We have started off the summer on the right foot. On the last day of school (which was also my birthday), I accepted a teaching position at Renaissance Learning Center. Yes, that is the school that Darren attends...the reason we moved here. It was an offer that I just couldn't refuse. This year has been such an adventure. I started off at Saks Fifth Avenue...got an aide position in the County....got a teaching position a month and a half later....and now I have been blessed with this amazing opportunity at RLC. I can't help but to feel blessed. I continue to accept the challenge of Autism. I continue to find myself wanting to learn more and be apart of the unexplained epidemic that we live with everyday. As a parent, I know that RLC is the right place for Darren. As a professional, I know that I am thrilled to apart of an amazing community that is on the right path towards helping families, teaching children, and really making a difference in the world of Autism.
This decision came with a surprise. As I sat down to talk with Trevor, I was again, shown my blessings. This eight year boy listened to me as I explained my opportunity. At first, he cried."I am just surprised, I thought you were going to be at my school next year". Yes, until this job came along, I had been slotted to remain at the school that he would attend. My heart broke...but then he looked at me with his mature eyes and said "Mommy, you need to follow your heart." Trevor and I have had some good talks in our lives, but this one tops them all. I shared with him how stressed I felt lately....how I felt like I wasn't doing enough...so busy...so stressed...so tired. He responded, "Mom, you are doing great. I am fine, Darren is fine...we are happy." Seriously???? What eight year old talks this way????? I admit that I cried a lot that night. It was a deep cry. A thankful cry. I am so thankful for this amazing child. But he was right, I needed to follow my heart.....I will always encourage him to do the same. I guess in that moment I realized that Trevor will grow up and graduate High School, go to College, and he will leave...I will always have Darren....but Trevor will fly. I just have to show him the right way to do so.....
Onward and upward......
The summer is always a time for growth. It is always a good time for me to get back on track. I already feel refreshed and determined. Darren and I have been taking our run/scooter rides daily. He rides ahead of me and has learned to stop at every corner and wait for me. It is then that I kiss him and thank him for being a great leader. We have also been working on academics everyday. The first couple of days went very smoothly. I didn't push too hard. I complimented him and rewarded him at high intervals. But yesterday...it started to sink in. When we got to the beach in the afternoon...he starting crying...and he likes to tell me about it..."Mommy, I'm crying." or "Mommy, I want to scream." I love the warning call. He was upset. He was starting to realize that we were going to have a structured summer. He didn't run away...or hit...he held my hand and cried. THIS is progress to me. In times past, he would have LOST it, but on this day...he was just sad....and that's OK.
Today was another story. I was able to video some of our session. I will show you some of the good first.
The iPad is such an amazing learning tool. I love this app from ilearn.
As we continued....Darren decided he didn't want to do this work anymore......
And then it hit the fan....Darren has always had behaviors. He has always shown aggressive tendencies. I have always been thankful for his feisty spirit. I believe that he cares. I KNOW he has personality. SO, he got really mad...and sometimes we take it out on those that we love. The hitting started slowly. He would walk up to me and hit my shoulder slightly. I was ready for this. I knew it was coming today. I sat there...didn't acknowledge him at all. The hitting got worse....and more intense. At that time I had Trevor go in his room. I told him to tell Darren to go finish his work. I was ready this time. I was going to deal with this tantrum and succeed. I surprised Darren today by being totally calm. I ignored him. I left the table...got a soda...worked on the computer...went on with my day. During that time I created this reward sheet....a token board with a picture of the beach in the background. I am not going to lie, Darren's behaviors escalated (scratching, spitting, more hitting) . But in retrospect to the past, it was controllable. Finally I said, "E-NOUGH!" and his angry soul quieted....and we moved on. And guess what....he earned his tokens for the beach!!!!!! We pushed through and we did it....
This was him after the spell. He really is so smart. He really has made so much progress. I learned a lot today....I saw a different Darren. I was a different teacher. WE have a great future:)
Back to Trevor...He is SO creative and SO old school. Trevor still loves Godzilla and is really into making his own Godzilla movies...this isn't his first..but this is one of his best!!!!!
I just turned 39...and as my grandfather would say...I am on my 40th year.
I know that I am on the right path. I am thankful for the journey....and I am happy to learn more each and everyday.
