Parent Teacher Organization

Face painting at PTO Picnic

Well, I've officially started it.  A Parent Teacher Organization at my son's School, Building Bridges.  I am getting us incorporated and more importantly getting us 501(3)(c) status.  There is a lot of paperwork involved and I hope I can do this on top of creating a business.  I have my plate so full right now I can barely think straight!  Busy is good though.  I seem to be happier when I'm working.

I have the best group of people on the Board, helping me with the PTO.  I am amazed at the enthusiasm and support these parents want to give the school and their children.  This picture is from the first activity the PTO arranged.  The ladies who did it are wonderful!

I'm so glad to be starting an organization dedicated to helping improve our children's education as well as support other parents of spectrum children.   I'm also very tired from the extra hours I'm putting into getting us non-profit status.  So I am ending this entry and going to bed!

What's In a Name?

What's in a name?  Well, a few hours for these two.  I did them for the therapists at my son's school, Building Bridges.  It wasn't a difficult project, just the first project I completed on a scroll saw.  Thank heavens my son likes to play around where I'm working.  It's a much needed distraction and break from my every day.

Parent Involvement

I've been busy creating a Parent-Teacher Organization at Building Bridges.  I thought I'd be a member of 1, but several people showed up at the first meeting, giving me a lot of hope at organizing things further only to have the 2nd meeting not go so well.  The hard part is that volunteering is work; and with parents of spectrum children, they might not have the time nor the energy to do more.  I know I feel like I'm barely hanging on some days, so in some ways I can't blame them.  But, I'm pressing on.  My July meeting is coming up.  I have to see if I can track people down, see if we can come up with a better time to meet.  Then, maybe we can have a better turn out.

Alphabet Song

I cannot say enough good about Building Bridges and ABA therapy.  My son was not talking....now look at him!

"Ha!"

 
I don't think I ever covered why I call this blog "Without Words" (or, technically, onewithoutwords).  I assumed it to be generally understood and covered in earlier posts, but just in case someone missed it, my son cannot speak.  He is, without words.  That is how I started the blog, my son could not speak at that time.  I'm happy to report he's trying to talk.  His "no"s are becoming VERY clear.   Also, when he wants attention, he says, "hi!" as he looks you straight in the eye.  The picture above is him with his "ha"or hat.  In regular world terms, it's a clothes hamper. 

I cannot say enough about how much ABA therapy has helped my son.  Building Bridges, in particular, has been wonderful just because they are not only teaching him skills, but they are working on his diction as well.  Some days I can't believe I found this place, nor can I believe that now, I'm getting him as much therapy as I am.  A big thank you goes out to my family who has rallied to help my little boy.  I am very blessed.


























































































                                                                                                                                                                                               

Go Bears!

Clearly, I lack the focus (and the time, honestly) to maintain a blog with any sort of regularity.  So here is an update of my life as it is....

 I live in Camas, Washington --(Note to anyone looking to move to Camas for a good Autistic Preschool program......DON'T!  They have NOTHING!)-- and my son is happily enrolled in "Building Bridges" in Portland, Oregon.  I commute there everyday, but it's worth it.  Building Bridges is a group of therapists/specialists devoted solely to treatment and support services for children with Autism.   My son's ABA therapist is GREAT!  I can't say enough good about the programs and the staff.  They are all wonderful.

As for my Aspie daughter, Camas turned out to be very good for her.  Helen Baller Elementary has a terrific principal and a very caring, wonderful school counselor.  I met with them to discuss potential difficulties with my 3rd grade daughter and they have been extremely helpful in getting her the social support she needs.  The counselor even got a group of girls together to have social lessons with her.   She also has an amazing teacher who has identified her as a gifted student and wants to test her out to an accelerated program this spring.  Again, I cannot say enough good about this school and what it's done for my daughter.  She's very happy going to school and is finally eating her lunch!  (Sad, but true.  She rarely ate it before.)