So Long, S.M.!

Camryn is continuing to blossom at BCA. I was in her classroom yesterday, and she read a sentence out loud and answered questions on what part was the subject, verb, etc. Her voice was very, very soft, but loud enough for her teacher to hear her.

A couple of weeks ago, Camryn wanted to invite a friend to spend the night. She called her mom's cell phone and talked to her for a couple of minutes about the sleepover. When she got off the phone, I commended her for her speaking to someone she doesn't know on the phone. Her response... "Mommy, it's not a big deal. I don't have S.M. anymore!" God is so amazing!

First Two Days of New School

Wow! It's only been two days at BCA, and our family is feeling SO BLESSED!!! Camryn is freely speaking to the other children in her class, even her teacher, PLUS... here's the biggie... SHE READ OUT LOUD IN FRONT OF HER CLASS (and more than once yesterday!!!) WOO HOO! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

BCA-Bound

Recently, we made the decision to enroll Camryn in a private Christian school. It was difficult for us to imagine her thriving in the middle school environment where three elementary schools merge into one and where she would be taught by four teachers.

In her new school, she will have a total of nine students in her class and one teacher. We have also decided to enroll her in fourth grade at the new school. She will be repeating fourth, but we felt that this was the best decision based on her maturity level (social, physical, and academic). Besides, it will be a whole new curriculum, so it's not like she'll be re-learning all the same material.

There is a strict dress code at BCA, one in which Camryn will have to grow accustomed to. Camryn is very creative and trendy with her clothing. It's part of who she is. Plus, she's all about comfort. This goes along with Sensory Processing Disorder where any kind of tight or fitting clothing, itchy tags, etc. are problemsome. Socks are a problem as the seam always bothers her. (I'm gonna search for some seamless socks for her). But, for me, these new clothes are a mother's dream! Khaki skorts, polo shirts, plaid jumpers, and preppy shoes! I love it!!!

Please continue to pray for Camryn as she begins a new chapter in her life!

Currently off the Paxil

Camryn is now off Paxil. I decided to see what would happen if she stopped taking it. So right around the beginning of our Christmas break, I stopped giving it to her. Other than some non-S.M. anxiousness, she hasn't been any less talkative with her friends. I've noticed some general anxiety, such as her being a little more cautious than usual (she's overly conscious already). This is what it might look like: We're in a parking lot, and a car heads towards us. Camryn might pull on me to quickly get out of the way even when I'm very full aware that a car is coming towards us. Or, she worries that something close to the edge of a table might fall off. Stuff like that, which I can totally live with vs. her not having any kind of social life outside of her own home. I will probably request that she begin on it again around the beginning of August since she will be starting Middle School next year (new building, new teachers, more teachers, more transitions, new students, etc.). I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for caring about Camryn!

2008 Reflections

Camryn had a great Christmas. She must've been on Santa's "very nice" list! She's progressed so much over 2008. Except for talking to teachers, she's totally herself at school. She just seems to have a mind-block against talking to teachers. The odd thing, though, is that she will talk sometimes to substitute teachers... crazy! I think it must have something to do with her perceived expectation to talk to her teachers (from them and me, too, I'm sure). As we've been off for Christmas vacation, it seems that every store we go to, the cashier will ask her if she had a good Christmas. Mostly, she will do nothing, so of course, I answer for her. But, sometimes if I prompt her, she will slightly nod her head yes. Still a big step for her. Around family from both sides, she was pretty comfortable with everyone hearing her voice. Around my brother and his family (two of which are children), she talked freely. Of course, she's still never directly talked to my brother, but freely lets him hear her voice. Around Gary's mom's family, again there were children there, so she was freely talking. However, again, she wouldn't talk directly to an adult other than MiMi or Opa. She would communicate non-verbally to most people, though. With Gary's dad, however, there were no children there, so she stayed pretty quiet. So... just a little reflection/update for you. Thanks for loving and caring for Camryn. Hope you have a blessed new year!

Update

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I guess there really hasn't been much to write about. Camryn has been talking to all her friends and most classmates since the beginning of the school year, but she has yet to talk to her teachers. She has talked on occasion to her P.E. teacher, however. Her grades are not what they should be. It seems like everytime we get her S.M. under control, she becomes more social (the idea) but her grades fall. Please continue to pray for her.

Summer is Coming to an End

I haven't updated Camryn's blog much this summer. Her S.M. stays pretty well hidden over the summer with the absence of the school environment. She's had lots of playdates (not enough, though in her opinion). We are looking forward to her fourth grade year.