speech & summer

I think it's time for a small update on John's speech, therapy, and school. Starting with school: there are only four school days left of this school year! The final day is next Wednesday and then we'll be on summer vacation. 

Last Friday, Billy and I met with his teacher, school speech therapist, and the vice principal for his I.E.P. (Individual Education Plan) meeting. John does not qualify for summer assistance because, basically, he did too well this school year and didn't show a need for it. I actually felt satisfied that he doesn't qualify for assistance. It's a milestone...and a goal: someday, he won't qualify for any "special services." 

Ms. Martin and Ms. Jenny were pleased with his progress and set lofty goals for next school year. It inspired me to set some summer goals for John. Just because he isn't in school, doesn't mean we won't be working hard and learning lots.

On a similar note, I just got back from John's therapy and Tamara (the speech therapist) said, "John is making huge improvements, don't you think?" Yes, I do think so! He has started to tell us what he's thinking about (whether or not we can understand it) and he is taking more risks verbally. Sadly, our insurance for the "year" runs out soon so we really will have a summer break, in every sense of the word. The insurance coverage begins again in August so until then we'll work hard on our own (oh, and with the help of his beloved www.starfall.com).

Now I need to get busy planning what our days will look like, without the structure of school and therapy appointments (and with the major inconvenience of not being able to be outside for more than a few minutes at a time because summer has arrived). Weekly library trips? Setting up the swim pool in the backyard for quick morning dips? Play dates? Children's museum? I'll have to plan, or we'll end up just getting out of the house for groceries...not good. Let me know if you have any good ideas!