I have a friend who faithfully gets these elaborate photos taken of her daughter. Last time she asked if Tommy would come along too. (I won't share any of the photos of them together, as I haven't asked for her permission, but they are very cute.) Are these great or what?! I'm so glad she invited us along, because I would sure never pay this much for photos, but I'm glad to have them.
(That's my leg that he's leaning against.)
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Mamaroo asked about our summer plans. For the third summer in a row, Henry will be attending the Easter Seals summer program.
His first summer there was wonderful. Last summer was pretty rough (he was coming off of his really bad preschool experience.) I am not sure what to expect for this summer, but will of course plan for the worst, hope for the best.
The program is open to all sorts of kids with disabilities. So you have children who are blind, physically disabled, and various degrees of neurological and behavioral issues. The problem, for Henry, is that some of the kids tend to be loud, scream unexpectedly, try to run out of the room, etc. That level of noise and confusion is very dysregulating for Henry. (And would be for many of us!)
One wonderful constant has been the teaching staff. He will have the same young woman (a college student, I'll call her Miss S) as a teacher again this summer. I got in touch with her through e-mail this week and gave her Ms. H's phone number and e-mail address. Ms. H said that she'll be happy to help with suggestions and will be available throughout the summer if any problems come up that she could help with. I'm hoping that Miss S will have time to visit Henry's classroom in the next couple weeks before school is out, to see how they do things there.
Thomas will continue to go to L's house for the summer. She will take 2 weeks off in July, however, which means that I'll take 2 weeks off in July.
Kate will be getting her first job this summer, and will be busy with basketball camps and leagues, maybe volleyball too.
So that's the plan for the summer. I have a question for all the mommies and teachers out there: what is a good teacher gift that is useful and appreciated? Especially since we know that Henry will be in a different class next year, I'd like to get something nice (not necessarily expensive :-) for his teacher, and maybe the aides in his class and the woman who drives him to and from school.
7 comments:
Lovely photos, lovely boy!
Charlie has usually had some struggles when in a class with children with multiple disabilities, for exactly the same reasons you describe. Also, the staff tends not to be as specially trained in autism.
I often give Barnes and Nobles gift certificates (I already bought a bunch). I've never been one for giving lotion and soap, esp. as Charlie often has a male instructor or therapist these days! One year I was ridiculously organized and gave personalized stationery (but then you have to make sure you get everything spelled right.....).
(If it were me, I'd be very happy with a gift certificate to Target.)
I love to give chocolate because I like to get chocolate. I buy those big bars of nice, european chocolate and then put a big, oversized bow on it with a little hand-made card. Not too expensive and if they don't like it (and who doesn't like chocolate?!) they can always share it with someone.
Those photos are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
Tommy is one handsome little dude!!!
Sounds like your summer plan is all set. Thanks for sharing. I am sure Henry will handle things much better this summer, he has really grown this year it sounds.
I always like gift certificates, but I also like to give a little something. Candles or something small. Since Roo has a male teacher, I found it hard to think of a small little something though. I recently gave him a gift certificate to Modell's Sporting Goods store, but I like Kristina's idea of Barnes & Noble. The class mom collects money and we give a Amex gift card, but I still always give my own too.
I used to love to get Barnes and Noble gift cards-you can get music, a book, or a magazine, coffee and great baked goods with it, yummy.
Kristin
Oh what FABULOUS pics!!!! He's sure a cutie!
I like the idea of the summer program, but like you and Kristina said, I think it might be difficult with the different things that might tend to overstimulate or overload our guys - BUT, if he likes it and the staff knows exactly what Henry needs, then I say go for it!
Teachers - I would do a gift card, but also, I usually send along a nice, personal thank you card...not just "thanks for being a great teacher for my son," but sincere thanks for the understanding, the compassion, and the incredible parent interaction.
Missed you! Glad to be back!
I like to give Yankee candles or Homemade cookies with a starbucks gift card. I put the gifts in a plain white paper gift bag that my kids have decorated so it has a personal touch.
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