MEET MY FACE OF AUTISM …. MEET MISS EMMA
… this is my beautiful 8 year old grand daughter, Emma
Cynthia, she is not just my first grandchild but she is also my namesake. I
have been with Emma since the moment she was born! I was with her mom the
day we received the diagnosis of autism/pdd at Children’s Hospital at
Dartmouth (NH) at the young age of 19 months. As with everyone receiving
this diagnosis, it is devastating to say the least. After the shock wore
off, we decided to do whatever we could to not only help our Emma but to
educate the public about autism. We had NO where to turn back in 2000. We
started a support group and I started Stitches4Autism to fund the group. We
developed a large lending library for other parents in the same situation.
And Emma began her therapies ~ speech at home. One day
Emma said her first word on a pony at a county fair and also signed the word
(MORE) which clearly told us she knew what she wanted and knew how to ask
for it. We quickly realized the value of hippotherapy (riding horses) and
got her enrolled immediately. Her mom became a therapeutic riding instructor
and Emma began her many therapies, which included hippotherapy. She went
from not being able to enter the barn to picking the horses hoof in just a
few years. She loves to bounce in her trampoline and blow up house, do arts
and crafts, go swimming, sing and dance, go for walks, ride and groom her
horse, Dually, and read books.
Today Emma is a very happy and loving child. She has a
quirky personality and likes to tell jokes! She is currently about to end
second grade. She is well loved by her peers and has had a fantastic year
academically surpassing her IEP expatiations. Her teacher, Mrs. Howe
writes: Emma is a
happy girl with lots of friends. She is able to identify her peers in her
class as well as others that she comes into contact with on a regular basis.
She participates in ‘Morning Meeting’ by greeting her peers, signing in on
the message board, playing games, dancing and sharing stories with a prompt.
After I greet the class each day with a "good morning" Emma waits to be
greeted independent of the others. If I forget, she will say "Good morning
Emma". She definitely likes her routine and will allow small changes each
day but one step at a time. Emma does not like when I sing. She pleads
with me to stop. (I guess Idol will not come calling. ) She can tolerate
some music but it depends on how she is feeling that day.
Emma is blessed to
have two of the best paraprofessionals ever. Both Wendy and Kim love her so
much and it is apparent that she feels the same for them. She refers to
Wendy sometimes as Erin who is the local TV morning news because there is a
resemblance. Emma knows her routines with the ladies as well as they know
her every moment. They are both great at reading Emma and what her needs
may be. They are patient and kind and are able to settle Emma down fairly
quickly when Emma is sad or frustrated. The love and care they portray each
and every day has been paid off big time when you see how far Emma has come.
Her mom's goal for her was to make friends and be social. The kids love
her. The kids have great patience and understanding towards Emma. Some of
the kids have invited Emma this year to birthday parties. Some have gone to
her house for a play date. My relationship with Emma is special. Emma
looks forward to her days here at school. She has taught me a great deal
about her successful journey here at Dame School. She has often given me
strength when the going gets tough. Emma has allowed me to share in her
world and she helps me to understand her thoughts and her kindness. "Hug"
or "I want hug" is something that Em and I started early in the year. She
has shown that she does love to get hugs and give them. Hugging has helped
her communicate that she loves someone. These are beautiful and
unforgettable moments.
Her accomplishments are grand. She has mastered most if not all the goals
that were set for her this year. She is doing math, reading. She took her
first test this year. She uses manipulatives to solve problems. She has
made friends and has become a friend time and time again. She communicates
so much better and is often able to tell us what she needs or ask for help.
The list is large but I suspect, after her IEP meeting, this information
can be filled in even more.
On Emma's way home from school on the last day she
turned and said "Bye Bye Dame School, Thank You." Emma will be
starting third grade in a new school.....stay tuned!
