I haven't blogged in quite a while, but if we're friends on Facebook (and we most likely are) you're pretty well kept in the loop of the things I find cool going on. We've had lots of things going on since around about July, but maybe I'll go into that if I do a year end review of how life is at this point. We will see.
During the summer we upped Faith's O.T. to two times a week. Today we had to do a review and resubmit to the insurance (they were awfully picky and cranky about the fact we wanted to up it to two days a week, so it was only cleared for 6months). The school wouldn't okay the up in services because the superintendent was being names I shouldn't say (or probably even think), so we just went around the school and got Faith what she needed. Anyway, upon our review today Faith has hit about 70% of the goals we had stated for her. She has never. hit. a. single. goal. Seriously, it's always been 0% met (while she learned tons of coping skills and I gained much needed information to help her). She finally has enough things in place that she started making progress on the goals that were written out for her. They are simple. Simple, everyday things, that many take for granted. She can now put her pants on by herself (not the kinds with buttons and such, but yoga type pants). Put her arms through correct arm holes, doesn't throw her silverware after she takes a bite (it's weird 'cause the "throwing" always looked way more like a reflex than anything else). Is handling bath's better. She likes playing in water, but isn't a fan of bath's. She will now for the most part at least stand there and let me give her a bath with the realization that we will be done much sooner if she just stands there. I can get her hair brushed about 80% of the time. That's a massive improvement. We are still on our ever ending quest to the the potty-training thing down pat and desperate for more speech. On that note, I learned of a resource just today (today!) of a place that does Speech therapy and will come to my home twice a week to work with her. So, I don't have to drive the hour away to their facility. I will be calling them in the morning to learn more about it all. Fingers crossed this is what we're looking for. The speech therapist she's had for the past 3 years is great, but she needs more. He is stretched pretty thing with all the different places he needs to be. I've had her in private speech for a year before, but then she began getting more individualized speech at school and I didn't feel she needed to continue it (also insurance was being a pain in the rear end with approving it).
We had parent/teacher conference today. Both kids are doing well. I found out Faith is not in her classroom very much at all during the day. It's apparently about 30-45minutes a day. The rest of the time is one on one with her aid and the Special Ed teacher. Which I find a good thing, as I know Faith will do and learn more one on one. Oh! She also stayed right beside me during the meetings holding my hand. She was SOO good. She usually wants to run off and check out what she wants to check out.
Angelus whose teacher is Faith's speech path (see, he's kind of being pulled in a lot of directions) is also doing well. He had A's and B's. The B was very close to an A. His teacher stated that he is one of his top students. That doesn't really surprise me. Apparently, most of the kids Angelus hangs out with also do fairly well academically. He got lent the 2nd book of the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire because he is "seriously advanced" (those were the teachers exact words) at reading. Now, for to just finish a big, chapter book. I've no doubt he has the ability, now it's just the want that has to stay there. I know his teacher has also commented that Angelus is just becoming a "more rounded student". He's interested in trying more things, trying to visit and play with many different kids. Wants to be involved in more things. Suppose, if that's why he's wound up with the B's here and there that's an alright reason. We would seriously have to reevaluate if he winds up with some C's, though.
I think we're pretty much ready for Christmas. No presents are wrapped, but if we put 'em out now they wouldn't stay that way until Christmas day (eve)so we will wait 'til a day or two before we celebrate. Angelus did a fantastic job at decorating the tree. It was fun to watch him do it and see how excited he got about doing it all himself. I do hope everyone of you have a beautifully, wonderful Christmas (or whatever Holiday you celebrate) and a safe New Year!
