We have managed to have some sickness or another for most of the month of May. I’m kind of sick of this shit. I’m speaking for the entire family with that statement. I think we’re beginning to feel human again, but the last time I thought that was directly preceding what’s been the three week cold.
In any event, we’ve gone through the IFSP and the IEP. “Speak English,” you say? Ah, ok.
“IFSP” is the shit we get before Tristan turns 3. It means Individual Family Service Plan. This is funded by the Early Start program and has been our at-home ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy. We’re in the process of having solidified the last one of these and are about to finish the exit report process, since Tristan is 33 months, or 2 years 9 months, old.
“IEP” is the shit we get after Tristan turns 3. It means Individualized Education Program. This is taken care of by the school district, which is Milpitas Unified in our case. The focus shifts from individual and family needs to educational care, so Tristan will transition to a preschool setting at the age of 3.
Oh, shit, yeah, I am looking forward to the free time. And I am looking forward to watching Tristan mature as a person as he gets to know new people and a new format.
I also am getting right sick of these meetings about Tristan’s skills and I suspect he also is. One of the assessments involved putting us into this shoebox of a room – Tristan, the lady performing the assessment, and me. We had to substitute James for me (and kick me into the hallway) after trying myriad configurations because Tristan was sort of spazzing out.
Tristan most certainly concentrates better without me around. He hangs and climbs on me joyously; he’s rather fixated on me and can’t really ignore me to work. He acts more calmly around everyone else, especially James. Thankfully, James was present in this case. I wish Tristan would calm down around me when it’s naptime.
Tristan’s language is taking a new direction. He’s spontaneously using the phrasing, “I want (insert noun), please.” However, this means a lot of things right now: I see, I know, I remember, I think, and sometimes even I want. It’s the only phrase he uses consistenly (other than “More (insert noun), please” but that’s essentially the same thing). But he is REALLY starting to express those things that he sees, knows, remembers, thinks, and wants.
Our family is on its way to Las Vegas on Monday – this will be Tristan’s very first airplane trip. This is a family trip – we plan to meet most of the family that reads this website. It will be the first break I’ve had in the daily routine this year, if I remember correctly (and I can’t be counted on to; that is the main reason I keep this site!). Tristan is all about the sensory-seeking and stimulation so we expect that he shall enjoy this. Wish us luck!