Jump Start and Butterflies

Hello all and welcome to blog #3,

Thanks to all of you for coming back and reading about my adventures.  I love being able to share my story, and what a story it is.

We last left off with JB in a full body cast.  After six LOOOOOOOOOOONG weeks, the cast was removed and we spent another week working on learning how to walk again.  Poor JB had lost so much muscle while in that cast.  He was like jello!  Between physical and occupational therapy sessions, we got him up and moving pretty quickly.  In fact, by the end of two weeks, you would never have known that JB had been in a cast.

At this time, JB went without ABA therapy and because we had to cancel assessments, our timeline with ABA therapy changed quite a bit.  But here is where Jump Start comes into play.  Jump Start is a very special preschool for children with autism.  The school offers supports that teach children everyday skills using techniques specifically designed for kids with autism.  They come to the home and visit families.  They assess skills and make goals.  JB had goals that fit his needs.  One of those goals was to teach him to use sign language to communicate.  He was making some sounds but to be honest, I never thought I would hear him say a word.

Taking JB to Jump Start was hard.  I took him to daycare, my husband came home from work and took JB to preschool.  He then went back to work.  On his lunch, he picked JB up from Jump Start and took him back to daycare.  I was in charge of pick up from daycare when my day was done!  It was a lot of back and forth.  Lucky for me, I was about to be on my own summer break and that gave a much needed break to my husband's crazy schedule.

I loved taking JB to school.  I loved watching him go into the classroom and start an activity.  It made me smile to see him participate.  And I saw so much progress, a real change.  More interaction....and then it happened.......

Butterflies!

The thrill of a lifetime, was sitting on my back porch and JB tracking something so simple and yet, so beautiful.  He followed a butterfly with his finger, pulled my arm and said, "Butterfly!"  I was so overjoyed.....I couldn't believe it.  I was jumping and crying and hugging my boy....that moment really gave me hope!  That was a beginning for JB....he started acquiring lots of language.  He had a voice and was using simple words.  And it all started with a butterfly.

Butterflies are beautiful.  But for me, they are a symbol of hope.  I love seeing a butterfly because it makes me think about that very special day.  JB's small, but HUGE, accomplishment.  The start of his voice....next time you see a butterfly, I hope it brings you a happy thought as well!  

Our time with Jump Start was just not long enough....at the age of 3, the kids move on!  But for us it was just a new journey.  A new school, a new schedule, and ABA therapy.  All things I am eager to to tell you about!  And trust me, it's a bumpy road....but it's my bumpy road and that's okay!

TTFN

Martha