School

Next week Jack goes through pre-school evaluation through the public school system.  They want to evaluate him for 20 hours, so drop him off for 4 hours a day and leave him there.

Pardon me for a minute while I freak the F*** out!

His current ECI therapist thinks that his speech is about 6 months behind and that they will want him every day of the week.  EVERY FRIGGIN' DAY!  With our current social schedule we are busy at least 3 mornings out of the week.  EEK!   Thankfully I do get a say in this. 

The idea behind him going to school already is to get him caught up by the time he reaches kindergarten.  ECI doesn't think there is any way they will keep him until kindergarten and that he will "graduate" out before he reaches that age, which would be great.   Personally, I'd like to keep him home for another year and continue with our social things that we do.  We currently do music speech therapy (which we will probably continue), swimming lessons (which we would also like to continue), play group (again, very important), and usually try to catch story time at the library or another play date.  We stay busy and Jack gets plenty of interaction with other kids and adults who teach him things. 

I have met the teachers at the school and really like them.  I think they are more freaked out about all of his medical stuff than I am, which is a good thing.  The look on her face when I was talking about him never having played with playdough or shaving cream because of the carbs in them was utter shock and panic.  I told her that it's fine if he plays with that kind of thing, but I need to know about it so that I can make note of any extra seizures if they happen.  I think this week will be good in that aspect because we can see if there is an increase and determine what to do. They are also aware of his food and food issues and one of them will sit next to him at snack and meal times. 

We are looking into some private options too because the numbers are pretty crazy at the public school. 

I honestly don't remember the last time I was so nervous.  Aside from brain surgery that is!  Jack is a very social butterfly and loves to be around other kids.  Today even we had some friends come over for a play date and Jack had a blast.  He did so well sharing his toys (for a 2 year old that is) and actually listened.  He was so excited that someone was coming over to play too, he kept saying, "friends, play, share, turns" and is finally getting the concept of sharing!  But still, my little bug hasn't ever been in a daycare/pre-school setting.  He is the sweetest little guy ever but I'm afraid that he won't ask for what he needs and that they won't understand him.  I understand about 95% of what he says and his speech therapist understands about 75% at this point.  Him having to communicate with other people will be very good for him because he will have to figure out how to become more understandable, but he's going to get frustrated in the process.

The other thing that makes me nervous is that he will go solid for a week and then not at all for a month.  They won't let me stay in the classroom the whole time with him, yes I have asked, but I can stay on campus if I want.  The first day I will probably take the ipad and sit outside the door the whole time.  Yes, the school is less than 1/2 a mile from my house, but Mama bear needs to be close to her little cub.  He's not even 3 yet and is still so little.  Don't tell him that though, he insists that he is a big boy.  I'm sure he will scream and cry when I leave.  I have worked in child care so I know that it's better to just make a clean break, but that doesn't mean that it's easy!  I will let ya'll know how it goes!

  (Dance celebration after having gone down the slide)