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We had more testing for Tristyn in mid-December and in early January.  We did a full educational psych evaluation. We wanted to know more about how he learns and how I can help specifically in the areas where he struggles. I am his learning coach for school, so it's kind of in my lap.  We also wanted to know if there was anything "new" about him. We were seen literally 2 years to the week that he was diagnosed.  We saw the same Psychologist too and she remembered him, his blonde hair and big smile.  On one visit, there was a Math portion and my little boy asked her for scratch paper! He had a strategy in mind and was going to attempt to answer her specific question.  She told me later on that she has never had a child ask for that.  After the testing visits, we sat down and got the latest news: Tristyn has ADHD and Specific Learning Disabilities in Reading Comprehension as well as Written Expression. The SLDs didn't really surprise us, but the ADHD part sort of did.  I mean, his engine is sometimes running really fast and we have to point that out and get him to adjust his speed.  For now, we aren't going the medication route. He isn't in traditional school and he is getting better about body awareness. We have been using a picture for a volume thermometer (red = too loud, yellow = just right, blue = quiet). We are trying some other strategies first before adding anything new to his medical diet.

Last month, there was a MET review meeting with our home District as they will still serve him in this capacity.  It was decided that they would do a formal test in OT as we shared that he does have sensory issues that weren't in the IEP.  I mean, 15 minutes per quarter for consulting . . . lame. The testing took place yesterday and went as expected.  He was fine for most of it, then tired, and was reluctant to write. He pushed away his chair from the table and did his usual sensory seeking behaviors.  He is trying to self-regulate a bit more and that was obvious to the District OT. That's such a good sign right there.  We'll meet again with the team in late March to discuss the results.  We already have what we need to reapply for the scholarship, so I am not worried in that department.

             
What else is going on? My husband turned a year older and we celebrated our wedding anniversary recently.  Nothing too exciting. We spent the weekend cleaning house and getting rid of more clutter. I took some items into a kids retail shoppe and put my earnings toward a toy organizer for T's room. D wanted a toy organizer too, but was happy with a new addition to his Skylander collection. I do wonder how long those will last and when they'll take a backseat to the next latest toy. D is doing well.  He's getting into the groove of his online learning. He has weekly private ST, but his school offers online ST.  It's interesting. He likes the webcam aspect of it. I set him up and then hang around in the kitchen if he needs me.  He was chatty about the session afterwards and is looking forward to next week. He qualified for it, so I figure, why not? The boys started another 6-week riding session this past week too along with a social group.  D is a pseudo typical peer model. You know what that buys me? It buys me an hour to myself. I even get some time on riding nights to sit with hubby and just talk.  We joke, "So, what were you saying a month ago in the car on the way to such and such?" Our conversations are so frequently interrupted.  We are getting better about making them wait and recognize when someone is talking.

I am looking forward to Spring Break.  Ours is in another week here.  We are cancelling some of the therapies and taking a real break from it all and I think that's okay.  I got a credit for some of the ones we'll be missing. I already received word that I am an "unassigned teacher" for next year.  There won't be a position for me, so now I just wait for the RIF letter.  At least I know and it allows me to plan.  I can look for some part-time teaching or just another hourly thing to help pay for this and that. DH is on track to teach summer school again and I'm already looking into summer camps for the boys as the wait lists have begun if you can believe that!  There's one I really want to do as they'll actually have trained Hab-B/Hab-M people and siblings are allowed (for a fee of course).

As always, it's just one foot in front of the other or another mini cooler packed with new foods to try . . . find me in the loss and grief section throughout the month of March.