After meeting with the Early Education Program this week, we have all agreed to place Josiah with an IFSP (and soon with an IEP with Portland Public schools) within the Autism Spectrum or ASD. He will be recieving help in a special classroom provided by them to prepare him for kindergarten next year. He will get more educated help and assistance and learn skills faster in an environment made for kids like him. You know what I mean... for kids with sensory issues and stuff like that. We thought he would also be ok being around kids like him and possibly kids a little worse off than him. He can learn how to be a good example plus learn more compassion for others. But most of all I think we will be placing him in their special ed. classroom becuase we feel he will learn the skills needed for Kindergarten a lot faster in a safe environment a lot faster and easier than if we went him back to the preschool he was not functioning in. Also this will be a place he will be wanted and not feel dumb (as he so often calls himself now).
(An IFSP stands for Individualized Family Service Plan, and once a child enters public school, it turns into an IEP, or Individualized Educational Plan.)
(ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sometimes easier just to write the acronym)
We all feel that Autism may not fully describe who Josiah really is, and we are not saying that neccessarily is his medical diagnosis either, but what we are admitting is that he does carry enough characteristics to say he needs to recieve services that will help him adapt in certain areas of his life that he has a hard time with. Does that make sense? Josiah is an awesome child who is so unlike others his age. He has the most amazing smile ever! He has a great sense of humor and a super cute laugh! He is an amazing bike rider and talented in many sports. There is so much good about him to focus on during these times when we have to think about the problem areas.
On a side note here I want to let you know he is meeting with the Developmental Pediatrician on February 26th. I'm not sure what she will do exactly but I believe she is the one who can diagnose Josiah with a medical term, and offer what help medically he may need.
Please be praying for our appt next Monday with Early Education Program. Pray that we all agree on the same decision and that it will be what is best for him. This coming Sunday, February 8th, is the worldwide Day of Prayer for the Autism Community and those suffering from Autism and Aspergers. Please remember our family on that day and pray for all those others who are suffering in silence. Thank you for all the support through these last few months, we have made some great steps in bettering Josiah's life but we have so many more to make. Thank you all and may God bless you all!
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