Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh and don't forget the flying Monkeys.

So it has been quite a while since I have posted but much has happened in the last few months. In February we learned that the Child Development Center I manage would be closing at the end of April. This has effected AJ quite a bit but not too much until recently. I am out of a job as of this Friday. Yikes! (Lions AND Tigers)

EMU has released AJ from the Speech and Hearing Clinic's program. He has made so much progress that he is 95% intelligible and they feel he does not need services anymore. I understand that there are many children who are in situations like AJ was just a year and a half ago who need their expertise more than he does but it is a bit un-nerving to lose that safety net. I know that we can always go back if there is a resurgance of issues, and I am of course thrilled that he is doing so very well but it just seems too good to be true after all I've learned about apraxia. (Bears)

Of course just this week, as my center is closing, AJ is struggling with some serious disfluency. He is stammering and struggling to get his thoughts out more and more. He has also has had a few nightmares lately. The only one he could articulate was about a monkey with "four legs" looking at him. (Flying Monkeys?)

I am hoping that things calm down soon and we can get back into a routine before kindergarten begins this fall and things get crazy again.

On a hopeful note, AJ is starting T-ball. His first game is Saturday. I am a bit nervous about him experiencing team sports as it will be his first test with communicating with other children who are not familiar with him. We think he is easy to understand now but others may have more difficulty. It's hard to have an objective opinion when I've been one of the few who could understand what he trying to get across even before he coud speak. I have been speaking "AJ-ease" for a long time. I worry about teasing from peers but I think that every mom worries about this to some extent.

I am drained from the closing of the center and am stressed about finding work in this economy. I am trying to stay positive but it is a difficult thing to do. I'm 41 years old and have always managed to survive somehow so I know I will be okay. I just have to keep reminding myself of that.

Reality vs. make believe

AJ is very into dramatic play. He loves dress up clothes and his workbench and kitchen. He comes to me regularly and says "Mommy, I tending ..." I have been pleased with this development but bit worried that with all his super hero play -the latest being the Hulk- (thanks Daddy for letting the boy watch PG13 movies-UGH) that e doesn't understand that doing pretend things like on TV for real can hurt. He has been much more aggressive in his play and borders on violent at times. I was VERY surprised and pleased when the following conversation took place last week:

AJ and I were driving to his grandma's before I had to be at work on a particularly bad day weather wise. I got a call explaining that one of the teachers at my center was going to be late as her car slid off the road into a ditch. Thankfully she wasn't hurt. I explained to AJ that Ms. Carie was waiting for a tow truck. He stated "Mater is a tow truck" refering to a charachter from the movie Cars. I replied" Yes he is. Maybe Mater will help Ms. Carie" To which my 4 year old replied with an exasperated tone. "Mommy, Mater is NOT in our Earf (Earth)" It took me a second to realize he was commenting on the fact that Mater is a fidtional charachter. I replied " you are right, Mommy is silly" AJ said "He's just in movies and books Mommy."

Once again schooled by a four year old. I am always amazed how much more he "gets it" than I realize. I ave to be more careful not to underestimate him. Even while he's ripping his shirt off and running around the house screaming "Hulk SMASH!"

I'm so over it.

Okay so I finally observe in AJ's class just before the holidays. Not so impressed. There are 11 four year old boys in the class a teacher, a parapro and a speech therapist (some of the time) Most of the children have attention and/or behavior issues. The majority of the day is spent working with the boys on following directions, sitting still, taking turns, etc. I saw a speech small group (Including AJ). The kids were doing a project that involved following directions (Color two ornaments blue) and initiating conversation, (please pass me the glue Jake) There was no work on specific sounds or words. There was no work on pacing or fluency. There were no mouth and tongue exercises.

I waited until after the break to call the speech therapist to see if AJ ever gets individual speech therapy and/or if they ever work on his speech needs. Basically I've been told the budget doesn;t allow for individual therapy and that they are working on other goals not in his IEP.
I'm done. If he is not getting any benefit from the program why is he being dragged between 3 houses and two schools to attend? WHy are five people and a transportaion department killing themselves to get him back and forth to a 2.5 hour program? I am pulling him form the program. I could fight them and insist that they provide what he needs but kindergarten is looming large this fall and I don't think the battle will be won by the time he is to start.

I am keeping him enrolled in EMU's speech clinic. They are helping him immensely. I will push for him to get speech therapy when he begins Kindergarten in the fall as well. I am at peace with this decision and know that he is going to succeesd with or without the districts help because he is so determined.