I can hardly believe Nathan is old enough to go to preschool. I wish he could still get at-home therapy, but it's how the system works to get him therapy. The thing that helps me be ok with it is that he needs to be around his peers and that he loves it so much!
His class has a unusual set up, but it works great. Nathan is in a small class of 6 students who are all autistic. They have a special ed teacher, occupational therapist, speech therapist, and psychologist to work with Nathan individually on his goals. Nathan's class is paired with another class of 10 typically developing kids. Nathan's class joins them at least for snack and recess, but as Nathan is able to he will join in with the typical classroom for more activities. They have several para-professionals in the typical classroom to help out the special needs kids if they need a little extra support. In total, there are 9 professionals working in the 2 classrooms. I'm really happy with the classroom Nathan is in. From all the research I've done on the effectiveness of preschool classrooms, the ones that mix autistic kids and typically developing kids have the best outcomes.
They did a great job getting the kids ready for preschool. First, Nathan's teacher, occupational therapist, and speech therapist all came to our house to meet Nathan and so we could talk about Nathan. Nathan was so happy meet all of them and was very friendly. They also had a preschool open house so mom and Nathan could go see the classroom and meet all the staff before preschool actually started. Nathan was so eager to go see everything. He colored his snack mat, stood for pictures, and explored the classrooms. Of course he found the trains right away!
On his first day, Nathan did great. When I was driving him to preschool, I was talking to him about preschool and he said, "Preschool. Bus." I was so happy with him for making the connection! He will get to ride the bus to preschool very soon. Once we got in the building he couldn't wait for me to sign in so he could go into class. He went right in and didn't even care if I was there. I said goodbye and had to get him to stop playing for him to say goodbye back. It was so weird being at home without him. I really started to miss my little buddy. But Nathan's preschool teacher, knowing it was probably going to be hard sending him to preschool, sent me some cute pictures and let me know he was having lots of fun at singing time and reading time.
Nathan was happy to see me at pick up. He would not stop talking about "preschool teacher" afterwards. He can say all of his teachers names except for his actual preschool teacher, Miss Melissa, but calls her "Aunt Alissa".
He is absolutely loving it! His teachers tell me all the time that he loves singing time. And he's even made a little friend in his class. There is another boy in Nathan's class that we see before they open the building to let the kids in. I've been helping Nathan to go up and say hi to his friend Odin and Odin says hi back. Well, this last Thursday Nathan ran up to a boy that looked like his friend and said, "Hi Odin," all on his own.
And to be completely honest, mommy is loving preschool too. Evy gets a completely undisturbed nap and I get so much done. And Nathan gets in a lot of therapy at preschool. It's a win-win-win for everyone.
The best of first day pictures
His class has a unusual set up, but it works great. Nathan is in a small class of 6 students who are all autistic. They have a special ed teacher, occupational therapist, speech therapist, and psychologist to work with Nathan individually on his goals. Nathan's class is paired with another class of 10 typically developing kids. Nathan's class joins them at least for snack and recess, but as Nathan is able to he will join in with the typical classroom for more activities. They have several para-professionals in the typical classroom to help out the special needs kids if they need a little extra support. In total, there are 9 professionals working in the 2 classrooms. I'm really happy with the classroom Nathan is in. From all the research I've done on the effectiveness of preschool classrooms, the ones that mix autistic kids and typically developing kids have the best outcomes.
Preschool open house
They did a great job getting the kids ready for preschool. First, Nathan's teacher, occupational therapist, and speech therapist all came to our house to meet Nathan and so we could talk about Nathan. Nathan was so happy meet all of them and was very friendly. They also had a preschool open house so mom and Nathan could go see the classroom and meet all the staff before preschool actually started. Nathan was so eager to go see everything. He colored his snack mat, stood for pictures, and explored the classrooms. Of course he found the trains right away!
On his first day, Nathan did great. When I was driving him to preschool, I was talking to him about preschool and he said, "Preschool. Bus." I was so happy with him for making the connection! He will get to ride the bus to preschool very soon. Once we got in the building he couldn't wait for me to sign in so he could go into class. He went right in and didn't even care if I was there. I said goodbye and had to get him to stop playing for him to say goodbye back. It was so weird being at home without him. I really started to miss my little buddy. But Nathan's preschool teacher, knowing it was probably going to be hard sending him to preschool, sent me some cute pictures and let me know he was having lots of fun at singing time and reading time.
Nathan was happy to see me at pick up. He would not stop talking about "preschool teacher" afterwards. He can say all of his teachers names except for his actual preschool teacher, Miss Melissa, but calls her "Aunt Alissa".
He is absolutely loving it! His teachers tell me all the time that he loves singing time. And he's even made a little friend in his class. There is another boy in Nathan's class that we see before they open the building to let the kids in. I've been helping Nathan to go up and say hi to his friend Odin and Odin says hi back. Well, this last Thursday Nathan ran up to a boy that looked like his friend and said, "Hi Odin," all on his own.
And to be completely honest, mommy is loving preschool too. Evy gets a completely undisturbed nap and I get so much done. And Nathan gets in a lot of therapy at preschool. It's a win-win-win for everyone.
4 comments:
Ha! The Aunt Alissa kills me I'm so happy that he really is rocking pre-k!
I'm so relieved and happy he is liking it! Go Nathan! :)
So happy preschool is working so well for all of you! We miss you!
So glad it is working out!
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