Jessica is in 5th grade. Jessica is in 5th grade - I have to type it twice because I can hardly believe it. She has grown and matured so much in the past 2 years. If you had told me in 3rd grade that she would be where she is today academically and socially, I would have thought you were crazy! In fact, she has made so much progress academically that IEP goals written in April had to be rewritten in September because she achieved most of them!
For me, the last 2 years have been learning about the environment Jessica learns best in. Although she needs the safety of a substantially separate classroom, she also thrives during the times she is in the typical 5th grade classroom. Her aide and special education teacher have done an extraordinary job of finding this balance for Jessica, while giving her the opportunity to be a "regular" kid. We are blessed to have a team that truly cares for Jessica, and wants the best for her.
Jessica has also really broadened her opportunity for social interactions. She attends a social skills group once a week, as well as going to our local Youth Center on Saturdays to "hang out". She has also expressed an interest in joining the Booster Club wrestling team. Yes, I said wrestling. We were driving away from school one afternoon, and she saw a sign for wrestling sign ups. Out of the blue, she told me she wanted to wrestle. She told me she wanted to do it because "I am strong, and it will be fun!". SERIOUSLY?? I have been trying to get her involved in sports since she was 4 years old, but have never been successful in my endeavors. It goes back to what I wrote in the spring - if you are upset because your ASD child is not involved in community activities - don't be. Once you/they are able to identify preferred activities, it is smooth sailing (well as smooth as having a child with an ASD diagnosis is!). Autism is all about preferred activities!
Jessica after getting the much anticipated Pokémon X & Y DS game!
