Pookie is almost done with his summer tutoring.  He spent 6 weeks in Summer School, but then had a separate 3 week session with a tutor which came to our home.  We fought long and hard with the school district to get this summer tutor and were very excited to find out that she would be Miss Stephanie, the aide from his classroom last year.  So while we were pleased with his progress during summer school, we were even more excited for the tutoring to start.  Its almost over and I think it was my favorite part of the summer.
Miss Stephanie comes to our house every morning for 90 minutes of “school,”  just her and Pookie.  They do circle time, message of the day, art, story time…all the regular preschool stuff.  I give Miss Stephanie alot of credit, because sometime she is the only one dancing or clapping to the music.  And when you teach autistic children, sometimes no one answers your questions at circletime.  But she dances and asks the questions anyway.  And we appreciate that.  She gives 110%.

Pookie on the other hand…no wait!  What did you expect me to say!?  Of course he gives 110% too!  I peak around the corner sometimes, and what I see makes me happy.   Occasionally, he refuses to do the dances, but usually he does them.  During my corner peaking I have seen him

1.  answer direct questions (Miss Stephanie:  “What color do you want to use to color the flower?”  Pookie:  “Red.” )

2.  follow multi-step directions (Miss Stephanie: “Pookie, put the scissors in the box and then get your markers out.”)

3.   engage in pretend play (Miss Stephanie, Pookie, Monkey, Chicken and Snake had a tea party every day for a week)

4.   use several school skills (cutting on a line, using stencils, putting stickers in a row, glue beans to a page, etc)

5.   practice social play skills (For 10 minutes a day, Miss Stephanie invites Geetle to join her and Pookie in playing a game.  They practice taking turns mainly.  Geetle waits anxiously on the stairs until its time for her to join them, she loves it.)

6.  become Miss Stephanie’s friend.  (Pookie lets Miss Stephanie play Connect Four and Bowling with him.  These are games he usually likes to play alone, because he loves them so much he cannot wait for someone else to take a turn.   Pookie trusts Miss Stephanie and truly likes to play “school” with her.)

Pookie and Miss Stephanie are quite a pair.  We’re sad that Miss Stephanie won’t be returning to the district next year.

Originally, we wanted Pookie in a class room all summer.  The district refused and we went into negotiations.  They eventually offered 6 weeks of class room and 3 weeks of home tutoring.  We thought it was a good offer, but not originally what we wanted.  Now, I am glad we had this opportunity.  In fact, we are considering a home tutor for during the school year too.  I am not even sure who we could get, or how it would work, since Pookie already has 5 days of school a week, 3 hours a day.  But it is something we are considering.  We are seeing how much it helps him.  The one-on-one time is awesome for him.  He listens.  He responds.  He participates.  Its great.   I can tell you one thing…we are getting home tutoring next summer…watch out School District!   We know Pookie’s rights and now we KNOW what we want!