Personality

Who Farted?

New changes for Aiden!  Aiden's speech continues to grow by leaps and bounds!  He is not only starting to ask appropriate questions, but making more age appropriate comments.  The other day he said, "What smells like poop?"  "Who farted?"  I laughed so loud.  That was a typical boy moment, and AIDEN had it!  Funny how something so simple and crude as, "who farted?" can bring me to this post.  Aiden is not a typical boy, but he had a moment where he was, and just like the time he climbed the tree, the moment stood out for me.  He has more and more moments each day.  As the doctor said, "he was classic autism" at age 3.  Now he is not.  In fact, sometimes, to the adult who doesn't know better, he is just a little different.  

Yesterday we went to a classmate's birthday party for the first time.  Many parents left their children, but I would never feel comfortable with that--at least at this point.  Aiden wasn't quite sure how to handle himself.  He didn't quite know how to fit in.  I had to push him to bowl and interact.  It wasn't until the presents were opened that he seemed to "fit in".  His time will come.  He is young yet.  I have faith :).

We are up for reassessment in May, and I'm starting to second guess my thoughts.  Will Aiden benefit from another year of therapy?  He is making so many gains.  Will that continue if we stop now?  The psychologist seems to think we will qualify based on Aiden's new verbal aggression, poor food intake, and speech challenges.  I'm starting to think she is right.  Honestly, I just want to be done with it all, but I will do another year if that is what is best for Aiden.  It definitely will be more work for me if we lose the CHATT team, and I already have a full "plate".  Avery hasn't slept through the night once, and I barely sit down all day managing my home and kids.  I'm super tired at the end of the day.  I watch a show with Abe at 8, workout for 30 minutes, and pass out by 9:45-10 every night.  Could I do the therapy on my own for at least an hour 6 days a week...?  

Social Skills

Social Skills Success!

 

 

My how Aiden has changed!  I've come a little early a few times to pick Aiden up from his social skills class, and I'm so pleasantly surprised!  I overheard the director of the program turn to her staff and discuss Aiden.  "When he first started he barely talked..."  Then she saw me standing there and we shared our excitement over Aiden's progress.  What a gift.  I have tears.  My little boy is overcoming autism.  Where would we be without the Early Childhood program and our CHATT staff?  I know this could be much harder on our family than it is.  As I watched the class play "What time is it Mr. Wolf?"  I was sad to see another little boy Aiden's age struggle through his role as the "wolf".  That was Aiden years ago.  Unable to communicate effectively, unable to participate like his peers.  Aiden is a success story, but what about those who will live their lives consistently needing the help of another?  I feel a little guilty and sad about that, because I know Aiden will be a functioning independent adult some day. 

 

Aiden's temperament is emerging.  We have been with CHATT now for almost 2 years (reassessment in May), and he is so comfortable with his staff, he gets angry and rude with them at times.  This is not like Aiden at all.  I wonder if Aiden is sick of it all.  I don't blame him.  I'm tired of having therapists in our home 6 days a week too.  His behavior at school is excellent.  No negative "Dojo" points ever.  Teachers comment all the time on what a great kid he is.  Academically, he is doing amazingly well for a boy who could barely speak sentences not too long ago.  The looming question remains, "will another year of therapy help or hinder Aiden's progress?"  I've been praying and pondering about this very thing.  On the one side, I'm worried about regression.  On the other side, I'm worried he won't get enough time to play after school, to socialize with his peers, and to just be a kid.  When does Aiden just get to be a 7 year old kid?  Is it time?