This is a wholesome and positive post, I promise.
Two weeks into the new school year 4, T and our family are settling into more structured days.
Some good news, T still has his Child and Youth Worker support for academic subjects.
It is very rare for a 4th grader to have this support and we are very thankful.
Evening homework is back and the expectations are higher. While there are tantrums, T is doing well so far at completing his work .
T is now starting to learn French. Good thing the hubby is fluent, so French homework is his baby as I have the joy of math homework.
The hubby and I are making a concerted effort this year to increase social connection for T.
In addition to swim lessons, the hubby registered T for soccer classes. It's an opportunity to build on something he loves and to hopefully make friends.
I applied for the Big Brothers program. It's a long waitlist but the goal is to match T with a 1-1 mentor, as this can help him transition and get through his coming teen years.
T's love for dogs continues to grow and it is adorable seeing him approach strangers and politely ask to pet their dogs.
I reached out to a dog therapy program to arrange ongoing 1-1 visits with T. The waitlists for their volunteers are long, but it's something we hope to add to T's social connection toolkit.
I am using my limited free time to help advocate for FASD awareness, including participating on a recent virtual panel for caregivers.
I let T know I'm doing these activities as I want to feel part of the process. FASD is just one part of his life and I want to normalize it for him.
Halfway through the recent school week, his CYW let us know T sits with three kids in class.
Whenever a kid asks T where markers or rulers are, T would reply in his mischievous way, "Up my butt!"
His CYW reminded him to talk nicely if he wants to make friends.
Later that morning, she texted to let us know that the class is talking about SMART goal setting and T wrote down his goal all on his own:
"My goal is to make friends with my group. To use nice and kind words. Not to make fart noises. I will ask (my CYW) to remind me every morning before class starts so we can have a great day."
😭😭😭
This kid makes me so proud at his purest moments.
On Friday, near the end of the school day, his CYW texted us the results of T's first test of the year - 17/18 on his spelling test. And words are harder!
I have no doubt there will be ups and downs this school year, but it's been a wonderful way to settle into cooler autumn days so far. 🙏💕
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