Drew's Progress

Drew continues to progress by leaps and bounds. He's absolutely loving school. It was only after a couple of weeks into the school year that we had a meeting with his teacher and the team and they amended his IEP by increasing his services to three days a week at school, which includs a 3rd session of speech therapy per week and also a session with a special educator. I think it's been a huge success, and made a big difference.

 

Everything about him has been changing, and it's so awesome to be able to have him talk about things that he observes. He's very vocal about what he sees, and describes what things are doing, and now that his vocabulary is growing it's pretty funny to hear. Most of what he talks about is reciting from tv shows, like Curious George and Caillou. But he generalizes the information very well, and applies the scenarios from the tv shows to what's going on around him. It's kind of weird, but at the same time we're just glad that he's talking so much, and even though it's kind of scripted, maybe it's just the gateway into his learning style right now.

 
 
One thing that strikes me about him is how thoughtful he is. We encourage him to share, and think of others to the extent that any parent would in their family, but he seems to take it to the next level all on his own. When Dave comes home, he runs to get him a Pepsi out of the fridge and wants to take him an ice pack, and whatever else he thinks he might need. When he asks me for a snack or a juice box, he makes sure I give him two, so he can go take some to Parker too. (he'll hand Parker a juice box but doesn't open him for him, so Parker just ends up sitting there clutching it tightly. LOL!)   When we come home from school he always tells me that it's "time for Parker to take nap", which it is, and he's always looking out for what needs to be done and makes sure I don't forget anything. As in, he'll tell me "Mommy get dressed!" when there's 20 minutes left before we need to leave for school.

 

We're very close with his teachers, and exchange emails several times a week usually with his progress and what's going on with him. It's awesome to be that connected to them, and they're so great to answer any questions and keep us advised of what issues he might be having or what they're working on with him.

A huge skill that he's mastered in the past couple of months is taking turns, and using people's names correctly. For the longest time if we'd say "Goodnight Drew," he would just repeat "Goodnight Drew." He never knew how to address people's names. But between some special attention at school, and reinforcements at home, he can now properly address people with their names. He can say "Good night, Dad!" "I love you, Mom!" "Thank you, Parker!" It's very exciting.

 
He's so polite with his please and thank yous, and his speech is now becoming more complete with articles like "a" and "the" and he can also use "my" and "me". All new and exciting things that he's just started using recently.  Just this week he said to me, "I want some pretzels and milk, please!" Which kind of blew me away because not only was it a complete sentence, it also had a double request and also a please! That was the first time he'd ever said anything that complete.

 

From his most recent teacher update:

"I have been observing Drew during free and dramatic play time and have noticed
that he is showing much more interest in being with his friends and pretend
play.  Yesterday there was a group of children cooking in the kitchen area
(Drew loves to play in the kitchen area but usually would leave when a
group of children joined him) and Drew stayed and was playing right along
with them!  He was serving tea to one of the children at the table - so
cute!! "

 

It's exciting for us to see him making friends. Even though he has Parker, I think he needs more kids to be around on a regular basis, so it's great to see him becoming more comfortable. He's so affectionate, and loves to give hugs and always is asking me "Mommy sit!" to sit on the couch with him and snuggle. Sometimes when I tell him I can't right then, he understandly says "Mommy needs coffee." :)  And when he cuts flowers outside with his safety scissors, he brings one to me and says, "Mom, this flower is for you. I love you, Mom!"

Comments

[Karen]

He really is a very thoughtful little man. I see it in him every time I see him, even for a short time. Glad he is doing so well. The "I love you"s are the best, aren't they?

[deb]

What an awesome update. I love his artwork and it's so neat to hear his school adventures. I just hope Stevie has a teacher who keeps us as involved as you guys. What a sweet little boy.

[Candy]

I'm so happy to hear how well he's doing! Every time I see him, I see how much progress he's made. You and Dave are amazing parents and both boys are so sweet and lovable! I love that Drew is so thoughtful...we need more people like him in this world. Getting hugs from Drew & Parker is the best!

[mom]

That's just darling!