I can't believe it has been so long since we have sent an update!
We had an incredible time and a life-changing experience at the Son-Rise program in February. We have met so many people from all over the world and we are keeping in touch via facebook (a black hole that is a blessing and a curse =). We are so blessed to have a family that encouraged us and supported us financially so we could go to the Option Institute to attend the training. We couldn't have done it without you!
The Son-Rise program is a home based, child centered, one on one, parent lead program where the primary focus is social development. Is is based on the attitude of love and acceptance.
It teaches you that no-one can tell you what your whole child's life will be based off of an afternoon of tests. And that your child's potential is limitless.
It lifted a great burden off of both us (and I am sure Aidan has benefited as well)!
We modified our basement into a distraction free playroom complete with an observation room. We removed all electronic toys from the house (we were supposed to remove the TV and computers too, but we need baby steps! =) I took the last 4 weeks off of work to implement the program and get everything in order. Boy have I been busy! It is like setting up a pre-school program (coming up with games, making projects, etc) from scratch! I am also trying to recruit volunteers to come in to work with Aidan. We currently have him in therapy for 10 hours a week, and we need to double that in order to run a successful part-time program. The Son-Rise program takes a lot of energy and in order to keep him engaged at the level he needs, we need some help! (We are old, you know) I am also putting together a tracking system on excel to monitor progress.
We have been requested by some family members for more information about how to interact with Aidan since he is so unique. We are also putting together a presentation for you! We will contact those of you who are interested and will get everyone together sometime soon. (Yes, I promise, sooner rather than later =). For those of you out of state, I can send you the powerpoint and we can answer any questions for you.
But now to the good part - AIDAN!!!
It has been 4 weeks since we started the program, and the change is evident in our beloved boy! Before the program, he would say "DA" for everything. We counted words at the beginning of this week and he is saying or saying approximations of 20 words! It is so exciting and motivating! We were getting discouraged and were really starting to get worried that he would be one of the 40% that never speak. But we are seeing a glimmer now that is giving him confidence and us encouragement to keep going and keep fighting!
He is also interacting with us more, is making requests (like when he is hungry, or wants to go outside), and his personality gets brighter everyday!
We can't say enough about the Son-Rise program. It has given us a whole new lease on life and has painted a bold and bright future for our son.
Thank you to those that helped make it possible!!!
We love you,
Adrienne
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
We made it!!!
We made it to the Option Institute for the therapy training. Just getting settled in after 12 hours of travel. Everyone we have met have been very friendly and nice....and are going through the same things we are. Some have traveled half way across the world to get here. We are looking forward to starting classes tomorrow and meeting all of our classmates. We will update with some pictures and stories in the next few days.
Love you all,
Robert and Adrienne
Love you all,
Robert and Adrienne
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
There's always a first time
There's always a first time - and it's not always good!
Well, we sent out 'the letter' today. A letter that we have been going back and forth whether or not we should send out.
On one hand, we really feel that Aidan will benefit greatly from this (unfortunately expensive) program. And we are so hopeful that through this program, we will finally be able to hear his little voice. Who cares if his first words aren't "Mommy" or "Daddy". We don't care if his first word is "NO!" or "Tractor!", as long as we get him to talk.
On the other hand, we hate to ask for help; especially financial help. But, we are truly having a hard time and we know that people that know and love Aidan would be upset if they knew they weren't given an opportunity when he needed help. So to those of you that know and love Aidan, we love and cherish you all. We don't know what we would do without you!
Along with financial help, people have really gone above and beyond to step in and give us much needed love, support, and their precious time. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you that have done so.
My mom drives 106 miles once a week just to attend one of Aidan's therapies. I keep telling her that she can come down once or twice a month since it is such a long drive, but she just waves me off and tells me she wants to be there. Thanks Mom, you are my #1 support and have been in the trenches with me since day one. We Love You!
Robert's mom comes to our house once a week to watch Aidan since I went back to work full-time last year. She never bats an eye when the house is a mess, Aidan hasn't been given his afternoon snack, or when she has to cook dinner. Thanks Linda, we wouldn't have been able to come this far without your love and support! We Love You!
My dad has been coming over and taking care of the house maintenance that we haven't had the time or energy to do. He understands how emotionally drained we are and how precious little time we have - not only for ourselves, but especially for all of the things that have fallen away as a non-priority but are still important. Thanks dad for taking care of all of those things. It has lightened the load. We Love You!
And to all of our family and friends that keep in touch just to see how we are doing, invite us out to have a little fun (even though we are rarely able to go - we still appreciate it!), and for those who offer unconditional love and support - Thank you! We Love You!
I could go on and on, but since this is my first blog, I don't want to bore anyone to death on the first attempt. I can save that for later. ;)
Robert and I will try to get on regularly and update everyone on the latest (good and bad). I have a feeling that this is going to be an outlet for it all.
Aidan is doing great in school. I had a chance to observe him in pre-school today without him knowing I was there. He did great paying attention to the teacher and was very tuned-in to what was going on. Yea! Our work is paying off!
This is a marathon, not a sprint - slow and steady are going to win the race!
Love,
Adrienne
Well, we sent out 'the letter' today. A letter that we have been going back and forth whether or not we should send out.
On one hand, we really feel that Aidan will benefit greatly from this (unfortunately expensive) program. And we are so hopeful that through this program, we will finally be able to hear his little voice. Who cares if his first words aren't "Mommy" or "Daddy". We don't care if his first word is "NO!" or "Tractor!", as long as we get him to talk.
On the other hand, we hate to ask for help; especially financial help. But, we are truly having a hard time and we know that people that know and love Aidan would be upset if they knew they weren't given an opportunity when he needed help. So to those of you that know and love Aidan, we love and cherish you all. We don't know what we would do without you!
Along with financial help, people have really gone above and beyond to step in and give us much needed love, support, and their precious time. I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you that have done so.
My mom drives 106 miles once a week just to attend one of Aidan's therapies. I keep telling her that she can come down once or twice a month since it is such a long drive, but she just waves me off and tells me she wants to be there. Thanks Mom, you are my #1 support and have been in the trenches with me since day one. We Love You!
Robert's mom comes to our house once a week to watch Aidan since I went back to work full-time last year. She never bats an eye when the house is a mess, Aidan hasn't been given his afternoon snack, or when she has to cook dinner. Thanks Linda, we wouldn't have been able to come this far without your love and support! We Love You!
My dad has been coming over and taking care of the house maintenance that we haven't had the time or energy to do. He understands how emotionally drained we are and how precious little time we have - not only for ourselves, but especially for all of the things that have fallen away as a non-priority but are still important. Thanks dad for taking care of all of those things. It has lightened the load. We Love You!
And to all of our family and friends that keep in touch just to see how we are doing, invite us out to have a little fun (even though we are rarely able to go - we still appreciate it!), and for those who offer unconditional love and support - Thank you! We Love You!
I could go on and on, but since this is my first blog, I don't want to bore anyone to death on the first attempt. I can save that for later. ;)
Robert and I will try to get on regularly and update everyone on the latest (good and bad). I have a feeling that this is going to be an outlet for it all.
Aidan is doing great in school. I had a chance to observe him in pre-school today without him knowing I was there. He did great paying attention to the teacher and was very tuned-in to what was going on. Yea! Our work is paying off!
This is a marathon, not a sprint - slow and steady are going to win the race!
Love,
Adrienne
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