Mom's Need to Know Back to School Giveaway -

Ok, a facebook friend who has an awesome blog and gives away really neat products has something that I feel is really worth a try at winning.  It is an Acer Aspire 4820T laptop computer and Mindy has been giving away products for Moms for a long time.  She has been on the local news more times than I can count and I only dream to be as great as a mom as her.  Read about this fabulous giveaway right here by clicking on this link: 

Moms Need To Know - Back to School Giveaway  Please check it out and even try to win for yourself or one of your kids.

I was just saying in my last blog how a computer would be so beneficial for M.  Well this is my chance to try to win one for him.  I have never won anything before so I know my chances are probably nil but I figured I would give it a chance anyway. 

I can only at this point dream big on how M owning his own computer would be so beneficial to him.  Even having him do his own reports, learning about his favorite obsession - frogs and weather - and even downloading his pictures from his camera onto his own computer sounds so absolutely wonderful that it is too exciting to not think about.  How it would allow him to become much more proficient in his everyday task - oh my, the list could go on and on how this would benefit him.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  The drawing is on August 23 and Mindi will announce the winner on her website and her facebook page.

Take a look at Mindi's facebook page here.  Mindi's Facebook page

Tough Summer

We started WrapAround Services and have had about 6 weeks with the MT.  Do I see a difference? - nope - He does not look forward to the MT coming over each week for about 1.5 hours. Transition time is almost 20 - 30 minutes and it is so stressful.  The MT doesn't even seem to know how to control this.  Great MT huh!  Does that mean I need to cease wraparound - I have no clue.  His summer has been really difficult.  I have been trying to make it more structured for him but I guess I just don't have the skills like school does.  He did attend ESY for two days out of the week during the summer for about 6 hrs each day - which I have to say he absolutely loved.  I think next year during our IEP meeting I am going to have to push for 5 days instead.  As long as he is on his electronics (Computer, Wii, PlayStation and Gameboy) he is the most content child in the world -- until the website he is playing on decides to do an unscheduled maintenance and decides to shut it down - then he goes into a verbal outburst and gets quite angry.  I have had him spend more time on the outside let it be for swimming, walking around the block or getting together with his one friend to break up his day but it is sometimes very hard to convince him. He would rather sit at the computer all day if I would let him.  His eating habits are still poor - but he tells me that is just the way it is.  Today he said -" but mom, if i wasn't growing then you should be concerned - but look I am almost as tall as you". He is so right there - He will be looking down at me soon. instead of looking up at me.

Sometimes I feel like I am at the end of my rope.  It's not that I want to so call change him because he is the most caring, affectionate, intelligent boy whom I love so much but its more trying to understand him and his way of thinking.  Trying to catch the verbal outburst or physical aggression before it happens is so hard.  It is not until afterwards that I think back on the situation and realized what triggered it and for the most part it makes sense - its that trigger I want to recognize before he explodes.  Suggestions are always welcomed.  

Only 2 more weeks before school starts.  I do look forward to it.  He will continue to be in the emotional support class.  He will be pulled for Math into the regular classroom with an assistant.  School has talked about getting him some type of electronic device for him to communicate with but this still has not happened.  I think I might have to take the next step and get him something for home.  This way he can do his reports, journal, etc.  He loves using his camera and that would be so special to him to be able to learn to download his own pictures onto his own computer.  And just maybe he can verbalize his daily feelings to help me understand what is going on in his head.  He is a very intelligent boy and I really want to see him more challenged - just hoping it doesn't frustrate him more.  Only time will tell.