Buddy Update

It has been a super long time since we have posted an update about our sweet Buddy.  This last year has been a big one for him.  We had a difficult school year last year and ended up having 4 IEP's (meetings to discuss his goals & placement) with our district.  It was extremely frustrating and stressful. 

Finally, by the end of May, we felt like we had set up a great plan for the new school year.  We were able to work with a great behaviorist in our district, who had just returned from maternity leave.  She wrote a behavior support plan for the Buddy that incorporates all of the strategies we have been trying to use at home.  She also recommended placement in a class that I was super impressed with - great teacher, wonderful expectations of the students.  Perfect!

He had a great summer - attending a few weeks of summer school and then lots of play time!  Discovery Kingdom, swimming and visiting some of our other favorite places.  It was so wonderful to have him home & have time to go on big & small adventures with both kids.  Anyone who knows our family knows that I have not always felt like this in the summer.  I wasn't quite ready for school to start but start it did!

His new class is at the same school he was at last year.  The only important fact about this school is it is not our neighborhood school.  Last year he took the bus, but the bus came very early and took a long time to get him to school.  This year, we decided I would drive him.  It's taken some juggling and I'm grateful for some wonderful friends who have been willing to have the Princess come to their house each day to walk to school with them so I can drive the Buddy out to school.  This change in the schedule has given us so much more time with him in the morning - it's been nice!  The class has worked out beautifully.  He is mainstreaming everyday for math, has homework for the first time ever, and has much less anxiety than he did at this time last year! 

He was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ earlier this year - that was a huge step for him, but just the first of many.  In September, he started Cub Scouts, and was so proud to wear his little uniform.  He also learned to ride his bike without training wheels! 

We are just so amazed at how far he's come - and wanted to share his progress!