We met Laura... our amazing speech Diva.. and then her amazing partner, Amanda.
With their amazing ( and very generous ) hard work, they taught not just Ethan, but also us...they helped us to teach him as well.
Since last January..Ethan has been taking Speech related preschool type classes with Laura & Amanda... 2 X a week...he goes...and paints, and plays in the gym and does so many other fun things with the other boys & girls in his class...
He has surpassed our wildest expectations..talking and talking and talking...
Laura & I have had several discussions over the past 2 years...about preschool...
Those of you that know me...know that I am not a fan. Never have been. I don't really like the idea.
But, speech therepy in a preschool setting, gives Ethan that amazing contact with OTHER children not only his own age....but that ALSO are speech delayed....
as you know....that's where the REAL learning takes place.
Taking all this in.... and knowing that he could benefit from so much more.. .more classes... more activity with children ... just like him..
We decided {after some very gentle nudging from Laura }.... to take a plunge..
To do what I swore I would never do...
Take him out of where he was most comfortable...
We came by a new oppurtunity for our Ethan...
the chance to attend a preschool...
just FOR children with special needs..
with teachers, and therapists, and speech at every turn..
For several hours
Every Day...
Ethan will attend a Special Needs Preschool
We are VERY nervous...
this is hard...
This past Friday, we took Ethan up to meet his teacher ( I had already spent some time with her earlier in the week)
He was excited...wanted his back pack....ran the halls...
the halls were empty....
it was after class
and he had the run of the place....
He spent some time with his (amazingly nice) teacher...
He spent some time getting to know each "center"
He played on the computer..
He found his locker...
He liked it. ( so did Jacob but he doesn't get to go to class)
He starts...
Monday...
tomorrow...
We are putting out faith in God and believing that he gave us this child and this oppurtunity for a reason... we are putting our fearful hearts in God's hands & praying that this is the right place & the right time...for our son..
Reading Center
Ethan & Jacob both loved the computer
The students made a Pet Store
Circle Time
Ethan & his teacher...
This is very new.. to us all.. we are asking that we all have paitence.. as we try to let Ethan adjust.... if he doesn't .... we talk about the NEXT right thing to do...
It should be noted as well that Ethan's beloved Miss Laura ( & Amanda) will still be Ethan private Speech therapist and will continue to see him outside of the therepy he recieves in school... we would never let Laura go all together ( LAURA...when you read this .... that is a standing invite to Ethans wedding..many, many, many years from now!!)
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1 comments:
I know that this had to be a very hard decision for you guys to make. I will be praying for you all but have a feeling that things are going to be great and that Ethan will love his new class and will thrive in it. Ethan has come so far and I am so tickled he does so well and can't wait to hear how well he is doing and how much he loves his new preschool. Remember without God nothing is possible "God is good, all the time"..Love you guys to pieces:)
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