Back in Action!

          Turning the page to another chapter in the story. After a much needed two years at home, Caleb is heading back to the classroom for the 9th Grade. Looking forward to a year of new adventures and tremendous growth... The staff and administration at the Intermediate High School have gone above and beyond to ensure a smooth transition and have far exceeded our expectations on all fronts. Praying for good friendships, the courage to make wise choices and opportunities for his strengths and talents to shine through as he navigates through the year.

          He loves all of his classes and likes his teachers.  His favorite class is Biology (no surprise there!).  The lab is full of all kinds of live animals which could prove to be a bit of a distraction at times, but a happy distraction, no doubt.  The counselor worked hard into the late hours one evening last week to ensure a solid schedule for him with electives that he would enjoy taking.  Woodworking, personal fitness, vocational readiness with on-campus work, video production....  Makes ME want to go back to school!  Ok, maybe not, but definitely excited for my young man.

          On his way out the door this morning for day three, he turned and said, "I think I'm going to really like school now, mom."  I said, "Caleb, I'm so glad!  That makes my heart so happy to hear that!"  He said, "Yeah, it's so much easier to concentrate and listen to my teachers now."  Then he paused and said, "Oh, and you don't have to walk me to the bus today if you don't want to.  I'm good to go on my own if that's ok."  "Yes, my dear.  It's MORE than ok," I thought to myself as I smiled and waved and a tear rolled down my cheek.  It's going to be a great year.

          Fly high, my shining star. 🌟 Show 'em what you're made of. Cheering you on all the way. ❤👊💪

"For I know whom I have believed in [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:12

NO MORE MEDS!!!

     

     

   

    

     I have so very much been looking forward to sharing this news. Tomorrow marks four weeks of Caleb being medication free!!! He has been on the two prescription medications for attention and anxiety for over five years. Once we finally swallowed the pill (LITERALLY) of using medication to manage his symptoms, we really didn't see that there was an option for him to ever be off of it. In fact, it only seemed that the dosage was increasing as he grew. Earlier this year, we spoke with his psychiatrist about our desires to wean him off of the medication. It didn't come without resistance but he did agree to help us toward that end. Since beginning the Neurosensory Program with Dr. McFadden last Fall, we began seeing progress in so many areas. At the same time, we began to realize that all of these positive changes were because we were finally getting to the root of what was keeping him from reaching his potential. Years of interference to his central nervous system was literally holding him hostage in his own body and mind. My husband made the comment this past Spring that he was even becoming convinced that the program was working and with a contented sigh, said that it was so nice to begin to see and hear the REAL Caleb with no interference or obstacles in the way. As we continued to pull back on the dosage of medication, and realized there were no negative side effects, I began to also realize that our goals to eliminate medication were well within reach. When we finally decided to discontinue the prescription, I didn't say anything to Caleb about it. It was kind of comical that he didn't realize that he hadn't been taking it. After 2 weeks had gone by, I asked him if he realized that he hadn't been taking it. He immediately stopped what he was doing and looked at me wide-eyed and jaw-dropped and said, "Really? Are you sure? Huh... I guess I don't need it any more after all!" And then he smiled really, REALLY big. (and so did I...)

     I share this to say that if you're advocating for someone you love or know someone else who is, you don't have to settle.  Keep fighting, keep seeking answers and DON'T GIVE UP!  The body and mind are incredibly AMAZING and once unhindered, can function beautifully and naturally together as God designed... 

Black Belt Journey

***2nd Degree Black Belt Recommended!***  Four more months to go to complete testing for official 2nd degree rank. 

This is a link to his flying side kick and downward hammerfist board break (which he had to train using his left hand to avoid further injury to his right hand which he broke this past spring.) 

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Black Belt Board Breaks.  

He also completed 3 other components of testing including his Shim Jun Form consisting of 81 moves which he will perform again in December.  The components that go into this type of testing defy all of the limitations that Caleb's diagnoses have put on him:  Balance, coordination, memory, focus, control....So proud of him and so thankful to his instructors​ at ATA in Wexford, PA for their continued dedication to Caleb's personal journey to not just achieve excellence as a martial artist, but to continually strive to be better inwardly (mentally, emotionally and physically), learning the value of hard work, respect and perseverance.  The look of accomlishment on his face said so much with NO WORDS.  Had a hard time holding back the tears!  Onward and upward!  (Stay tuned!) 👊💪  

Social Interaction Goals

 
       

          Oh, to have been a fly on the wall today.  Caleb had a unique opportunity to witness a ribbon cutting ceremony for the National Aviary's Tropical Rainforest renovation project.  It was a fairly intimate catered breakfast event attended by donors, reporters, and other members of the aviary.  Caleb's love for all animals is no secret so of course this outing today is the highlight of his week.

     
          In looking at all of the pictures though, there was one thing that stood out to me larger and louder than any other photo of him interacting with his feathered fowl friends.  It was hidden in the photos of him interacting with the docent:  Fully engaged in passionate conversation about something that they both love.  Caleb not only contributed appropriately and meaningfully to the conversation, but listened actively as the man shared his own knowledge and expertise with Caleb.

       






          That may not seem like a big deal for most, but for me, this is a beautiful representation of something that we have desired to see for so long.  When Caleb first started receiving therapeutic services about 6 years ago, one of the goals written for him was that he would be able to SUSTAIN meaningful "volleyed" conversation with another individual (adult or peer).  This meant participating in both ends of conversations; giving AND receiving and providing appropriate eye contact throughout.  No matter what goals he has met or made progress with over the years, this is one of several that has seemed to loom in the shadows of every report.  He just couldn't connect...he didn't know how.  And if he wanted to share something, he certainly wasn't able or interested in sticking around long enough to keep a conversation going.  He just wanted to share a fun fact and the matter usually stopped there.  That's really all the more his focus and attention would allow.  More recently, though, he is beginning to truly and genuinely be just as engaged in hearing what others have to contribute to a topic, and as a result is adding to his own learning, knowledge and understanding by leaps and bounds (but shhhhhh, don't tell HIM that!)
     

          So today, Caleb may be celebrating an opportunity to meet new avian friends and hold some butterflies, but as mom I see something so very different but just as beautiful... I see a continued emerging of a young man with a destiny and purpose far greater than one I can begin to imagine or hope for.  I don't know what all of this will look like another 6 years down the road, but I am fairly certain it's going to be pretty amazing.  Because this boy is pretty amazing.

Passing the Baton

     

     Self-awareness and self-advocacy are without a doubt huge components to raising any child, but especially is as important for a child on the spectrum.  Knowing what they need and being able to ask for it is a huge leap toward independence.  Tonight Caleb moved further toward that independence and self-advocacy during his reevaluation with his psychologist.  Using appropriate eye-contact and confident body posture, he was able to effectively convey the progress he has been making with his school work, emotions and behaviors.  He carried on fluid conversation with the doctor as they discussed different components to his plan of care including goals his has met and those that he's still working toward.  Even the doctor noticed how much more improved his conversation had become and asked Caleb why he thought he was doing better.  Caleb wasted no time as he began to share about all of the things that he felt were helping him to improve.  He said he was using more coping skills, making healthier options with food and said that he had been seeing "Dr. Jim" who had been helping him to feel better and do better in school.  After Caleb had talked for a while, I had the opportunity to share my perspective regarding his progress.  When I was finished sharing, he asked what I thought was contributing to such positive changes.  I told him I knew exactly what it was and began to share with him.  I shared about the neurosensory program, his diet changes and eliminating gluten and dairy, and told the doctor about the improvements he has made in school, at home and in his social skills group.  I finished with expressing the desire to have Caleb completely off of medication and his response, while not all that shocking, was disappointing.  He looked me in the eye and said, "Well, why would you want to do that?"  I said, "Why WOULDN'T we?!"  Although Caleb was able to carry the majority of the conversation, I was glad to still be there next to him so that he could hear the explanation of why we are doing what we are doing.  He KNOWS it's WORKING.  He KNOWS he's making PROGRESS, but to know that it's ok to see things differently than the doctor is important.  I want him to advocate for himself based on what is working, not on what is expected or just because it's the well-trodden path.  He's learning...  WE ALL ARE...