to death. Dom has been in an integrated class for the past 2 years with constant support and help from various teachers and now he is going into a class of 20 something students and 1 teacher. Will this 1 teacher be able to help him with his anxiety/apprehension/processing issues? Well only time will tell! He is also getting speech, ot and social services during the week, so i guess it could be worse!
I am so glad that September is a long 6 months away, i want my baby to stay a baby a little bit longer!
Well Dom scored very high for his cognition, 103, an average score is 85-115. He scored below average for pragmatics, social and motor, which we knew he would. So, after looking at all this, the board determined to put Dom in a typical regular kindergarten class for the fall. I was so shocked. This is what Tom and I dreamed about back in 2009 when Dom first got diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome and started his on-going therapy for the next 2 1/2 years; a normal class! Dom being in a typical class does scare me to death. Dom has been in an integrated class for the past 2 years with constant support and help from various teachers and now he is going into a class of 20 something students and 1 teacher. Will this 1 teacher be able to help him with his anxiety/apprehension/processing issues? Well only time will tell! He is also getting speech, ot and social services during the week, so i guess it could be worse!
I am so glad that September is a long 6 months away, i want my baby to stay a baby a little bit longer!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Life of a 4 yr old with A.S. and Kindergarten
Well here we are approaching our CPSE meeting to determine which type of Kindergarten class they are going to place Dom in. A committee gets to decide what THEY feel is better for my little D. They read his test reports, watched him in class and that is supposed to let them know where he should go. As we move from his class of 10 kids and 3-4 teachers he might go to either a class of 24 kids with 1 teacher or a class of 24 kids and 2-3 teachers. Seems easy right? Well, i will let you know on Thursday!
As I look back and see all the accomplishments D has made it really does amaze me. He can now tolerate kids in his space and actually talks to them and can do a back and forth conversation which he never did before. He is now reading, which is so bizarre! Can count to one hundred by 5's and 10's, can use the potty ( thank god) and takes piano and gymnastics! Looking at all these accomplishments really does make me happy but it also seems that he may even be ready for a "typical" class, but we will see.
Being in a typical class does scare me alot. Because of regression, regression, regression. Dom is a very sweet boy and can easily fall through the cracks on his "needs". He wont speak up or ask for help, so we will see if the school district will give him some extra help. We shall see!
Anyways.....will update you later!! Thanks for reading
As I look back and see all the accomplishments D has made it really does amaze me. He can now tolerate kids in his space and actually talks to them and can do a back and forth conversation which he never did before. He is now reading, which is so bizarre! Can count to one hundred by 5's and 10's, can use the potty ( thank god) and takes piano and gymnastics! Looking at all these accomplishments really does make me happy but it also seems that he may even be ready for a "typical" class, but we will see.
Being in a typical class does scare me alot. Because of regression, regression, regression. Dom is a very sweet boy and can easily fall through the cracks on his "needs". He wont speak up or ask for help, so we will see if the school district will give him some extra help. We shall see!
Anyways.....will update you later!! Thanks for reading
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