Meeting with the School

Since Miles was diagnosed with autism and we had all evaluations to see what is next for our amazing son. We needed to call a meeting with the IEP team at the school to see where was next for Miles.  I went in hoping that we were going to be removed from his current preschool to the autistic preschool where he is able to get his ABA therapy he needs. My husband couldn't take off for it as we have a funeral this week as well. But my mom made it work and was able to input in much needed info to get the school on track. 

What we found out about Miles at the meeting is:

1. Miles has a Autism Specialist now evaluating him in the classroom. She is using VB-MAPP and another program to see what goals he needs at this moment. Also to set up his ABA therapy...

2. OT therapist is now Officially evaluating him seeing all the into we got from Children's OT therapist. 

3. Miles is smarter then everyone in his class which makes him extremely smarter then the autistic preschool kids. 

4. Speech loves how far he has come over the summer. Also started visual schedule in the classroom which they are seeing awesome progress from. 

5. Miles is reading to learn how to read. 

6. He past all of his IEP educational goals. He needed to know his colors and shapes. Which he is now surpassed. 

So, where does that lay us. It leaves Miles in a really weird place since educational wise he is passed everyone in preschool. But socially he needs a lot of help as well as social. Though he is trying to play with others now. We called for a new evaluation to see if his placement in the school is the right one. So he is going to be evaluated yet again with speech, OT, and VB-MAPP. Then we will have another IEP meeting to see where he is at and what his new goals need to be. His teacher is even helping me make an visual schedule at home to use. Miles loves using it and it helps him transition which he has huge problems with. 

They are still not seeing behaviors in the classroom yet but I am seeing them at home big time. The teacher and autistic specialist is going to put lots of sensory activities through the class for Miles to help his sensory craving ease. 

                                                       -Kendra 

Family Vacation

It seems like my family likes to take vacations when the time is about to change. This coming week is going to be rough on Miles. I already know and fully prepared for the meltdowns. It's going to start tomorrow for us. My husband won't be home tonight till after the kids go to bed. Which is normal and Miles expects it. My husband has school once a week and doesn't get home till late. But, tomorrow, it's my brother-in-laws's bachelor party. So, another night that my husband won't be home to help pick up the pieces that were made while he was at work.

I don't know who is not looking forward to it me or Miles. On Fridays, Miles often spends a lot of quality time with his dad on Friday nights playing video games in my room. It's a way for the to bond and Miles to just relax after a busy week. Then early on Saturday we are heading out on our vacation to stay in a hotel for a couple of nights. We are going to a Children's museum. Which can have a huge awesome time or can go down hill really quick. I have already emailed the museum for some ideas what they provide for a kid who is like Miles. No reason not to ask so that way I can be ahead on it. Then we will be going to the local zoo. Which is huge and should be lots of fun. Miles likes animals so it should be nice. Hopefully, it won't be too crowded and won't rain on us. Then we will visit the local temple to show the kids it (we are mormon). Then we will head home. We plan to swim in the pool each evening that way the kids just crash.

Our last vacation was great, until Miles woke up with a horrible cold. He kept us up all night long coughing and wheezing. Also...we had to wait for over an hr for food that should not have taken that long at a local place. So we are hoping that this vacation will be great. My mom is tagging along with us like she did last time. That way everyone can help with a kid or if need be two people can help with Miles.

So not only do we have our vacation, but when we return we are going to be smothered with my husband's family. His brother Jimmy and family (three kids) and Sister Johanna and family (two kids) are coming in town. Not sure if his brother Andy and family (three kids) are coming as well. Or if his older brother Tony and family (three kids on earth) are going to be stopping in. But everyone will be here and it gets crazy when they are all together. None of them really know what to do with Miles and his cousins don't either. So, Miles often gets sensory overload around them. But they are all in town because we will be going to the temple to see my brother-in-law Scotty and his soon to be wife Jenny get married for all eternity. Then we have the wedding reception. Our plan is that we will all go the reception then return home to get Miles in bed as close as to his bedtime as we can. My mom said she will stay so we can head back to the reception. It's going to be a busy week.

Not only that but I am going to be watching my niece Abbi during the week as her sitter is not watching kids that week and no school.

In other news. Miles has been in the oddest mood lately. Not sure if it's the rainy weather causing him to be like this or if this is just his current mood. He's been close to meltdowns a lot lately and it makes me sad. I feel for him because he doesn't want to be this way. He doesn't want to wear clothes at all which is different usually we can get him in some clothes. He doesn't want to be touched in the evening which is different for him. I just wish Children's Mercy calls soon to get him officially evaluated.  

My goal is to get him evaluated before his IEP meeting on April 8th. One step at a time is been my motto. One step at a time.

-Wish me Luck-

Kendra 

Scary Part

So, like I have said in my story. It's been a long road with Miles and we have been with Infant Toddler Services since last year. But, just like everything it must come to the end. The end is so close now and it's scary. We are in midst of a transition from ITS to the local school district since December. I had the meeting with the school district and they met Miles. Of course, Miles was on his best behavior for the meeting. So, they didn't see his true colors and they told us they will evaluate him in a preschool setting for two weeks. They also told me all that will be evaluating Miles, nothing about OT. Which for those who know my son, he has some huge sensory needs. Which they thought he didn't have. (Insert Head Shaking). I even gave them examples of Miles and his sensory needs. Nothing, well I was going to force the issues then by having the OT from ITS evaluate him before the transition was complete.

Anyways, Miles started preschool through the school district first week of February. I was walking him and his siblings to the school to drop him off. He did great the first week and second week. They told me he was doing wonderful. Yet, as soon as we rounded the corner from the school from pick up. Miles would start punching his sister and screaming. I was dreading the fact that he was perfect for them and yet wasn't for me. One of my worries was they were going to deny him into their program. I was also worrying that maybe people were correct that I was the WORST MOM in the World. But, they never told me the end date and it was starting to be a challenge to even get him dressed in the morning. He hated going to school and lots of times I had to call my mom to come take him. At one point he worked himself out of his carseat and punched the back of her head while she was driving.

So now, Miles takes the bus to and from school. Most morning it's a struggle to get him on the bus. I am pretty sure his anxiety of leaving the house is the cause of it. We are getting there and finding new ways to do things with him. I just prep him a lot starting the day before that tomorrow is school and the bus will come pick you up. Then I walk him to the bus with his tablet. Some days it works some days it does not.

Lately, Miles has become very violent. Sometimes there is a reasoning behind it such as Sister is playing with his toys and then there are no reasons at all. Such as yesterday he decided to throw two water bottles at his little brother's head. Or Friday, when he didn't want to tell me he didn't want to hang out with Grandma so he smashed his tablet on my head which cracked his screen.

Then there are times that he has awesome day playing nicely with his sister and then he has a complete meltdown later. Usually, there are no time or reasoning to his struggles.

Yesterday, I saw his meltdown coming all day. I tried to help calm him down by giving him lots of body squeezes. It's where I just hold him pretty tightly in a hug. But, it didn't help his struggle what was to come that evening. That evening after dinner, after therapy, Miles blew up. What did he blow up...clothes. He rather run around the house with just his diaper on. He didn't want to wear clothes or to be touched at all. I held him for a bit and he was just blowing up. He punched and kicked. I tried my usual redirect that work some times. Nothing worked. His father held him whole he kicked and scream. He begged for me and I was sitting right next to him holding his hand. Talking in a soft voice. Finally, we took him into his room in the dark and I sat on the floor.

I was punched in the head, kicked in the ribs over and over while he let himself go into a long meltdown. I sat there with a blank face knowing that any reaction would cause it to be worse. I just wanted to cry. Finally, my mom took over for awhile to try her ways to calm him down. I had to go into my room to gather my own emotions. I have sob in the bathroom more times then can count just feeling for my son.

It's those times, I wish I could help him battle his emotions and help him out of his sensory overload. Finally, two hours later he calmed down and wanted to be loved on. He says, "You don't love me." We just remind him that we love him over and over again. That's the hardest thing for me is when he says I don't love him. Because I love him to the moon and back.

-Forever Surviving-

Kendra