Proud pop
I went to my daughters school conference where we heard from her teacher, speech therapist and special eductation instructor. Luckily, this time the news was very positive. Her test shows she is in the 90th percentile intellectually. She is making straight A's and is excelling in all of her subjects. Her teacher last year tried to hold her back and told us she would never suceed.
The only thing that is holding her back is her verbal skills. She is measured under 1% ablity compared to other kids her age. This was a little disheartening even though she has made huge strides in her speaking ability. When we first adopted her 3 years ago at 5 years old she could only speak gibberish. Now she can hold complete conversations although her usage and verb agreement is a little off.
I'm not too worried about it. I have a feeling she is going to be just fine.
One of the teachers told me that she was concerned because my daughter didn't have any friends and was basically shunned by the other girls in her class. I'm afraid there isn't much we can do about it. I know how cruel 8 year olds can be. The one good thing is that since kindergarten she has been best friends with a little handcapped boy named Tony who has sight, hearing and mobility problems. Apparently my daughter is his only friend and the only one who will talk to him and eat lunch with him.
Seeing the anger and and acting out behavior my daughter has shown in the past I never thought she had this kind and nurturing side. I was especially surprised and pleased yesterday when she brought home an award for achivement in behavior and citizenship.
I've noticed a big change in her recently; less cussing, writing on walls and beating up on her brother and sister. I guess she's finally feeling more secure and comfortable living here with us.
It's good to see this finally happening.
posted by Bill Rowland @ February 02, 2008
34 Comments
34 Comments:
All because you and your wife are devoted to each other and your children and are providing them a secure and happy home. I'm sure your daughter will continue to blossom and by high school will have plenty of friends and be earning more achievements. Keep up all that you do, it's obviously working.
Very cool. I think it's a testament to her having a decent teacher, wonderful parents, and a good friend. Keep up the good work.
How awesome! The feeling of security is no small thing, it's vital to health and well-being; easily lost and hard to regain. That you're patiently helping back to that feeling of safety must be incredibly fulfilling.
Good on ya.
Does the school offer any speech therapy for her to enable her to improve that aspect of her learning process?
Ok, a little difference in age here, but my granddaughter who just turned four in October (and who also happens to be autistic) had speech therapy from the time she was 20 months old until last August. She still will receive some speech assistance in the preschool program she is in now and where she will be for this year and next year until she starts kindergarten. At that time, she will again start having speech therapy with the same therapist she had initially -who just happens to be the speech therapist in our local school district.
It took that therapist eight months before she was able to get Maya to say one word -which at that time was "Two" or "t-chew" as Maya pronounced it. Now, she is a regular little chatterbox although there are still lots of sounds she doesn't do all that well -but it doesn't stop her from being a non-stop talker these days.
You're so right too about how cruel kids can often be to other children around them. We were worried how Maya would interact with the six other kids in her class since each one is autistic but all of various degrees -some severe, some high functioning. One little boy in her group -who she virtually towers over -has a lot of physical challenges too and it seems Maya has decided she is his caretaker, his own private "mother hen" if you will. Makes us feel really good knowing she has the empathy factor working there and has reached out to be friends with this little guy.
I'm sure, with the type of support it sounds like your family is giving your daughter at home, she will work through this and come out of it all smelling totally like a rose!
Something that helped our daughter was our encouraging her to invite friends over to the house. She had a few "sort-of" friends, but was usually the odd-man-out in school due to shyness. After having friends over a few times she started having more fun at school and made even more friends. Over the span of two years she has really opened up at school and at home.
With you and your wife as role models and loving parents, how could she not be making such wonderful progress?
Wonderful!
What a wonderful thing, to see a child with problems find her self-worth and esteem in doing good things for someone else.
Congratulations on being so lucky as to have such an amazing daughter.
THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS!
i remember you speaking of her "supposed" problems last year - they'll ALWAYS surprise us if we let them, eh?
the compassion she is showing for another lonely student will take her places she's never known - i've always preached to all of mine - seek out the discarded, lonely, or first day at a new school kid and show them some love and it will come back to you tenfold. it has on hundreds of occasions.
she will be just fine.
Congratulations.
I have to believe having a atay at home parent has made all the difference in her life. You should be very proud of yourself for how far she's come. Many kids like her don't bounce back from their traumatic beginnings.
That's great news Hammer!
I'm not surprised. Concerned parents know their children's abilities way better than any teacher. Now, if they'd only admit this and work with us instead of against us.
I wouldn't worry too much about the verbal skills. She's a smart kid; she'll catch up. Just keep reading to her and keep using proper grammar at home. She's already made great strides through the love and attention of your family. I know that she'll just keep blossoming!
This is awesome! I'm so happy that things have improved so drastically. I know how hard it is to have to walk away from conferences when the news has been so disheartening. I think you have the right attitude. The verbal skills will come. Your girl has already overcome so much and she has your love and faith to keep her going. And you're right about girls. No matter what age, girls just operate so differently from boys. My daughter does ok, seems to be pretty well rounded and wants to be friends with everyone, but has had her share of issues with the mean girls too. Seems there's no avoiding that problem. I remember having a hard time with that stuff myself and I think the most important thing is to feel loved and secure at home and it seems like you've got that covered.
:)
While you were on vacation I did a post about my challanges growing up with a facial birth defect and speech impediment. Success does happen when parents like yourself are willing to be involved. The post is titled "Don't get in my face" if you're interested in reading it.
Awesome news for her and for the rest of your family.
That's such great news, I'm so happy for her!
Awww...what a great report. She is obviously surrounded with love and attention. She will be just fine.
"I was especially surprised and pleased yesterday when she brought home an award for achivement in behavior and citizenship"
That is awesome!! Congrats to her. Kudos to you and your wife for stepping in adopting her. I admire both of you!
WICKED!!!
Thats great news Hammer , this stuff takes time , and she sounds like she is getting there , with the help of the loving family.
I bet your were proud as punch :-)
I really enjoy reading posts like this - they give me hope when things in my own home aren't looking quite as bright. CONGRATULATIONS to all of you for working together towards this success!
you adopted a third child? man, everytime i come over here i gain more respect for you and your family. and i don't put much faith in education administrations either, they simply don't account for the things that really matter: love & individualized attention.
glad she is showing such improvement by their standards though. she's a blessed little girl no matter how you look at it.
You may have a future nurse on your hands. Nursing is a calling, and few have the compassion and heart to touch those in need.
As far as friends go, I would suggest that she has insight that goes way beyond the typical 8 year old. She sees this little boy in need and has reached out to him. What an angel--she has made an unforgettable impact on his life.
Good work Hammer & Wife! Always good to here some positive news especially concerning the raising of our future generations. Thank you!
I give you and the Mrs. all the credit. When someone believes in a child, it can make all the difference in that little person's life. Nice job!
Oh! This was such GREAT news. Good for her!
I have not doubt that she will continue to blossom - and fight with her sibs :) She has the most important ingredient in life: A good family who loves her.
God bless her for her wonderful nurturing skill - but God bless all of you at home for showing her, in turn, how important that is.
"Now she can hold complete conversations although her usage and verb agreement is a little off."
Which means she probably has better verbal skills than the president.
I think she is still adjusting. She'll be fine
How wonderful that the school recognized her big heart! And it's truly amazing that she has that in her when others alienate her. I'm certain the love she gets from you and your wife are the reason she can dare to be kind. I'm so glad things are going well for her - you have every right to be proud.
The standard "one size fits all" type of education that our schools provide don't fit all. It is frustrating to hear story after story of how hard parents have to fight the system to get their children taught "right" for their ability. But then again there are endless stories of success because of it. Thanks for sharing another success.
Wow Hammer! That is some good news!
Sounds like you have her on the right path.
That's so heart warming. Great to hear the good news. The only thing holding her back is the bureaucracy of the school and the thoughtless kids, but she's got you guys to counteract all that. Great to hear it.
WTG that is really great news...she is lucky to have you to love her and be patient with her...
You certainly should be proud, Hammer.
Her and her friend sound very compatible. Sounds like she could grow up to be a Special Needs teacher or caregiver.
And from personal experience, there is a need for good ones out there.
Too many friends isn't always a good thing, anyway. It's good friends that matter.
I am so glad for you and your wife and kids.
I was always attracted to the forgotten ones at school. By high school, I could operate seamlessly between jocks and the dopers and everyone in between. I have always liked most people, until they stomp on my somehow, and found the nobodies to be much better friends than the popular crowd. Maybe that's why I fit in so well at an engineering place for work. Almost everyone here was a dweeb or forgotten one in high school.
Maybe your daughter is self-sufficient and confident enough with herself that she can ignore those who ignore her and drawn to those who are more down to earth and could use a true friend.
Hope things continue to keep looking up for her.
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