Coping with Autism

Okay, I've gone back to work-- teaching (what was I thinking!)-- and the kids are all in school. Peter is doing well mainstreamed. He is based out of an autism classroom and he and couple of other kids from his class spend nearly all day in a regular kindergarten class with a paraeducator. Peter has surprised his teachers by knowing his numbers, shapes and letters. He has also surprised them by knowing how to write his name. Communication skills are still not great but hey, every little bit helps! Nathan is doing well. He is in a reverse class at the public school. They are trying to see if they can move him into a regular kindergarten class next year. He's three days a week there and two days at the private school my daughter attends and where I teach. He's doing very well in both places and everyone thinks my little stinker is a joy (go figure-- he is a cutie but he can be a stinker too!) All in all, we doing okay so far.

I was never so happy! Okay, I do miss the kids. BUT Gabrielle was doing "projects" that apparently required distributing construction paper throughout the first floor of the house. Peter commandeered the computer so I couldn't get on it without a bit of a fight. And Nathan-- well, Nathan ran the extremes between being clingy and independent. He did do something exciting yesterday, he said "Mom, watch me, look" clear as day. I was so proud of him. On another note: We are waiting to hear from the neurosurgeon's office regarding the cranial-facial clinic. We'll be getting a call telling us when that will be in February and that's the next step. As my husband said, Peter has been an adventure almost from day one. (Peter's day one-- in utero).