wow,i can

Boy, where do I begin? As I mentioned earlier, even though I didn't pay attention to the developmental timetables, I was blessed to be able to learn some major milestones. I learned to roll over at 5 months, sit independently at 9 months, crawl on my hands and knees at around 13-14 months, and walk independently at 17 months. That was about the time that I began early intervention to give me therapy for helping with areas that I struggled with. I received speech, occupational, physical, and developmental therapy.
Although Mom was really scared when we learned that I would be traveling a different road than most kids, she always sees my strengths. She taught me to pick out all of my colors, shapes and animals soon after I turned two years old!! I have always had a knack for being able to pick things out upon request. It wasn't long after that I found a major passion for the letters of the alphabet. I was picking out all of the letters by two and a half years old. I was way, way early on this skill, but there was just no stopping me.

Two and a half years old was about the time that I was introduced to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). My early intervention speech therapist had done a terrific job of teaching me about 40 signs. Although I appreciated the ability to communicate my basic needs and wants, my therapist saw that I would be an excellent candidate for speech-generating devices. She put me in touch with Attain, Inc., who continues to this day to be an excellent resource on assistive technology. My first experience with was through my Mom taking digital pictures of my toys, common foods, restaurant signs, and people. She then made a communication book, so I could pick out what I wanted to play with, what (or where) I wanted to eat, and answer questions about my favorite people. From there, I learned to use my first speech-generating device. It had 8 pictures made by Boardmaker,and Mom had to record a message that went with each picture. Each time I changed the sheet to new pictures, Mom had to record new messages. I touched the picture, and the message played. Mom loved giving me more independence in my communication, but she was not very fond of constantly having to change the recordings. From there, I used a more sophisticated device, but one in which messages still had to be recorded. This new device held more pictures at one time. Before turning three years old, I was ready for the device that I am still currently using. I use a Dynavox MT4. The MT4 is a speech-generating device, in which I link my way through several pages to get to the button I would like to say. Mom programs the device on the computer and the voice is a child's computer voice that says the message. It even has a keyboard on it. I started preschool at three years old typing my name on my own. With a name like Christopher, that was no small feat!! It is one cool device. I am extremely efficient with the device and use it both at home and at school. I am even putting sentences together by combining buttons on my own. Our school song is programmed into it as an MP3 file and I get to lead our class every week by pushing the school song button. My classmates like that a lot. Here are some pictures of me using my MT4.

Starting kindergarten was a very scary experience for Mom (2006-2007). It was decided that the best choice for me was to be fully included in a full-day kindergarten program. Mom was worried about all kinds of things that I don't understand, because kindergarten was awesome. I continued to use my MT4, although my voice was coming out more and more. Articulation is very difficult for me, but I continue to improve as I get older. Although I am very shy around my peers, I enjoy every second of attention that they bring my way. Even though I can't communicate with them very easily, they are always talking to me and cheering me on. Mom says that I am teaching them as much as they are teaching me. All I see is a class full of great friends!

I am in first grade this year (2007-2008 and 2008-2009). I have a wonderful first grade teacher who incorporates me into every aspect of the class and accommodates the areas that I need special help with. I also have a wonderful para who has taught me so much this year and has been a special friend to me and my mom! As a first grader, I have learned to write all of my letters and many numbers. I have a grade level A in spelling and usually get 90-100% on every test. I am sight reading more and more, and can read beginning level books all by myself! Mom is a math teacher, so she works on addition with me. I am too nice to tell her that writing, spelling, and reading are my favorites and I don't really like math that much, but I am willing to work with her and pretend that I like adding goldfish crackers together. I am starting to pick up on some of those concepts, but it is much harder for me than reading and spelling.
I continue to use augmentative and alternative communication, as well as a computer to type. My speech has improved dramatically over the past year. I am able to communicate verbally and can be understood fairly well. Come to find out, I am a pretty funny and goofy kid. I am still shy around my classmates to use my voice, but I am starting to improve with this also. My job during circle time is to talk about what today, tomorrow, and yesterday are every day. I talk really, really softly, but my teachers are working with me to voice myself louder for everyone to hear!

I receive speech, occupational, and physical therapy through school. I also see a private speech and occupational therapist each twice a month. I have an augmentative communcation specialist helping me at school and para professionals to help me during the day. My outside activities include swimming with daddy once per week, and horseback riding during the summers. They tell me that horse riding is therapy...that is my kind of therapy! I love horses and can't wait for every summer so that I can ride them again!

I am very well behaved both at school and at home. I take all kinds of yucky medicine three times a day and never complain about a single bite. Mom tells me all the time how proud she is of my spririt and determination. I have a seriously goofy side and an unbelievable sense of humor. I have been fully potty trained for a couple of years, even at night.

Although I have so many wonderful strengths, there are some things that are very difficult for me. Because of my expressive language limitations, I don't have very good play skills with my peers. They do a great job of playing with me, but I am really shy to initiate interactions with them. Art projects that involve cutting, gluing, and coloring are difficult for me. I am enjoying them more than I used to, but I need a lot of help with them. Following new directions is sometimes hard for me, because I am a very visual learner. It is hard for me to pay attention to story time and circle time, because of the auditory information being provided. Once I know what is expected, I do great, but new information is very difficult.

I hope that this gives you some insight about my accomplishments. Everyone I know is so proud of me, and I appreciate every person's effort to help me grow and learn to the best of my potential. Mom tells me that success doesn't depend on how smart someone is, or how much money they have, but by how they live their life, and what kind of impact they have on others. She says I am extremely successful.