Reflecting

I am thinking about Jackson's upcoming annual case conference. (For those of you with typical children who are deprived this privilege, a case conference is when you meet with teachers and administrators to plan for your child's education for the upcoming school year). I always get a little anxious about these meetings; like I'm waiting for the ax to fall. It's not easy hearing how academically challenged your child is; it's especially difficult to read it in black and white.
So, this year, I am preempting those feelings with my own list of all the gains my son has made this year. I will need these accomplishments to temper the weight of the world as I contemplate how far he has to go. With that, in no particular order, are the accomplishments he has managed since the fall:

*He is making attempts to read words. There is evidence that he is checking through words and using phonics to sound out unknown words.
*He has an increased interested in art. He will draw illustrations and talk about what he's drawn. His drawings are becoming more sophisticated.
*Jackson is using print in a meaningful way. He has intentionally written me notes to make his point even greater. He will record things on the calendar and has even at times, added words to his illustrations.
*Finally, my son is able to match one to one when counting. This skills is helping him to have an understanding of other basic math concepts: addition, more, less.
*Socially, he continues to laugh in the face of the autism gods. In the fall, at a sectional football game, he wandered off from our family, and when I caught up to him and asked him where he was going, he answered, "to my friends". My heart stopped then, as I watched him and his friends "hang out" at the game for the rest of that quarter. At the next sectional game, he asked again to go find his friends.
*This year, he went on a big birthday party celebration and actually rode all night long in the limo without mom. He was calm, and enjoyed being with his friends.
*That initial excursion led to another independent event: going to the circus with a group of friends.
*He routinely greets his friends and their parents at church (with out prompting). He is ever aware of where his friends are.
*He clearly demonstrated his awareness of the wants of others when changing the music in the car to something his friends would enjoy.
*He asks about going to do things with his friends, and will talk about times he's shared with his friends, "You went to Lazer tag with Jhai and Trevor and Seth"
*He initiates activites with family members. He'll call, "Cal come here" or "Mom sit here."
*Jackson follows directives easily. This is exciting, there was a time when he didn't understand a simple command like: "Put the plate in the sink" Now he can follow more complex commands "Take the clothes out of the washer, put them in the dryer and press start." or "Go to the kitchen and get mom a coke"
*He's more vocal in general. I'm often greeted with a "Hey mom" and surprised when he asks about or announces something.
*Amazingly, he has adapted to having seven periods in the day, and adjusted to seven teachers. I record this, because it too, is an accomplishment in its own right.

These are the accomplishments that come to me right now. Absolutely to be celebrated, without question they aren't taken for granted. I am proud of all my son has become and anxious for his future to unfold more triumphs.