I'm Back

Those of you following this blog will quickly learn that I have a hard time writing on a regular basis.  I will do the best that I can in regard to keeping up with my entries.

The rest of the Intensive Week with Charlie was amazing.  Charlie worked 10 hours each day while Kevin, Liz, Meredith and I worked with the wonderful teachers.  At first, I was surprised how much we were not working directly with Charlie.  I expected much more time to be spent working with Charlie in the playroom, being observed, and discussing our time with the teachers.  The total amount of time we spent with Charlie in the playroom was maybe 5-6 hours the whole week.  Instead, we spend most of our time with the teachers working on technique and most importantly our attitude and beliefs we have about Charlie, his autism, and his abilities.  It is amazing how tackling these things helped TREMENDOUSLY in the playroom.  All of our playroom skills increased dramatically by working outside the playroom so, in turn, Charlie blossomed even more.  They really are experts!

Once we got home, and kissed our precious daughters, we spent the weekend making some adjustments in Charlie's playroom and come Monday we began our home program again.  I took the time to share with Andrea and Gwen what we had learned.  It went well because I had become more confident as leader of this program and thus my ability as a trainer improved.

That Monday we did have a volunteer resign.   It is disappointing but I believe all things happen for a reason so we will look for new volunteers to become part of Charlie's amazing family and increase his playroom hours as much as we can.  We now know that he has the stamina for a full day and that a full day is what he needs and craves.  He is happiest in the playroom, most of the time :)

So that is the summary of our Intensive Week in Massachusetts.  It was awesome, life changing, exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.  It was worth the time, energy and sacrifices we made to get there and we hope to go again next year!

Till next time...

Intensive Week Day 1

Nine months of waiting and we are finally here at The Options Institute for our week long Intensive.  I can't believe it is finally here!  Beside Charlie,of course, we are here with Liz and Meredith.  These girls are the best for giving up there week for Charlie.  We are so blessed to have them in our lives!

This week Charlie will spend 10 hours in the playroom while we have classes on our attitude, belief systems, review the program, and fine tune Charlie's specific program.

I am now at the end of day one and I am exhausted!  They don't call this an intensive for nothing!!  Charlie entered the playroom at 8:45 this morning and stayed there until 7:00 tonight.  At home he is toast by 2:30.  We were all amazed how well he did and the stamina he had.  This proves the Son-Rise mantra that the attitude and energy of the person who is playing with him directly affects the outcome of his day.

We, as a group, really dug in today by brainstorming, working with Charlie, and getting tons of feedback from the fabulous team of SR pros here in Massachusetts.  This was just the beginning of the week, I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Till tomorrow...

What a difference a year makes....

This week was the one year anniversary of Charlie's new life.  If I knew then what I know now, I probably wouldn't have been so nervous. 

March 21, 2011 was the Monday that Charlie officially was no longer a student in the public school but a home-school student in the eyes of the School District.  It was the day that we began a full time Son-Rise Program.  I remember waking up that morning and thinking to myself "here we go, the responsibility of Charlie's future is 100% mine now, no turning back."  Although I believed completely that what I had chosen to do was what he needed.  The unconventional approach, amongst all the critics, was difficult.

What Charlie has accomplished in the past year is AMAZING!!!  A year ago he spent most of his days in a highly anxious state which produced crying, screaming and exclusive behavior.  He didn't interact with anyone and when asked to separate from either Kevin or myself he would fall apart.  His eye contact was fleeting and his language barely existed.  He communicated by crying, screaming, pointing and pulling me to whatever he wanted.  The language he did use consisted of one word at a time.  Through love, patience, and understanding we his development has increased dramatically. 

Today, he gets excited when one of his Son-Rise friends come to play.  He say to them, "give me your hand, or come on" and leads them into his playroom.  His anxiety has dramatically decreased. He laughs and plays and stays engaged for long periods of time.  He asks for things with 3 and 4 word sentences.  He looks in our eyes to speak and even will come put his hands on our cheeks and turn our eyes to his if we are not paying attention.  He shows great interest in those around him and wants to interact.  He craves affection, even asking for hugs and kisses.  This year he told me he loved me!!!  It only happened once so far but it is something I carry in my heart with me everyday.  And above all he is HAPPY.  My perpetually miserable child is happy.  That alone is the greatest gift Son-Rise has given to him and us.

The program that started a year ago has evolved a great deal as has its only student.  I have learned how to run the program more efficiently, take data better (Charlie's team knows what a struggle that has been), what to look for in new team members and how to let ones go that are not a good fit.  The most important lesson I, as mom and fearless leader, is to admit I cannot do it all.  I have let go of some responsibilities and passed them off to others.

This year has also shown me what amazing friends and family I have.  I always knew I was blessed in this department but this past year these people have stepped up to help by their own choosing, something they did not have to do.  I make it a rule not to ask my friends and family to volunteer in the playroom.  If the volunteer I happily accept but I do not want anyone to feel pressure to volunteer.  That being said, my father, my neighbors, and a childhood friend, and even friends of friends have given their time in the playroom of their own volition.  I hope they know how grateful I am for their time and dedication to my family.  Not only have those in our lives volunteered to work directly with Charlie but many have helped me by assisting me with my two daughters and helping us in fundraising.   I hope these people know how life saving they are to us and how grateful I am for their help.

To sum all of this up, this past year has been fantastic for Charlie and our entire family.  Charlie has grown and developed and given us more reason to believe that he will one day catch up to his peers.  We are committed to this program for many more years.  I will not stop until he is Autism free, even if it takes my entire life.    Miracles do happen and we will get the Miracle!!!!

I want to take this opportunity to thank Charlie's team for all that they do.  Liz, Andrea, Gwen, Meredith, and Nikki make up Charlie's current team.  And especially the help and understanding I get from my husband Kevin, parents Lucille and Ed and my beautiful daughters, Paige and Brooke.  All of this is impossible without them.