April is an interesting month. It is Autism Awareness month which really makes me reflect on Roger’s progress, how proud I am of him, and how thankful of the opportunities we have had in the past 7 years. As Dr. Wooten proclaimed, my clinically diagnosed OCD is really helpful for my researching the best therapies for Roger, school districts, activities, and insurance policies.
Roger’s annual ARD is in April, which is really apropos. His goals went from many to few. He is hitting most of his grade level work and exceeding it in DRA (reading levels) and Istation. Due to hyperflexion of his thumb, he will remain in school OT for once a week and eventually be moved to once every other week. We are lucky, since OT is usually the first in-school therapy that is dismissed. He will remain in speech twice a week mainly due to his lisp. He will get 30 minutes of handwriting help and 60 minutes of reading comprehension help per week with the special education teacher.
Outside of school therapies, Roger’s private therapies have dwindled to only occupational therapy once a week. He could use food therapy, since his food is still so limited, but he really does not want to go back to food therapy. Up until this year, Roger had private therapies 4 days a week. I really do not wish to add back therapy at this point and really think Roger has worked hard enough (and still is working harder than most kids). Academically, I found a tutor for Roger in reading comprehension that he sees once a week at the library. At this point, he really enjoys the tutoring, especially since he gets to raid the juvenile biography section of the library afterwards!
Besides therapy, Roger is in a few extra-curricular activities. He has swim lessons (he has advanced from Level 3 where he would not put his head under water up to Level 7 in less than a year), goes to School of Rock, and is in special needs baseball.
It is amazing to see Roger bloom and have such strong interests is music, scientists/inventors, and death. Yes, my son is obsessed with when people died. He watches YouTube videos on famous people who have died and asks all about them. He is full of facts about history. He is so talkative and loving. Who could’ve know that my son who had so few words and hated to be touched would grow into such a person?
Simply, my son is extraordinary!
To see tidbits about how Roger was when little, I started this blog when his therapies began. Start with the oldest blog and work your way through (if you want — I know I may do so just as a reminder).
https://wordpress.com/post/leahbisrael.com/9
https://wordpress.com/post/leahbisrael.com/11
Spinning Wheels 
It is wonderful to hear you so positive about Roger’s progress! He really is so special and I wonder how he will use all this knowledge he’s collecting. I love being part of his journey if only in listening to you. I think I told you last year that a cousin on my mother’s side, (my cousin’s grandson, 4 years old) also has Autism and is doing his walk this month. I posted it on facebook if your interested. Take care Leah, you sound great!
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