Dear Addie,
We plateaued and maybe even started digging a hole toward more profound regression. Unfortunately, it’s commonplace in the autism world. Language, behaviors, focus, the last few months I saw it happening but admittedly was in pure denial at its depth because I simply didn’t know what to do next or nor did I have any concrete answer even as to why it was happening. Truth - there’s never an easy fix or reason for anything here. Anxiety, depression, hormones, some reasons unbeknownst to us yet, we seemed to have started living our days battling anxiety & putting out behavioral fires. It's a vibe to be here that's for sure. Your go-to communicative method these days is to yell - not exactly the most pleasant conversation or response one might have or get, but somewhere along the line it became your first-line response to almost everything…I mean everything good or bad you make your voice heard.
I love where we are, but somehow our beloved school was suddenly leaving me feeling that our presence was more disruptive than anything else - silly thought I know being a school of different abilities, but remember I overanalyze everything and for anyone not wandering this trail, some days all we want is to blend in and not be the elephant in almost every room.
I found myself recently expressing my frustrations that I was missing something in all this to a friend who happens to work in the adult transitions program at your school when she asked if she might be able to help. You see Addie she was training in a new method of getting the mind and body calm, focused, and ready to work through a series of movement & sensory exercises and activities for individuals like yourself. For the record, she has a way better description of all this and it all just made so much sense when she explained it. She offered to work with you during the day and also reminded me of the golden rule in this that is all too forgotten - ALL behavior is communication and we need to step back and see what you were really saying. Who would possibly say no to this offer? A kind, compassionate, dedicated individual offering to help - um let me think about it...yes, please!
With a plan in place, you started working with Ms. Penny this week. To say we’ve seen a difference would be a wild understatement. Addie you have been working so hard with her, even making it two whole days (and nights because yes you choose to sleep that way) without headphones on. Have we completely stopped yelling or having outbursts, no, but I’m seeing them decrease and significant improvements in being more focused and calm for longer stretches of time, and without question that’s definitely the direction I like to see us moving in! I am well aware nothing is an overnight solution but I am very excited to see over time where this all takes us.
This week Ms. Penny joined our journey but don't be fooled by her name as I promise you her value is worth way more than it suggests.
We have been blessed with one of the best Addie.
Love you baby girl, and keep working hard.
Love,
Mom
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