Allie started school yesterday

[Guest guest]

Just have to tell about the incredible week we've had. Allie started

2nd grade. She was SO EXCITED! We went to meet the teachers the night

before, several of the kids in the hallway said hi to her, she would

say hi back and I heard her say their names -- a big step for her

socially. Several of the teachers were happy to see her, esp the music

teacher, who remembered immediately Allie's favorite " We're going on a

bear hunt " and started doing it with Allie in the hallway. I was a

little concerned at first because we didn't get the teacher I had

hoped, but I think I'm going to like the new one even more. She worked

in the health field for years and returned to college to become a

teacher, then worked in sped placement for a time, but preferred a

less-restrictive setting. So, she's the general ed 2nd grade teacher,

where Allie is supposed to be all day except math. She immediately

seemed to relate to Allie and seemed to really appreciate inclusion.

I shared with her and the new sped teacher my goal for Allie, which is

for her to stay on target academically while helping to address her

deficits in communication and social stuff. They both seemed to agree

that it is a worthy and important goal. I told them I want to see

Allie get a general ed diploma and attend college if she wants, they

seemed to agree with that, as well.

Another biggy, Allie started daycare. She has handled it like a champ,

the daycare director, who I've known for years from Allie's mother's

day out programming, has been laughing and myself & hubby for worrying

so much, keeps telling us she's doing just fine & to lighten up.

After these last few days I feel so blessed. Allie was nonverbal when

she started therapy at 20 mos old, wasn't able to talk until 2 1/2,

still has language problems but has come so far. I think this week I'm

realizing just how far she is coming and I really want to get away

from thinking we're always chasing the autism thing. I can't really

put it into words, I just feel in a lot of ways like the autism battle

is passing our family, though I know we still have our struggles.

Maybe it's that she's in a place that I can be more comfortable with,

I dunno. I've always loved her and would enjoy her no matter what her

functioning is, so I don't know where it's coming from.

And I have to say, despite my blessings of the past week, I'm still

haunted by those of you who are struggling. I wonder so often why my

child has been allowed healing in so many ways when many of you have

tried just as many things and your children still struggle far worse.

I think that's what drives me to want to work in the autism field, to

try and help all kids. There's nothing wrong at all with not talking,

but my hope is that it's a choice for all, and not forced on anyone.

Debi