Keeping the ball rolling..

We have had such a busy few weeks have not had a minute! Diddles profile was chosen by the Autism team in the University of North Carolina for the 5 day Teacch programme to be a little co-trainer. The programme was for various teachers of ASD units all around Ireland to learn methods for teaching children and teenagers with Autism. I was so nervous about his first day on the course. He does not usually react well to a large crowd. I did not know what to expect, maybe it was not his but my fear of the unknown I was nervous about. It was such a good insight  into what kind of schedules suit him. I have blogged before about using visuals for his daily routines and while he was part of the programme I discovered how well he responds to object schedules. I had never even heard of an object schedule before last week! In a few days the teacher had trained him to exchange an object for each part of his daily routine. For example a small hand soap dispenser for needing to go to the toilet, a Thomas the tank engine for play time, a crayon for table top activities, a cup for lunch time, these are but a few of the objects used and in only five days he knew them off by heart.

 It must have been very intensive training because he arrived home asleep on the escorts shoulder one day and he slept like a log for the week! They brought the kids swimming and the teacher told me after that he was a real water baby and would not get out of the pool, they had to swim in after him to get him out. I know he loves the pool but I was still nervous because he had never been to that particular pool. It may be that it is just in our nature to worry as mothers. All I know is I can't help it, I worry a lot about him. He is proving to me time and time again that he can accept change and new adventures and the majority of the time he takes it all in his stride. I think the course was great for him, now his teachers have the tools to teach him the way he needs to be taught.
 It is such a pity that we were told he is too old for that particular unit next year, He really settled in amazingly there. I am applying to a list of ASD units some local some not so local in the hope that where ever he goes they keep the ball rolling. Waiting lists are Irish (therefore not coping with the demand!). From what I have heard most of the issues the schools have in opening or continuing with the ASD units are the inability to obtain the proper services. Cutbacks, cutbacks and more cutbacks. A school place should not be an issue but it is for so many kids like Diddles. I just hope some politicians come knocking on my door soon regurgitating their prepared pitches for the election. Oh what an earful they'll be getting from me! Now is the time he needs stability to help him cope with what life throws at him. Hopefully by the next time I post I'll have better news on the school-front.