When Ashley started back at school for second grade it was a little rough and reports kept getting worse. I wish she was able to fully communicate with us about her day and her feelings. We saw a lot of regression in her behaviors once school started in her rock sitting, whining, potty accidents, frustration, sleeping issues plus aggression towards her teacher which was surprising. I do not want to go into all the details but when you start seeing these signs it is obvious Ashley is trying to communicate the best way she can... Thankfully we were able to get Ashley transferred back to her zoned Elementary school so she can take the bus and now she is back with her friend in SLE too!
I also started part time jobs as a tutor for our school district and as a private math tutor so having Ashley take the bus was very helpful with my jobs. Being an AVID tutor for middle school students is so much fun and I did not realize how much I miss being in the classroom since it has been over 7 years. Most of the 7th graders create their TRF Point of Confusion on math problems so it is fun seeing the students in their group guide them to find the answer. I love being there to coach them also on what kinds of questions to ask or step in when needed to help student. For me the most rewarding part of being a tutor is when you see the "light bulb" turn on and you see the confusion gone. :)
A week before Ashley started her new school mid-October we went to tour and Ashley knew exactly where to go since she was there in Kindergarten. :) We explored her new classroom and met with her new teacher and aides. Ashley seemed so comfortable and immediately started asking the teacher for help in opening a box of toys! Her lead teacher Grace also asked a lot of great questions about Ashley and got on her level to talk with her! It made me feel a lot better about Ashley's big transition seeing her so comfortable at school with her new teachers! On her first morning I kept telling her she was going to take the bus to school so she stood by the front door watching for it just like she did her kindergarten year. She said "bus" 3 times before it came!
Ashley could sit anywhere on the bus but she chooses to sit next to her friend!
Ashley's Team for 2016-2017
This is Ashley's team of Son-Rise volunteers, therapists, teachers and church Buddies . We are so thankful for ALL of them! They love, respect and believe in Ashley!
Ashley's Son-Rise volunteers who work hard in the Playroom to bring 3E's and creativity! Tracy is working full time now but still comes 1 afternoon a week to play with Ashley! Miranda and Chloe come on Sundays and Pam is our new member who comes 2 times a week! We are so grateful that they volunteer their time because they are making a huge impact on Ashley! I am also grateful to my parents who keep Noah overnight 1 time during week so that I can do sessions with Ashley!
Ashley's wonderful therapists who challenge Ashley (and us) to step outside our comfort zone and try new things! They help us address behaviors and strategies for everyone to follow! They also do a great job of encouraging all of us and motivating us to keep working hard! Ashley really enjoys all her therapists and has so much fun with each of them!
Ashley's teachers who work hard on having students be included in all events at school! Ashley is doing well at her new school and is learning the routine. Her teacher has commented several times "Ashley is so smart"! :) This picture below is the image on Ashley's visual schedule.
Ashley's Buddies (Alissa and Justine) at church who share the love of Christ with her each week! They stick by her side having so much fun while Jeremy and I get to attend worship and small group!
Sept 11th, 2016
We went to local elementary today and Ashley wanted follow Noah's lead. Normally Noah wants to do everything Ashley does but she watched so intently when Jeremy helped Noah across the monkey bars. She then came over and wanted her turn. I love seeing her learn from watching others! She did the monkey bars 4 times waiting her turn after Noah so good thing her daddy is strong!
September 22nd
This morning I got a wonderful opportunity to talk to Ashley's 2nd grade inclusion class! I was encouraged and motivated by some moms in Austin Special Needs to take this step! Apparently some of her peers have been asking questions but because of confidentiality teachers cannot answer. Ashley seems to be handling inclusion times better this year and even sits with her 2nd grade class entire time during lunch!!! It was sweet to see some of her peers talk about trying to play chase with her at recess and they had lots of questions! Renee gave me a great idea of having a student volunteer tell me their name without talking or writing so the students were able see how frustrating it could be for Ashley to communicate! Thanks ladies
When we transtioned to her zoned school, her new teacher Grace even read a book to her 2nd grade class about autism and I was able to share Ashley's introduction sheet too that is pictured above!
Tuesday, October 4th
I had the most pleasant experience grocery shopping with Ashley tonight!!! She loved pushing the cart and did great navigating through the aisles! She helped me pick out some items, unload some at check out, load car, and even unloaded car with me! Thank you Sascha and Kelsey for working on outings like these with Ashley!!!! I love seeing her progress and independence! I am still in shock of how well that went!!!
Today we met Grammy and Papa at a park and there were a few minutes on tire swing that Ashley was really interacting with Noah. It is always heart warming to observe those sibling interactions!
Halloween October 31st
Happy Halloween! First Halloween ever that there were NO behaviors from Ashley!!! We went to more homes this year and both kids understood the Trick-or-treat process! She also said "treat" and "bye" at several of the homes!! Thank you Kelsey for working with Ashley so that we could enjoy tonight as a family! Ashley did great accepting that we didn't go into people's homes, that she could not take their entire bowl of candy, that she could not eat candy until we got home, and when we said all done!
November 1st, 2016
We also gained another volunteer for Ashley's Program and Pam already has experience from Illinois volunteering in 2 other Son-Rise Programs!!! She is a huge answered prayer and has soooo much energy!
Numbers & Letters in Playroom
We have been adding activities in the Playroom that will work on numbers and letters. Ashley now has the fine motor skills to show numbers with her fingers!!!! She is even saying "one", "two" and "three" while showing number with her hand! We are still working on counting concept but she is making progress! She really loves making the #3 with her hands. With letters she can almost identify letters A-M!!! She can say half of them too!
First Camp - November 4th
Ashley attended her first overnight camp without us and it was a small respite opportunity through a local church. I was excited she was going to experience a weekend camp, nervous she was going to be away from us with new people and also desparate for kid free weekend. My parents kept Noah for us so it was great to get 10 hours of sleep each night! :) Ashley was excited when we arrived for "camp" and apparently did really well over the weekend!
We had fun too as a couple that weekend!
November 10th, 2016
Ashley has started to sing this past month!!! She began singing to herself in the mirror after bath time and it seemed like she was practicing her facial expressions and head motions with it.
:) It has been so adorable to watch and today is the first time I was able to catch it on video! I wish I knew what song she was singing because this week it has been same tune. Anyone know? My guess is some Disney song or theme song to a cartoon.November 20th, 2016
We look forward to volunteering every year at our church Fall Food Drive and this year Ashley came to help!!! We are so proud of her! We took her at the beginning for a few minutes before it got chaotic. She caught on so fast getting 2 cans of corn and putting them in next empty box! It was so fun to have her out there with us serving!!!
November 21st, 2016
We went to parks a lot this week during Thanksgiving break with the beautiful weather. Ashley is loving new phase of running with her daddy and laughs the entire time! At home, she makes him carry a book while running! :) I just love her joyful face and how goofy her daddy will be to make her happy!
We had a great time today at the Austin Aquarium with other special needs families !
New foods
Kelsey, Sascha, and Allyson have been helping us with exposing her to new foods and taking her to new places. She has eaten broccoli, cheeseburger, hot dog, Chinese food, burrito bowl, BBQ chicken pizza. green beans, dressing, turkey, etc. Some of the food we discovered she did not like but we are proud that she at least tried it! We are hoping it will help with Thanksgiving day meal too!
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