Still hanging in there....

Can't wait to get Arianna's school pictures - - very proud of all of her accomplishments since beginning of summer! The start of this new school year was not the easiest... a full day of school versus half days and a whole new routine with new expectations and things to learn. I must say that after a few weeks of Arianna refusing to eat and not being happy going potty at school, we're slowly seeing changes for the better.

The passing of my mother, and Arianna's grandma, did cause another week or so of the same emotional troubles but lunch time and using the bathroom are slowly getting back to normal. There are times when her and I BOTH are emotional, easy to cry and get off track so this could be expected for a long time to come. We just take each day as best as we can.

Our IEP meeting yesterday went well...was great to see myself and all those involved with Arianna at school are on the same page. Arianna spends double the 'recommended' time in her general education class with the first graders as they typically say an hour to 1 1/2 hrs max....arianna spends 3 to 3 1/2 hrs and is fully involved during reading, writing, library, gym, art, lunch and recess. She will slowly be integrated with science and social studies but those are the hardest due to her lack of comprehension but I have a positive outlook that she will do well as time goes on. The teachers also hope to have a buddy system set up so that when Arianna IS in the first grade class and not the ASD supports room, that a friend who would fit well with her can be her role model and guide - THAT makes me happy and look forward to this new phase in the coming weeks. Arianna is doing very well with reading, writing (except a few harder letters like lower case d and k) and with her super memory...spelling words from memory is something she is doing very well with! Math...she is on the same level too with 'typical' kids her age/grade. Hope to have more and more great things to update as the year goes along.

Tomorrow we go back to TLC for a maintenance HBOT session....this is much needed and hope to get over there a couple times per month to do more. May also consider some extra one on one speech and OT too since she does not get that at school as much as I would like. The guidelines/regulations/requirements by the board of education are no where near what our children NEED or DESERVE in the public school system. It's bothersome that I am one of few parents I know who will request meetings, updates and changes at any given time for the benefit of my child. I would like to see more parents be proactive in their childs future in areas of school, overall health & wellness and biomedical treatments. It's hard work but worth every second of it!
I will never give up on her future and making sure she has the best that I can provide....ever! God Bless

An angel to watch over MY angel...

No matter how much to try to prepare for a loved one to leave us, you never truly imagine the sense of loss when God does take them to be one of His angels. My mom Sandy, Arianna's grandma, passed away this past Saturday September 18th in the evening. She was loved by all and will be missed very much. She did promise that Arianna would be ok because she was going to watch over her...I try to keep my faith and belief that she will do just that. Love you mom

Hello First Grade!

Hello friends! Sorry we've been away for a while but it's been a busy week of planning for school and getting everything ready. Arianna is almost finished with her first week of FIRST GRADE and she seems to be liking it...although homework isn't being sent home until next week, then she may change her mind a bit. :O) The early morning wake up and take off for school is still an adjustment for us both but we hope in time we can get it a little smoother soon.

I've spoke with her new ASD teacher and we have already scheduled a meeting to update her IEP from end of last school year as allot of it needs to be changed around. We'll meet on the 29th of this month as I have requested that Arianna be mainstreamed with her General Education first grade class with a full time para professional. My hopes is that everyone will agree to gradually increase her time from 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours per day to 90% or more in the next month or two. Since Arianna can use the toilet at school as well as follow along with her 'typical' peers, there should be no problem in my mind. However, public school system isn't always staffed appropriately so we will certainly keep our blog posted. Other changes I'm looking for is WAY more one on one speech and occupational therapy for handwriting skills - she's come a VERY long way over the summer and we will take every opportunity to build on her strengths this year and into the next.

Starting tomorrow, Arianna will be able to stand in line in the lunch room and purchase her milk with her own quarters for her lunch which she should enjoy as well as learn from it too. I hope for her to make lots of new friends at school this year...something I've always dreamt of...well, companionship is something I think we ALL long for isn't it?

Due to a death in the family, we had to miss our appointment for NAET with Terry on Wednesday, but hope to reschedule next week if possible. We will also be doing maintenance HBOT sessions every 2 or 3 weeks as funds allow. Of course I will do my best to give her what she needs. She continues on her usual supplements, digestive enzymes, probiotics, omega oil, stem cell enhancers and colostrum but some minor changes need to be made since she is not eliminating (the fun #2's) like she needs to be. SO...back to her old diet again and an increase in enzymes and probiotics to get things 'going' properly again. Will hope things are better by the end of the week.

Next week is school pictures so we'll hope for a cute smile to post when we get the prints in a few weeks. Summer seems to have escaped us quickly as soon as September hit...so much for beach time which we missed out on from being so busy with HBOT, speech and OT all summer.

We DO plan on a fun night going to see Disney on Ice with the Princesses in October! Arianna has more than enough money saved up in her piggy bank to cover the ticket to go from not using many pullups so this is a treat I am MORE than HAPPY to give her as a reward. Hope everyone is well and will try and keep in touch when we can.