A Little Brian Update

I have been meaning to do a Brian update for awhile, and life just kept going and I haven't gotten to it!  Brian's three year re-eval for his IEP occurred early in March and based on the reports that came home prior, I was pretty sure he was going to be released from special education services except for speech.  I was right!  He no longer qualifies under developmental delay or hearing loss!  He is on track with his peers.  The meeting was unbelievable!  It was so much fun to sit there are hear such amazing things about our son!  He has worked so hard and it's just remarkable to hear about the strides he has made.  Sometimes when you are on the inside and see the day to day, it's harder to see just how big the strides are.  The school psychologist, who is just awesome, has very little interaction with Brian but sees him for testing when we have meetings like this.  She hadn't really been around him since he was THREE and she was just in awe when she shared a side by side comparison of him then and now.  She said that it's rare to see students disqualify under developmental delay this early...it's usually not until they are 8 or 9! 

The hearing loss disqualification threw me for a loop for a second, but as I assumed, this just meant we would be transitioning Brian to a 504 plan to ensure he continues to get what he needs in that area (FM system, preferential seating and a plethora of other great things...thanks Norma!).  His 504 was completed just last week!  It took some work to get it where I wanted it, but I think it's pretty great now.  

He still requires speech therapy, but to be down to 11 sounds...articulation, from where we were?  Nothing short of a miracle!  Currently we are on a break from private speech and plan to resume in the summer.  He is also still seeing our private OT every other week, but I see that ending very soon.  Brian has FINALLY decided to hold a pencil correctly.  That's really it with him, it has to be his decision.  I truly feel like the speech sounds will come along as well, but it will have to be on his terms and when he's ready.

His recent report card was fantastic as well.  He continues to excel in all academic areas and even though I worry about his behavior, he seems to hold his own at school.  He's LOUD, he's silly and he rarely stops moving, but apparently that's okay in first grade.   We're so blessed that he's smart and enjoys learning.  He reads A LOT and his expression is just hysterical to listen to!  You'd think he'd had a teacher reading to him his whole life...hehe :)

We have taken steps to move him to the local Catholic school in the fall.  He will be in SECOND grade which means he will make his First Communion.  He began taking religious education classes in January so he would be caught up by fall.  Happily he loves the classes and the content, which has been fun! 

Did I mention that I am SO PROUD of Brian!?  He has accomplished so much this year and in his lifetime. 

Here is his first grade school picture.  I love that sweet smile!