Excellent report

Well AJ's progress report was very good. It took a while to understand the way the school system quantifies improvement but once I got it I was happy to realize that he is making good progress. AJ is on target and expected to meet all of his IEP goals on time.

The school had an ice cream social and AJ was thrilled that his Papa Mike and Grandma Cherie got to see his school. He loved showing off his locker and classroom and introducing them to his teachers. Everyone comments on what a great kid he is and of course my parents eat that up.

I had a good conversation with Carol and am very happy with the progress he is making in speech. She says that he makes her look good and we both have noticed him working very hard to ennunciate words and using the physical cues he's ben taught to help him remember how to move his lips and mouth. He can now pronounce his name clearly - no more concerns that if lost he can't say his name. I am very relieved by this. We have been working on it for a long time and he is quite proud of this ability. Carol feels that we are quickly getting past the initial apraxia issue and are now working more on phonological problems

My sister was in town for the first time in a few months and marvelled at how far he has come. Sometimes when you are with him daily you forget that huge strides have been made- the improvement can be so gradual. It is very exciting to know that he has gone from being a quiet little guy to singing and talking our ears off.

My big concern now is what happens for the summer and when we move to a different school district. I am working to get him into the program at Eastern Michigan University but am not sure if he's in yet. Canton schools do not offer the same program as the one he is in now. I am trying to learn if they will bus him to the Livonia schools. I will be working on this next.

All in all I cannot complain. My little guy is just amazing us all and I thank God for all the angels who have come into our lives to help AJ on his journey.