Observing

Tom had today off from work so I took the opportunity of him watching the boys while I went to Natalie's classroom and observed. I'd been to her classroom a few times: once with Tom when we observed before Natalie started there, and once on her first day of school, just to make sure she wasn't freaking out in a new environment (she LOVES new environments and can't wait to explore everything...and of course there are new toys and books and friends to make).

The teacher is fine with us just "showing up", so I did! She put up a screen for me to sit behind and peak through the curtain so Natalie wouldn't see me. It was great to see Natalie enjoying the classroom environment and participating as much as she could. As the teacher had mentioned, Natalie tends to get up out of her chair and walk to the front a lot, so they had an aide sitting next to her with an arm across her chair to keep her in place. Natalie is fairly compliant, so I think this will teach her a lot about sitting still...and it might even get her to stop standing directly in front of the TV at home! She always wants to be right in front of whatever is going on.

Then the speech therapist came, and she came just for Natalie's individual session! What a coincidence that I was there. I moved to behind Natalie to observe, but Natalie turned around to see what the other kids were doing (she wanted to be with her friends) and then saw me and got all smilely, like "What are you doing here, Mom!" I was more of a distraction than I thought I would be, since she had been used to me sitting in on therapy sessions before, but I guess she had never seen me in this new environment, so that was a new thing.

I was pleased with how the speech session went, but I do have suggestions for our IEP meeting next Thursday. The speech therapist was also glad I was there (she said!) so we could discuss a few things and I could see her in action. She still hasn't connected with Natalie's old speech therapist to discuss what was done previously with Natalie, which disappoints me, but I understand how it's hard to talk on the phone when both parties are in a lot of appointments.

Then I saw Natalie in the playground for a bit, and they went back to class. I was there for about 1.5 hours and came home. I have a great impression of the teacher and the two aides, and the other kids. And Natalie is doing well...getting used to following the schedule and getting where she should be without prompting.

The other helpful thing was to see the "language focus" of the classroom and how they say and do things in the classroom that are a little different than what we do at home. For instance, we have Natalie sign "all done" when she doesn't want more food (twist her hands next to here head). In the class, they ask them to shake their head "no" when they don't want any more. This could explain why Natalie is shaking her head a lot at home now (sort of a stim thing). I think I'll call the teacher to discuss, and see what she thinks.

I hope either Tom or I can continue to visit on a regular basis, and I should also ask if they want help in the classroom.