#lifeofautism

[mylittlespartan]

Today was Leo's last day in his Support Unit! . . To help alleviate the stress of moving we asked Leo what he would like to give his classmates and teacher as a going away present. Leo chose to give his classmates kinder surprises with a few extra things I bought, and his teacher flowers and chocolate. . . This was another strategy in helping him transition. I made sure he was part of this process, another opportunity to cement the move, and a clear symbol and representation for goodbyes he would have to give. Yesterday we went shopping for the kindy eggs, flowers and chocolate. Then Leo placed the goodies in the bag (singing New divide .. he's been obsessing over transformers 😆) and wrote 'From:Leo' on each bag. . . 6:05am this morning Leo grabbed his breakfast, flowers and goody bags, and was ready to say goodbye 👋 . . #mylittlespartan #autism #lifeofautism #autismmom #autismparenting #aintnohoodlikemotherhood #mentaldisability #additionalneeds #autismawarness #asd #transformers #lifeofautism #autismawarness https://www.instagram.com/p/BoROZFIgBVj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cwd1gxb7jfip

[mylittlespartan]

What a special day, the first time these three were together at school! . . Leo's last transition visit was a WHOLE DAY visit ...The school called in advanced and let us know that there was an event happening and requested we talk to Leo about the changes to the days schedule 👍🏽 .. So the night before Leo and I went through the photos I took of the school grounds, and ran him through what his day would be like. . . Dad dropped off and I was to pick up. Another change but we pushed through. . . Getting to the school I was directed to his 'buddy class'. The moment he saw me Leo burst into tears and hugged me 😭. Poor guy must have been so overwhelmed! His teacher said he had a meltdown during recess, and was taken to the library during second half of lunch as he wasn't coping well outside. His new school has triple the children his old one had. Can't even imagine what he was feeling at that moment. New environment, kids everywhere and high noise level. . . The enthusiasm he shows about moving schools is epic! 😅 (Watch the videos). We know there are still a few challenges ahead but we are so proud of our Spartan and his ability to soldier on! Ice cream was the treat for another progressive transition visit! We're almost there!!! . . . #mylittlespartan #autism #autismlife #lifewithautism #lifeofautism #autismawareness #mentaldisability #aintnohoodlikemotherhood #mentaldisability #childwithautism #autismmomlife #mentalhealthawareness https://www.instagram.com/p/BoOSgCbg--Y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=477g3ndvve39

[mylittlespartan]

People on the spectrum often have an intense and passionate level of focus on things of interest. This is called 'special interests'. . . Leo's current 'special interest' is DINOSAURS 🦖.... Leo has many interests, but dinosaurs has been an interest of his since he was young. Leo switches between his interests, some being focused on for more than 6 months! . . Leo is able to recall numerous types of dinosaurs but is unable to tell me about what he did at school. Interesting don't you think? . . We used his special interests to our advantage. Therapists would use this as a reward or based their work around his special interest. When he started school he had zero interest to write, so one day i made him write out the whales he liked (whale interest). He at one time went through one pack of A4 paper just writing whales. Then he later stuck them all around his bed 😅We knew it wasn't sustainable, so we offered him books to write in and encouraged him to use the whole page before writing on a new one. . . As you can see, Leo still enjoys to write, and thanks to his special interest his writing, spelling and reading got better! The amount of information he is able to hold in that tiny little head of his is astonishing! . . . #mylittlespartan #autism #autismawareness #lifeofautism #autismparenting #specialneeds #specialneedsfamily #mentalhealth #autismspeaks #lightitupblue https://www.instagram.com/p/BnqUWxWgSeL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1llytwpekursc