Whew. Things have been mighty quiet around here lately! I think the last time I posted was what…December? Oops.
The past few months have been filled with changes. I returned to work full time (gulp!), I am exploring some exciting options for my books and writing, plans for this blog, and just the future in general!
Oh, and we have started the process of having LJ formally evaluated.
So, let me backup. LJ has always danced to the beat of his own drum and since birth he has followed his own developmental path. He has always been beautifully unique and incredibly sensitive. He struggles managing big feelings. Transitions can be brutal. But probably the most concerning to me is the fact that he has a very hard time making friends. We are working with our school district to consider ASD, ADHD, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, or…...? My gut tells me that he is likely somewhere on the autism spectrum.
It was time. It was long overdue. I feel IMMENSE guilt about waiting this long and worry that we missed critical opportunities for intervention. Alas, I feel sometimes this is one of the “job hazards” of being in this field: I felt like I could handle it. No, I felt I SHOULD handle it. After all it was my job for 8+ years to teach children social skills and how to regulate their emotions!
Let me make this clear, I am not upset by the idea of parenting a neurodiverse child. My guilt stems solely from this feeling that I should have done more for him. He is the same adorable, creative, quirky, empathetic kid he always has been. A diagnosis will not change that. A diagnosis would simply lay out a path that could help us give him the best possibility of a successful and happy future.
Anyways, this is my long-winded way of saying that things have been busy, and I have put this blog on the back-burner. Which is a bummer, because I had big plans for this space. But my motivation is revived and here I am! I will be back on here sharing book news, our journey through the special education evaluation process, stories of our daily challenges and triumphs, maybe some videos, and more tips, tricks and tools to support social-emotional learning.
So, hang in there folks! There will be more regular content coming soon! In fact, check back in the next couple days for a brand new printable with ideas for teaching emotional regulation skills 😊
Warmly,
Kate
P.S. You may notice a few changes around here already! I will share more about that later!
