I have to brag...

[nikkiARNGwife]

I think most of you probably know that our son Avery has Asperger's Disorder which is a form of high functioning autism. Anyway...we moved him to the public school system last fall and knew that he would need to go through some assessments etc. there to be eligible for different accommodations for his autism. Today we had a meeting to go over everything and I'm a proud mama :). Not only will he have those accommodations but he also tested into the Talented and Gifted program with an IQ of 129! He will be in an inclusion classroom next year with a reg ed teacher/assistant and a full time SPED teacher as well.

I am so thankful we moved him to the public school. The teachers/principals and everyone else on his IEP team are WONDERFUL. I knew when we were all crying happy tears at one point that my son is finally in a place where everyone cares very much about him. He's a special kid - which I always knew..it just feels good to see other people realize that too.

I know we have a long road with his Aspergers...but I feel like we made a giant leap today.

[scrap2day]

Wonderful news! Happy for you and hope that he enjoys school.

[breakingbrie]

That is fantastic news :)

[nun69]

that is AWESOME Nikki!!! I am so hoping that Peyton is going in that direction as well. He is suppose to be going in to a very similar program starting in the fall, but they are still trying to get all the kinks worked out for him to get there. But hearing this makes me soooo hopeful!!!!!!

[KimberlyMorris]

Oh awesome! Go Avery!

[dailydwellin]

That is wonderful news!!!

[jessica31876]

That is great news Nikki!! I am so happy for you

[jenevang]

That is awesome that you guys are having a good experience. I'm happy for you!

[LJSDesigns]

What wonderful news. I am so happy for you all! :)

[alinalove]

yay! wonderful news!

[glumirk]

Wow! That's amazing news! I love that they are looking at him for the wonderful person that he is instead of holding him back because he's different. Such wonderful news!

[carrie1977]

That's amazing news! It sure makes a difference when you have educators on your side for once. :)

[jacinda]

Aw Nikki, that's wonderful!

[Keely~B]

Great news Nikki! I'm really happy for all of you.

[Shawna Clingerman]

That is hugely awesome!

[ripal]

Great news!!!!

[MamaBee]

that is wonderful news!!! yay!!

[staciahall]

Such good news! I always love to hear happy stories about public school. It sounds like you have a great school system where you live with supportive staff who really care about the kids they educate.

[color of my heart]

that's awesome! i hope everything works out (: my fiance has aspergers, and was lucky to have a good school system when he was diagnosed. i think having good support is key. i know not all schools are like that, and i'm thrilled that your little guy will have all the support and help he needs!

[melanie3boys]

Exciting! My son has autism as well and this is his second year in inclusion and he's come so far. We LOVE the team, students and teachers at his current school. He told us he played with kids at recess for the FIRST TIME EVER just a couple weeks ago. HUGE proud moment for this mama!!

I'm glad your son is doing well and excited for him to keep going!

[aly321]

Nikki that is awesome! It is so funny that I feel like I have been watching your kids grow up (no, not in a creepy stalker way) through being cyber friends. :) So happy for you and him! It makes a difference when someone else is on your kids' side, and that they care as much about what happens with him as you do. ♥

[cindys732003]

That is amazing news Nikki! He's lucky to have such great parents looking out for him too!!

[LeeAndra]

That's awesome, Nikki! :thumbup:

[rach3975]

That's fantastic news! I'm so happy you feel like he's in the right place with people who want him to succeed and are better prepared to help him do it.

We've been very lucky with Ben's team, too. His classroom has a similar set-up: an inclusion classroom with a regular teacher, a SPED teacher, and an aide. But there's also the "small group room," and the SPED staff pulls kids out as needed for academics or a break from the overstimulation of a big class.

[SeattleSheri]

That is really wonderful!

[MissKim]

As a teacher of pre-K students with autism (in a public school system), this just makes my heart happy. I love to hear happy parents, huge progress for kids, and inclusion working. Even though I teach a self-contained room (only sped students), I work so hard to get my littles ones out and into their neighborhood schools so that they can do inclusion as much as possible. I truly believe in making it work.

[thompsonc2007]

This is great news! I know you have to be so proud of him and happy that he is surrounded by a supportive team at school! And how about that IQ!! You have a budding scholar on your hands:)

[Lyd]

That's wonderful, Nikki! I'm so happy for him (and you) that he has a lots of good people supporting him. Yay - warm fuzzies!

[lovely1m]

That's wonderful to hear.

[marnel]

Sounds like an all around wonderful support system. Great news for all of you ;)

[jenny]

Such fantastic news!

[origami]

And let's hear it for Nikki for being an amazing and awesome advocate for her son!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[KristinCB]

SO happy things are going so well!!!

[YepBrook]

That's fantastic! I'm glad he is in a good situation now and is getting the care and attention he deserves & needs. :)

[Kjersti]

Oh wow!! That is fantastic news!!

[nesser1981]

fantastic!

[nikkiARNGwife]

Thanks muchly everyone!

[nietis]

That is awesome!!! Yay!!

[joelsgirl]

Yaaaayyyy! I'm so, so glad that baby boy of yours is being recognized for the unique and amazing guy he is!

[taracotta7]

So happy for you, Nikki! What great news and such a peace of mind knowing he is well taken care of at school. You give Avery a high five from me for being such a cool smart dude. :)

[maryinaz]

That's great news Nikki! Congrats!