It’s been two months- TWO MONTHS!  Since R started school.  I’ve written a lot about our efforts to transition R to school prior to his start date due to his severe anxiety- a process we spent 5 months on- and which was wildly successful.  You can read about it here, and about his resulting fabulous first week of school here.  I was hesitant after that amazing first week to write more about how great school was going, in fear of somehow jinxing it.  But the past two months have sped by and there is so much to share.  R has learned more skills in the past 2 months at school than he learned in the previous 18 months of full time in-home therapies (ABA, ST, OT, DT).  Here are a few of the highlights:

R is understanding and able to use a first-then board

R is continuing to learn to use PECS

R learned how to turn a container over to dump the contents

After initial help with hand placement, R is able to hold a bingo dobber (kind of like a chubby marker) and can independently make about 3 dots with it

R learned to jump with two feet (!!!!!!)

R learned how to clap his hands (!!!), and can *sometimes* respond to the receptive direction “clap hands” (the data says 8%, I’m just excited that he understands the language!)

R tolerated exploring paints, holding the brush, and making some paint marks with hand-over-hand support!  A BIG DEAL because he has been terrified of paint/art stuff prior to this

And just this week, R scribbled with a crayon for a moment all by himself for the first time!

I feel like R is truly in the best possible environment at school and that is why he is thriving.  He is supported by such an incredible team of dedicated, caring, skilled individuals.  I think what truly makes it so successful is that the team all work together.  There is so much carry-over.  His ST, OT, sped teacher, and aides are always sharing information, ideas, and tips, often observing each other working with R, and so it’s just a really well rounded team approach to each challenge R is working on.  We are currently in the process of finding out if R needs PT added on.  His teacher and OT have both shared some concerns with the school PT, and I sent a request to evaluate for PT along with some of my own concerns.  I love knowing that everyone at school wants what is best for R, not what is cheapest for the budget.  The other thing that I really appreciate is seeing how much they all care about R.  It is written all over their faces that they adore him.  I would have expected kindness and professionalism, but it is clear that beyond that his teacher and aides truly seem to love him, and R seems to love them too.  He is almost always very excited to arrive at school, and is often reluctant to leave.

Seeing how much he has flourished in just 2 months, I can’t wait to update at 6 months or a year!  Here’s to hoping for many more great things to come. ❤