A New Path

Yesterday we had Emily's ISP meeting. I'm pleased to say it went very well.  As you will recall, Emily started attending a private school this year and required a re-evaluation of her continued need for special education services. 

During the meeting, we went over the extensive testing that was done along with the neurology report.  Emily has been classified as autistic. Her areas of struggle continue to be the same: written, expressive and pragmatic speech - social cues and conversation. One thing we did learn from this new testing is that she also struggles with short term memory.  This makes the memorizing of material difficult especially if she is required to repeat something verbatim, even if just told to her. 

Emily, not to our surprise, showed that her strength is in visualization techniques. Without going into a long exhaustive explanation of the tests that support this all I can say is this is an area where she excels.

Of course, we will be working hand in hand with the school and Emily's teacher to provide the tools she needs to successful. 

I personally came away with a new perspective on Emily having been made aware of how her memory is very limited.  One thing we are doing now is making pictures to go along with material needing to be studied for quizzes and tests. Our first attempt with this technique is in history.  The idea behind this is that the pictures she draws will help her recall the material she needs to know.  It may take some time to get use to the technique but I am excited to see where she takes this. 

One area we do need to look into further is how to help her in the area of learning social cues and conversation in a small group.  Please pray as we research this and determine how we can best help her.

As always, we are so thankful to God that He gave us the gift of Emily.  He has led us through this journey thus far and we know that He will be with us as we continue to advocate and assist Emily in the years to come.

Once again, thank you for allowing me to share. 

Are these in English?

This week the individual reports from Emily's IEP re-evaluation have started to come in the mail.   

Reading these reports are almost like reading another language. Most of the time as I read them I am like "huh?" but I always muddle through in order to see what I can glean.  

How different this is from Emily's first evaluation and the "diagnosis" of high functioning autism was made when she was 5.  I chose not to do any research on autism or read articles about it.  My main reason being that I knew I could make this into a bigger thing than it is. You know what I mean. How many times have we had an ache or a pain and decided to innocently look it up on the internet and by the time we are done we believe we have a life threatening disease. Knowledge is good but it can also lead us in a totally wrong direction. I also didn't do this because I knew God had blessed us with Emily exactly how she was and I didn't want to try and find "reasons" why this happened to her. God made her exactly the way He intended her to be for His glory. 

Five years later times have changed. My purpose for interpreting these reports is to not only try and confirm their findings with what we experience with Emily at home but also to prepare for what we want to make sure she receives for assistance in her new IEP/ISP. 

Of course the reports are filled with tests administered, rankings, averages, etc. and to be honest it can be a little disheartening to see on paper how your child struggles but it also shows me how great God is. 

Emily has received such excellent assistance to date and even though she struggles she tries so hard to do her best and her grades have continually showed it.

A main area of struggle for Emily is her expressive speech but I have to tell you it doesn't defeat her.  As a matter of fact in her English class, they have been learning the steps to writing.  Do you know that she has decided to write a book, "McKenna and the Haunted House"? This is a girl who has difficulty forming structured sentences verbally and in written for yet she wants to write a book. Clearly she doesn't know or care what the reports say. 

As I read these reports, I get the academia of them, the ranking but I know the spirit of my daughter and I know that although things can be hard to express for her and maybe socially she can't always hold a conversation the people that do get to know her are going to have a loyal and loving and oh so creative friend.

Last week I had the opportunity to speak with the Region V Speech/Language Consultant for the school after she observed Emily in gym class. She had told me how Emily was doing some beautiful pirouettes and how she has such a connection with how her body moved in the motion.  The consultant also mentioned how she has heard of Emily's drawings and interest in design. Then she said something to me that has stayed with me and is my new thinking. She expressed how Emily is a twice exceptional child. What I took from her explanation is that Emily is an exception due to her learning disability but she is also an exception due to her creative side - twice exceptional.  She also advised to pour our efforts into those areas Emily excels so she can have confidence and fulfillment in those and that will carry over into the areas she struggles. It was one of the most positive conversations I've had with a learning specialist and I'm thankful for all the insight she gave me.

More reports will come, more will need to be deciphered but in the end when we come together to put a program into place for Emily I know the most important person is going before us and that is God. I know He will provided for Emily in a way that will bring Him the most glory. I also know that He will be with Dave and me, the principal and her teacher as we all desire the best for Emily.  

A Piece of the Puzzle

I previously mentioned that Emily was going through a re-evaluation in regard to her IEP now that she is enrolled in a new school. 

Today we had an appointment with the Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician. He is a very nice man. Emily was very nervous even though I kept reassuring her "this doctor doesn't give shots" and he was just going to ask her questions and talk with her.

I was up first giving Emily's developmental history from the time we had our first concerns through all the services she's received over the last 6 years.  Mind you I have not had to give a history regarding Emily for 6 years....funny how much you can recall when needed.  

After my meeting with him, Emily had her turn.....I had "homework" and had to fill out another behavioral form while I waited for them to finish. Emily thought it hilarious I had "homework". 

We quickly met all together for him to get some physical vitals (height, weight, BP, etc.) on Emily and then he had me into the office while Emily waited in the waiting room.

He told me she is sweet and endearing and that he would classify her within the autistic spectrum.  Emily's main struggles are within her pragmatic and conversational speech and lacks social skills and cues. Now I know some of you are saying "what, that's not Emily!" But I am telling you that although hearing that was like a punch in my stomach that is Emily.  

Emily get's stuck within her own thoughts of what she finds important and interesting and when talking with people she makes statements but does not really look to engage in conversation regarding what she is talking about. If you can get a word in don't change the topic.....she will bring it right back to what she is interested in. You can see how for an adult this may seem sweet that she is so emphatic about what she likes but peers may find it weird and awkward. Emily has difficulty in starting and holding conversations for even short periods of time. She also still has trouble where she isn't always clear in what she is saying....either omitting words or entire concepts.  I could give you examples but that would make this post way too long. 

Yes, Emily has come a long way from where she was but there is still work to be done. 

As a parent, my initial reaction to this classification was one of sadness.....mainly because of the social struggles Emily will endure in her future.  BUT in that same moment I was reminded of how God has provided for Emily these last 6 years.  She has made remarkable progress and thankfully she has been unaware of how she is "different" from other kids. But my heart still aches in concern, thinking of how kids in her age range can be cruel, and my momma bear instinct want to defend her from all hurt.  

I am reminded though that Emily is a gift to us from God and one that we have given back to Him.  It is our privilege as her parents to guide her and stand in the gap for her. We KNOW that God has an awesome plan for her life and it is our obligation and privilege to help her on her journey.

Now, all this being said we are still awaiting the complete findings from all of the evaluations (speech, psychological, etc.) that have been performed over the last several weeks.  Our meeting to review the findings and recommendations will be on November 8th.  At that time, we will know exactly what Emily will need to move from this point forward.

I also want to say that God truly works for our good. We decided to send the kids to HCS this year feeling led by God that this was what He desired from us and for them.  This re-evaluation was a result of that school change and I'm happy that we will have a current evaluation of Emily's needs right here and now. My heart although a little bruised from today is also being tightly held by my Savior who is telling me "I've got this, just give her to me".  

A New Horizon

As you all know, Emily and Matt started a new school this year. For Emily, it means a change in special ed "providers" for lack of a better word.  

The morning of September 21st, I met with two Bergen County Special Services workers, the school principal and Emily's current teacher to go over her case. It was strange having to go back in time and recall why and how we started Emily in the special services arena.

By the end of the meeting, it was determined that Emily would have a full re-evaluation determining if her current classification should be changed.  In the last week and a half, several "testings" and assessments have occurred during school hours. Tomorrow is her last in school assessment and then on Wednesday the 10th she has an appointment with the services pediatric neurologist. 

On November 8th, we will be meeting to hear the findings from their tests and assessments and see what services will be provided to her.

Although my first reaction was "oh no, not back to the beginning again", I'm actually pleased that this is happening.  By doing this, we will know exactly where Emily stands today, what areas she has conquered and where she still needs assistance. 

We will let you know what is determined but in the mean time if you could just please pray that those reviewing all these tests and assessments will be led to give her exactly what she needs to be the best Emily she can be.