The Maller Family News: Christopher goes to Kindergarten!

Christopher started Kindergarten on Wednesday September 5, 2012! He is going to Poplar Bridge Elementary and his teacher is Mrs. Meinhardt. He is going half-day every day in the afternoons and is riding the bus to and from school. He rides home on the bus with Sydney. His first day went well minus a few small glitches. The first small glitch was the fact that Christopher stepped in some dog poo just minutes before his bus was due to arrive. He then proceeded to get upset and get it on his hands! He and I quickly ran to the house cleaned his shoes and hands and checked his clothes over to make sure there was nothing. We got back out to the bus stop to find Noah had it on his shoes also and got it on his pants. Brad and I worked furiously to clean him up and wash our own hands yet again. Thanks to whatever neighbor of ours that chose not to clean up after their dog, they almost made us miss getting pictures of our boy on his special day!
The second glitch was the fact that Christopher's bus was 25 minutes late to pick him up. We put him on the bus and then drove to Poplar Bridge to watch him walk in to school. School is supposed to start at 12:35 and 12:35 came and went and still no bus. There were several parents standing there waiting for their kids not just Brad and I. Pretty soon 1:00 comes and goes, still no bus. Then it was 1:15 and still no bus. Around 1:30 the bus finally pulls up to the school! Chris was the first one off and boy was he thrilled to see us! A little sweaty and disheveled, but otherwise good. We introduced him to his para and his special education teachers that will be working with him as they were there waiting for him to get off of the bus.
Boy was I happy to see him when he arrived off of the bus in one piece! Sending him to Kindergarten was a very big deal, especially because we went sure before school began if he would be able to be mainstreamed in a regular class. There had been talk that he might have to go to a more specialized Kindergarten for students with Autism, but at the end of last year, his Preschool teacher, who is an Autism specialist and the rest of his IEP team decided that he could go to his home school, Poplar Bridge.

We are so very thankful to all of the people who helped Christopher get to this milestone. I don't know or remember all of the names so please do not be offended if I do not mention you, we are still extremely grateful!

Chrisenda Hasenbank: Christopher's first speech therapist who helped him find his voice! You helped him so very much and we think you are amazing!
Gaye Lynn Sarff: Christopher's first preschool teacher, who had amazing patience and understanding for Christopher and compassion for parents who were going through a challenging time hearing that their son had autism. Thank you Gaye Lynn for all you did for Chris!!
Kristine Smallfield: Christopher's second preschool teacher/autism specialist. Thank you for your never ending patience with Christopher and helping him to achieve so many of his IEP goals. He wouldn't be where he is today without you.
All of the other occupational therapists, speech therapists, adaptive phy ed teachers, and paras who have worked with Christopher, thank you for being there for him and helping him along the way. You have all been a very important part of his journey to get here!

My sister, Sara who as an OT has been a huge resource and support to us on this journey. Thank you for giving me tools to help Christopher eat and all of the other resources. I don't know what we would do without you! Thank you for all that you do for Chris and for us.

My mom, Betty for being there and giving her support whenever we needed it. It means the world to us. Thank you for all that you do for Chris and for us.

Brad's sister, Michelle for always being there and supporting us whenever we need someone to talk to or bounce ideas off of. It means a lot to us that we have you in our corner! Thank you for all that you have done for Christopher and us.

Here are some photos from his first day of Kindergarten!