The Big Day

Hi all,

Well, this is it: tomorrow I start school here in Aberdeen. I'll be in P-1, which is pretty much the same as 1st grade. I'm excited! I met my teacher and assistants on Friday. They got a pretty good dose of me, as I managed to climb on all the tables, find the (off-limits) closet door and open it, turn over a book case of puzzles and throw my banana into the cup of juice closest to me (not my juice, either!). Whew! And the whole class took it all with a smile and a laugh, which bodes well for me this year.

So the summer ended up with a fun two weeks of playscheme with the kids in our community, and a week with mom just doing normal stuff. We've gone to the beach, to lots of parks, to Burger King for a special treat, and to the doctor for our preschool boosters, of course. I have to say, brother cried more than I did! ;)

Caleb starts nursery tomorrow too...Mom keeps talking about being a "free woman" again, whatever that means. But it must be good because she's smiling when she says it!

That's all for now. I'm sorry it's so short, but a boy's gotta play and not sit on the computer all day. I'll let you know how my first week at school goes.

Bye for now,
Adam xx

June update

Hi all.

We are now on the countdown to the end of our year in Durham. In two weeks we will head back to Aberdeen, and I for one will be somewhat glad to escape the 95 degree heat and mosquitoes! Mom's running around like the proverbial chicken, but she's still managing to take brother and me to the river and Roly-pops. I also have a school program for these three weeks that helps me to stay occupied while mom does her errands, so it's working out well.

I finished my kindergarten program in June and Dad and Oma came to the party. It was fun--they took a picture of me with my certificate as you can see. I will miss my friend Hunter. He showed me all kinds of neat stuff like how to lay on my back with my hands behind my head and bang my feet against the wall. Mom loved that one.

The next day I finished my music therapy with Miss Erika, and Dad and Oma came to that too. I had a great time with Miss Erika, and learned to follow directions, play music, and say "stop" and "I want...X" with my signs. I hope to do more music in Aberdeen. Dad says my rhythm is really good, especially when I'm clapping to the Black Keys (Dad plays it LOUD for me in the car. Should I tell him I'm not deaf anymore?)

The reason Dad and Oma went with me is that Mom and Caleb were in California with my other Oma and Opa and my Great-Granny Argabright (GG), and my cousins Micah and Kaitlyn. Mom said GG died while she was there, on June 9. I'm sad that she's gone, but I know she's happier now. Mom and brother had trouble getting back, but they made it with new tickets a day late (thanks Oma and Opa!).

Then, the next day we went to the Farm with the whole Brock/Black/Seneff clan for the week. I really liked being with all my cousins and swimming at the pool lots. Brother and I learned to float using water wings, which was fun. I jumped in from the side and even went under water. All the boys got "Mo-hawks" for fun, and brother and I joined in. We called ours the "Bro-hawks". Mom thought that was funny. I got to ride on the 4-wheeler with dad a lot, and mom even learned how to drive it. We had a great week.

Now, as I said, we're back and getting ready for our big trip. One extra detail is my passport, which mom forgot to renew. So we are going to Washington D.C. this week to get that done. I hope I don't have to miss school for it, but Miss Jen will understand.

That's all for now. See you soon!

Adam xx

The end is beginning...

Since I last wrote, summer has hit. We've had a couple of days already that were 95, and brother and I run around most of the time without shoes or shirts. It's great, and even better when the odd thunderstorm moves in and cools things off (temporarily). Mom says we're going to freeze when we get back to Aberdeen, but for now we're soaking up the sun.

Speaking of Aberdeen, it's coming soon. Our departure date is July 13, and that's not far away, not that we are not packing in plenty of activity between now and then. Mom and brother are in California right now, visiting Great Granny A and having fun with cousins Micah and Kaitlyn. Great Granny A is very sick and in the hospital, so I am glad that they are there. I've talked to mom a couple of times on the phone, but I've been having so much fun with dad running around the mall (it's been a bit rainy) that I don't have much to say. We'll see them again on Thursday, but not until we've said hello again to Oma and Pappa-Opa from TX this week. Then we all get to drive to Asheville and see the whole of the Brock-Black-Seneff clan at "The Farm".

It's also my last week of kindergarten this week. I'll be sad to say goodbye to all my friends and my teachers, who have been so good to me and taught me a lot. One of the things my friends have taught me is to lie on my back with my hands under my head and bang my feet on the wall...so much fun. Mom is glad they taught me that too. When I go back to Aberdeen, I'll start P-1, the equivalent to 1st grade. That will be a big jump, but I feel ready now (and so does mom!)

In the meantime, all are healthy and happy, and enjoyed a good visit with friends Andy, Amy and Ainsley Odle last week. It was nice to see their shining faces and hang out a bit before they had to head back to Atlanta. Thanks for visiting guys--see you again soon I hope!!

That's all for now. If I don't write again for a while, assume I'm at the park (half-naked!)!
Love, Adam xx

Where mom and I disagree...

You know why I like the Presidents? No school. And snow? No school. That's right...I think it's completely appropriate to have a day off to appreciate those men who run or have run our country, and also that fluffy white stuff that makes my hands cold. But mom doesn't think so, and regularly complains that someone's getting off easy when I stay home for what she calls silly reasons. Too bad, I say.

Except today, when a snow day two weeks ago means that we have to go to school today despite it being hooray for Presidents day. I guess I know who's winning after all.

You guessed it: Mom.

Do you ear what I ear?

Hi folks,

Been a while, I know. Brother had his birthday last week, but was sick with 'ammonia' (I know, it's pneumonia, but try telling that to a new 3 year old!). Anyway, he was so sick that mom was preoccupied a bit, and we lost track of the week with all the antibiotic-taking and bed-hopping. It's usually me that ends up on antibiotics, but this time I sailed on through my little cold with only a bit of ear ooze. No problem! We tried to have pizza for his birthday dinner, but he didn't want any and I decided it was time for climbing practice in the restaurant, so mom and dad cut the dinner short.

The major irritation for me is that last week one of my hearing aids quit working, and we've all found that I still actually like them, even if "they" think I don't need them. I've not been myself, and really it's just that I like having the aids in my ears--they help me process what I hear, and without them sounds just aren't sounds like I like them. I can't explain it, but mom knows what I mean and she's trying to get them fixed. I will have to go for another hearing test, this time a proper one, and that may convince them of what we know.

At any rate, mom sang in a choir concert last Sunday along with a symphony orchestra, and it was great, even without my 'ears'. I liked the part where they played Baby Einstein--mom's telling me it was Beethoven's 5th symphony, you know the one: Bah, bah, bah, buuuuuummm--but to me it sounded like the Giraffe one, as brother calls it. It was great, and every time the music got loud I snapped to attention for a while again. I even tried to conduct with the guy in front, waving my arms in time to the music. Mom said that Beethoven must have had a kid with Autism, since he knew just how long to let the music go soft before turning up the volume again. I think she's a little silly, but I love her.

Brother is well and it's warm for a change, so we're off to the park. Bye for now!
love, Adam x

Snow problem!

I see it's been a while since my last post, but here I am again!

We had our first snow this week, on Monday night in fact, much to mom's chagrin. We already had Tuesday off to watch Barack Obama take the oath as President of the United States (a very good way to round off a sledding session and accompanied by some good hot chocolate, which the folks in D.C. looked like they needed too!) Unfortunately, sub-freezing temperatures on Tuesday night meant no school on Wednesday as well. Moving on into Thursday we still had a 2-hour delay, so by the time 11am came Mom fairly booted me out the door. OK, I'm exaggerating...a bit.

Anyway, short day at school over now, it's on to Friday and guess what? The weekend again. Yay! Mom's over here muttering to herself...don't mind her. I know she had enough time today to enquire about my school for next year, and it looks all set for me to return to Scotland and go to P-1 like we had planned. Now that's good news, even if it's supposed to rain tomorrow night.

Wet wishes to all...love Adam x

What a week!!

Hi folks,

You may be wondering why I've not been writing lately. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. It was my last week at school for one thing, and I had a lot to do. Mom and Dad have been dragging us to various parties (OK, just one, but it felt like many!). That was a Christmas dinner for the Divinity school at Duke, so I got to pal around with some of Dad's friends. Actually, I laid on the floor when my dinner was finished and made people step over me to get to the cobbler. He he!

Brother and I also lost our "pink car" to the recycling people when mom left it by the side of the street one morning. That was a sad story, until the next morning when Dad, as he was riding to work, came across one almost exactly the same sitting in someone else's rubbish. Perfect! He carried it in his bike basket to our church, and mom drove over as soon as I was off to school to pick it up. We now have two again, good as new. Actually, good as VERY used, but who cares?!

Now, the biggest news of all: I ate SALAD for dinner. Yep, you read right. Mom spooned it on to my plate, and when I couldn't get a piece on my spoon I just picked it up with my hands. It was good, and Mom and Dad were so pleased too. Now Dad says that if I can eat it, so can mom. Whatever that means. Hmmmm...

Today was a really sweet day too, my last day of this year at school. Mom gave Mr. Jerome (my taxi driver) some cookies when he picked me up from school. Then Mom and Brother came to my school to give them some cookies and pick me up early. Then we drove over to Hillandale, my old school, to see all my friends there and give them some cookies (do you see a theme here?). If I was worried that they had forgotten me, I now rest easy. They absolutely bombarded me with hugs and kisses, so much so that mom couldn't even see me for a good 10 minutes!! I had so much fun, laughing and playing and eating ice cream with my friends, it was really nice to reconnect. I even said my name several times so they could enjoy my new voice. I'll put up a picture of our class as soon as I can.

So, now I'm bushed and ready for bed. We played outside for a long time this afternoon since it was 70 degrees. Sorry, that was too good to keep to myself! Hope you all have a nice sleep.

More soon, Love Adam.

Rally in Raleigh

I'm so jealous...I know 5 year olds aren't supposed to be jealous, but today while Dad and I were working mom and brother went to our state capital, Raleigh, to see the future President of the USA, Barack Obama, at a rally (yes, you read that right--even at 5 I can see things coming!). She said there were 40,000 people there, plus police and secret service and firemen...people were so excited and they had a great time. Hmph, now I KNOW who does all the work around here! :)

Anyway, the election is next week, so things will be decided soon. Not that it really affects me, but I do get to go vote with mom next Tuesday since I'll be out of school. After we have my next doctor's appointment, that is. The fun never ends around here.

On a less interesting note, I went to the creche with mom and brother tonight since dad is away again. I absolutely tore it up, not to mention that I threw my hearing aids off in the car as we arrived and mom still can't find one of them! I don't know exactly what will happen if it's really lost, and neither does mom so that's why she was a little cross with me tonight! Brother gave me lots of nice kisses in the tub, though, so that made up for it all. Even mom laughed!

More soon, love Adam.

p.s. mom said to tell you sorry she didn't have a picture for you of the rally, but they really should have a "short people's section"!

And the days go by...

Hi all,

I realised that I have not written all week. A 5 year old's work is never done, but nevertheless, sorry to leave you hanging! Let's see...I'll recap the highlights:

On Tuesday I started to ride the bus again. Actually, it's a taxi driven by a man named Mr Jerome. Or at least that's what I call him--he's nice and takes me to and from school now so mom can stay home and do her thing. Whatever moms do, you know! That same day I had an eye doctor appointment AND bowling with my class--don't ask how it all fit together, mom is STILL spinning from all the to and fro!

The eye doctor said that she would be happy to test my eyes under anesthetic (when I have my ears fixed), much to mom's delight. We're still waiting for the date, but it should be in the next few weeks.

I have started to use the signs for "more" and "want", also much to mom's delight! :) I can even say the word more, but I choose my occasions for speaking carefully so as not to become a chatterbox. I have managed to go through all of my extra clothes that mom sends to school, which means that it's been a good week!

Not much else to add, except that mom has our costumes sorted out for Halloween, so look for some pics next week of the festivities. Our neighborhood has some hundreds of people cruising for candy, so it will be quite the event. Dad of course will be away, which means that he gets no candy!

That's all for now--must get my beauty rest. Love, Adam.

My first week (again)!

Hello friends,

I've had four days now at my new school, and it's definitely a good fit for me. I'm very excited every morning to go in, and each day when mom has come to pick me up I'm smiling and happy, dancing all the way to the car--except for this limp, so kind of limp-dancing actually!

Today I was swarmed some of the other kids who are in my hallway...they like me and want to give me hugs when I leave. I really like the hugs, and reach out to touch all the faces I can reach. Of course, I'm the smallest one, so it's hard to reach them sometimes! Mom is starting to learn their names, though she also needs to learn to sign so she can "talk" to the ones who are deaf!

The funny story from today is that my teacher called mom at 2pm to say that they had lost one of my hearing aids. She said that two boys from another class in my hallway had gone to look for it, since they like me and have become my "buddies". They looked for 20 minutes through THE TRASH to find it...now, that's some kind of buddies to have, don't you think?? Well, anyway mom said that I always pull my ears out at the same time, so if the other one was in the class then that's where the lost one would be. Sure enough, my teacher called 10 minutes later to say it was in the toy box! Too bad for my buddies, but mom thanked their teacher and they got some candy for being good helpers so it wasn't all bad!

Let that be a lesson to look for someone's ear the next time you are asked!
Love, Adam

My first days...

Hi all,

Mom said to make this quick--it's late and I need to get my beauty sleep (and so, I suspect--does mom!!)

I have now had 1 1/2 days at my new school and it has gone GREAT! Mom and Caleb took me on Tuesday morning, and as soon as I walked in to the hallway I had lots of new friends. Everyone is so friendly, like they were at my old school too. My teachers are young and nice, and they take me to do all sorts of fun stuff all day. When mom came to pick me up on Tuesday afternoon I didn't even want to go home (although I did!). We went to the park, and then Dad came home early and took me for a celebratory bike ride in his new basket--that's right, I said IN his basket--see the picture and be jealous of my fun life! ;)

Today was a short day for a teacher's inservice, but again a good day. I'm learning where to put my bag when I come in, where to sit and what to do. My teacher has made a visual schedule for me that tells me what I'm doing next. I like to wave it around a lot, but I also look at it. My classmates like me, and we are all learning to adjust to each other.

I've been having a little trouble walking today--for some reason that I can't tell mom I'm limping, but she thinks it might be a bruise from walking barefoot over the weekend and will hopefully get better. I think it just means I get to be carried more--lazy boy that I am!! :)

Caleb and I went to work with mom this evening since Dad is away, and boy did I make lots of work for the ladies!! It was fun though, and we danced a bit when we came home to burn off energy. Now I'm off to bed, like I said, and up again early for school. Bye for now!

Love, Adam.

My last day

Well, mom WAS going to go to bed early, until I got her up at 11:10 pm when I started coughing, after the neighbor played "name that tune" with her hammer until 10:30pm! SO, we might as well tell you about our day until I go back to sleep...

Today my friends at Hillandale sent me off with a grand morning's activities. It mainly involved taking me to my favorite activities and taking pictures of me and my classmates and teachers, which they then made into a card to give to mom. Mom got a little teary when she saw the card-SO embarrassing!! It's a great card, and a great way to remember such a fun group of people. I will be sad not to go back, and not to see my friends Ramona and Michael on the bus in the morning, but I'll get to meet new people and have new friends soon enough. Tomorrow I start at Merrick Moore, and my "bus" for a while will be mom and brother. Wish me luck--these new people will make me work!!

I said morning's activities because mom picked me up at 12noon for a doctor's appointment with my general doctor. I like him a lot--but that doesn't mean I didn't make him work! I don't know what it is about doctor's offices that makes me want to go crazy--so much tissue paper to pull and tear up, so many chairs to tip, trash cans (bins) to knock over, doors to open, lights to turn off...you get the picture. Anyway, mom had her hands full, but it seemed like a good meeting.

They talked about how I'm doing and what things might happen, like the whole sleep thing I told you about--he thinks it's a good idea, and that taking out adenoids is not such a big deal as tonsils. Mom was glad to hear that! He also said the doctors I'm going to are not "mavericks" (to use a big word I keep hearing lately from some funny lady on TV) and they don't do this thing lightly.

They also talked about my nose and cough and decided to leave things alone for now. Mom may be wishing after tonight that she had given me antibiotics, but I'M not sad to not have to take more medicine yet!

Looks like we might have a little ice cream and go to bed, so goodnight!
More soon, love Adam.

and the verdict is....

I'm moving to a new school!

Mom had another marathon meeting today--Dad watched Caleb and I so she could concentrate, which was doubly hard because she's "all full of the cold" as our Scottish friends would say. I'm afraid I gave it to her, but all the kids at class gave it to me first!

Actually, that was the first order of the day: Mom got a call from my teacher at 10:30am to ask if she could come pick me up, not because I was being bad, but because my nose was running so much and they were worried about me spreading it to the other kids! Mom tried to explain things to them, but a policy is a policy and since she was already there she took me home. I wasn't that bad, and both she and I knew it, but we tried to make the best of it anyway.

Dad came home as soon as we got home and we all had lunch together. Then mom went off to her meeting and Dad and brother and I had a nap--a little too long if you ask mom, but we didn't mind! :) It was sort of raining anyway, and my nose needed the rest!

So, mom's meeting was at my new school, Merrick-Moore elementary school in East Durham. It's a little farther away from home than my school now, but it's nice and very big. Mom said she saw lots of students playing and in class, and she met the people who will be my teachers and they are nice. They are almost all very young, so they will probably have enough energy to chase me around! Mom said the routine is more structured than mine here at Hillandale, and there are lots of fun things I'll get to do there like music therapy, art, dancing, adaptive PE, signing and field trips. In fact, the first day I'm there they will take me with them to the local field where we will practice for the Special Olympics. Wow--I'll be an Olympian before you know it (but what sport to choose??)!

Mom said she was a little sad, both that I will have to make another transition and that I will have to leave my friends at Hillandale. They have truly become my friends--they hug me, they help me and they make me laugh. Mom came to my parent conference on Wednesday and she and my teacher Ms Mills talked about how far I had come in just 6 weeks. I know mom doesn't want me to leave that safe and happy environment, but she thinks the school people believe this move is for my best development and I think she trusts them. I hope to make more friends at Merrick-Moore, both in the hearing impaired (HI) class and the Autistic (AU) classroom. There are three other students in the HI class, and three others in the AU so we will be cozy and have lots of time to interact closely.

So my first day will be next Tuesday, after a doctor's appointment on Monday morning and a big cupcake party at Hillandale later that day. Mom thinks it won't be long until I'm settled in my new school, but to help things along she will take me and pick me up rather than me taking the bus. It's going to be a long bus ride, an hour each way, so she's still thinking if she wants me to do that or not. I don't mind the bus, but 2 hours IS a long time in a wee boy's life!

Well, we've still got some rough-housing to do and then it's off to bed. I wouldn't want to keep dad waiting, so I'd better go. I have an ENT appointment in the morning (at 8am!) and then we're going to a grassroots music festival outside Chapel Hill, so I'll tell you all about it next post.

Bye for now, love Adam.

Back to normal...for now!

Oma left on Sunday, after a couple of crazy fun-filled days. It was hard to see her go, but knowing that she got a free flight voucher for being delayed by the airlines means we'll see her again soon--yeah!!

I had a nice day at school today, and am still waiting for news about my upcoming transition. Mom will go visit the new school on Thursday--I trust her to give me the real scoop and not hold back, she's pretty good at that. The only real consideration, or so I hear, is that it is in a "rough neighbourhood". What that really means is anyone's guess, but being a good Scottish boy I think I can take 'em! Or to put it another way, I'm sure I'll be in good hands and won't need to worry, but we'll see what mom thinks when she goes.

Meanwhile I carry on at school, at the park, watching Baby Einstein, dancing and learning new words. Today mom and I played with a balloon and she tried to get me to say balloon--it kept coming out like ball, but at least I did the sign too! :)

That's all for now, love Adam.

Thursday

No news really, just wanted to keep up the conversation...

Oma is still here, so today we took her to the park--Oval park--and to Bullock's Bar-B-Que (mom and dad giggle when they say the name, but I don't know what they're laughing about). She liked that place, I think, even though I didn't! Today I wouldn't eat hardly anything--it's too spicy, I tell ya! Mom tried lots of things, but today is just a day for cereal and that's that!

Also, it's colder today...I had to wear a jacket for the first time, and it kind of felt nice. I know my friends in Aberdeen have not stopped wearing theirs, so I won't complain! The sun was out, so that made it nice in the afternoon when we were on the swings.

No more news on my next school placement. Mom is waiting to get a date to visit the school, and we still have to get my hearing checked at some point. I'll let you know when we hear something.

More soon, love Adam.

Recapping the week

Hi folks, sorry it's been so long! I've just been so busy and have so much to tell as a result, that I'll get to work right away. No chatter--I'm all about business! :)

After my last post, we had a nice weekend and then mom had two worrisome days wondering how I would do at school. Well, the answer is that I've settled down a bit and they've done some different things with my school friends and I, like taking us to the playground each morning at 10am for 15 minutes, and that has helped me carry through my day better.

On Wednesday I had my appointment with the ENT, Dr. Hulka--who everyone says is great, and who had a really cool tie that I spent the whole time trying to grab! Mom and Dad were thrilled, not least because Dr. Hulka said he could help get rid of the fluid in my ears and maybe put tubes in so I can hear better. He also said I had an ear infection at the moment, and gave me antibiotic ear drops which made me feel lots better in a couple of days. I've even been eating a lot more, which shows that I was not comfortable for a while. But I try not to complain, I'm a pretty tough cookie in general!

Then we set off on Thursday morning for Asheville, NC--actually for Fairview, where my aunt Michelle and uncle Tim and cousins Brock, Wesley, Rachel and baby Maria were waiting for our family. We spent four days there, one entirely in the rain!, riding ATV's, swimming, playing, singing, cooking, running, swinging and talking. I got to know the boys (Brock and Wesley) much better, and spent some time wrestling and singing with them. They were great to take MY time to get to know me too!! Auntie Michelle also sat and sang lots with me--I even taught her "Wind the Bobbin"! I'll try to include some photos from that trip here--mom and dad also said they had a great time, even if they didn't get much sleep!

We came back Sunday night, and it was straight back to school on Monday morning. I did well, and had a couple of good days. Then this morning Mom and Dad had their big meeting at school to talk about my IEP (Individualised Education Plan) and discuss where might be the best place for me to receive services. They talked for a long time--3 hours!!--and decided that my category of eligibility (which you have to have to receive special education services) is called "Multi-handicap" or MH. That means I tick lots of boxes, and mom and dad are OK with that. So am I, I mean after all it's true! And I know everyone likes me anyway, so a label is no big deal to me.

So now with the MH label, they can provide services, but where is still the question. One suggestion is moving to a school a little ways from our house where they have both an AU (Autism) class and a HI (Hearing Impaired) class and I could split my time between the two. Mom will go visit with the EC (Exceptional children) coordinator and the Teacher of the Deaf who works there and we'll talk about if it's a good fit for me or not. According to the law here, you have to be placed in your "least restrictive environment", which is why they put me in the class I'm in right now, but this other one might be more helpful for me since I need lots of structure and visual aids, and also people to work with me and help me.

They have given us a target date of October 13 to maybe have me transitioned. I know I'll have to help mom as she really loves my class and teachers and will be sad if I have to leave! So will I, but I also adapt pretty quickly--and I know we'll go back to Hillandale for visits if I have to leave. My teacher said I can still come to the Pumpkin patch and bowling which are on the 14th and 15th of October--too bad Dad will be gone and won't get to see me bowl!

So that's where we're at...mom and dad had a long nap today after their meeting, I had a good day at school...oh yeah, and Oma is here!! She came in last night and stayed with my brother this morning while mom and dad were at the meeting. She's playing with me now, so I better go. More later--love, Adam.

Third day in two weeks

I was sent home again today, and this makes three times in the last two weeks. My mom sure was frustrated, but not really at me and not really at the school. At "IT", she said. Whatever that means.

Mom has nothing but good things to say about my teachers and the other kids, but she thinks they are expecting too much of me. It's a K-2 class, and all the other kids are either 1st or 2nd grade. They are bigger and more mature than me, and need to do more academic work than me, but I have to tag along and do what they do, which makes me cross. Not only that, but they don't give me any time at all the whole morning to play outside, which is apparently normal here but mom thinks is pure-D craziness. She said that, not me (though I agree!)

The other trouble is that my teachers have never been trained in dealing with kids with Autism. Now, even I can tell you that's going to cause problems! They think I hit and kick when really I'm just trying to communicate and play. I understand that when I do it the other kids do it too and that makes it hard on everyone. My teachers are really trying to help, but mom thinks something is going to have to change. Next week is a short week for me (holiday!) and then the week after is THE meeting. In between mom will go to a meeting of the Autism society and hopefully make some good connections to help us.

Well, we just took a walk to "Rolly-pops" with all four of us, and now it's time for bed. Talk to you soon!
Love, Adam

Happy Thursday!

This has been a week of tests, and it looks to not be over yet. Mom took me in early on Wed. for testing, my vision first, then the "arena style" one: the OT, Speech therapist, physical therapist and psychologists all sat around and watched me and did some general testing of my abilities and developmental level. My teacher told mom I did well and they got a lot out of me--maybe that's why I was sent home early the same day for "bad behaviour"--just plumb tuckered out! I was, in fact: mom took me home and we had a nap together and then I was a good boy all afternoon.

So, the debate continues: Will I or won't I stay at the school where I am now?? I can tell you right off that I like it--the teachers and the class are great. Ms Kincey makes me LAUGH, the other kids give me high-5's and hugs--mom knows it's a good fit for me. BUT, they expect me to trace numbers and letters all morning without a recess break--humph! Who can do that at my age, I ask you?? We'll have a meeting on the first of Oct. to talk about things, and I trust my mom and dad to advocate for me. I'll let you know what happens.

Otherwise, we've had some cooler weather this week, some rain, and nice bright sun today. We went to the park, where I'm getting proficient on the big-boy swings, I tell you!

More later, Love Adam.

I got sent home for fighting!

he he...just wanted to see if you were paying attention! Mom got a call from my teacher today at 12:15 to say that I was "hitting and kicking aggressively" and would she come and get me. She came, and boy did she let me have it (in a nice way, of course) when I hit my teacher in front of her. She made me say sorry (do the sign) and my teacher was amazed, they didn't know I could do that. Of COURSE they didn't know I could do that--you think I WANT to say sorry all the time?? I am a kid, of course.

Anyway, we went home and mom gave us Mac-n-cheese and we had a nap. Then we went to the store and had ice cream and played outside for a while. I must say, and mom agrees, I was a very good boy all afternoon. Mom thinks I just need attention and want to engage with my classmates and teachers, and she is right. She also thinks I need my daddy back since he's been gone for a week now, and she's right there too. Come back soon Daddy!!!

Tomorrow I see my primary care doctor for the first time, and I'm looking forward to it. He sounds like a nice guy, and specialises in Autism, so he should know what to do with me. Also, we get to go without brother so it won't be quite so crazy!

I know I haven't said much about school for a while, and that's because there is some question as to whether or not I'm in the right place. They are going to test me in different areas and we'll have another meeting on Oct. 1 to see if this school is best or another one. They have other classes for kids like me with Autism, and that may be one suggestion. They may also say that I can only go half-days, which is fine with me even though mom and I both think I can do full days. Mom has been talking to all sorts of Parent Advocates and school professionals, so I know they will sort it all out for the best. We're just happy people are taking this much time with me, especially for only a year.

That's all for now...more later. Got to go practice my left hook, right jab (just kidding!)
Adam

We got it!

My mom said to share with you all the great news that our application for Medicaid was approved for my brother and I. This may not sound like blog-worthy news to you, but if you were over here sweating in North Carolina without health insurance, and you were anything like me--Unpredictable!!!--you would be very glad too. It means my brother and I are now covered, and since Dad left this afternoon for 10 days, mom is relieved. I can tell because she danced extra with brother and I tonight, and let us watch the rest of the Cars movie. I liked it OK, but not as much as Caleb who said "Ka-chow" all night!

We had a nice Labor Day yesterday, and by labor I mean we did nothing! Played all morning, went to the river all afternoon. I'm sorry for any of you who had to actually work!

They are doing digging work at the house right now, making it so the water does not come into the basement so much when it rains. This is good as "Hanna" is coming pretty much right toward us. Brother and I are ready to play in the rain again, should we get any.

Not much else to report--more after mom has her big meeting at school tomorrow to discuss my progress. I'll see what I can cook up for while she is here....he he!

Love, Adam