New Classroom For Ben

We are officially all settled in our new house and Ben has adjusted better than I expected. Took him about a week, but after that he was ok with his new home. The day of the move, he kept signing to the movers "all done" whenever they walked by with our furniture. I am sure the whole process was very confusing for him. Having him and all of his medical equipment on the first floor has been so nice! Makes taking him to bed and pretty much doing everything with him so much more convenient.

Right after we moved, we had a meeting with his school team. Ben's behavior has still been an issue and his Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician agreed to come to school to observe and see if she could offer some tips to help. During that meeting, it was decided that his focus should be communication, not so much teaching him his letters, numbers, sight words, etc. He needs to learn more signs to help his frustration and possibly start using a communication device (which we have an appointment at Childrens to start this process). After discussing different options, it was decided that he would be changing rooms to help with his new communication goal. His new classroom will be the First Grade Resource Room starting in January. This room has four other students who also have multiple disabilities. They all go a full day because they are in first grade, but Ben will still just go a half day. He will also be doing gym, art, music and science lab in his new class. All those activities have been adapted for his whole class...which is a good thing because we were struggling with his art teacher not willing to adapt anything for him. He will keep the same interpreter, Speech Therapist and Physical Therapist but will be getting a new Special Ed Teacher and Aid (we are going to miss our current ones). He will also be getting a new Occupational Therapist because she felt "Ben was a waste of her time". Hoping these changes will help him have a better time at school. And, I am glad to be removing him from those professionals not willing to be patient with him and try to help him.