Another meeting at the school

I had another ARD meeting at the school this week. These meetings just take so much out of me. I guess I notice it more because I am home but sheesh....I got into a depression the next day.

The meeting was about testing that has been conducted and the changes in testing from last time, which was 3 years ago.

TC has improved in lot of areas but mainly scored around 60's when the average is 90. I know he is not where he needs to be but progress is progress.

Still these meetings just knock the wind out of me!

The hubs and I have had a disconnect lately. Probably because I feel inadequate as I have not been able to find work and I find myself frustrated a lot. I am still getting unemployment but some days being stuck in the house gets tiring. I can't do much without spending money and I really am trying NOT to do that!I do make it a point to get out even if it is to go to the library or park.
Hubs wants to check in and see what I am doing every day and that sort of works my nerves.  I did have a great time visiting with my Mom when she came down for 2 weeks though!

The photo below was taken recently. It includes (L to R) me, my sister, my niece and my girl Sara.

 

I know God has a plan and I am anxious to go back to work but it will happen in HIS time, and not mine. In the meantime I need to try to stay positive but some days it is hard.

Bad autism day

TC had a rough day at school yesterday. We woke up to 35 mile an hour winds and when it is crazy weather and drastically cold (for Tx) sometimes it does not fare well for him.

When I picked him up from the bus stop, he was crying and saying how he had a terrible day. Hubby wasn't home yet and I tried to get TC to talk to no avail.

I received an e mail from his teacher saying when he came into her classroom he was stabbing himself with a pencil. She calmed him down and he was okay. But later on in the day,he got mad and kicked a wall and put his fist up towards his aide.

She told me his previous aide has gone on maternity leave which is probably the reason for the behaviors.

I checked  on him today and he was okay. I am just glad his teacher filled me in because most days TC won't explain what has gone on during the day.

Happy Halloween 2013

Autism conference and behavior

Last week I was invited  to an autism conference in my town. Mainly it was for teachers but the spec. ed. lady knows I am not working so she invited me.

Some teachers were there and I am pretty sure they weren't too thrilled that I was there but OH WELL.

The guy who taught the class/conference was really awesome. It was amazing to me how much he understands autistic kids (even the non-verbal ones). His attitude was that all kids need help and every kid is an individual, not to be put in a box, or thrown on a computer as a babysitter.

There is another part to the class again this week. I may go, I am not sure yet. It is strategies for dealing with autism. Too bad some of TC's teachers cannot attend...they surely need it.

Today TC got off the bus and was crying, afraid of being in trouble with his Dad. He told me he said "God" and his teacher gave him a dirty look. He was really upset. I did e-mail the teacher but also had TC write an apology note for disrupting the class. 

Autism reality check

This summer has had a lot of ups and downs.

First I lost my job and it took me awhile to get back on track. 3 job losses in 3 years is a lot to deal with. I am now home with my kids 24/7. I love my kids. Adore them. But when you are used to working everyday and seeing your kids a few hours a day and then you are with them non-stop.

I never really forget TC has autism.  It has gotten better, as far as being in public but it's never perfect. We had to go to the DMV  3 times waiting in line to get Sara's license. The first day TC farted in the DMV and said LOUDLY ..."Mom I am sorry I farted."  The next day he came out of the bathroom and said, "Well , Mom I peed on myself a little in the bathroom."

Ugh.

I wanted to climb under the desk for real. Both times.

The other day we went to Jack in the B*ox and TC wanted to go through the drive through and I didn't listen to him and we went inside. He proceded to get upset over something and he lashed out with his arm and knocked my earring out of my ear. All the while a guy was watching the whole thing and I could see the judgment on his face.

We had to go to a well child visit and the nurse drew blood by pricking TC's finger. But apparently the platelets didn't do something right so another nurse had to come back in and stick him in the arm to draw more blood. He screamed and cried and told me I was a liar because I said no needles. (This has never been an issue before so I didn't lie on purpose! Poor baby  I cried when he did!)

There are days when I wish autism wasn't in our life....especially when mortifying things happen in public. But this is my life and what I have been dealt.

I try to put on a brave face every day.

However, it's not always easy.

Summertime

We are having a good summer so far. I bought TC a little pool and we all laid out the other day.
It is super hot in Texas already!

 

Yesterday we went to the mall and TC got a toy from Toys R Us. We also had lunch at the mall so it was fun. Sara and I found some great deals at Charming CHarlies and bought some super cute necklaces and earrings.

School

It is TC's last few days of school. I was going to upload a pic but blogger is being stupid.

Sara has been out since last week. She is sick right now.

I am looking forward to spending some time with the kids this summer before I start job searching again.

TC did okay on his staar tests but they are modified. He will be a 6th grader next year.

CRAZY!

Special Olympics 2013

TC had his first special olympics meet last week. He had a great time!

Sara took this picture of him with his medals.

He has several more meets and I will be attending one on April 10th.

Spring Break

The kids are on spring break after this week...woot!!!

I was so proud of TC this week, I got a letter from the principal stating he received the award for student of the 6 weeks.  I can hardly believe the difference in him since school started. Now that he knows the days of the week, he realizes after 5 days, it's the weekend!  This morning he was singing the Friday song...one he made up. So Cute!!

I am taking off next Friday so we can go do something as a family. I would love to go to the new museum in Dallas but I need to go online and see the prices/times.

I just know I am excited about getting to sleep a little later all next week!
Don't forget to set your clocks up one hour!

Update on little man

It is now 2013 and so far it has been okay. If it weren't for this crazy weather here in Texas. TC has consistently been having problems with his asthma. Cold, warm, rainy, warm, cold and on and on. Vicious cycle!

TC is doing well and really pays attention to everything and I mean EVERYTHING. We passed by a house the other day and he said, "Wow mom, that grass is so green, don't you wish our grass was green like that?" I had to agree, but we have almost 5 acres so there is no way to keep it green with this weather. Plus,we cannot afford to water it all!!

I know he is smart but he still struggles to learn to read. He knows certain words by sight and can spell them but he gets very frustrated at times.

He is adjusting to Sara having a job even though he misses her. Last night she played Av#atar on the wii with him and they had fun. I can hardly believe she will be a senior next year. ((tear))

Tc is also very independent now. He takes it upon himself to get into the shower and he cleans his own fingernails. This is a big deal because he used to cry every night about taking a shower. My hubby has taught him so much about hygiene. I cut his hair and we still have problems with trimming his toenails and fingernails but we get it done (sometimes they look like dragon nails and it's a fight but it is what is is). 

Tc is a joy. I could not ask for a bigger blessing. He is funny, handsome, precious and loving. I cannot imagine life without him.

IEP

Yesterday was our yearly ARD (IEP) for TC. I went to the school hoping it would go well. He is in a new school this year.

I received some really great feedback from all of his teachers. One commented that he will make noises in class and she has to redirect him at times. They all stated he is very polite and if he misbehaves, he is quick to apologize. He is completing his work without fussing so that is also a good thing.

I feel the meeting went well. We are going to implement the same things next year for 6th grade.

I came into work after the meeting and my manager automatically was chewing on me. I swear some days I want to walk up out of this job and tell her to kiss my butt. I was prepared to give it right back to her this morning but she isn't even here yet!!!!

Hope everybody is safe and warm. The weather is crazy (as usual) here in Tx. Cold in the morning, and then warm by the afternoon!

Rough start

Yesterday was  a Monday for sure! TC's bus came early, so we missed it.  Then he cried and was highly upset because I had to take him to school. Not a good way to start the day.

It was sleeting as well.

My coworker called in so my boss was up my butt all day long yesterday.
Ugh.

Then I went home and TC and hubby were into it over TC talking about guns. He has a video game he plays and that will be NO MORE. He can't understand fake from real and he starts talking about shooting things, etc.

I went to bed at 8:30 pm.

We made it to the bus on time today and the driver apologized for being so early yesterday. I told her that he had a rough day all because he didn't catch the bus as normal. (She is the director over special needs so she was very apologetic...as she should have been!)

Then it was sleeting/raining on my way to work and road conditions were BAD. So I was a little late (15 minutes). My coworker came in an hour late and she lives in the town where we work and I don't. But oh, well.

Have a happy week!

2013

We are now in 2013!
TC really enjoyed Christmas and his time off from school.

He is becoming very curious and articulate and has been asking a lot of questions.  For instance, he is very curious about everybody's "responsibilities".  We have talked many times about the fact that he has to go to school and that is his job. Just like hubs and I have jobs we have to go to each day.

TC is also realizing there are 5 days in the week and how many days he has left til'  the weekend. This is a very cool thing for me because it is hard to explain to a kid  about the week/weekend when he doesn't grasp the concept of a calendar and how the days work.

There are still hard days, I won't lie but things are getting a little easier, for the most part.

We have an iep coming up on January 22nd. I am hoping it goes well.