Amazing Kiddos

Snow Days are GREAT but I miss my little guys! Lots...

So... I'm going to share some of their stories and how Amazing they are! (I also shared this on FB):


3. 1st Grader in my autism classroom: came to me in January from another classroom. This kiddo's mom actually requested me because I work with his twin brother!!  This little boy struggles with attention. He was reading basic sight words and used a lot of "jargon"- his own language to communicate. His teacher recommended getting him on ADHD meds to help him focus. He was also only required to do 5 academic jobs per day and then spent about 30 minutes in a regular 1st grade classroom with the rest of the kids, but wasn't allowed to join in with the class- he had to do other work. He could read 15 words of the words I tested him on in January and he was consistent with numbers 1-20. He also wouldn't follow directions without multiple prompts and couldn't identify his coins consistently. He was not required to do any spelling and rarely got the opportunity to play with other verbal kids.

NOW:  He is able to sit for over 3 HOURS of academic instruction (This is the same kid that his teacher said he couldn't sit for more than 10 minutes of instruction!). He is also using more words to communicate! He is asking for help independently. He is able to read 40 words now (was only at 15 in January). He can consistently identify all 3 coins I've introduced to him so far! He gets to participate with the 1st grade class and gets to play with his typical peers! He also follows directions without prompts and he is counting past 100 and writing up to 50 in one sitting! He can answer WH questions now and sit and independently complete tasks and assignments, asking for help when he needs it! He also is doing short homework assignments now, just like the other kids, and he is taking short spelling tests with me weekly to prepare him for more time in his regular grade level classroom next year!  

I get to spend a lot of time with this kiddo each day and he is just awesome! I love how hard he works and I love seeing the progress he makes every single day!!


2. 2nd grade nonverbal student in my autism classroom: came to me from another room in january, so we've only worked with him for about 2 months, but I did have the opportunity to observe him prior to him moving to my room and I got to sit in on his IEP meeting. he was consistently hitting/scratching staff MULTIPLE times per day, running away from staff, and had to have his hand held at ALL times of the day. He had been in his previous classroom with the same teacher since Kindergarten. They used a "time-out" restraint chair with him daily and used a weighted vest on him (weighing about 20 pounds) as their methods to stop his behavior. He was given 5 "jobs"- academic tasks per day and his para informed me that he usually only got through 2 of those and spent most days on the floor. He could write letters of his name in configuration boxes but only with someone holding his hand/wrist to help him. He also knew some signs but wasn't using them consistently.

NOW: he is able to LINE UP at the door with the other kids and WALK in a line to and from all locations in school WITHOUT his hand being held! Even outside to the bus! We've only had about 5 instances of grabbing/hitting/scratching in the entire 2 months! He's able to sit and comply for over 2 HOURS of academic instruction EVERY day (he was only getting through about 20 minutes before and he would hit/tantrum/run away every day during these sessions). We have also taught him to pair the sign for bathroom with going to bathroom, and he's been able to start using 2 word sentences with signs! We have NEVER had to use a restraint chair!!! And we never use the weighted vest!!! AND last week I gave him the directions and He sat down at his desk by himself, took out his pencil, traced a sheet of letters, turned it over by himself, and finished the other side by himself as well!!!! The para that worked with him before was so excited and almost cried!! YAY!!

Sorry this one was super long but man I LOVE this kid!! It's so awesome what kids can do when you give them the opportunity!!!



1. 6 yr old boy in my autism classroom: came to me at the beginning of the school year with only a few words, he could count up to 12, couldn't identify his numbers, only able to identify 3 letters, wouldn't greet others or respond to greetings from others, and needed lots of prompts to follow verbal directions. He also couldn't walk down the hallways with a group of students without bolting towards every drinking fountain, and he was in pullups a the beginning of the year. 

NOW: He has lots of words! He can count AND write his numbers up to 100! He knows all of letters AND he can READ 30 words!! He also greets everyone and responds to our greetings without help on a daily basis! And... He follows verbal directions with no help, He no longer wears pullups AND he can walk with other kids in line and go to group activities with the other kids now!

LOVE this little guy! Isn't he awesome?!!




In a nutshell- A. I miss my kiddos. B. I work with some truly AMAZING kids. and C. I love the opportunity to impact their lives! It's SOO awesome to see people who knew them before and see them now and all the progress they've made!

Love my little RockStars :-) 

Office Craftroom Reveal

So... about a month ago, I set out to remodel a bedroom in my house into an office/craftroom. I already had the desk and bookshelves, but I wanted to paint the walls, and add a craft table/reorganize my craft materials.

The room BEFORE (when I bought the house):

In progress:

The room AFTER!!!

 (bookshelf/printing station)

 (view when walking in- desk and filing cabinet, and window)

 (craft table I built- spray painted two book shelves I already had black, then painted a door from Home Depot... below I used cute wrapping paper to make my old plastic drawers look cute!)

(futon for relaxing! also dual purpose as another space for guests to stay)

I know the colors are pretty bold... BUT... I'm very proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone! Those of you that know me, know... I'm a pretty boring person... Lol.

Oh and I still want to hang up my degrees on the walls and some small paintings and put the tv up on the wall...

SOOOO what do you guys think??? Leave your comments below :-)


~LaKrystal~