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A New Dawn, A New Day...

As usual, a lot has changed since my last post... As time went on, we began to realize that Katelyn needed an educational placement that specialized in children with autism spectrum disorders and other related issues. After having her neuropsychologist visit her preschool classroom, it was determined that an out-of-district placement was necessary in order to provide Katelyn with the most appropriate educational setting. We hired an educational advocate, and subsequently a special education attorney, and we were able to achieve the ultimate goal for our daughter. After an emotionally and financially draining process, the school district agreed to out-of-district placement at a very reputable private day school that specializes in autism that provides ABA instruction all day, which also happens to be the same place where she was originally diagnosed at age 2.5. She also has been receiving home ABA services again through one of the agencies that worked with her a few years ago, and this has been extremely productive for her. We always knew that she responded well to ABA teaching, and we're so glad that she will be receiving ABA instruction on a consistent basis again since it was so successful in the past.

Today was her first day at her new school and it truly could not have gone any better. She was excited this morning to be going to a new school. We had created a social story with pictures of her new school to help with the transition and she really enjoyed reading it. When we arrived at the school, she was very happy and talkative. We were brought to the integrated preschool classroom, which has peer models. When we arrived, the other children were not in the classroom, which made it very easy for Katelyn to get situated and check out her surroundings. After a few minutes, the children returned to the classroom, and I was not sure how Katelyn would react. But she surprised us and was happy to see "new friends" and even asked one little girl her name (indirectly, asking us "What is her name?")! The little girl responded with her name and then I prompted Katelyn to respond that her name was Katelyn, which she did. It was snack time, so Katelyn sat at the table with teachers around her and I made my exit. Katelyn asked me to stay, but did not get upset at all when I told her I had to leave and would be back later after she played with her new friends.

When I arrived to pick her up, I saw Katelyn playing with toys near the other children. The staff informed me that she had a wonderful day and that she was able to spend the entire day in the integrated preschool classroom! The original plan was to have her in another classroom without peer models and slowly introduce her to the integrated setting, if possible, but once again, she surprised us! She went to the cafeteria for lunch, sat independently with her friends at circle time, and even participated by raising her hand during art class! At times, she was taken aside to work on some discrete trial training and assessments, and while she was a little distracted, she did not have to be removed from the room or behind a partition as was expected. Overall, she had an amazing day!

When she saw me, she was very excited and she said she had fun at her new school. She even went over to her new friends and said bye to them. Then she shouted, "Thanks, new school! Thanks, new friends!" and became very happy and clapped when I told her she would be coming back tomorrow.

We are so relieved that she enjoyed her first day at her new school and we feel 100% confident that this was the right decision for her. We can't wait to watch her continue to flourish and exceed our expectations. We are eternally grateful to all of you who provided support and prayers that Katelyn would get what she desperately needs. There is nothing we wouldn't do to help our daughter and we will continue to be vigilant to ensure that she continues to receive the appropriate services that she deserves.

Getting ready for her first day at her new school!

Taking it all in...

"Where There Is Great Love, There Are Always Miracles"...

Since my last post, Katelyn has had significant ups and downs. Back in June, she was again admitted to the PPHP program due to her severe aggression and self-injurious behavior. She was placed on Zoloft and her Risperdal was increased. She was then discharged in mid-July and she returned to her preschool for the last few weeks of the summer program. During this time, she had significant difficulties both at home and at school.

After the summer session ended, there was a 4-week break, during which time she was showing significant regression in terms of her behavior. It was quite apparent that she could not deal with breaks in her schooling, as evidenced by her PPHP admissions and 3-week stay at Children's Hospital, all occurring after school breaks. At this point, we were considering out-of-district placement to a school that would specialize in dealing with children similar to Katelyn, exhibiting both characteristics of autism as well as psychiatric issues. Her psychologist, developmental pediatrician, primary care physician, and neuropsychologist were all in agreement that there was sufficient reason to believe that she could no longer function in a public school setting, and out-of-district placement was recommended.

I met with the school to discuss our concerns, and they were very concerned as well. They have been wonderful to Katelyn and her family throughout all of our struggles, and they truly care deeply for her. The school psychologist and adjustment counselor became part of her team and we decided that it was worth giving it another shot at her preschool since that is the ideal place for her, if possible. Her teacher suggested that all members of her team be included on an email list so that we can all be on the same page and communicate about Katelyn's treatment, which has helped tremendously. And, boy, did Katelyn surprise all of us!

Expecting the worst, we were shocked to hear that she did well the first few days of school, and even enjoyed taking the bus again! We were still cautious, wondering if the "honeymoon period" would end like it almost always did, but it has continued! And I am so happy to report that she has drastically improved ever since! She is now playing with Ashley on a daily basis -- they are like best friends now, with the occasional fight, but nothing out of the ordinary for "typical" sibling rivalry. Just weeks before, she wasn't even able to be in the same room as Ashley, and sometimes not even on the same level of the house, without having a complete meltdown. Now she gets upset if she can't be with Ashley!

Who knows what the reasons are for her significant improvements -- perhaps her medication, perhaps the hard work and dedication of her family, school staff, and therapeutic supports, perhaps the fact that we turned our dining room into a play room, perhaps a sudden developmental growth on her part, perhaps all of the prayers and love that so many people have shared with us -- whatever the cause, it is a true miracle.

We have seen what Hell is like, believe me. But having gone through all of the difficulties over the past year, and coming through them alive and intact, we've grown stronger, and we will never, ever give up hope, no matter what obstacles may come our way in the future. We now have a taste of Heaven and we will never let it go.

(Quote by Willa Cather)

Mommy, I'm Still In Here...

My mother told me of a book about a family dealing with childhood mental illness called "Mommy, I'm Still In Here." While I have yet to read the book (although I certainly plan to), the title has really struck a chord with me. It describes perfectly how I perceive Katelyn; she is being held captive by an unknown monster, but deep down the true Katelyn is waiting desperately to be set free.

This picture was taken by my mother recently and it has had a significant impact on our family. Like the title of the book, this photo truly depicts the "real" Katelyn that those of us who know and love her are fighting so hard to get back. I hope it touches your heart as well.