First Day of Preschool Kindergarten

Thursday, August 21, 2008 was Gracie's first official day of preschool.
(Because of her precarious health over the years, Gracie has been unable to attend school outside of our home. Last year she made social visits to two different classes to get used to the idea of going to school, and although her teacher in the DHOH program made her feel like she was truly a part of the class, she wasn't official.)

THE PLAN

For now her IEP (Individualized Education Plan) reads that she will attend the DHOH (Deaf & Hard of Hearing) preschool for two hours, two days a week (this was based on her "max tolerance" during her various social visits last school year). All other services, including OT, PT and an additional three hours a week of home hospital instruction, will still be in our home. Once Gracie builds up strength and stamina, we will add a day of preschool attendance and remove an hour of home instruction. At that point, I'd like to add hours to her day to build up her stamina for the full four hour day... but none of that is in the IEP at this time.
Besides letting her know we are going to school by signing to her, Gracie looks at a ring of pictures that include her teacher, her classmates and the classroom.

EXECUTION OF THE PLAN

Let's just say that by my estimation Gracie was a total rock star! We arrived during recess... an event that used to be "non participatory" for her... stressful, the sun is too bright (she won't wear glasses or hats) and she was always too afraid to get out of her KidKart (a modified wheelchair/stroller that is also a seating system). In all the days that she made social visits to school, she was terrified to get out of her KidKart whether indoors or out. On that day... she wanted out of it! We parked in the shade next to the playground where the preschoolers and kindergartners were playing and she signed "up" - - not "ready" or "go." I got her out of that seat as fast as I could and carried her over to the playground where she HAPPILY sat (and mostly laid!) in the bark. She played with bark and was very content just "hanging out" and checking out all the kids playing. When we went inside, the OT had set up an obstacle course and she did the WHOLE THING! There was a little slide,
these colored dots that the kids had to walk on, a tunnel and a little
rolling seat that they had to balance on. She did all of it with my
help... but the best part is that she really didn't want the help. She
really tried to do it on her own (she likes to push my hands away when I help her walk... as though she has the leg strength and balance to do it without support... it's too cute! Her teacher, the teacher's aid and the OT were so impressed and definitely noticed the huge changes in her. She colored & she "read" and she wanted out of the KidKart when it was time to sit. Not so great because we needed her to sit, but great that she was super happy out of the seat and not at all scared or overstimulated. She wanted to scoot around and see all the kids! She had a few moments of "melting down" but was calmed by getting out of her chair and having a moment to be "horizontal" and regroup.
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She had a huge day! When we came home, she was not a happy camper... she wanted to "go go go." So, when I put Preston down for his nap, to the backyard we went. (It's been challenging to get her to understand that we can't "go" anywhere but the backyard when Preston is sleeping.) The day before we had planted flowers in one of our patio pots... she remembered and scooted right over to it, signed "flower" and "up." I helped her stand at the pot and realized that she was going to "pick" them! I helped her back down and cut rose so she could play with it. Check her out!


He loves me... He loves me not... He loves me
We also did a little sidewalk chalk ~ although I was far more into it that day than she was... she just wanted to play with her rose!

Then, to top off her day, her home-hospital teacher came to work with her. She was pretty exhausted... and didn't do a whole lot, but remained calm and sat the entire time. Overall, a huge success that speaks volumes about her new-found strength and stamina. (On a side note - - my little night owl was asking for a bath just before her teacher got here around 4:15... then she waited until about six and asked again! She was sound asleep by 7:50pm! She was TIRED!)


My heart was just exploding all day. I have worked so hard with her the last six weeks on her diet (to increase her calorie intake and thus, her strength), her stamina, her "upright" time, her walking and standing and signing... the list goes on. I was so hopeful that the changes I was seeing at home and out in the community would translate to school. But I was also very nervous. Gracie's day far exceeded my expectations. Now I can't wait for Monday!