Back to School, Hooray (more updates)
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| Sat, 09-10-2005 - 1:10pm |
So Malcolm is back at ASD school (3 days now)and all is well. New class is with the older kids he used to be pulled for math and reading to work with, now he is in their class all day, good! He had sports therapy and his therapist was amazed by leap in skills accomplished in summer camp, apparently he must have participated in the difficult sports program more than I am aware of (we let him opt out any day he wasn't feeling up to the competition and be a cheerleader as a coping skill). Tae Kwondo, his master asks if he would like to try joining the main class now and Malcolm is willing, we will wait a few weeks 'til back in schedule saddle a little longer. Camp was a little too long and too much too soon of total NT immersion. We are definitely going to try more afterschool activites in NT pgs., he will start chess club next week at community center with a few of his pals, too.
Playground today with group of buddies, other PDD and NT kids, went great and Malcolm seemed less argumentative and moody, happy to be there and very involved with games. As I write, several of them are with him in living room, building complex Thomas cities, eating popcorn and watching (what else) "Tom & Jerry".
Anxiety is so the enemy. The minute he is relaxed, my boy is back. I think this was so hard on me because he seemed to regress so, and I hadn't seen any of those behaviors in so long, freaked me right out. My husband, too, we have both been real depressed. Better now. And I think my husband is coming around to the idea of trying short-acting anxiety lowering drugs next time we try summer camp, plus we now more about what extra supports we will set up during camp next time. Live and learn.
yours,
Sara
ilovemalcolm

Sara,
I'm glad things are going well for Malcolm. Nice that he has friends come over to do things with! I hope we get there someday!!
I thought Nathan would be more relaxed once the whole routine of going back to school started.....but we're still very wound up here!! And the holidays are just around the corner!!!
Malcolm must be glad to be back home too. I know Nathan loves being home, that's where he's most comfortable. Hope school continues to go well!
Michelle
Dear Michelle,
But the newness of the classroom, new teachers, new room location, new personalities may keep him off balance awhile longer, as school in and of itself is not same-old-same-old when it's a new year. Give it a month more, probably he will calm down once he is familiar, really. Usually takes Malcolm up to 6 weeks to settle in, and his is a school completely designed for ASD kids.
And Malcolm's NOT settled in to new classroom quite yet, but seriously happy to be home, as you said. He has said so several times. And to be back with buddies, many of whom are from his lovely ASD school.
Thanks for note,
Sara
ilovemalcolm
I'm so glad your "boy is back"! :-) Sounds as though this summer was a good learning experience for all of you! and GREAT! to the leap in skills! that's wonderful!
Betsy