The Belles-Silcock Family

..it's all about Inclusion

    AllOurBoys.com

November 2009
Patrick has been enjoying his home school program. I am feeling confident that he has learned more at home during the past two months than he learned at school the past two years. Patrick is just a sponge right now. He is learning to read and to do basic math. Patrick can use the computer to play learning games and to Google information he is interested in. Patrick's speech is also improving and his vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. Patrick is becoming more skilled at using the bathroom and his toileting accidents are further and further in between. Patrick has also reduced some of his behavioral challenges because of the consistency we can offer all day long. We are thrilled to see such huge academic and social emotional changes with Patrick and we are contemplating keeping him home again next school year.

June 2009
Patrick graduated from elementary school this month. I can't believe he will be in middle school next year. Because our middle school program is mostly academic based, I am considering home schooling Patrick next school year. After one year he will be eligible for high school based on his age. I like the high school program fairly well. The high school works more on self-help, socialization and vocational skills. This is a much more realistic path for both Patrick and Parker. While Patrick has made some academic growth and is in fact reading and doing a little writing and math, his main needs are increasing his social skills while decreasing his inappropriate behaviors.

Patrick is a great kid and loads of fun to be with, however he has quite a few interfering behaviors that have been left essentially unaddressed for many years. Because Patrick is the size of a four year old, its easy to forget he is just shy of being a teenager. I am encouraging everyone who supports Patrick at home, at school and in the community to demand more appropriate behaviors from him. Patrick continues to make awesome growth in all areas and I look forward to continued success in his independent living skills.

November 2008
Patrick is happy to get back to school. He loves to ride the school bus especially. At school Patrick enjoys art projects the best. After school Patrick continues to go out in the community daily. He is getting more and more social. Instead of just wanting to open and close doors everywhere he goes, Patrick is now trying to interact to everyone. Patrick can even get playful with familiar people in the community. Since we go out to eat at Soup Plantation to eat every Monday Patrick is starting to get comfortable in this setting. Now Patrick and the waiter have little games they play with each other every week. Its wonderful to see Patrick increase his communication and his social skills in a variety of settings. Our other big news is ee are very close to finalizing Patrick and Parker's adoption. We are just waiting for a court date. I hope by the next update Patrick and Parker will be officially adopted!

September 2008
Patrick is thrilled to be back in school. I've never met a kid who loved school as much as Patrick. Actually its probably not school that Patrick is excited about but rather he just loves riding the school bus! Patrick is attending the same school but has a new teacher this year. He and Parker are in the same class. Patrick is continuing to have opportunities to interact with typical kids on the playground and in the classroom. After school Patrick is enjoying a full array of community activities although Chuck-E-Cheese continues to be his favorite! .

July 2008
Patrick has been to two summer camps this year. He went to a sleep-over camp for a week. Everyone loved him! It took Patrick a little time to get used to the idea of sleeping in a different bed and have different people take care of him but after a few days he was in full camp mode! Patrick enjoyed all of the activities that Camp Paivika had to offer. He had fun with his brothers, Jordan and Rishi and he also enjoyed meeting new friends as well. Patrick also went to Special Camp for Special Kids for a week. This is a full-day camp program where the campers are matched up one-to-one with high school students. Patrick enjoyed playing with his counselor and going on the field trips, especially since he got to ride in a very large yellow school bus! Patrick has benefited so much from being active in the community and meeting all kids of kids. He has learned so many new signs and words its amazing. Its exciting to watch Patrick experience many of the activities most eleven year olds take from granted. He is definitely thriving socially with maximum opportunities to be with his typical peers.

May 2008
Patrick has been doing great for the past few months! He loves school where is has lots of opportunities to be fully-included with typical students. He is making amazing progress in his communication and academics. Patrick is using lots of words both orally and in sign language. He is much better able to express his wants lately. He can clearly let us know where he wants to go. McDonalds, Chuck-E-Cheese, Disneyland, and Legoland are his absolute favorites. Patrick also likes to be independent. He is now able to wait in a short line for a ride at Legoland without someone standing right at his side. This summer Patrick will be participating in MYART children's theater production of "Oliver!" He is the most excited about getting to wear a costume on stage! We are excited to see how Patrick does with this type of large group activity. Patrick has proven to be quite the entertainer at home!