Merry Christmas!

I guess sometimes when things are going well, we think everything is fine. I got to where I thought Atticus was like all other children. I was head of the Christmas party for his classroom and realized that Atticus is not like the other children. He repeats everything. He usually does not come up with his own sayings. Unfortunately one of the characters he loves to imitate is SPONGE BOB SQUAREPANTS. Not one of the best role-models. I've stopped spanking. Something I did not want to do anyway, but it just makes my kids think they can hit each other. Molly is not getting any attention because she is sooooo smart and so ahead of the game, while Atticus gets all the attention because he is louder and more needy. Molly is so independent now. One good thing to come of all this. Atticus is different, I know that. I just want to do the best for him. I love our school, I just don't think we can afford it.

Progress!

Atticus is having a great year. I have taken so much for granted. He has a marvelous teacher. He is in the Harmony program which is JCS's version of Special Ed. This has been a great arrangement until we realized the expense. It was like double what I expected it to be. Now, we are faced with, 1. DO we stay at JCS and try to come up with the fortune it is costing, 2. Place Atticus in a public school where he will be mainstreamed (most likely) and fall behind or 3. Look into another private school that will not force us to stay in special ed program. I've already decided I am going home to "HOMESCHOOL" Atticus when he gets to 6th grade. But I need prayers until then. He has made Leaps since Jr Kinder garten.

VBS not a hit with Atticus

Well, Atticus was up at 4am. I got him back down 2 hours later, but only so I could sleep, he was still tossing and turning. So I blew him out of the bed to go to VBS. He was not thirilled about this at all. He did well got dressed in the parking lot. Our church had him a helper to work directly with him during this time. He seemed to like her when I left. When babysitter arrived to pick him up, they report he had a bad day. Yelled or something. I know he was tired. But somehow I have to teach him that yelling is not an appropriate response. He is doing this more frequently these days. We will see how it goes tomorrow.

Great News!

Praise God! We've received some financial assistance with the upcoming year. I am truly grateful to those organizations. Atticus is going to summer camp at JCS and loves his counselor. It doesn't hurt that she looks like a younger version of Kellie Pickler. He said she told him he was a sweet, sweet boy. And I know she doesn't know this but that is very important at our house, because Molly has always been called the Sweet Sweet girl. In fact she says that is her middle name. So, for someone to call Atticus that was a GRAND compliment. He will go to the STAR center on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of June. He will have art and music therapy. They both are in play therapy. The therapist seems to think Mollys' self-esteem has suffered during this time. She is such a good kid, it is hard for me to tell. I just want to say that we have been making it to church. Atticus has been sitting with me in the sancutary until childrens church and he has done well. He even went to Wed night last week. His teacher says he did not listen, but I made him apologize to her and told her if he did that again he would go to the baby nursery. Molly is in VBS this week and Atticus did not want to go, but Molly's teacher says we can try him in her class tonight. I know Molly will be mortified, but we shall see how it goes. I love VBS and children should get a chance to enjoy it. The music and crafts are so good. Let me end by saying GOD IS GREAT!

Hippotherapy

Yesterday I took Atticus to hippotherapy. It is about a 45 minute drive one way. But well worth it, since we are short on options for the summer. This is therapy using a horse. He actually stood up on the horse. He was a bit afraid, but he started flying like superman. Oh it was great. He had a great ride. He has graduated to now learning about caring for a horse and developing skills riding the horse. I am excited for him to learn these things. The Star Center in Jackson is offering a summer autism art and musical therapy. I am so glad they have this program. We are so short on assistance here in rural West TN. I told Atticus last night about his classes and he said,, "I love art, but music is too loud." He can spend his whole day drawing. Atticus is so precious and I love him with all my heart. I enjoy each day with him and look forward to the end of the day when he curls up in my bed with me for me to read not 1, not 2, but 3 (always 3) books to him. Then listen as he falls asleep. These days are priceless!

Finally! School is out!

Well I just found out from my son's school therapist that no other parents want Occupational Therapy for the summer. I feel like I have been hit with a brick. Let me first say that Atticus performed in 2 events last weekend. His end of the year Jr K performance, which was ok. No screaming but he did spin around like a top and cover his ears with the clapping. He then did his KinderTot performance (which is a basketball program) and he did wonderful. I was amazed. He actually sat in church with me Sunday. He had to sit outside for children's church because the puppets were too loud. But that made me feel good for him. Atticus has always seemed to enjoy pleasing me. He will always say, "Are you happy at me?". I love my son. But I need help. The only thing I have lined up for him is play therapy. Any ideas?

I guess I've been avoiding thinking too much about the diagnosis. Until I got to thinking about summer. Now, I am worried. We have a babysitter we have arranged to keep Molly and Atticus, but I am so afraid the 2 months home with a babysitter will not be a good thing for Atticus. I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed by the whole situation. Atticus really does so well that I can sometimes "pretend" that all is well. He requires a bit more coaxing to do things, he goes at his own pace and he loves talking to adults, but otherwise things are really going well. We've been going to a church that has a nursery for 5 year olds and that has helped. I dread having to take him into the service. Luckily they have a balcony and we can "hide" up there. I'm so scared I'm going to mess up. Money is very tight right now and Childcare in the summer always messes us up since we pay our tuition monthly. Atticus is set for kindergarten. we know who his teacher will be and that he will be in harmony. I am so scared because they learn in groups in kindergarten and that is atticus' biggest weakness. He goes not like groups. Any advise for summer? I'd love to hear from anyone out there. My internet at home has been zapped. SO, that is the reason for the delay in posting. I need a new modum.

I've decided to keep Atticus in his current school. We are in a private Christian College and I have a strong (that is not enough emphasis)STRONGfamily committment to public education. In fact my aunt just gave me a disertation about how valuable a public education is. While I understand that, I have seen the love at our school and I never felt loved in school. Never knew school was there to make you feel good. Let me say to those of you who do not understand Aspergers, that Atticus is not a "problem child" as my aunt so loving called him today. He would never even be noticed by you in the classroom. At home he may have on a batman cape or give you a long story about cars or planets, but he is not a problem child at all. The worst thing that happens is that he gets lost. I consider my children's Christian education a huge advantage. I am so thankful that we are allowed to give this to our children. We sacrifice in order to give this to our children.

Busy Day

Today I took Atticus to the West TN School for the Deaf to have his hearing test done. This is all on computer done by an audiologist and she had no concerns about his hearing. I'm battling whether to leave Atticus in private school with Harmony or to allow him to go to public school. Finance is an issue in our family and we have had plenty of expenses with trying to figure out what is going on with Atticus. I wish I could get some feedback from other parents or educators on what to do. This is a major expense for our family. But I want to do what is best for my children. I hope you will continue to pray for my family.

All Smiles

Today Atticus' class lead chapel and he got to say a verse and lead a song. He did a great job. Found a new obsession, called Word World. These are the neatest things. A teacher at school allowed us to borrow the dvd and we found a cheap version of the toys at DEALS. They are letters like D-O-G that create a dog or same with Pig or Cow. Anyway, it is an excellent way to teach spelling. Atticus thinks it is great. It is on PBS kids I have heard. The ones at Deals are plastic. The ones at Target are plush and a DVD comes with the ones at Target. Now I have a new challenge. Harmony at our school is going to be very expensive. Does anyone have any ideas about how to get assistance with this. I know we have chosen to place our children in private Christian school, but the expense with a special needs child is even more. Yates Foundation is not yet offering scholarships and I am not sure we will qualify, does anyone else have any ideas about funding out there for Autism or specifically for Aspergers. Thanks for all your prayers.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Oh boy. It is something new all the time. I can't find a behavioralist in this area who will take my insurance. What is up with that? I can't beleive that people can afford this. It is short term therapy lesson, but the expense can be quite large because they come and implement it in your home. Anyone have any thoughts?

Back to Therapy

Atticus returned to Occupational Therapy today. We got an 8am slot which is much more convenient, now that I have been approved for intermitten FMLA. His therapist seems surprised that he scored so low on motor skills, but he has given us some great things to work on for the sensory issues Atticus has. I have shared those with his teacher. Larry and I just have to give him a good sensory diet. That means he has to cary heavy back packs, jump on trampolines and move large objects. We also have to develop a break spot for Atticus. Right now there is a tent in my room that Larry made for the kids which can serve the purpose. I feel much better after talking with the therapist, but we still need to get into a behavioralist. So, that is the next hurdle.

Having some good days

We met with Atticus' teacher and principal Thursday. He will be entering kindergarten in the fall and they feel like they can keep him at his current school. I'm really worried, because it is private and resources are limited, however our school will have Occupational Therapy next year. Yeah!!!! Now I just need some help is paying for the service. The school would like for him to attend their HARMONY program which is also an additional expense. I'm praying that if our insurance does not cover the service then another sorce may come available.

All in all we are having some good days. Molly does not understand why Atticus is so different. She still takes things from him and this makes him scream, but otherwise we are having some good days. I'm going to try to go to church tomorrow. We are going to try the park today. THe kids need to get out of the house since we have had such crappy weather, we have stayed indoors so much.

We are returning to Occupational Therapy at the Kiwanis Center Monday.

Continue to keep us in your prayes along with all the parents coping with this disorder.

Today is a New Beginning for My Family

Hello. My Name is Michelle Reasons. My husband, Larry and I are fortunate to have 2 beautiful children. My daughter is 7 years old and in the first grade. We just entered our son Atticus in Jr Kindergarten and love the program. But Atticus did not. Atticus likes to sleep in and everyone tells me that he does not listen. He is a wanderer. He takes forever to find "his spot". He favorite people are his parents and his uncle Garry. He has never been a problem child, but he has his quirks. I began a long road to discover what was going on with Atticus. I found that he was not ADD, he was not hearing impaired and he was not having any behavioral issues. So I took him to Occupational Therapy where they advised me to have him tested for Autism. Reluctantly, I called and was shocked that it would be months before they could get us in. So I waited. After not hearing from them in 2 months called back and agreed to participate in genetic research in order to rule out the diagnosis. That day came on Tuesday of this week and they did not rule it out. They confirmed that our precious boy has a form of Autism called Aspergers. Shocked, beyond belief my husband and I asked how to educate our son. Pray with me for God's guidance.