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 AAC 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. Before turning three years old, I was ready for the 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 would program 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 was one cool device. I used the device at school and out in the community to order my own food in restaurants. I was able to put sentences together using various buttons and several different screens. In kindergarten, our school song was programmed into it as an MP3 file and I got to lead our class every week by pushing the school song button. My classmates liked that a lot. Here are some pictures of me using my MT4 when I was younger (2004).

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 with support from a paraprofessional. I had previously spent two years in a wonderful preschool program with typically developing children (although I had adult assistant with me as well). Mom was worried about me starting kindergarten which I didn't understand, because it was awesome. I continued to use my MT4, although my voice was coming out more and more. Articulation was very difficult for me, but I continued to improve as I got older. Although I was very shy around my peers, I enjoyed every second of attention they brought my way. Even though I couldn't communicate with them very easily, they were always talking to me and cheering me on. Mom says that I taught them as much as they taught me.

Next was first grade (2007-2008 and 2008-2009). Mom and dad decided that I should do first grade twice to help with my confidence and maturity. I think they were right because I became much more comfortable with myself during my second year of first grade. I had a wonderful first grade teacher who incorporated me into every aspect of the class and accommodated the areas that I needed special help with. I also had a wonderful para who taught me so much both years and was a special friend to me and my mom! As a first grader, I learned to write all of my letters and many numbers. I had a grade level A in spelling and usually g0t 90-100% on every test. I sight read more and more, and began to read beginning level books all by myself! Math was a little harder for me but I began to add groups of things together.
I continued to use augmentative and alternative communication, as well as a computer to type. My speech had improved dramatically over the past year (due largely to the combination of the VNS and reduction of seizure medications). I was able to communicate verbally and could be understood fairly well. Come to find out, I am a pretty funny and goofy kid. My mom tells me that I am the funniest kid I know.
My second grade teacher (2009-10) was equally as wonderful as my first grade teacher. I continued to be in a regular classroom with time in the resource room as needed. I began to become more social with my peers as my verbal communication improved.
I am currently in third grade (2010-11). Again, my teacher and my para rock! I still have a grade level A in spelling. My handwriting is outstanding and I can color a beautiful picture (at least that is what my mom says). My math and reading skills are around the end of first grade level, but I am learning new things every day. My teachers tell me what a pleasure it is to work with me because I am so happy to see everyone every day and I am so determined to do my personal best.

I receive speech, occupational, and physical therapy through school and also go to private speech and occupational therapy. My outside activities include swimming lessons and horseback riding during the summers. I learned to swim independently this year (2010). I LOVE the water and look forward to my lesson every week. 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 one. 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.

Although I have so many wonderful strengths, there are some things that are very difficult for me. Because of my cognitive limitations, I don't have very good play skills with my peers and it gets more difficult as I (and they) get older. They are very nice to me at school but the older they get, they more difficult it is interact with them. I still prefer adults to peers and my mom sometimes gets sad that I don't have that social aspect that typical kids have. I do have a lot of brothers and sisters though, and I am very comfortable to be myself around them. Another difficulty is following new directions because I am a very visual learner. It is hard for me to pay attention to long class activities because of the auditory information being provided. Once I know what is expected, I do great, but new information is very difficult. I spend more time in the resource room as I get older because the content provided in the regular classroom is too much for me.

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.