Much better day

Today Rowan went up and down the bus stairs.  The para told me he didn't cry today either! 

Preschool Day 2

This morning went smoothly.  When the bus arrived, Rowan was happy to see it.  He was fine up until we entered the bus. Then he gripped me  and whined.
     After school,  the bus pulled up.  I could see him through the  window flapping and excited to see me. He was smiling when he approached. He held the hand rail and went down the stairs by himself!   I hugged him so tight.  I had tears of joy...especially when I saw his school paper.  He had a really good  day and ate all of his snack!  He used a new word and confirmed that he understands it.  I offered him yogurt and he said "no ".

First day of preschool summary

The bus was late, and by then I had a knot on my stomach.  I videoed the bus arrival. The nice lady helped Rowan to the stairs.  He was shaking and scared but happy to see me.  He was smiling.  I hugged him so tight.  I have never missed him so much.  I couldn't stop hugging him.
When we walked in. ..i was talking to him about the school and the bus.  He said "Passenger. "  He has heard this word from a Little Critter book called "Just me and my mom" by Mercer Mayer. He had an interactive app with this book that he taps pictures and it'll say the word.
It was smart of him to connect the story to an actual experience.  He was in fact. ...A "Passenger" on the school bus.
I tell you what. ... I've never been so happy to see him.  The picture I attached shows how his day went.  What a relief!

Rowan's First Day of Preschool.

   This morning, getting everyone ready for their day, went smoothly.  I made their breakfast, in advance, yesterday.  I had their bags packed, lunch prepared for Arwen, and clothes set out.  We took Arwen to school, spoke with her new teacher, got her settled, and went home.  We were early enough for Rowan to get on the bus.  I decided to let him go on the bus and I would follow to take all his supplies to his teacher.
     While we were waiting, Rowan wanted to go inside.  He got a little restless.  The bus arrived and I carried him over.  I talked to the bus driver.  Rowan panicked! He stiffened up, his body shaking all over, and started crying. The bus attendant took his cars away.  I told her he could have them. She said "No, there will be nowhere to put them."  He needs his cars. He never goes anywhere without them.  He holds them all day long.  The two ladies struggled and got him on the bus.  They assured me that he would be ok.  I was starting to panic.  I let them take over.  I got in my car and followed the bus to school just as I had planned and the teacher suggested.  I went in and spoke to his teacher and gave her all his supplies. I explained how it went, and about the cars.  She said she would talk with them after school, about letting him have his cars.
     I waled to the bus area and saw them carrying him off the bus.  The other kids got off  on their own.  He was in full blown panic.  He was disheveled and distraught,  He was terrified.  I ran over to him and gave him his car.  He relaxed a little.  A lady was holding his hand and walking him in,  She introduced herself.  She is one of the paras in his class. I told her who I was and about his cars.  I was starting to cry and my voice was trembling.  As we walked into the building, I was losing it.  I could tell that he was ok and that she had things under control.  I ran out the door to my car and called my husband bawling.  He will be taking the bus home today.  I hope he will be ok.

Kindergarten Day 3

Everything went well. I even got to meet Arwen's new permanent teacher. She's great. I'm pleased.  After dropping her off I took Rowan to behavioral therapy.
    After therapy we picked up our shirts for the Autism walk. We spent 40 minutes at the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio talking about resources and local offerings. Very good people over there!
Then home to get Rowan down for a nap. I did house cleaning, lunch,  and phone calls during the two hours he slept.
I got him up and we went to pick up Arwen. It went smoothly.  We went home and got Arwen changed. Tim came home early so we could all go to Rowan's orientation. 
His teacher is excellent.  I spent a lot of time discussing Rowan. All sorts of questions were answered.  She gave me her email.  We've gone back and forth talking that way as well.  It's wonderful.  They have an awesome motor room that  he's going to love!  His teacher really put me at ease.  While we were there he was so happy.  He really liked his classroom.  I  said " Rowan,  this is Miss Laura. "   He went over to the play area then turned and pointed at his teacher saying "Miss Laura, Miss Laura! "   I was so excited, he was talking!  I realized he needed a book bag. .. One with the strap across the front because he's never worn one before.
So we headed to Target and got him a backpack.  <3    My baby is getting so big.
What a long day!   We went home. ..ate... And to bed!

Preschool

Rowan is supposed to start school on Tuesday. I still haven't heard from anyone!  I sent another email. ..no reply.  I'm getting frustrated and impatient.

Fiasco

Last week I got a letter in the mail that said Arwen had to have a kindergarten screening and that her teacher was to be determined.  In May, I had a meeting with a panel of people who had assessed her for kindergarten.  This consisted of a psychologist,  speech therapist,  occupational therapist,  district supervisor,  and her itinerant teacher.  (And probably a few more I'm forgetting)
We created a plan for her, deciding to place her at a school that offers a smaller special needs group,  with an extra adult.
They also offer transportation with a para professional on the bus to assist her.
(I can't even tell you the terror I feel about trusting someone in this situation)
We did a little tour of the special needs room and therapy room. I was introduced to the teachers and therapist.  I've been dreading the first day of school because I'm pretty sure Rowan starts on the same day.
Anyway. ..back to the screening letter.  I thought it was odd that they screen her since she had already been placed.  I thought because it said "teacher TBD" that they were meaning to place her based on this screening.  My first thought was that they had made an error.  I called. .. The phone rang and rang with no answer.  I emailed the special needs supervisor for the district.  She replied and said that all kindergarten students must take it.  I understand that. 
So, last night was the school orientation.  What a disaster.  The kids fidgeted through the principal's address, then we were off to meet her teacher and visit the classroom.  When we looked on the door it only showed a room number for her class. .... We walked down to the classroom and it was dark. Confused,
checked a second time for her teacher's name but none was listed. 
We found the assistant principal, who informed us that her teacher transfered and the new teacher officially starts on the first day of school.  We did talk to a therapist and she helped Arwen feel welcome.  We left discouraged with all her school supplies.
In a way, I was glad she was scheduled to have the screening so she could see the place again and get more familiar.  I got everyone up  and ready this morning.  I left a few minutes early so I could go to the bank. At the bank the phone rang...

The school canceled the screening. ....30 minutes before we were to go.  So now. .. We start school blind. I'm worried because I think Rowan starts the same day and there has been ZERO contact from his school.  I've called and emailed a few times and was pretty much told to wait.  School starts a week from today. 
I have no information and two special needs kids to prepare. 
I don't know what to think.

One day at a time. ......

My anxiety builds...

September 2nd both kids start new schools. Arwen begins a full day kindergarten.  This makes me nervous for so many reasons. 
She must be taken to the potty every hour or so or she will pee her pants trying to get there. She struggles with using utensils to feed herself and is very picky about how food is presented.  She has never gone anywhere away from us more than half day preschool.

I know that once she settles into a routine she'll be fine. This is a mainstream school but she will be with a small group for special needs. She will get many sensory breaks,  have occupational therapy, speech therapy, and be included in social groups. These are all great things. My fears are the possibility of her being bullied by neurotypical children. ...And being labeled. This brings me to the dilemma if the Autism model school would be a better fit. I want her to feel as normal as possible and learn to fit in with neurotypical children.  So I've been battling internally for some time on the matter.
Next week she has to take the reading test. She'll nail that because she can read like a first grader. Then placement.  We go to the school orientation the next day. I truly hope she will adjust easily. I'm so scared for her. Then there's the issue of transportation.  They offer transportation with a special helper on the bus for her. I know I should trust these people,  but her complete lack of knowledge about where to go and what to do. ..coupled with her desire to run scares me to death.
Now the subject of Rowan.  This scares me even worse. He starts preschool on the same day as Arwen. I have not received any contact from the school. I have called and emailed and was told to wait.  This is a half day preschool with transportation included. I've debated on the transportation issue because my car is on it's last leg.  I suppose it would be a learning experience for them...but I'm still afraid. Rowan has never been away from home without me or his dad.  He is highly anxious around new people and places.  He panics easily and has sensory problems, especially sounds.  He is not potty trained. He barely communicates. This program will also offer occupational and speech therapy. 
Like I said before,  once a routine begins it will all be ok. I feel that I should be with him at first to transition him and also inform his teachers about his needs. The thing is....His third day I have to meet with his therapist. I know he'll panic. It makes me panic. I don't want to put him through that. I'm anxious to hear from the school about how all this will happen.  I'm anxious for an orientation and meeting his teacher.
I need to stop worrying.  I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping lately.
We also have to work in speech therapy,  occupational therapy, behavior therapy and developmental visits outside school on a weekly basis. It's a struggle fitting it in.
I am very much like them in that I need a schedule, routine,  and know what to expect or I get anxious. Without a schedule we just couldn't function.