“This kid is moving…”
Those were the words Jack’s neuropsychologist, Dr. C, said over and over today at our annual feedback session. (He has just finished up a round of extensive evaluations on Jack…Our IEP meeting is in a couple of weeks.)
I kept waiting for him to get to the bad part … the inevitable “but” that always ends up in these conversations. But the “but” never came. Instead he used words like “remarkable” and “dramatic.”
He showed me on paper where Jack was fifteen months ago when he first saw him. (The kid just couldn’t do anything.) But after a year of quality 1:1 ABA at Nashoba, he is progressing faster than we ever thought possible.
Yes, he is five and still essentially nonverbal. But he is finding amazing ways to communicate through gesturing and PECS. In the last year he has progressed from testing at a 6-12 month old developmental age to now a 2 ½ to 3 year-old. And Dr. C, who last year somberly told me to prepare myself for the worst, said his estimates were conservative. He also told me I might need to start altering the way I describe Jack to others …
Dare I say the word? Moderate?
Jack surprised us all. He is living proof that quality ABA intervention truly can make the difference in the life of a child.
Is he out of the woods? Not at all.
Those were the words Jack’s neuropsychologist, Dr. C, said over and over today at our annual feedback session. (He has just finished up a round of extensive evaluations on Jack…Our IEP meeting is in a couple of weeks.)
I kept waiting for him to get to the bad part … the inevitable “but” that always ends up in these conversations. But the “but” never came. Instead he used words like “remarkable” and “dramatic.”
He showed me on paper where Jack was fifteen months ago when he first saw him. (The kid just couldn’t do anything.) But after a year of quality 1:1 ABA at Nashoba, he is progressing faster than we ever thought possible.
Yes, he is five and still essentially nonverbal. But he is finding amazing ways to communicate through gesturing and PECS. In the last year he has progressed from testing at a 6-12 month old developmental age to now a 2 ½ to 3 year-old. And Dr. C, who last year somberly told me to prepare myself for the worst, said his estimates were conservative. He also told me I might need to start altering the way I describe Jack to others …
Dare I say the word? Moderate?
Jack surprised us all. He is living proof that quality ABA intervention truly can make the difference in the life of a child.
Is he out of the woods? Not at all.
But the sun is shining through the trees and the future is looking brighter..
This kid is moving alright … And his mom is crying happy tears today.
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17 comments:
That is such great news!!!! I am so happy for your family. It's obvious that Jack is an amazing little boy...no wonder, with such an amazing mom. :)
That is AWESOME...I KNOW he will 'get there.' Keep up the good work.
Is Jack on aby biomedical treatments along with his ABA? I'm curious when kids do so well. My 4 year old is about to have an entirely new world here shortly. Great jo Jack. Keep up the great work.
Jack hasn't been on any major biomedical interventions over the last year. (He does take Omega 3's, vitamin C, Calcium and a nice multivitamin ... but so does my NT daughter. Heck, so do I!)
The progress over the last year is attributable to 1:1 intervention I believe. Before that, his intervention was more in a group sort of setting. Over the last year he has had 30 hours per week of 1:1 ABA. For him that proved to be the key.
Wow. That is remarkable.
I think we need to move somewhere else. oh well. 8 months to insurance coverage, if all goes as it should.
I'm happy for you and Jack!
That is incredible. You brought tears to my eyes! I'm a firm believer in ABA myself. He couldn't have done it without an awesome mommy!
oh, judith .. my heart is souaring for you and for that beautiful smiling boy (with so very much to smile about!) .. keep up the great work, lady. step by step you're making it work. enjoy some sunshine.
Congratulations, no "but"s about it!!! There's no doubt ABA can make a significant difference.
Oh the hope you give me! Devin has been getting one on one for 3 weeks already we see good progress. Go JACK GO LEAD THE WAY!
WOW! What awesome and encouraging news! I'm sure you could see that Jack was making gains, but Dr. C's assessment has given you the numbers. So glad he is responding so well to 1:1 ABA. Keep on moving, Jack!
That is AWESOME!!!!
Hugs,
Kel&Migs
No high fives for mommy. Jack did all the work ... and honestly I focus so much on the spoken word, I tend not to see how well he is progressing in so many other ways. Dr. C slapped me around a little about that .. but in a nice way of course. :)
By the way, KELLY, I miss you my Texas girl. I hope Miguel is doing better ... Still praying ...
I have happy tears in my eyes too! Congratulations to Jack and to you, your family, and Jack's whole "team."
Hugs to all and keep up the great work!
Katherine
This is wonderful, Judith! I know you are on cloud 9. Kudos to the Massachusetts public education system for providing Jack with the appropriate education he needs to reach his full potential!
I got chills when reading this post. So wonderful!! Go Jack!!!
AMAZING!!!! There is this little cheerleader icon I have on my message board and if I could post it here, I would! I am a true believer in ABA for some kids. Austin had no words until he got intensive ABA; He still is unable to really communicate but having those 6 words is awesome compared to where we were.
Awww, Judith! That's awesome news! Congratulations! There are some happy tears flowing here for you, too... :)
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